Greg Regan with American Workforce Podcast.
Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO President Greg Regan joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the TTD’s recent Executive Committee Meeting. Regan also discussed the growing concerns surrounding rail safety and the Rail Safety Bill that could improve rail safety if passed.
The Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO recently met with leaders of their 37 member unions at the Annual Spring Executive Meeting. The Spring Executive Meeting is a time for all the member unions to get together and discuss policy agenda for the next six months. During these meetings many unions find common points in the difficulties they are having and work together in innovative ways to resolve the issues. One priority for the group leaving the meeting was improving railway safety.
The issue currently causing many safety concerns is the length of many freight trains. The longer the trains, the higher the amount of safety risks. If there are any breakdowns, the length of the train creates chances of blocked crossings for schools or potentially preventing emergency services from reaching their destination.
The proposed Rail Safety Bill is a possible solution to many of the safety concerns, Regan said. The bill proposes to increase the number of conductors and engineers on board the trains and decrease the number of risk factors involved with smaller crews. At this time, however, there is no clause in the bill limiting lengths of trains, which Regan believes will be addressed prior to a vote in the Senate. With the public support for railway safety and the support from both sides of the aisle, Regan hopes there is enough momentum to get the bill passed.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.