Leaders of the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department discussed cross-border traffic with Mexico at a recent meeting in Washington. From left: Service Employees International Union President Emeritis Dick Cordtz; International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa; and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers International President Clarence V. Monin.
Workers in the transportation fields -- including locomotive engineers -- are three times more likely to be killed or injured on the job than those in other industries.
With those startling federal figures in hand, the Executive Committee of the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department sent a strong message that transportation worker safety is their top priority in 1999.
"As we enter the 21st Century, we must be prepared to invest in our future, and that means making sure our transportation systems are safe and secure," said Sonny Hall, President of the TTD. "It is imperative that legislators take a hard look at our transportation needs and be prepared to act for the benefit of all Americans."
With the Federal Railroad Administration's safety programs up for reauthorization in 1999, TTD's Rail Labor Division has developed a safety agenda that advocates reduced fatigue, elimination of employee harassment, and numerous other safety concerns.
Allowing, requiring or inducing fatigued workers to operate dangerous equipment remains one of the most serious barriers to rail safety. Current laws regulating hours of service do not cover all workers and contain loopholes exploited by some rail carriers.
These concerns and many others were voiced to Deputy Transportation Secretary Mort Downey and a number of the Clinton Administration's senior staff during an hour-long discussion on transportation policy in early May.
Employer harassment and intimidation of employees who report accidents, injuries and other safety concerns also continue to be a problem.
"Individuals who participate in the harassment and intimidation of workers must be held personally responsible for civil and criminal penalties and if the practice is repeated, barred from working in the rail industry," the TTD's Executive Committee said.
The TTD Executive Committee also reiterated its position that Congress must stop the Surface Transportation Board from breaking or modifying privately negotiated employee contracts in the approval of mergers or other transactions.
Known to railroad workers as the "cramdown" policy, the STB's continued practice of breaking collective bargaining agreements tramples on private contract rights, destroys the fundamental nature of the collective bargaining process, and is contrary to federal labor policy, the TTD said.
"We submit that the time has come for Congress to examine the record of any agency that clearly has become captured by the companies it regulates," testified TTD Executive Director Ed Wytkind before a Senate Commerce Committee meeting last month.
Both Iowa and Kansas defeated last-minute efforts to pass Paycheck Deception language before adjourning in early May.
Eighteen states introduced Paycheck Deception legislation in 1999. Including the action taken in Iowa and Kansas, nine have ended their sessions with no action on the bills. ·
California seeks two-man crew legislation
Timothy Smith, Chairman of the BLE California State Legislative Board, reports that two-man railroad crew legislation will be introduced in the state of California this year. If enacted, the legislation would require two qualified locomotive engineers on all trains operating within the state.
The proposed legislation states, "That the common carrier, as defined, may run on a main track or branch line within this state... only if it employs on the lead locomotive of that train two persons, both of whom are Enginemen, as defined.
"Engineman is a person who is categorized by the carrier as a Student Engineer, Fireman, or Engineer, has successfully completed a railroad carrier's training program, passed an examination on railroad operating rules and carriers an FRA certification with the appropriate job title designation."
Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) introduced S.712, the "Look, Listen and Live Postage Stamp Act," in early April. If enacted into law by Congress, this bill would authorize the U.S. Post Office to create an Operation Lifesaver stamp which would have a mark-up of up to 25 percent more than a regular postage stamp. The money raised from sale of the stamps would be given to highway-rail grade crossing education programs.
A hospice stamp and a breast cancer stamp are currently sold in a similar manner. It is expected that the hospice stamps will raise $16 million.
BLE members are encouraged to write their U.S. Senators, urging them to co-sponsor and support S. 712.
For details, contact the BLE's National Legislative Office at 10 G. Street N.E., Suite 480, Washington D.C., 20002, or call (202) 346-7936.
In an effort to improve the safety of railroad passenger service, the Federal Railroad Administration released a final rule on May 13 that called for new design standards and stronger passenger cars. The agency also issued new rules requiring rail lines to make materials in passenger cars less likely to catch fire and to make it easier for passengers to escape after a crash.
The new rules apply only to railroad passenger trains such as Amtrak, intercity trains and to rail commuter lines. They do not apply to subway, tourist, excursion or historic trains.
Under the regulations, new multiple-unit and cab cars (but not those now operating) must be built with higher-strength "crash posts." These heavy steel structures at the front of the car must be able to withstand a force of up to 500,000 pounds, rather than the current industry standard of 300,000 pounds.
In addition, the cars must have new steel posts at the edges of the front of the car and must be designed so that one car cannot be forced atop another. The front of the cars must be built with a thick steel skin to prevent debris or flaming fuel from penetrating.
The rule culminates more than two years of work by the BLE and others.
Brother Robert M. Ward, a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers for 33 years, passed away on February 21.
Ward, 78, served as Secretary-Treasurer of BLE Division 191 (Lunenburg, Mass.) until his untimely demise, even working after his retirement, according to Mike Twombly, BLE General Chairman of the Delaware & Hudson/ Springfield Terminal Railway.
He died from injuries suffered from an automobile accident on February 21.
Ward was a locomotive engineer for 48 years, working for the Boston & Maine Railroad and Amtrak. He retired in 1990.
He was born Jan. 27, 1921 in Somerville, Mass. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in Europe. He leaves his wife, Helen (Whitney) Ward; and a son, Clayton H. Whitney; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
"Brother Ward will be sorely missed by the BLE members he served," General Chairman Towmbly said. "He will always be remembered for his devotion to the BLE."
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