(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, May 23, 2023)
ATLNTA — Norfolk Southern Corporation President and CEO Alan H. Shaw and leaders of 12 Norfolk Southern labor unions sent a joint letter Tuesday underscoring their shared goal of partnering together to drive continuous improvement in rail safety at the company. The letter was sent to all Norfolk Southern craft and management employees. The signatories wrote in the letter:
“Today, national labor leaders and Norfolk Southern management are committing to work together to enhance rail safety for our people and the communities we serve. We won’t agree on everything. That’s okay. Our belief in the importance of safety unites us. We want our people to show up to work every day knowing their employer and their union are working diligently to help them do their jobs safely.
“We will collaborate, consult experts, review best practices, and listen to the people closest to the work. Working together – and broadening the conversation to ensure everyone plays a part – is the best way to achieve meaningful improvement. We will remain open-minded, nimble, and fact-based, making changes as we learn. Along the way we will continue to look for other ways to collaborate to improve the quality of life for our colleagues.”
Union representatives signing the letter include the national presidents of the American Train Dispatchers Association; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes; Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division; and Transportation Communications Union.
Union signatories also included leaders from six unions representing the Norfolk Southern shopcraft coalition: Brotherhood of Railway Carmen; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Mechanical Division; International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; National Conference of Firemen & Oilers; and Transport Workers Union.
The full text of the letter follows below:
To Norfolk Southern employees and union members:
Every day, America depends on union railroaders at Norfolk Southern to deliver the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. We are proud of that important work. We understand that our essential role comes with the responsibility to operate safely.
Protecting the safety of workers is one of the founding values of labor unions, and union leadership advocates tenaciously on behalf of the safety and wellbeing of our people. Management at Norfolk Southern shares that deeply held value, and invests time, energy, and resources to provide our people with the training, equipment, and technology to support safe operations. As a result, railroads are the safest way to move freight over land.
We can do better.
Today, national labor leaders and Norfolk Southern management are committing to work together to enhance rail safety for our people and the communities we serve. We won’t agree on everything. That’s okay. Our belief in the importance of safety unites us. We want our people to show up to work every day knowing their employer and their union are working diligently to help them do their jobs safely.
We will collaborate, consult experts, review best practices, and listen to the people closest to the work. Working together – and broadening the conversation to ensure everyone plays a part – is the best way to achieve meaningful improvement. We will remain open-minded, nimble, and fact-based, making changes as we learn. Along the way we will continue to look for other ways to collaborate to improve the quality of life for our colleagues.
To the employees and union members who are the heart and soul of Norfolk Southern – thank you for your work, your pride in serving customers, and your unwavering commitment to safety.
Alan H. Shaw, President and CEO, Norfolk Southern
Tony Cardwell, President, BMWED
Edward Hall, President, BLET
Leo McCann, President, ATDA
Michael Baldwin, President, BRS
Jeremy Ferguson, President, SMART-TD
Arthur Maratea, President, TCU
Leaders of the Shopcraft Coalition
Chris Browning, International Representative – ISO, IBB
John Feltz, International VP and Director Railroad Division, TWU
Tom Owens, General Chairman, IBEW
Jason Cox, National Representative, BRC
John McCloskey, Directing General Chairperson, SMART-MD
Travis Prothro, General Chairman and Asst. Director of Railroads, NCFO