Transit Workers Decry GOP Attempt to Cut DC Budget
ATU Local 689 strongly rebukes Congressional Republicans’ Latest Funding Bill
Today the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, the Union representing over 15,000 transit workers around the DC region called out the continuing resolution (CR) passed by Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives. Specifically, the Union took issue with the provision of the CR that forced the District of Columbia to revert its budget back to FY 2024 levels. Along with a number of other dramatic cuts, this would likely include a $214 million reduction to WMATA. Such cuts would result in mass layoffs and degradation of service. Local 689 implores the U.S. Senate to reject this measure.
“Our members are proud to move people in and around the nation’s capital,” said ATU Local 689 President Raymond Jackson. “Metro is a key part of ensuring that this city is accessible to everyone– residents, commuters, visitors, and public officials alike. If WMATA is America’s Metro system, Congress must treat it as such and not be recklessly cutting its funding. Likewise, the District’s budget supports our members and working Washingtonians in a variety of ways. The Senate must not follow the House’s lead.”
Overall, over $1.1 billion is at risk of being cut. However, all of that money, including the $214 million specifically appropriated to WMATA, has no effect on the federal budget. In fact, all of the funds have been exclusively raised through local revenue measures. These funds paid for transit, education, public safety, water, housing, and other critical services that serve residents of the District of Columbia and the whole region.
If these cuts to WMATA are allowed to go through, the Union expects hundreds of critical frontline members to be laid off immediately, service cuts, fare hikes, and transfers from capital funds to the operating budget. In short, this would devastate the authority and transit throughout the DC region.
The Union was also made aware of the possibility that Metro could be funded at the expense of other programs. In the opinion of the Union, this would be robbing Peter to pay Paul. Even if Congress allowed for such an arrangement, it would likely trigger cuts so severe as to devastate District government. Additionally, putting the District onto the brink of fiscal catastrophe would invite in the reimposition of a control board. Neither is acceptable to a Union that represents working people who rely on fully funded transit, good public schools, safe streets, and accessible housing.
The Union immediately calls for the U.S. Senate to reject this measure and ensure that a clean CR is passed. To ensure that DC is served by a functioning world-class transit system, good schools, and robust public safety, the District needs to be able to raise and spend its own local funds without unprecedented and malignant federal interference.
