WASHINGTON, DC — Five railroads recently applied for special exemptions to operate trains without the monitoring of Positive Train Control (PTC), a mandated safety technology, but the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rejected the applications, in part due to union opposition.
“Our opposition was based on our determination to protect our members and the public from the risks associated with running trains without PTC,” explained Greg Hines, SMART-TD’s national legislative director.
Class I carriers BNSF and Norfolk Southern, as well as passenger carriers South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, Caltrain and New Mexico Rail Runner Express, requested waivers. Railroads often request waivers from important regulations that protect the communities they serve but can affect operating costs — in this case, the cost of keeping critical safety technology in good condition. Deferring that maintenance is one way they can reduce costs.
Such exemptions are one strategy railroads have adopted to weaken regulations they perceive as onerous, even though the rules have a positive impact on public and worker safety. Freight operators have often prioritized productivity over safety, as they sought to increase train speeds without a crucial safety measure called PTC.
“FRA's denial of this waiver request is a victory for rail safety and underscores the importance of adhering to established safety protocols,” Hines said.
Jared Cassity, SMART-TD's acting legislative director, added, “SMART-TD will continue to serve as a watchdog during FRA's public comment process. We are committed to ensuring safety regulations are not eroded and that our members can work in an environment where safety is non-negotiable.”
SMART-TD, along with the Brotherhood of Railway Signallers (BRS), the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Division (TTD) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE), opposed the request.
SMART-TD is closely monitoring the FRA’s public comment process as part of our union’s unwavering commitment to rail safety, and because it’s our members who are most at risk, we continue to advocate for regulations that prioritize the well-being of rail workers, the safety of rail operations, and the communities in which we operate.
Railroad exemptions are under review through FRA docket numbers FRA-2010-0039, FRA-2010-0045, FRA-2010-0051, FRA-2010-0056, and FRA-2010-0060.
SMART-TD is the transportation division of the Sheet Metal, Aviation, Rail and Transport Workers Union, the largest railroad union in the U.S. and represents multiple transportation occupations.
FRA's denial letters to railroads
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