American Federation of Teachers Helps Establish Coalition Promoting
Safety and Cost-Effective Use of Federal Transportation Dollars

Washington, DC - The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and twenty-five other unions, affiliates and associations this week formed the National Association of State Highway and Transportation Unions (NASHTU) to work to see that federal transportation dollars are spent on safe, cost-effective projects that serve the public interest. The coalition members represent more than 100,000 state and locally employed transportation engineers, technical workers and transportation-related public servants.

"Our transportation dollars must go into roads and highways to improve the quality of our transportation system - not line the pockets of private consultants," said Jim McGarvey, chair of the AFT's public employee division. "NASHTU will help to ensure that public dollars are spent wisely and on projects that ease congestion, protect public safety and best serve the taxpayers' needs."

NASHTU also plans to get involved in other issues affecting state and local transportation department agencies and employees, including the implementation of design-build, use of temporary employees and construction of private toll roads.

Founding members of NASHTU include the AFT, New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF), Communications Workers of America, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 17, Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers and Scientists (M.O.S.E.S.) and the Minnesota Government Engineers Council.

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