Policy

January 9, 2024 Dear Representative: On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), and the thousands of workers we represent in manufacturing and electrification, we urge you to oppose the Congressional Review Act Joint Resolution 38 (S.J.Res 38) when it comes to a vote on the House floor. If enacted, this legislation would undermine […]

On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I am pleased to respond to the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) notice regarding Union Pacific Railroad Company’s (UP) petition to extend its waiver from certain provisions contained in 49 CFR 232.213. The current waiver allows UP to operate designated extended-haul trains for distances of up to 1,680 miles, beyond the limit of 1,500 miles stipulated in the regulation. TTD consists of 37 affiliated unions, representing the totality of rail labor, including UP employees.[1] For the reasons outlined below, we ask that the FRA deny Union Pacific’s petition to extend its waiver.

In support of its request, UP states that it reviews with the FRA “the list of trains associated with this waiver at a frequency of no less than once per quarter” and “adjustments are made accordingly.” UP further explains that “over a 56-month period, the incident rate has been no more than .055%, [which were] four events comprised of wheelset, axle, and journal bearing defects.” Per the federal statute governing the Secretary’s ability to grant safety waivers, the Secretary may grant waivers only “if such waiver or suspension is in the public interest and consistent with railroad safety.”[2] UP acknowledges in its waiver extension request that the trains covered by the existing waiver had a higher incident rate, .055%, than extended-haul trains that undergo inspections of 1,500 miles. These trains had a lower incident rate of .036%. While UP claims the difference is “negligible,” it is unwise to claim that additional accidents are negligible, as evident by the East Palestine, Ohio derailment. Delaying required mechanical testing and inspection unequivocally exposes workers and the communities along UP’s rail lines to unnecessary risk and lacks consistency with railroad safety.

On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I am pleased to respond to the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) notice of availability of proposed updates to its National Public Transportation Safety Plan. TTD consists of 37 affiliated unions, including those representing the majority of public transportation workers in the United States, who have a significant interest in ensuring the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) adequately addresses safety training needs.[1] Additionally, we endorse the comments filed by our affiliates, the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD).

As the FTA explains, this NPRM proposes to amend the PTSCTP regulation at 49 CFR part 672. Specifically, the proposed rule adds administrative requirements for recipients that are subject to the requirements of the rule, in addition to maintaining the existing minimum training requirements for State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA) employees and contractors who conduct reviews, inspections, examinations, and other safety oversight activities of public transportation systems, and employees and contractors who are directly responsible for the safety oversight of a rail fixed guideway public transportation system.

December 6, 2023 The Honorable Mark Green Chairman Committee on Homeland Security U.S. House of Representatives 176 Ford House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Bennie Thompson Ranking Member Committee on Homeland Security U.S. House of Representatives H2-117 Ford House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Chairman Green and Ranking Member Thompson, We, the […]

On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I am pleased to respond to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on the modernization of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). TTD consists of 37 affiliated unions, representing the totality of rail labor and first responders who are vital to the safe transportation of hazardous materials.[1] We therefore have a vested interest in this matter. Additionally, TTD endorses the comments of our affiliates, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD). We respectfully request that the PHMSA take our feedback into consideration.

On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I am pleased to respond to the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) notice regarding a joint Request for Amendment (RFA) received from 20 rail carriers to modify their FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plans (PTCSP) for their Interoperable Electronic Train Management Systems (I–ETMS). TTD consists of 37 affiliated unions representing the totality of rail labor and we therefore have a vested interest in this matter.[1] Additionally, TTD endorses the comments of our affiliate, the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD).

TTD has previously commented on how Positive Train Control (PTC) systems provide an additional layer of safety for rail workers and the public.[2] These systems are designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, over-speed derailments, incursions into established work zones, and movements of trains through switches left in the wrong position. The National Safety Transportation Board (NTSB) first recommended that PTC be required in 1969 and Congress subsequently mandated PTC systems in the 2008 Rail Safety Improvement Act (RSIA) to save lives and reduce injuries.

December 1, 2023 The Honorable Mike Johnson Speaker United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Sam Graves Chairman United States House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Washington, D.C. 20510 Speaker Johnson and Chairman Graves: On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), representing the totality of U.S. freight rail workers, I […]

December 1, 2023 The Honorable Chuck Schumer Senate Majority Leader United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Mitch McConnell Senate Minority Leader United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell: On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), representing the totality of U.S. freight rail workers, I urge […]

November 29, 2023 Honorable Pete Buttigieg Secretary United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, D.C. 20590 Secretary Buttigieg: On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), and the hundreds thousands of workers we represent in the passenger rail and building trades sectors, I write to express my support for California […]

November 21, 2023 The Honorable Chuck Schumer Senate Majority Leader United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Majority Leader Schumer: On behalf of our affiliated unions representing hundreds of thousands of airline and rail workers, I ask that you expeditiously schedule a Senate Floor vote on the reappointment of National Mediation Board (NMB) Members Linda Puchala […]