The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen is calling on our members and allies to take immediate action to stop the Department of Labor’s abrupt and harmful decision to shut down nearly 100 Job Corps centers across the country.

Announced without warning, this decision puts more than 20,000 at-risk youth on the street—including 4,500 students who were previously homeless and rely on Job Corps not just for education, but for shelter. Students are being removed from their campuses now, even though the official closure date is June 30. Once they leave, they are barred from returning—no plan, no support, no transition.

This is a cruel and unnecessary move. Job Corps is a bipartisan program established in 1964 that has served more than 2 million young people, helping them build careers through hands-on vocational training. Many of its programs are run in partnership with labor unions, including our brothers and sisters in TCU/IAM. For generations, Job Corps has been a path out of poverty—and into skilled union careers.

The Department of Labor is using misleading, cherry-picked data from pandemic years to justify its decision. It claims concern for student safety, even as it expels vulnerable young people with no plan for their welfare. This is a political attack, not a policy decision.

What You Can Do:

Call your U.S. Representatives and Senators today

Script:  "I’m calling in support of the Job Corps program and in opposition to the Department of Labor’s decision to suddenly and immediately close 100 centers across the country, kicking 20,000 kids out of their classes and dorms - many of whom were homeless and have nowhere to go. These students are all at-risk youth, 16-24 year olds, who are simply trying to better themselves with an education.

I respectfully request that [Representative/Senator] [Last Name] reach out to the White House immediately and ask President Trump to reverse this decision."

Urge them to contact the White House and reverse this decision
Visit SaveJobCorps.com and congress.gov/members to find your lawmakers

This fight is far from over—but we must act fast. Students are already being impacted. As union members, we know what it means to stand for those who are vulnerable. Let’s stand up now.

Use the hashtag #SaveJobCorps and share your support on social media.
 

TCU/IAM Job Corps Program Video: Watch here
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