Rail Archives

April 26, 2021

MoveAmerica Blog, Rail, Safety

VIDEO: Freight trains in the U.S. are a disaster waiting to happen

Last month, VICE Media exposed the dangers of a new business model taking hold in the freight rail industry called Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR). The goal of PSR is to line the pockets of wealthy shareholders by prioritizing cost cutting and profits over safety and service. Now, VICE News has released a companion video that…
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November 15, 2019

MoveAmerica Blog, Rail

Video: TTD to Congress: Protect and Invest in Amtrak’s Future

TTD’s rail unions represent frontline workers across America’s passenger rail network, including those who operate trains, maintain and repair equipment, provide quality customer service both on and off-board, and who construct facilities. There is no one who knows Amtrak like these men and women, and you will not find a greater advocate for passenger rail…
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August 30, 2019

MoveAmerica Blog, Rail

FRA On Rail Safety: “No, Thanks”

In June, unions representing a wide range of crafts of railroad workers testified before the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on the state of the rail workforce and worker safety in the industry. Without fail, each labor witness spoke to safety issues that freight carriers and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) are at best choosing to…
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July 8, 2019

MoveAmerica Blog, Rail

Amtrak’s National Network Must Be Preserved

The belief that the carrier’s regional expansion must come at the expense of its national network isn’t just concerning – this idea goes against Amtrak’s own mission and purpose.
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June 18, 2019

MoveAmerica Blog, Rail, Safety

Rail Unions to Congress: Safety is Not Negotiable

On Thursday, June 20, rail unions, including many TTD affiliates, will testify before Congress about the most pressing safety issues facing the industry and its workforce today. From recent decisions by the FRA to pressures from Wall Street that threaten safety, here is a preview of what will be discussed.
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June 14, 2019

MoveAmerica Blog, Rail, Safety

This is why two qualified crewmembers are needed on all freight trains

Our federal government recently prioritized the profits of the freight rail industry over safety by refusing to set standards for crew train size. The same agency — the federal railroad administration — also declared state laws that do set crew size null and void, paving the way for freight trains, which can be up to…
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March 8, 2019

MoveAmerica Blog, Aviation, Rail

National Mediation Board Union Decertification Proposal is A Problem In Search of A Solution

In an era when the economy is out of balance and stagnating wages are making it harder for working people to get by, our government should be pursuing policies that enhance the rights of workers and encourage them to join together in union. Sadly, a proposal by the National Mediation Board (NMB) does the opposite.…
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December 13, 2018

MoveAmerica Blog, Rail

Amtrak’s Dedicated Workforce Deserves Better

Amtrak may claim its decisions are based on numbers, but it sure looks like this carrier is trying to undermine unions and outsource good jobs to low-wage workers. Frankly, Amtrak’s workforce deserves better.
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November 1, 2018

Rail, MoveAmerica Blog, Safety

FRA, Frontline Rail Workers Shine Light on Rail Crossing Safety

Each year, hundreds of Americans are seriously injured or killed by locomotives when they intentionally or accidentally wander onto tracks or drive into the path of oncoming trains. While much has been done in the last two decades to mitigate these fatalities, it is clear more must be done to ensure rail grade crossing and…
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September 26, 2018

MoveAmerica Blog, Rail, Safety

Larry Willis on America’s Workforce Radio: Outsourcing Freight Rail Jobs and Undermining Safety is a Mistake

This summer, the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) allowed the freight carrier Kansas City Southern Railroad (KCSR) to operate freight trains in the United States with crews from Mexico. TTD President Larry I. Willis joined America’s Workforce Radio host Ed “Flash” Ferenc to discuss this concerning decision, and its implications, in a recent interview. The decision…
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