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Dear Fellow Railroad Workers:
This past Saturday December 13th, a fellow rail lost his life on the job. Our Brother Charles Harrison, 52, worked for CSX in Alabama. CSX issued the following statement:
"Early this morning, at approximately 3:49 a.m., a CSX employee was fatally injured in an incident while performing his duties near the Highway 22 crossing in Calera, Alabama.
"Our hearts are with the employee’s family, loved ones, and coworkers during this incredibly difficult time.
"CSX appreciates the swift response of local first responders. The incident is under investigation.
"We are focused on supporting our employees and the family of our fallen colleague, and we are providing all available resources during this time of loss."
The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division, which represents conductors, said in a Dec. 14 post on its website that Harrison had been a member of the union since 2022, employed by Norfolk Southern until moving to CSX in 2023. “Our entire union family is deeply saddened today,” the union said. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the members of Locals 847 and 622, to Brother Harrison’s family and friends, and to all who knew and worked alongside him.” The union said its ability to comment further is severely restricted because the accident is the subject of an active federal investigation.
While we are saddened at the news of Charles' death, we must double our resolve to build a safer workplace where such tragedies are not so commonplace.
The Railroad Workers United Program for Fallen Rails urges you to do the following on behalf of our Brother, his friends and family, co-workers and all railroad workers:
Commit yourself to following up on how and why he was killed. What is the behind-the-scenes story? What role did unsafe conditions, including short staffing, crew fatigue, inadequate training and/or qualifying, deferred maintenance, or other factors play in this fellow worker’s death?
Get involved in the national movement against blame the worker “behavior-based safety” programs. Help build real union-based safety committees and programs that focus on hazard elimination and do not ignore the underlying causes of accidents, injuries and fatalities sustained on the job. For more information, see the webpage https://www.railroadworkersunited.org/oppose-behavior-based-safety
Take part in the RWU annual Railroad Workers Memorial Day each April 28th. For more information, see the webpage https://www.railroadworkersunited.org/fallen-rails-memorial-day
Join RWU and fight to build solidarity and unity among all railroad workers, and make safer workplaces for all.
Thank you.
Railroad Workers United
P.S. Please forward this email to fellow railroad workers.
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