Quick links+
On the anniversary of the tragic and preventable East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, the IAM Union, Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM), Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and rail union leaders with Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) went to the Capitol to tell Congress that it’s time to pass the Railway Safety Act and other common-sense safety measures.
“It should not take another catastrophic derailment for Congress to move on rail safety,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division. “One was enough. The issue is bipartisan. Congress needs to do what’s right and act now.”
Watch the rail safety press conference here.
“We are gathered here today to mark an anniversary that never should have happened. Three years ago in East Palestine, Ohio, a freight train derailed and unleashed toxic chemicals into a community that did nothing to deserve it,” said Michael Baldwin, President of the Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen, Chairman of the Rail Labor Division of TTD, and former working railroad signalman. “This was not a fluke, this was not bad luck, it was the foreseeable result of a system that has been allowed, even encouraged, to put profits ahead of safety,” said Baldwin.
TAKE ACTION: Send a letter to your legislators demanding rail safety
IAM Rail Division head Josh Hartford, TCU/IAM Legislative Director Dave Arouca and Legislative Representative Connor Vargo, IAM Legislative Assistant Director Ty Richardson, and IAM District 19 President and Directing General Chair Reece Murtagh stood in solidarity beside the labor allies who spoke.
U.S. Reps. Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Michael Rulli (R-Ohio), and John Garamendi (D-Calif.) all spoke on the issue, pledging support for aiding the passage of the bipartisan Railway Safety Act, along with Altoona, Pa. Mayor Matt Pacifico and Pittston, Pa. Mayor Michael Lambardo.
It’s been three years since the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and Congress has yet to act to rein in the dangerous practices of the rail industry. The bipartisan Railway Safety Act would help prevent train derailments like the one in East Palestine, keeping railroaders and communities safe.
“This is not a partisan issue,“ said TTD President Greg Regan. “Former President Biden and current President Trump both voice support for railway safety. This is something that can and needs to be addressed. The labor movement is ready to work with you all to make sure we can actually achieve a rail system that we can all be proud of.”
TAKE ACTION: Send a letter to your legislators demanding rail safety
There shouldn’t have to be another catastrophe to induce action; Congress must prioritize railroad safety legislation now.
