Biden/Harris Tap Labor Unions for Key Transition Teams

President-elect Biden and Vice-President-elect Harris’ transition team tapped the Labor movement to play key roles in helping to prepare to take over the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other key federal agencies.

The ATU, AFL-CIO, AFT, SEIU, AFSCME, and other unions are serving on transition teams.

“The Departments of Transportation and Labor are two of the most important agencies for the ATU and our members and we are glad the Labor movement is taking part in helping to prepare for the future,” said International President John Costa.

The transition teams will be working to develop policies and regulations, evaluating personnel for various departments, and helping to gather materials to facilitate the transition.

President-elect Biden’s support for unions has always been a part of his identity and he is expected to shift the focus in these various agencies away from business as usual policies toward a more labor-focused agenda.

With the pandemic, these Departments will play critical roles in ensuring the safety of transit workers and all essential workers. In addition, more investment in public transit and boosting union organizing rights by reversing pro-employer decisions that have been enacted by the NLRB over the past four years will be critical.

As of press time, President-elect Biden nominated former South Bend, Indiana Mayor and former Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg to serve as Secretary of the Department of Transportation. “In the summer of 2019, while on the campaign trail, Pete met with our striking members working for the VTA on Martha’s Vineyard. He showed a willingness to listen to our members’ concerns and expressed support for our cause. We’re hopeful that he will lead the Department of Transportation with public transit workers and labor unions in mind.”