On the anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, several labor unions, including the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM), Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and leaders from the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), gathered at the Capitol to urge Congress to pass the Railway Safety Act and implement additional safety measures.
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, addressed those assembled: “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 stood alongside other union representatives including TCU/IAM Legislative Director Dave Arouca; Legislative Representative Connor Vargo; IAM Legislative Assistant Director Ty Richardson; and IAM District 19 President Reece Murtagh.
Members of Congress also participated in supporting rail safety efforts. U.S. Representatives Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Michael Rulli (R-Ohio), and John Garamendi (D-Calif.) expressed their commitment to advancing the bipartisan Railway Safety Act. Altoona Mayor Matt Pacifico and Pittston Mayor Michael Lambardo also voiced support.
Three years after the East Palestine derailment incident—which released hazardous chemicals into a local community—Congress has yet to pass legislation addressing what unions describe as unsafe industry practices. The proposed Railway Safety Act aims to prevent similar incidents by strengthening safety regulations for railroads.
Greg Regan, President of TTD, commented on political consensus regarding rail safety: “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 unions continue their campaign urging lawmakers to prioritize rail safety reforms.
