On the anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, labor unions including the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM), Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and other rail union leaders gathered at the Capitol to call on Congress to pass the Railway Safety Act and additional safety measures.
Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division, addressed lawmakers by saying: “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 event’s significance: “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.”
Union representatives including Josh Hartford; Dave Arouca, TCU/IAM Legislative Director; Connor Vargo, Legislative Representative; Ty Richardson, IAM Legislative Assistant Director; and Reece Murtagh, IAM District 19 President and Directing General Chair stood with their labor allies during remarks.
Several members of Congress spoke in support of passing railway safety legislation. U.S. Representatives Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Michael Rulli (R-Ohio), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), along with Altoona Mayor Matt Pacifico and Pittston Mayor Michael Lambardo pledged their support for moving forward with bipartisan action.
Despite three years passing since the incident in East Palestine—which released hazardous materials into local communities—Congress has yet to enact reforms targeting unsafe industry practices. The proposed bipartisan Railway Safety Act aims to reduce such risks by introducing stricter regulations intended to protect both railroad workers and residents near rail lines.
Greg Regan, President of TTD AFL-CIO stated: “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.”
Labor organizations continue urging citizens to contact legislators about advancing railway safety measures.
