Congresswoman Marie Newman endorsed by powerful Amalgamated Transit Union Illinois Local 308 and 241

Congresswoman Marie Newman announced Monday Dec. 6, 2021 that she had received the endorsement of the Amalgamated Transit Union Illinois (ATU), ATU Local 308, and ATU Local 241.

The Amalgamated Transit Union is the largest labor union representing transit and allied workers in the U.S. and Canada. ATU Locals 308 and 241 represent 16,000 active and retired PACE and CTA bus, rail, and transportation workers in Chicago and Cook County.

“We’re grateful for Congresswoman Newman’s support on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and for her work passing an infrastructure package which secured $17 billion for public transit in Illinois,” said ATU Local 308 President Eric Dixon.

“Congresswoman Newman led the charge to update CTA stations across the city, securing funding to help make all stations ADA accessible. She understands the needs of our public transit systems and the workers who keep them running, and we’re proud to endorse her for re-election.”

Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois

“Congresswoman Newman has checked in on our members on multiple occasions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We have discusssed the concerning increase in assaults on transit workers, and our drivers were pleased to have her support in championing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package which included language to address this growing issue,” said ATU Local 241 President Keith Hill.

“Congresswoman Newman is a committed partner to transit workers across Cook County and I know we can always count on her to fight for safer working conditions and better pay.”

“With the passage of IIJA, we are a step closer to building a more efficient, equitable, and safe public transit system — an undertaking that will create new, good-payng union jobs while reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. As we invest in a clean energy future, I will always stand with ATU to ensure that these investments are first and foremost focused on creating and maintaining a strong and equitable public transit workforce. I am proud to have their support,” said Congresswoman Marie Newman.

Congresswoman Marie Newman is running for re-election in Illinois’ New Sixth Congressional District (New IL-06). New IL-06 consists of six old congressional districts, however the plurality of New IL-06 residents, approximately 41%, are currently represented by Congresswoman Newman. By population, an additional 23% of New IL-06 comes from the old IL-06 and the remainder comes from four other congressional districts. The Democratic Primary is decided in Congresswoman Newman’s old district, with 47% of the Primary voters in 2020 coming from the old IL-03 in Cook County.

Since taking office in January, Marie has signed on to over 360 pieces of legislation and introduced or co-led 24 pieces of legislation, five of which have passed in the House. In May of this year, Axios named Congresswoman Newman one of the top five most legislatively active freshmen in Congress. Two major pieces of legislation that Congresswoman Newman led were incorporated into the bipartisan infrastructure package, including the All Station Accessibilty Program (ASAP) Act and the Rail Center for Excellence bill.

Congresswoman Newman has partnered with municipal leaders across her district to address local issues affecting constituents every day. Working across all levels of government, Congresswoman Newman has helped to alleviate traffic congestion due to road-rail train blockages, easing the burden on local commuters and first responders. She has partnered with local officials to put pressure on the United States Postal Service, helping to improve service for constituents who rely on regular and timely mail delivery for medication, bills, and important communications. She has convened colleagues at the local, state, and federal levels to identify critical local infrastructure needs and to secure the necessary resources to address them.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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