On the anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, several labor unions and leaders gathered at the Capitol to urge Congress to pass the Railway Safety Act and other safety measures. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM), Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and representatives from the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) were present.
Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division, stated: “It should not take another catastrophic derailment for Congress to move on rail safety. One was enough. The issue is bipartisan. Congress needs to do what’s right and act now.”
Michael Baldwin, President of the Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen and Chairman of the Rail Labor Division of TTD, commented: “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. 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.”
IAM Rail Division head Josh Hartford joined other union officials including TCU/IAM Legislative Director Dave Arouca and Legislative Representative Connor Vargo; IAM Legislative Assistant Director Ty Richardson; and IAM District 19 President Reece Murtagh in support.
Members of Congress who spoke at the event included Representatives Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Michael Rulli (R-Ohio), and John Garamendi (D-Calif.). Mayors Matt Pacifico from Altoona, Pa., and Michael Lambardo from Pittston, Pa., also pledged their support for advancing railway safety legislation.
Three years after the East Palestine derailment released hazardous chemicals into a local community, there has been no federal legislative action addressing rail industry practices. Supporters argue that passing the bipartisan Railway Safety Act would help prevent similar incidents by increasing oversight and promoting safer operations for both railroad workers and communities.
Greg Regan, President of TTD, said: “This is not a partisan issue. 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.”
The call for action continues as union leaders encourage constituents to contact their legislators about rail safety reforms.
