WASHINGTON — Greg Regan and Shari Semelsberger, President and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), issued this statement after the Association of American Railroads (AAR) announced that the seven major U.S. freight railroads will join the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System:
“We welcome today’s announcement that the seven major U.S. freight railroads will opt into the Federal Railroad Administration’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System, following calls from rail unions and Secretary Buttigieg.
“Just last month, rail labor unions sent a letter urging the Federal Railroad Administration to require the seven major U.S. freight railroads to participate in the close call safety system. The letter noted that none of those railroads voluntarily participated in the program.
“This is an important step toward improving safety across the nation’s railroads. We applaud Secretary Buttigieg’s leadership on this critical issue and look forward to working together with all partners in the freight rail industry to create a safer system for all.”
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