Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters

EWS CLIPS

September 21, 2012

Randall Brassell, Director of Communications Telephone: 615-521-4097 (Fax) 615-824-2164 Email: [email protected]

Wisconsin Judge Strikes Down Collective Bargaining Restrictions

By Jim Malewitz , Staff Writer

A county judge in Wisconsin has thrown out most of Governor Scott Walker’s law that severely restricts collective bargaining for public employees, throwing into question changes to contracts already negotiated under the year-old law.

In a ruling announced late Friday (September 14), Judge Juan Colás of Dane County Circuit Court overturned the law as it applied to city, county and school district workers, but not to state workers, who were not among the lawsuit’s plaintiffs.

Colás said provisions prohibiting local governments from bargaining with union workers over issues such as wage increases, health benefits, pensions and work conditions violated the state and federal constitutions.

Under the decision, unions could presumably head back to the bargaining tables with their government employers, perhaps undoing major concessions included in their current contracts. That could spell financial trouble for local governments which, in exchange for the eroded bargaining rights, receive less money from the state.

“The impact could be dramatic,” Don Hietpas, chief financial officer for the Appleton Area School District, told the Green Bay PressGazette .

As Stateline reported earlier this year, the loss of state money under the new law outweighed what some local governments gained from contract negotiations.

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said Saturday the state will appeal the ruling, calling Walker’s law “constitutional in all respects.” The state will also seek a stay of the decision to keep the law in effect during continuing litigation, he said.

“We are confident that the state will ultimately prevail in the appeals process,” said Walker , calling the decision the workings of a “liberal activist judge.”

Walker’s law, which led to mass protests in Wisconsin and in other states where GOP-majority legislatures were pushing similar crackdowns on union power, Judge Colás said, violated union members’ rights to free speech and expression and equal protection under the law because it created different classes of workers. The law applied only to those who had joined unions, except for police and firefighters, who retained their bargaining rights regardless of their associations.

“The statute limits what local governments may offer their employees solely because of that association,” the judge wrote.

Labor groups cheered the ruling, calling it a victory for workers’ rights.

“This is a good day for Wisconsin’s working people and the union movement,” Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO,said in a statement . “When workers choose to join together for mutual aid and protection, their employer should honor their choice, come to the table and discuss wages and working conditions.”

The case is likely to reach the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which has a conservative majority. Last year, the court upheld the law amid a challenge on procedural grounds.

Ryan Runs Into the Truth

By Jim Hightower

To borrow from President Lyndon Johnson's colorful analysis of a Nixon speech, "I may not know much, but I know chicken [poop] from chicken salad."

Paul Ryan, the GOP's current vice-presidential nominee, has spent his career in government trying to blur the boundary between the two. Over the years, the ambitious right-wing politico has carefully assembled a stinking salad of positive adjectives to create his public persona: an earnest, straight-shooting, big thinker with integrity and deeply held conservative convictions.

The media swallowed each spurious ingredient, helping push him forth as a tea party rock star and, now, a man who could be next in line for the presidency.

But since hitting the national stage, the real Ryan has been revealed as a slippery, dissembling, fabricating, small-minded, political hack. His debut speech at the Republican National Convention was so filled with lies and chicken you-know-what that it even caused Fox TV's fawning commentators to gag . Since then, he has continued to stink up the campaign trail, establishing himself, in the words of one ew York Times columnist , as "a veritable poster boy for hyperbole and hypocrisy."

Then, in a recent radio interview , Ryan really ripped it by demonstrating the dishonesty that resides in his innermost core. Bragging that he's a very fit fellow, the VP candidate claimed to have run a marathon in under three hours. Wow — that's championship stuff!

Only, it was just more chicken stuff. Runner's World magazine checked it out , and Ryan's run turned out to take more than four hours — an ordinary time.

The candidate later tried to laugh it off as an innocent exaggeration. But whether you run a marathon or run for office, facts — and integrity — matter. Ryan can run, but he can't hide the truth about himself.

You Should Know About Sensata - It’s What the Election is About

By Dave Johnson Workers facing outsourcing by Bain Capital are camping outside the Sensata factory in Freeport, Ill. They are asking to show up and help save their jobs. They say they will stay camped there until Romney shows up and stands with them – or with Bain.

Mitt Romney can can use this to show us if he wants to be president of the whole , or just president of, by and for the outsourcing 1 percenters.

Sensata

The private equity firm Bain Capital put together Sensata Technologies in 2006 to make and sell sensors and controls to car makers and other manufacturers. The company is closing the Freeport, Ill. plant and outsourcing the 165 jobs to China. The workers have to train their Chinese replacements before they are laid off.

Sensata is making plenty of money. According to the company's website:

• Second quarter 2012 net revenue was a record $504.6 million, an increase of 10.9% from the second quarter 2011 net revenue of $455.0 million. • Second quarter 2012 net income was $26.1 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, versus second quarter 2011 net (loss) of $(34.6) million, or $(0.20) per diluted share. • Second quarter 2012 Adjusted net income1 was a record $97.5 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, versus second quarter 2011 Adjusted net income1 of $92.2 million, or $0.51 per diluted share.

Sensata explains that Chinese workers cost less.

Mitt Romney started Bain Capital in 1984. He left the company in 1999, or 2000, or 2001, or 2002, or later, or earlier, depending on which year is best. In 2012 he is clearly no longer with Bain, while receiving only approximately $440,000 a week from the company.

Efforts To Get Sensata To Reconsider

The Freeport, Ill., City Council unanimously passed a resolution on July 16 asking Romney to come and help save the workers' jobs.

Two Republican members of Congress, Don Manzullo, R-Ill., and Bobby Schilling, R-Ill., sent a letter to Sensata's CEO asking him to keep the jobs in Freeport. Manzullo is a co-sponsor of the House "currency" bill, the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act (H.R. 639) that would crack down on China's currency manipulation. Though he is a cosponsor, Manzullo refuses to sign a discharge petition that would bring the bill to the floor for an actual vote .

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) has joined workers in asking Romney to show up and help.

Illinois' Governor Pat Quinn has visited the workers in Freeport, and asks Congress to pass the Bring Jobs Home Act. The Bring Jobs Home Act would eliminate the tax breaks that encourage companies like Bain and Sensata to close factories here and send the jobs and the work to countries like China, with the cash stopping off in the Cayman Islands for a quick tax cleansing. The Bring Jobs Home Act was recently filibustered by Senate Republicans.

House Republicans Plan Two Month Vacation, Leaving Key Bills Awaiting Action

By Josh Israel

House Republican Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) announced Friday that after next week, the House will stand in recess until November 13. His plan for a nearly two month vacation will undoubtedly allow more time for campaigning, but will leave several vital bills awaiting action.

Among the important legislation the House will likely not address before the November elections:

1. Violence Against Women Act reauthorization . Though a bipartisan Senate majority passed the a strong re-authorization bill in April, the Republican House leadership refused to allow a vote on the Senate version of the bill. The House passed a watered down version on a mostly-party lines vote, leaving victims to wait for House action.

2. The American Jobs Act . Republicans have been blocking President Obama’s jobs legislation for more than a year. Though House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) promised in 2010 that a GOP Congress would focus on job creation, he has blocked this bill’s immediate infrastructure investments, tax credits for working Americans and employers, and aid to state and local governments to prevent further layoffs of teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public safety officials.

3. Tax cuts for working families. In July, the Senate passed a bill extending tax-cuts for the first $250,000 in annual income. The Republican House leadership has refused to consider the bill, holding it hostage to their demands for a full extension of Bush-era tax cuts for millionaires.

4. Veterans Job Corps Act. The Senate is currently considering bipartisan legislation to help America’s veterans find jobs. The Air Force Times reports that the Republican House has “ shown no interest ” in the legislation to support those who served the country.

5. Sequestration. A spokesman for Boehner said earlier this week that stopping budget cuts he voted for last August “topped our July agenda and remains atop our agenda for September .” While House Republicans have complained about the imminent spending reductions and passed a bill that would require President Obama to find offsets for spending cuts they don’t like, Republican Leader Canter could not name a single compromise he was willing to make to get a deal.

6. Farm Bill. Despite strong support for a 5-year farm bill from even conservative groups like the Farm Bureau Association — the House leadership has not scheduled a vote on the bill. The current law expires September 30. Without passage, 90 percent of the work of the Department of Agriculture could be defunded.

7. Wind . The Senate may act next week to renew an expiring wind energy tax credit. Despite bipartisan support — including from original author Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the Examiner notes that the House is unlikely to pass the renewal. Despite GOP calls for energy independence, the expiration has threatened the wind energy industry and already led to job cuts .

These, in addition to drought assistance, postal service reform, addressing the Estate Tax, cyber security legislation, fixes for Medicare reimbursement rates and the , and all 12 of the FY 2013 Appropriations Bills remain unaddressed. Four years ago, Republicans objected when then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) adjourned Congress for a five-week August recess without bringing up their energy legislation. Rep. Ted Poe (R- TX) shouted “Madame Speaker, where art thou? Where oh where has Congress gone?” Now, they plan a two month vacation, even if it means allowing vital programs to expire and working families to suffer.

TEAMSTERS LAUD OBAMA ADMINISTRATION FOR ACTION AGAINST CHINA’S UNFAIR, ILLEGAL PROTECTION OF ITS AUTO INDUSTRY

September 17, 2012

Administration Challenges China On $1 Billion In Illegal Export Subsidies For Autos, Parts

(WASHINGTON) – The Teamsters Union applauded the Obama administration today for challenging China over illegally and unfairly protecting its auto and auto parts industries through export subsidies.

The illegal subsidies, prohibited by the World Trade Organization, distort trade conditions and flood the United States with low-priced auto parts, providing an unfair playing field to China.

“We are pleased the Obama administration is acting to stop China’s illegal subsidies,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “President Obama is sending a strong message to China that its protectionist policies that hurt American workers must end.”

The production of autos and auto parts in the United States is an important sector of the nation’s manufacturing base. In 2001, manufacturers in the United States produced more than $350 billion worth of automobiles and parts and employed nearly 800,000 workers.

“We must fight back to keep good-paying American jobs here at home,” Hoffa said. “I’m pleased President Obama is backing up his commitment to do so with action, insisting that China play by global trading rules.”

China has risen to the world’s fifth-largest auto and auto parts exporter since 2001, with the value of exports soaring to more than $69 billion from $7.4 billion. The United States is China’s largest export market for auto parts. China’s illegal export subsidies have been estimated at $1 billion between 2009 and 2011. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that China puts 1.6 million U.S. auto parts jobs at risk.

9/18/2012 9:30:00 AM

Public transportation ridership up for sixth straight quarter

Ridership on U.S. public transportation rose 1.6 percent to 2.7 billion trips in second-quarter 2012 compared with second-quarter 2011, marking the sixth consecutive quarterly increase, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced today.

Although ridership on all major modes showed increases, light and heavy rail saw the largest increases in the quarter: up 4.3 percent compared with 2.5 percent a year ago, APTA officials said in a prepared statement.

Light-rail ridership rose 4.3 percent, with 21 out of 27 light-rail systems reporting growth from April through June. Light-rail systems saw double-digit increases in Memphis, Tenn., 36.7 percent; Salt Lake City, 28.8 percent; Pittsburgh, 21.2 percent; Los Angeles, 13.8 percent; Sacramento, Calif., 13.4 percent; and Seattle, 10.3 percent.

Commuter-rail ridership rose 1.7 percent, with 18 of the 28 commuter-rail systems reporting increases. Lewisville, Texas, had a triple-digit increase in commuter-rail ridership due to the opening of a new service, and the following cities saw double-digit increases: Austin, Texas, 14.8 percent; Seattle, 14.6 percent; San Carlos, Calif., 13.3 percent; and Stockton, Calif., 12.2 percent.

"In some areas of the country, local and regional economies are rebounding, and not surprisingly, public transit ridership is up in regions where jobs are increasing and employment is up," said APTA President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Melaniphy.

Cities experiencing ridership increases as their local economy improved included San Francisco, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Ky., Salt Lake City, Denver, Boston, Chicago and Phoenix.

Ridership rose even though gasoline prices fell during the quarter, Melaniphy noted.

"This goes to show that there is a growing demand for public transportation services, and the next Congress and president must address this issue," he said.

9/18/2012 10:00:00 AM

Transportation Services Index inched up in July

The Transportation Services Index (TSI) clocked in at 111.8 in July, inching up 0.1 percent from June's level and matching the incremental increase registered from May to June, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). On a year- over-year basis, the TSI rose 2 percent.

The Freight TSI also increased 0.1 percent from June's mark, reaching 109.6. The index — which measures the output of for-hire rail, trucking, inland waterway, pipeline and air-freight companies — rose 1.9 percent compared with July 2011.

"The Freight TSI in July continued a pattern of little change since January. This appears to reflect the rate of growth in the general economy," BTS officials said in a prepared statement. "Freight shipments in July were at the sixth-highest monthly level since the early recession month of July 2008, despite the 3.8 percent decline from its peak in December 2011 (114.0), which was the highest level in the 22-year history of the Freight TSI series."

Meanwhile, July's Passenger TSI of 117.7 made it a trifecta by also increasing 0.1 percent from June's level. The seasonally adjusted index, which reflects data from air, local transit and intercity rail providers, climbed 2.3 percent on a year-over-year basis.

9/18/2012 11:00:00 AM

RTA proposes $2.5 billion capital improvement initiative for Chicago- area transit

Chicago's Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) officials have announced a proposed $2.5 billion plan to fund capital improvements for transit systems across the city and suburbs.

The initiative was designed to improve riders' experiences and travel times for Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace riders, while also helping to lower each agency's operating costs, RTA officials said in a prepared statement.

"Systemwide, riders are suffering from an aging infrastructure that's only deteriorating further because there aren't enough funds to properly repair what needs to be fixed," said RTA Chairman John Gates Jr. "We recognize the need to show a strong commitment to providing safe, reliable and affordable public transportation throughout the Chicago area and believe this plan provides the necessary funding to do that."

The proposal — which RTA officials said will be introduced in the January 2013 legislative session — calls for the issuing of a series of bonds during the next five years, averaging about $500 million in capital improvement dollars each year. Each agency would be able to prioritize the projects to fund, but the RTA has an existing list of backlogged projects it will reference before approving agencies' proposed expenditures.

"We must make the kind of investments necessary to reduce the nearly $100 million we spend each year simply maintaining the system," Gates said.

In addition, the RTA board also proposed streamlining the funding process for public transportation, shifting from a complex funding formula "to a vastly simpler, more regional approach, which will allow the service board to maintain their current revenue," RTA officials said.

FRA 26-12 Wednesday, September 19, 2012 Contact: Kevin Thompson Tel.: (202) 493-6024

Added Capacity Will Improve Passenger, Freight and Commuter Rail Service Between Virginia and Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON –U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today awarded more than $74.8 million to the Commonwealth of Virginia to continue development of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor. The funding will help improve passenger and freight rail service between Virginia and Washington, D.C. and reduce delays on the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) commuter service.

“The Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor between Charlotte and Washington D.C. serves one of the fastest growing regions in the country, which is why it is critical to eliminate congestion points so that intercity passenger, freight and commuter rail can all run smoothly without delays,” said Secretary LaHood. “This is a great example of how federal, state and local governments are working with rail carriers to build capacity and improve service for the public.”

The project will build up to 11 miles of third track and related improvements from Arkendale in Stafford County to Powell's Creek in Prince William County, Va. The third track will provide the capacity needed for higher speed trains on the Southeast Corridor to operate without conflict from freight and commuter trains. On a daily basis, 40-50 freight trains, 10 Amtrak trains and 14 VRE trains operate over this segment, and the addition of a third track will allow for traffic to flow unimpeded. In addition to adding a third track, the project includes final design and improvements to the station at the Quantico Marine Base in Quantico, Va.

“The Washington, D.C. area transportation system has been plagued with delays as population in the area has increased and more commodities flow through the region,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “Reducing congestion and adding capacity are two key outcomes we and our state partners in Virginia planned for in making this investment. Projects like this will make a real difference for passengers while maintaining our world class freight system. We are building a rail infrastructure for an America built to last.”

When completed, the Corridor will have have at least eight high-speed trains traveling at 110 mph between Charlotte, N.C. and Washington D.C. Travel time between Charlotte and Washington D.C. will be reduced by up to three hours, and travel time between Richmond and Washington D.C will be reduced by 35 minutes. The Southeast Corridor is one of five originally proposed high-speed passenger rail corridors designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 1992. It is part of an overall plan to extend service from the existing high-speed rail on the Boston to Washington Northeast Corridor to points in the Southeast. Future plans for the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor call for extending service from Charlotte to Atlanta.

The Federal Railroad Administration and its 32 state partners are making great progress on High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail projects across the country. With $10.1 billion in federal funding, states are moving forward with 153 projects, laying the foundation for a 21st century passenger rail network.

September 19, 2012

About Mitt Romney's 47% Gaffe

Much has been written, and rightly so, in the past 24 hours about Mitt Romney’s video-taped comments to rich donors claiming that 47% of Americans rely on government for “their lives.” Attempts by Mitt Romney supporters to clarify and defend his comments are almost as breathtaking as the comments themselves.

Former New Hampshire Governor John Sununu (let’s hope Sununu continues to be a top surrogate!), blamed Obama for the comments claiming the President is “trying to make class warfare a divider.” Wow, so Romney declares 47 percent of Americans are lazy bums who depend on government for everything, but this episode is Obama’s fault? Who knew?

Gov. Romney’s comments in Boca Raton, Fla., confirm what we already know about him — he thinks you’re either extremely rich or dependent on government. The truth is that everyone depends on some program run by government; not even billionaires own their own bridges, airports or highways. No, we all built them. Even the 47 percent pitched in.

Feds Approve High Speed Rail Route Merced to Fresno

FRA has issued its Record of Decision (ROD) for the Merced-Fresno High Speed Train (HST) Project. FRA considered the information and analysis contained in the 2011 Draft EIS and 2012 Final EIS. The ruling sets up the project for construction to begin.

"Congratulations to California and everyone who's been working for years to bring this great project to fruition!" said Andy Kunz, USHSR President. "This is another critical step towards bringing true high speed rail in America. California is leading the nation in delivering 21st century transportation to the United States." added Kunz.

"Today is a significant move forward for California's high-speed rail system," said Dan Richard, Chair of the Authority's Board of Directors. "Governor Brown's leadership brought major improvements to the plans, management and delivery of high-speed rail and has in large part made this day possible. The Authority is committed to a close partnership with the public in the building of high-speed rail. Currently we are gathering public comment on our environmental documents for the Fresno to Bakersfield section and we look forward to again delivering an alignment that is the best for the communities along the route as well as for all Californians."

"No economy can grow faster than its transportation network can carry it," Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo said. "The Record of Decision clears the way for California to begin construction on the first segment of its high-speed rail project. Over the next several years, this project will put thousands of Californians to work and provide the state with the transportation capacity and connectivity needed for long-term economic expansion."

Jeff Morales, CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority added "This is now a statewide rail modernization plan which will not only deliver high-speed rail but also will invest billions of dollars of improvements to local and regional rail systems around the state immediately. These improvements will provide countless benefits to commuters and travelers in the near-term, while paving the way for high- speed rail in the future."

9/20/2012

Mica to host third in series of congressional hearings on Amtrak

Today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold the third in a series of hearings on Amtrak 's operations.

The focus of the hearing will be to review the national intercity passenger railroad's 41 years of federal subsidies, according to a press release from Committee Chairman John Mica's (R-Fla.) office.

The hearing "will investigate the monetary losses associated with Amtrak's operations, explore and compare Amtrak's level of federal subsidy with the subsidies provided to other modes of passenger transportation, and examine management deficiencies identified by the Amtrak Office of Inspector General," the press release states.

In its history, Amtrak has received about $40 billion in federal subsidies. Its capital and operating expenses come from operational revenue and appropriated funds. The railroad's federal subsidy is higher than federal subsidies for other transportation modes, Mica said.

According to a recent study comparing fiscal-year 2008 levels of federal subsidy by mode, aviation received $4.28 per passenger trip, mass transit received 95 cents per passenger, intercity commercial bus received 10 cents per passenger and Amtrak received $46.33 per passenger, according to Mica's office.

Scheduled to speak at today's hearing is Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Boardman, who spoke earlier this week at the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance- of-Way Association 's (AREMA) annual conference about the railroad's plans to bolster its aging infrastructure and growth plans, despite its funding limitations.

James Hoffa, Teamsters President, Says Romney 'Wants To

Annihilate Organized Labor'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The way Teamsters President James P. Hoffa sees it, GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney would be happy if an already weakened American labor movement ceased to exist altogether.

"He wants to annihilate organized labor as we know it," Hoffa told HuffPost outside the Democratic National Convention this week. "It's on his website. I'm not making this up. He's for a national right-to-work law. The Republican Party has veered dangerously to the right. It's rather incredible, in 2012, if you think about it."

Indeed, Romney's official stance on labor isn't kind to unions . His campaign website suggests that unions have outlasted their significance, "driv[ing] up costs and introduc[ing] rigidities that harm competitiveness and frustrate innovation." He supports states pursuing right-to-work laws, which weaken the clout of unions, and his party last week approved a platform pushing for national right-to-work legislation. He'd also like to prohibit automatic union dues-deduction from employee paychecks.

Hoffa isn’t the only labor leader who visited Charlotte this week and sees a hostility toward unions in Romney's positions. Mary Kay Henry, head of the 2 million-member Service Employees International Union, told HuffPost earlier this week that Romney "wants to take us out."

The Romney campaign didn't respond to Hoffa or Henry's comments.

Rank-and-file union members said they often feel taken for granted by Democrats in office. Among many labor activists, the enthusiasm for the Obama-Biden ticket appears to stem in large part from a loathing and distrust of the alternative. But Hoffa, like other labor figures who headed to Charlotte, insisted the current White House has been good to unions over the past four years.

Rather than dwell on disappointments -- like Obama's failure to push the Employee Free Choice Act through Congress when Democrats held both chambers, or to pass a raise in the minimum wage -- Hoffa touted the passage of the Affordable Care Act and the stimulus bill, the rescue of the auto industry and the actions of the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency that enforces labor law.

The NLRB has issued decisions and rules during Obama's tenure that conservatives have decried as too friendly to unions , such as a rule that would require businesses to hang placards in the workplace informing workers of their right to unionize. By contrast, during the George W. Bush presidency, union members believed the NLRB catered to businesses.

"The NLRB has gotten civilized again," said Hoffa, the Teamsters president since 1998 whose famous father, Jimmy Hoffa, was president throughout the 1960s. "People aren’t afraid to go there anymore. They're getting good results from the NLRB. And when I say good, I mean fair. Fairness is all we want.

"These are things that are meaningful to us, that make it easier for us to organize," Hoffa added.

One place where it's extremely difficult for unions to organize is North Carolina, a fact that created some awkwardness between the Democratic Party and organized labor, given the selection of Charlotte as the DNC's host city. (North Carolina has the lowest unionization rate in the nation.) Hoffa was one of the few union heads who appeared willing to knock the party for the choice, albeit lightly.

"I think that the Democratic Party, the DNC, could have consulted us," Hoffa said. "I would have thought there were much better venues, like St. Louis, like Detroit, but they have their own thinking and obviously they didn’t talk to us."

The Teamsters are currently locked in a high-profile battle with the wholesale baker Hostess Brands, maker of iconic American foodstuffs Wonder Bread and Twinkies. Hostess, going through bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in a decade, has said that if the Teamsters make good on their strike threat it could bury the company.

Hostess' latest offer to Teamster workers is believed to include significant concessions . A recent letter from the company's CEO estimated wage cuts of 8 percent, health care givebacks and the loss of large pension contributions.

Hostess management loathes the pension plans currently enjoyed by its union workers, arguing that they're overly generous and antiquated. Hoffa, however, said it was the duty of his union to maintain those pensions as best they could, especially in an age when pensions are being attacked and phased out.

"Our job is to keep pensions," Hoffa said. "That’s the job of all of labor, because that’s what makes us different. The problem is the right wing hates unions, hates pensions -- they don’t want to be obligated to anybody ... and we stand for the opposite."

September 20, 2012 Disdain for Workers By PAUL KRUGMAN

By now everyone knows how Mitt Romney, speaking to donors in Boca Raton, washed his hands of almost half the country — the 47 percent who don’t pay income taxes — declaring, “My job is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.” By now, also, many people are aware that the great bulk of the 47 percent are hardly moochers; most are working families who pay payroll taxes, and elderly or disabled Americans make up a majority of the rest.

But here’s the question: Should we imagine that Mr. Romney and his party would think better of the 47 percent on learning that the great majority of them actually are or were hard workers, who very much have taken personal responsibility for their lives? And the answer is no.

For the fact is that the modern Republican Party just doesn’t have much respect for people who work for other people, no matter how faithfully and well they do their jobs. All the party’s affection is reserved for “job creators,” a k a employers and investors. Leading figures in the party find it hard even to pretend to have any regard for ordinary working families — who, it goes without saying, make up the vast majority of Americans.

Am I exaggerating? Consider the Twitter message sent out by Eric Cantor, the Republican House majority leader, on Labor Day — a holiday that specifically celebrates America’s workers. Here’s what it said, in its entirety: “Today, we celebrate those who have taken a risk, worked hard, built a business and earned their own success.” Yes, on a day set aside to honor workers, all Mr. Cantor could bring himself to do was praise their bosses. Lest you think that this was just a personal slip, consider Mr. Romney’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. What did he have to say about American workers? Actually, nothing: the words “worker” or “workers” never passed his lips. This was in strong contrast to President Obama’s convention speech a week later, which put a lot of emphasis on workers — especially, of course, but not only, workers who benefited from the auto bailout.

And when Mr. Romney waxed rhapsodic about the opportunities America offered to immigrants, he declared that they came in pursuit of “freedom to build a business.” What about those who came here not to found businesses, but simply to make an honest living? Not worth mentioning.

Needless to say, the G.O.P.’s disdain for workers goes deeper than rhetoric. It’s deeply embedded in the party’s policy priorities. Mr. Romney’s remarks spoke to a widespread belief on the right that taxes on working Americans are, if anything, too low. Indeed, The Wall Street Journal famously described low-income workers whose wages fall below the income-tax threshold as “lucky duckies.”

What really needs cutting, the right believes, are taxes on corporate profits, capital gains, dividends, and very high salaries — that is, taxes that fall on investors and executives, not ordinary workers. This despite the fact that people who derive their income from investments, not wages — people like, say, Willard Mitt Romney — already pay remarkably little in taxes.

Where does this disdain for workers come from? Some of it, obviously, reflects the influence of money in politics: big-money donors, like the ones Mr. Romney was speaking to when he went off on half the nation, don’t live paycheck to paycheck. But it also reflects the extent to which the G.O.P. has been taken over by an Ayn Rand-type vision of society, in which a handful of heroic businessmen are responsible for all economic good, while the rest of us are just along for the ride.

In the eyes of those who share this vision, the wealthy deserve special treatment, and not just in the form of low taxes. They must also receive respect, indeed deference, at all times. That’s why even the slightest hint from the president that the rich might not be all that — that, say, some bankers may have behaved badly, or that even “job creators” depend on government-built infrastructure — elicits frantic cries that Mr. Obama is a socialist.

Now, such sentiments aren’t new; “Atlas Shrugged” was, after all, published in 1957. In the past, however, even Republican politicians who privately shared the elite’s contempt for the masses knew enough to keep it to themselves and managed to fake some appreciation for ordinary workers. At this point, however, the party’s contempt for the working class is apparently too complete, too pervasive to hide.

The point is that what people are now calling the Boca Moment wasn’t some trivial gaffe. It was a window into the true attitudes of what has become a party of the wealthy, by the wealthy, and for the wealthy, a party that considers the rest of us unworthy of even a pretense of respect.

FRA 2712 Friday, September 21, 2012 WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today awarded $26.5 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to improve reliability and reduce delays on Amtrak service in eastern North Carolina. The resulting improvements are centered in the area between Rocky Mount, N.C. and Petersburg, Va., and will improve service for both the Amtrak Carolinian line, which runs between New York City and Charlotte, N.C., and the Amtrak long distance trains that run between New York City and Florida.

“This project will not only bring jobs to the region, but will also reduce delays between New York, Washington, Raleigh, and Charlotte by eliminating existing choke points,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Our new plan ensures both freight and passenger railroads can thrive while improving service, creating a win-win situation for everyone.”

The project includes installation of new track and ties, crossovers, and signals to alleviate rail congestion in this area and allow freight and passenger rail traffic to move more fluidly. These improvements will create more locations where freight and passenger trains can pass one another. The line connects with the future Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor in Petersburg and Raleigh, where trains will travel at 110 mph in the future.

“This project is a great example of rail carriers, governors, mayors, legislators, advocacy groups, and policy makers coming together to establish a clear vision for this multi-state corridor, and creating a plan to eliminate this bottleneck,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “This investment will reduce trip times and delays, resulting in reduced congestion and making the region a better place to start a business and create jobs.”

The Federal Railroad Administration and its 32 state partners continue to make significant progress on High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program-related projects across the country. With $10.1 billion in federal funding, they are moving forward with 153 projects, laying the foundation for a 21st century passenger rail network.

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 21, 2012

We Can’t Wait: Obama Administration Announces Two California Transportation Projects to Be Expedited

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, as part of his We Can’t Wait initiative, President Obama announced that two nationally and regionally significant surface transportation projects in California will be expedited to put Americans to work building a 21 st century infrastructure and providing California with more transportation choices. These projects will improve local and regional connectivity, providing for the safe and efficient movement of people, goods and services. Early, intensive coordination among agencies is expected to save up to 6 months on project schedules.

As part of a Presidential Executive Order issued in March of this year, the Office of Management and Budget is charged with overseeing a government-wide effort to make the permitting and review process for infrastructure projects more efficient and effective, saving time while driving better outcomes for local communities. The Administration’s efforts to continuously add more transparency, accountability, and certainty into the permitting and review process will enable project developers and private investors to more efficiently modernize our nation’s infrastructure. Additional expedited infrastructure projects will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Investments in infrastructure are putting people back to work in California by building and modernizing our transportation systems,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This is good news for the local economy, and it’s one more sign of President Obama’s commitment to help communities across the country move forward with these critical projects as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

California High Speed Rail – Central Valley Construction State: California Coordinating Agency: Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration Target date for completing Federal permit and review decisions: October 2013

The Fresno to Bakersfield section of the California High Speed Train (HST) System extends approximately 114 miles in California's Central Valley and is a portion of Phase 1 of the HST system. Stations are planned at Fresno and Bakersfield, and a third Kings/Tulare Regional Station is being considered near Hanford.

The high-speed train project will support job creation in a region that is currently experiencing some of the nation’s highest unemployment rates. Once operating, projections estimate 4,500 boardings daily in Fresno and 5,100 in Bakersfield, with travel time between Fresno and Bakersfield estimated at 37 minutes. Early, intensive coordination for project environmental reviews has supported a project schedule that is projected to save up to 6 months, enabling the project to meet funding deadlines and an aggressive construction schedule.

San Francisco Downtown Ferry Terminal State: California Coordinating Agency: Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration Target date for completing Federal permit and review decisions: July 2014

The Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal expansion project will improve waterside and landside facilities at the city's busy Ferry Terminal. The project, managed by the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority, will expedite boarding for more than 10,000 daily passengers, provide better access to jobs and entertainment centers downtown, and improve connections to area pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities. Ferry Terminal improvements will also expand the region's ability to provide vital transportation services in the event of an emergency.

The project is funded in part by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which is using new project management tools to engage other Federal agencies in order to improve the efficiency of environmental reviews and to facilitate greater interagency collaboration in the process. These innovations, in addition to leveraging lessons learned from prior projects, are projected to shave several months off the project schedule.