On the anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, labor unions and rail safety advocates gathered at the Capitol to urge Congress to pass the Railway Safety Act and other safety measures. The event was led by representatives from 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 other union leaders with the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD).
Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division, said, “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 gathered: “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.”
The press conference included support from several 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.)—as well as Altoona Mayor Matt Pacifico and Pittston Mayor Michael Lambardo.
Despite three years passing since the incident in East Palestine released hazardous chemicals into the community, Congress has yet to enact new regulations targeting rail industry practices. Supporters argue that passing the bipartisan Railway Safety Act would help prevent similar derailments in the future.
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.”
