U.S. Chamber Welcomes Unions To Transportation Coalition

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce today announced that two major labor organizations - the Laborers' International Union of North America and the International Union of Operating Engineers - will take an active role in the Americans for Transportation Mobility, a broad-based coalition of labor and transportation users and providers led by the Chamber.

"It is imperative for business and labor to work hand-in-hand to achieve the much-needed improvements to our nation's overburdened transportation system," said Thomas Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "We look forward to working with the Laborers' International Union and the Operating Engineers and their leadership to improve our nation's transportation infrastructure."

The ATM coalition, with 300 trade, state, and local organizations, is undertaking a vigorous lobbying, media, and grassroots campaign to build support for boosting investment in transportation infrastructure. The coalition is also working to streamline the project approval process that currently delays and even prevents safety improvements.

"Failure to improve our nation's transportation infrastructure system will have devastating consequences to our safety and our economy," said Donohue. "We cannot take our transportation system for granted anymore because of the critical role it plays in providing mobility for our citizens, ensuring our national defense and driving our economy.

"Transportation infrastructure investment is vital to rebuilding our nation," Donohue continued. "Our nation's highways, railroads, airports, ports and inland waterways drive our economy, enabling other industries to achieve the growth and productivity that has made America strong and prosperous."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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