At Hearing on Autonomous Vehicles, Fetterman Declares “Respect the Parking Chair!”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) questioned a panel of industry leaders on autonomous vehicles (AVs), with a particular focus on how they impact Pennsylvania's workers and how AV companies plan to keep roads and highways safe.

"Back in 1994, I worked with UPS drivers there and I was proud to work with the Teamsters back then. I also realized how difficult their way of life is but I also think that is something necessary we need to protect. I am not going to bash AV or any of these things nor am I a luddite…I see it is a necessary part of the future moving forward," said Senator Fetterman in his opening remarks.

"I also want to acknowledge that Pittsburgh played a significant part of the history of developing AV…For me, I am going to be the voice for the 90,000 drivers here and I am going to be the Teamsters voice here…Those union members are very critical in this economy," continued the senator.

As a former truck driver for UPS, Fetterman worked alongside the Teamsters and experienced firsthand the crucial role truckers have in our economy. As Pennsylvania's senior senator, he represents a state that has the fifth most truck drivers in the nation.

Last year, Senator Fetterman stood with the Teamsters after the CEO of a self-driving truck company rejected the union's demand for human operators to supervise their driverless vehicles. Fetterman remains concerned by efforts to replace workers with autonomous vehicles and asked Mr. Jeff Farrah, CEO of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, what he and his organization plan to do to address the concerns of workers, like the 90,000 truckers in Pennsylvania, who are afraid of losing their jobs to this technology. Mr. Farrah responded, "Truck drivers are an indispensable, critical aspect of our supply chain. They are the backbone of the American economy…The goal of the industry here is to coexist with autonomous trucks."

Senator Fetterman then brought up Waymo's recent decision to bring its robotaxi service to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and directed his line of questioning to Waymo's Chief Safety Officer, Dr. Mauricio Peña. "How does your technology account for these kinds of different drivers and the cultures and different communities across my state and the country?" asked Fetterman, referencing the differences in terrain and street design across neighborhoods, and the driving culture and norms people are accustomed to in their communities. Senator Fetterman made a point to ask if Waymo's autonomous cars would respect the parking chair, particularly after the recent snowstorms Pennsylvanians experienced.

"I would strongly encourage Waymo to incorporate that, to respect the parking chair. When you see examples of people that don't, it doesn't really end very well for folks," quipped Senator Fetterman.

Watch the full exchange above and here.