METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Acting Secretary of Labor Visits GILLIG Headquarters

Acting Secretary Su's visit highlighted the company's commitment to its workforce, as well as the key role the transit bus manufacturer plays in driving the country toward a more sustainable future.

Acting Secretary of Labor Visits GILLIG Headquarters

Acting Secretary Su ended her visit to GILLIG with a roundtable discussion with GILLIG leaders and union representatives, where the parties discussed the trust and respect that has been developed with over 50 years of partnership which has contributed to the company’s success.

Photo: GILLIG

2 min to read


GILLIG welcomed Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su to their Livermore, Calif., headquarters.

Acting Secretary Su's visit highlighted the company's commitment to its workforce, as well as the key role the transit bus manufacturer plays in driving the country toward a more sustainable future.

Ad Loading...

“Acting Secretary Su’s visit is a recognition of our incredible team. What started as a carriage repair shop in San Francisco in 1890 has evolved into the leading transit bus manufacturer in the United States,” said Derek Maunus, GILLIG’s president and CEO. “We have a company now that is helping transition the transit industry into zero-emissions. This visit allows us to showcase the thousand men and women who have worked so hard to make this company great and who are helping forge this clean-energy transition with their own two hands.”

On the tour, Su met with production workers and was able to observe the craftsmanship of the team and how they are leveraging technology to drive efficiency and quality.

Photo: GILLIG

Acting Secretary Su’s GILLIG Visit

Acting Secretary Su rode aboard a brand-new Battery Electric bus and toured GILLIG’s 600,000-square-foot purpose-built manufacturing plant with company leadership. On the tour, Su met with production workers and was able to observe the craftsmanship of the team and how they are leveraging technology to drive efficiency and quality.

With over 55% of their workforce being a part of one of two unions, the importance of prioritizing American workers and skilled manufacturing jobs as the country continues to transition to zero-emission vehicles were a major focus of the visit.

During a press conference onsite, Acting Secretary Su pointed to the company's strategic choices, from its operational methods to its strong labor relations, including the recent collective bargaining agreement ratified with a resounding 94% yes vote as "proof... that when you do well by working people, you can have a race to the top.”

Su also highlighted GILLIG as a prime example for how American manufacturing can best function and flourish, asserting, "We can and must build a country where working people do well. And when working people do well, companies prosper, and the country is stronger. GILLIG is an example that we want to celebrate," she continued, "an example of exactly how worker well-being and working towards a cleaner climate can go hand in hand."

Ad Loading...

The Acting Secretary ended her visit to GILLIG with a roundtable discussion with GILLIG leaders and union representatives, where the parties discussed the trust and respect that has been developed with over 50 years of partnership which has contributed to the company’s success.

More Bus

Third Generation Joins Dan Dipert Coaches Leadership Team
Managementby Alex RomanSeptember 17, 2026

People Movement: Dan Dipert Coaches Adds Third-Generation Leader, Keolis Names New Valley Metro VP/GM, and More

In this edition, we also cover recent appointments and announcements at the Wabtec, SilverRide, HNTB, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →
Busby Alex RomanSeptember 11, 2026

New York MTA Plans Largest Bus Fleet Upgrade in More Than a Decade

The agency is seeking manufacturers for 650 new CNG buses to replace aging vehicles, improve reliability, and advance its broader fleet modernization strategy.

Read More →
How BAE Systems Electrifies Transit Fleets
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanSeptember 10, 2026

Building a Flexible Path to Transit Electrification

John Hroncich discusses BAE Systems’ modular and scalable approach, lessons learned from decades of real-world operations, and how agencies can identify electrification strategies that fit their fleets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Bus Tech Talk: Transit Tech Training...What's Changed?
Busby Alex RomanSeptember 4, 2026

Bus Tech Talk: Keeping Transit Technicians Ahead of the Technology Curve

LA Metro’s Obed Mejia discusses technician training, evolving maintenance technology, fleet replacement, and strategies for getting the most out of today’s transit fleets.

Read More →
RIPTA, APTA, and federal officials at the launch of the agency's new Frontrunner vehicles
Technologyby Alex RomanSeptember 4, 2026

Biz Briefs: RIPTA Unveils New Frontrunners, Clevland RTA Adds New Siemens, and More

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Siemens, Prevost, Dodge, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Read More →
Holly Arnold
Managementby Alex RomanSeptember 2, 2026

People Movement: Holly Arnold Joins Transdev and More

In this edition, we also cover recent appointments and announcements at Pace, CamTran, MCI, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A man in a blue suit stands at a clear podium.
Busby Elora HaynesAugust 26, 2026

The High Cost of Transit Buses: Industry Leaders Look to Procurement Reform

Transit leaders and policymakers examine how standardized bus designs, streamlined procurement, and predictable funding could help agencies stretch budgets and deliver better service.

Read More →
Ray Melleady and industry leaders on Capitol Hill
Managementby Alex RomanAugust 24, 2026

The Business Voice Behind Public Transportation

As chair of APTA’s Business Members Board of Governors, Ray Melleady explains how more than 850 business members are partnering with transit agencies to advance funding, innovation, and industry-wide collaboration.

Read More →
METROspectives: The Overlooked Issues Holding Bus Operators Back
Managementby Alex RomanAugust 21, 2026

From Surviving to Thriving: Building Stronger Transportation Organizations

Bus Business Consultants founder Brian Dickson shares lessons on leadership, organizational health, and creating options for long-term success in a changing transportation industry.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Finding the Right Balance: Optimizing Transit Maintenance
ManagementAugust 14, 2026

Finding the ‘Happy Medium’: Optimizing Maintenance Without Sacrificing Reliability

The key to maintenance optimization isn’t doing less work—it’s doing the right work at the right time on the right assets.

Read More →