Legislative Action
Your voice matters in Washington.
See how ATDA PAC supports candidates who stand with Train Dispatchers and learn how you can strengthen our collective voice.
Legislative and political work have close ties with union work. Legislative action at the federal level influences laws and public policy that affect workers, including organizing rights, union activities, and sector-specific laws and policies that affect the work union employees do each day. In order to fully support our membership, we must have a presence at the federal level, both legislatively and politically. Without legislative protections, union power is weakened, and without legislative and political influence, we cannot seek to make those changes our members deserve.
As such, legislative and political advocacy must be part of our long-term union strategy.
We advocate for pro-union policies within the Halls of Congress and in the administration, whether that be at the White House or in federal agencies. The focus of what we work on includes anything related to transportation policy, such as rail safety legislation, surface transportation reauthorization, the influence of artificial intelligence on rail workers, and more, along with anything else related to the health of our industry and membership, such as the Railroad Retirement Board, workplace safety, workforce development, collective bargaining and union rights, and more. This work includes talking to policymakers directly, educating staff, releasing statements and policy positions, writing letters, and testifying on certain issues.
We also seek to be active politically, which means bringing the voice of train dispatchers to the electoral side of politics. Supporting pro-labor candidates across the country is essential to ensuring that our voices are heard and our priorities are taken seriously. We attend events and contribute to candidates who seek to support rail workers through the ATDA Political Action Committee, which is fully funded by train dispatchers and is used to fight for them. We mobilize our members to be politically engaged and educated on issues important to our craft, and these grassroots efforts make policymakers more likely to understand and support these issues.
The American Train Dispatchers Association prides itself on being able to build coalitions to get positive outcomes for our members and our communities. We work closely with our rail labor brothers and sisters in order to effectively wield legislative and political power. Regardless of party or affiliation, we will work with anyone who is willing to do what is right for rail workers, and we will fight for our members to ensure that their safety is paramount, and that their dignity is upheld.
Legislative and political work are inextricably linked with union work and the resulting outcomes in the union sphere. We pride ourselves in having a strong presence on Capitol Hill so that our members' voices are heard.
