RESOLUTION CALLING FOR PERMANENT OPERATING SUPPORT FOR TRANSIT

RESOLUTION CALLING FOR ELIMINATION OF THE STATUTORY PROVISION THAT PROHIBITS ANY GROWTH OF AMTRAK’S NATIONAL NETWORK

The Rail Users’ Network endorses the following resolution adopted by Railroad Workers United:

Resolution in Support of the Amtrak National Network

Whereas, Amtrak was created in 1971 – after years of downgrading and neglect of passenger trains by the major U.S. rail carriers – with the explicit purpose to “provide uniform and rising standards of service for all United States citizens,” and

Whereas, over the last half century – despite political attempts to kill the service, the hostility and sabotage of host rail carriers, starvation of capital investment, and chronic equipment shortages – ridership has steadily increased while operating costs have more and more been covered at the fare box; and

Whereas, with the demise of small town airports and the elimination of bus service, the train is often the only form of public transportation available to thousands of small communities nationwide; and

Whereas, the long-distance trains – together with the regional state supported services and local commuter services – form the basis of the basis of a national passenger train network; and

Whereas, in the face of crumbling and overcrowded highway infrastructure, rising fuel prices, environmental degradation, crowded airports, and a rising death toll on the nation’s highways, passenger trains offer a modern, environmentally sensitive, convenient, safe, efficient, productive and relaxing way for Americans to travel from place to place, while providing good paying, meaningful employment to thousands – and potentially millions – of workers; and

Whereas, the current Amtrak management – led by CEO and President Richard Anderson (formerly the head of Delta and Northwest airlines) – is in the process of closing dozens of small town train stations, downgrading food service and various amenities aboard many trains, while threatening to eliminate other trains completely;

Therefore, Be it Resolved, that Railroad Workers United condemns these actions and any and all attempt by Amtrak management, the U.S. Congress, the President or the freight rail carriers to downgrade, eliminate, or otherwise sabotage U.S. passenger train service; and 

Be it Further resolved, that RWU urges railroad workers at Amtrak and all railroad workers to take action in defense of the Amtrak national network by contacting elected representatives, the Amtrak CEO and Board of Directors, attending rallies, joining local and national rail advocacy groups, educating our passengers to the nature of the crisis, and otherwise engaging in defensive actions; and

Be it Further Resolved that RWU works to expand its outreach to and alliance with rail advocacy groups such as the Rail Passengers Association (RPA), Rail Uses Network (RUN), and the Railroad Passenger Association of California (RailPAC); while urging our membership to join and become active in these organizations; and

Be it Finally Resolved that RWU call on the rail unions across the country to likewise condemn any attempt to downgrade the national network and to urge their respective memberships to take defensive action as outlined above.

Adopted by the RWU Steering Committee 6/5/18

Railroad Workers United

Solidarity — Unity — Democracy