Labor Supports Mass Transit

The following resolution passed unanimously at the August, 2024, Dallas AFL-CIO Central Labor Council:

Resolution: In Support of Fully Funding DART

WHEREAS, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is the dominant regional public transportation system in Dallas County, and facilitates access to jobs, healthcare, education, and other critical services across its 13 member cities; and

WHEREAS, the vast majority of funding for DART comes from 1% of sales tax revenue in each of its member cities as per the funding structure established in 1983 by the Texas state legislature;  and 

WHEREAS, DART ridership has continued to increase since 2021 as service has improved, getting closer to pre-pandemic levels; and 

WHEREAS, DART has implemented numerous service improvements like Phase 2.0 of its Bus Network Redesign, hiring more Transit Security Officers to ensure public safety on vehicles and platforms, and progressing with the Silver Line rail commuter rail project, and  

WHEREAS, DART employees (including but not limited to operators, fare enforcement operators, and mechanics), represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1338, are fighting for fair pay working conditions and better employee retention in a tight labor market; and 

WHEREAS, several DART member cities (Plano, Rowlett, Irving, Farmers Branch, Carrollton, and Highland Park) have voted to support reducing sales tax funding to DART by 25%, with the city of Dallas potentially doing the same in September; and 

WHEREAS,  a 25% cut to sales tax funding would likely result in severe cuts to bus, rail, GoLink, and paratransit services, thus disproportionately impacting low-income residents, seniors, and individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, a 25% reduction in DART funding could trigger a "death spiral" where initial budget cuts lead to diminished service quality, causing a drop in ridership and further reducing fare revenue, thereby severely undermining the entire system’s viability in the region; and

WHEREAS, a 25% cut to sales tax funding would likely result in worse working conditions for DART employees, including reduced pay, worse schedules, the inability to offer fair raises, and potential job losses for employees, thereby making employee retention even more difficult; and
WHEREAS, Dallas County must have a high-quality public transportation in order to reduce traffic, improve air quality in the region, and make the region more livable for all working class people;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Dallas County Central Labor Council

1. Supports fully funding DART with 1% of sales tax money in all DART member cities as per state law, and urges the DART advisory board to oppose any reductions in DART sales tax funding, recognizing the critical importance of these funds in sustaining and enhancing the quality and reach of DART services. 
2. Supports the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1338, which represents DART operators, in its fight for adequate pay, working conditions, and benefits, and recognizes that fully funding DART is key to supporting DART employees.
3. Encourages the Dallas City Council to vote in support of funding DART with the full 1% of sales tax, rather than advocating to defund DART to deal with its pension mismanagement crisis.
4. Praises the city councils of Richardson and Garland for their vocal support of maintaining full funding for DART.
5. Condemns the votes of the Plano, Rowlett, Irving, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, and Highland Park city councils to support reducing DART sales tax funding by 25%, and urges them to reverse those decisions.