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Thousands of transportation workers and dozens of representatives from 20 transportation labor unions held a rally today in Washington, D.C., to demand that federal legislators take action on several key transportation issues.

Using the slogan “Enough is Enough,” rally organizers brought together the constituents from the railroad, mass transit, highway, port, maritime and aviation industries to encourage elected officials to boost federal investments in Amtrak, mass transit, highways, airports and ports; protect transportation workers’ pensions; support aggressive transportation safety and security measures; require mandatory security training for front-line transportation workers; appoint individuals who support workers’ rights to national labor boards, such as the National Mediation Board; and counter globalization’s effects on the transportation industry.

"Transportation safety and security needs are being ignored, workers are suffering from lost jobs, destroyed pensions and weakened bargaining rights, and under-investment in our nation’s transportation infrastructure is harming the economy,” said Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, in a prepared statement.

Rally organizers also hope to launch a dialogue with presidential election candidates seeking transportation workers’ support.

“It is time for our elected leaders to address the needs of transportation workers who have seen the federal government turn on them and ignore their pleas for action,” said Wytkind.