On the anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, labor unions including 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 leaders from the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) gathered at the Capitol to urge Congress to pass new rail safety legislation.
Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division, addressed lawmakers by saying, “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, reflected on the event’s significance: “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.”
Union representatives including Josh Hartford from IAM Rail Division; Dave Arouca and Connor Vargo from TCU/IAM; Ty Richardson from IAM; and Reece Murtagh from IAM District 19 joined other labor allies in supporting these calls for action.
Several members of Congress spoke at the event in support of passing the bipartisan Railway Safety Act. 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 alongside Altoona Mayor Matt Pacifico and Pittston Mayor Michael Lambardo.
Despite three years having passed since the East Palestine derailment released hazardous chemicals into a local community, lawmakers have yet to enact reforms aimed at reducing risks within the rail industry. Supporters argue that measures proposed in the Railway Safety Act would help prevent similar incidents in the future by strengthening oversight and regulations.
Greg Regan, President of TTD, emphasized bipartisan support for 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.”
