Last week, a provision that protects the work of TWU members who operate buses for a living was included in legislation approved by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The Committee approved the AV START Act, a bill that would enable the technology and auto industries to test and sell autonomous (driverless) vehicles on a national scale. The content of the bill has been hotly contested, with the industry pushing lawmakers to allow the deployment of autonomous personal cars, andautonomous buses and trucks as well. On the other side, the TWU stood firm with other labor unions and urged lawmakers to prevent the bill from allowing the deployment of autonomous buses.
The TWU and our union allies met with Senate Commerce Committee Democrats and persuadable Republicans to press them to exclude buses from the bill. We urged them to recognize that the introduction of autonomous buses could have a massive impact on the millions of Americans employed in driving-related industries, including TWU members. We also implored Senators to recognize the stark differences between personal cars and passenger buses, and the unique and serious safety and security concerns posed by autonomous buses.
As a result, on Wednesday, October 4, the Senate Commerce Committee approved the AV START Act with language that specifically excludes buses and trucks (weighing more than 10,000 pounds) from the bill, effectively preventing the testing and sale of autonomous buses on a national scale.
While this is a success for bus operators, we are not out of the woods. This bill has a long way to go before it is enacted into law, and there will be a series of opportunities for our opponents to attempt to make driverless buses a reality by altering the legislation. Additionally, if buses and trucks remain splintered from this bill, there appears to be widespread interest in Congress to create a bill that specifically allows the deployment of driverless buses and trucks.
The TWU will continue to actively monitor these activities and remain a vocal advocate for our members’ interests. As things progress, we may call on you at the opportune time to amplify our union’s message by calling or writing your Member of Congress.