On the anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, several rail unions and labor leaders gathered at the Capitol to urge Congress to pass the Railway Safety Act and other safety measures. The event marked three years since a freight train derailed in East Palestine, releasing toxic chemicals into the community.
Josh Hartford, Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division, stated, “It should not take another catastrophic derailment for Congress to move on rail safety. One was enough. The issue is bipartisan. Congress needs to do what’s right and act now.”
Michael Baldwin, President of the Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen and Chairman of the Rail Labor Division of TTD, reflected on the incident: “We are gathered here today to mark an anniversary that never should have happened. Three years ago in East Palestine, Ohio, a freight train derailed and unleashed toxic chemicals into a community that did nothing to deserve it. This was not a fluke, this was not bad luck, it was the foreseeable result of a system that has been allowed, even encouraged, to put profits ahead of safety.”
IAM Rail Division head Josh Hartford joined TCU/IAM Legislative Director Dave Arouca and Legislative Representative Connor Vargo; IAM Legislative Assistant Director Ty Richardson; and IAM District 19 President Reece Murtagh in supporting calls for improved rail safety alongside other union representatives.
Members of Congress who spoke at the event included U.S. Representatives Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Michael Rulli (R-Ohio), and John Garamendi (D-Calif.). Mayors Matt Pacifico from Altoona, Pa., and Michael Lambardo from Pittston, Pa., also expressed support for passing bipartisan legislation aimed at improving railway safety standards.
The Railway Safety Act is designed to address practices within the rail industry that could lead to accidents like East Palestine’s derailment. Supporters argue that enacting these reforms would help protect both railroad workers and local communities.
Greg Regan, President of TTD, said: “This is not a partisan issue. Former President Biden and current President Trump both voice support for railway safety. This is something that can and needs to be addressed. The labor movement is ready to work with you all to make sure we can actually achieve a rail system that we can all be proud of.”
Calls continue for constituents to contact their legislators in support of stronger rail safety laws.
