Weekly Digest Number 34 - August 22, 2023

Editor's Note: Conference organizers were very receptive to RWU's request to sponsor a workshop on the question of public ownership of the North American rail network. Three representatives of Railroad Workers United will present our case. To learn more about our efforts, see the RWU Campaign in Support of Public Ownership.

RWU to Host Session on Public Ownership at Socialism 2023 Conference

RWU will be conducting a session on our demand for public ownership of the railroad industry at the Socialism Conference 2023, sponsored by Haymarket Books, as well as numerous endorsing organizations, including RWU. It will be held over Labor Day weekend, from Sep. 1-4, in Chicago, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place hotel.

Editor's Note: This is just one of no doubt countless examples where a Class One rail carrier has engaged in illegal reprisals against workers who insist on doing their jobs correctly, the way they were trained to do them, and to the best of their ability. As more and more rail workers find the strength and confidence to speak out, the carriers will come under scrutiny more and more. It is up top all of us to "work to the rule," refuse to be bullied by the company to cut corners, and fight like hell when they retaliate against us!

Rail whistleblowers fired for voicing safety concerns despite efforts to end practice of retaliation

BY JOSH FUNK Updated August 19, 2023

Hours before a Norfolk Southern train derailed in Ohio and erupted in fire in February, a judge ruled a former railroad employee could proceed with a lawsuit claiming he had been harassed for years by managers who said he reported too many flaws in rail cars he inspected and had his job changed after reporting an injury.

Richard Singleton’s case against Norfolk Southern was settled for an undisclosed amount after the judge said he had enough evidence to go to trial over whether he was disciplined for reporting safety violations that slowed trains passing through a Macon, Georgia, railyard.

Editor's Note: Wonder how they found almost 450 miles of track in Georgia without level crossings... because if there are crossings you'd feel a breeze coming from the crossing arms going up and down. Also... aren't ocean containers designed to be moved with chassis? Imagine a 53' container loaded in the middle bouncing down the rails on a couple skateboards.

Genesee & Wyoming short lines seek permission for autonomous container car tests

Trains Magazine

Two Genesee & Wyoming short lines in Georgia today asked the Federal Railroad Administration to allow them to conduct a pilot program that would test Parallel Systems’ zero-emission autonomous container cars. The 211-mile Georgia Central Railway and 233-mile Heart of Georgia Railroad would like to test the battery-electric cars – which can run alone or coupled together as an autonomous train – on portions of their lines beginning next year.

Editor's Note: This is a radio interview with UE union leadership who represent workers at the Wabtec locomotive construction facility in Erie, PA.

UE Pushes Green Locomotives As Way To Combat Climate Change, Create Jobs

AUGUST 7, 2023 BY 8 O'CLOCK BUZZ

The United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, otherwise known as UE, represents workers at the Wabtec plant, and they’ve been pushing for green emission mandates on the railroad industry to create jobs.  Carl Rosen is the General President of UE, and he joins us now by phone. Also joining us is Scott Slawson, President of UE Local 506, which represents workers at the Erie Wabtec plant.

Editor's Note: Brother Rosen provided lots of truths about the benefits and costs of switching to 'green' locomotives. This was in counterpoint to AAR shill Frazier who trotted out the typical lies and mischaracterizations about electrification. Also - Rosen cited our friends at Solutionary Rail as resources for electrification strategy.

UE President Rosen to Senate: U.S. Has Opportunity to Reduce Emissions, Create Jobs with Green Locomotives

United Electrical Unioin

UE General President Carl Rosen was one of three witnesses invited to testify to a Senate subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, July 26 about opportunities to clean up pollution in rail yards, reduce carbon emissions, and create jobs by instituting stricter regulations on railroad emissions. “Hundreds of UE members work in these unhealthy environments on a daily basis. Many of them live there as well. It is unconscionable that we let this go on when existing technology can mitigate the issue, and now commercially-viable technologies like battery locomotives can all but eliminate it.

Editor's Note: Like PTC, the rail carriers hope to use the introduction of drone and other technologies to decimate the workforce on the pretext that actual workers are no longer necessary.

FRA to Congress: Visual Track Inspections Still Necessary, for Now

by William C. Vantuono

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has submitted to Congress “Automated Track Inspection Technologies,” a report that recommends that railroads continue utilizing visual inspections while developing and testing new inspection technologies. “In combination with visual inspections, technological advancement has become essential to railroads’ track asset management and safety assurance programs,” 

Editor's Note: Some blessed day the rail industry will haul its last tank car but until then the carriers need to step up inspections of routes with 'HIgh Hazardous Trains'. And maybe one day in the future, finally capitulate to employing Electro Pneumatic Braking (ECP) on those trains?

BNSF Sued by Landowners for Soil Contamination and Decreased Property Values in Iowa

RT&S News Jennifer McLawhorn



After a 2018 train derailment in Iowa, nearby landowners are “seeking damages” from BNSF for the oil cleanup and subsequent lowered property values they say were caused by oil and contaminants that remain in the soil. The lawsuit alleges that BNSF knew the area was flooded from heavy rainfall a few days prior to the derailment and that it was “negligent in failing to inspect, maintain, and repair its track.” The heavy rain caused the ground to flood and lead to the train derailment in which 160,000 gallons of oil were spilled. 

Editor's Note: Of course if the FRA had any teeth, this could be a concise list of demands with attention-getting fines attached. [See the button below for a schedule of FRA-levied fines.] Instead, the Assessment is 147 pages of gentle suggestions.

DOT/FRA issues Norfolk Southern Safety Assessment

Federal Railroad Administration

"Based on its assessment of NS’ safety culture and operational safety, FRA found the overall safety culture maturity at NS to be in the involving level. FRA is considering enforcement actions against NS, but the purpose of this Assessment is to explore aspects of the railroad organization and operations affecting safety in ways that are not necessarily addressed by rules and regulations."

Editor's Note: The nation's airlines are all party to this program. What makes the rail corporations assume that their already existing "programs" are superior? If this program is good enough for the airline industry, it certainly should be good enough for the rail industry.

Union urges Class Is to enroll in 'Close Call' safety reporting system

Progressive Railroading

The Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of the AFL-CIO has urged the CEOs of six major freight railroads operating in the United States to formally join the federal Confidential Close Call Reporting System. The system enables rail workers to confidentially report “close call” safety incidents to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) without fear of retaliation by their employers.

Editor's Note: Transition to electric locomotives is squarely in the interests of the UE. As locomotives become part of the electric grid they offer additional value and can support a higher price and higher wages for those that make them. Plus, a healthy number of the nation's locomotive fleet will either have to be replaced or - more likely - converted by UE members.

In a Summer of Record Heat, These Striking Workers Are Making Climate Demands

August 10, 2023 Sarah Lazare  WORKDAY MAGAZINE

UE has called for a shift to zero-emissions locomotives. The union also supports public ownership (or nationalization) of the railway industry, arguing that the profit motive is a key barrier to vitally needed improvements. They want the company to help the union win a green overhaul of the rail locomotive industry, with the overall goal of drastically reducing emissions that spew carbon and pollution into the atmosphere.

Editor's Note: The rail unions in the UK continue their battles with the privatized industry in that country, continuing their strike actions of the past year.

RMT announces Saturday rail strikes in August and September

The Guardian

The Rail, Maritime and Transport workers’ union (RMT) said 20,000 of its members from 14 train operators would walk out on 26 August and 2 September, both Saturdays.The RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said: “The mood among our members remains solid and determined in our national dispute over pay, job security and working conditions.

Editor's Note: With new leadership elected in a first-ever one-member-one-vote election last year, the UAW is determined to wage a winning fight against the nation's BIG 3 automakers this year to correct the multi-tier wage system and other injustices. They no doubt have been inspiring by rail workers, UPS Teamsters and others. Labor from across many sectors continues to gain confidence and fight back.

Auto Workers Have Big Demands for the Big 3

August 17, 2023 Dan DiMaggio, Keith Brower Brown



The clock is ticking toward September 14 at midnight, when the Auto Workers’ contracts with the Big 3 automakers expire. The new leaders of the UAW have come out swinging, and in quickly growing numbers, members are stepping up to prepare for a strike.

Entering this round of bargaining, the Big 3 have reported a combined $21 billion in profits in the first half of 2023. This comes on top of profits of $250 billion over the last 10 years.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE LABOR MOVEMENT

Editor's Note: According to the union, "We went out with only a 52 per cent majority in favour of a strike, but our presence on the picket line was 100 per cent." As a result, the union (USW) is claiming victory.

National Steel Car workers ratify new deal, end 41-day strike

Bobby Hristova · CBC News · Posted: Aug 09

A new deal between National Steel Car and its workers has been ratified, officially marking the end of a 41-day strike at the rail car maker. The Local 7135 of the United Steelworkers union (USW) says workers voted for a new contract that will include a 13 per cent wage increase over three years, with six per cent in the first year and a $1,000 signing bonus.

HUNDREDS of you joined our UAW Solidarity call - here’s what’s next…

Sydney, Labor Network for Sustainability

Together we heard from powerful speakers and hundreds of us showed the Big 3 Auto CEOS: The climate movement is organizing and stands in solidarity with UAW!

Now, we need to keep up the pressure. Our friends at UAW have set up a number so our movement can make quick 2 min voicemails that UAW will deliver to Big 3 Auto CEOs so they hear loud and clear - RECORD PROFITS DESERVE RECORD CONTRACTS! We demand a fair UAW contract now.

When you call 318-300-1249, you’ll hear a brief intro about the contract negotiations from UAW. At the beep, just leave your message. Then text 5 friends and ask them to do the same. That’s it! Your 2 minute call will help amplify the pressure to meet auto workers’ demands for a fair contract! You can find talking points and additional ways to take action in the quick action guide we made for the call. Tweet about it!