CLEVELAND, March 3 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers will hold a rally at the Federal Railroad Administration’s offices in Washington, D.C. to highlight critical safety issues regarding the use of remote control locomotives. The rally is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11 at 1 p.m. in front of the FRA’s offices at 1120 Vermont St. N.W.
The purpose of the rally is to shed further light on the numerous safety issues associated with the operation of remote control technology by employees who are not locomotive engineers. These problems pose a serious threat to railroad workers and the general public.
The FRA has refused to meet with BLE leaders regarding the safety of remote control trains inspite of the more than 40 accidents associated with the technology since 2000. The BLE requested that the FRA develop formal regulations to govern the use of remote control trains in November 2000, but no enforceable regulations have been issued.
Several U.S. cities have adopted resolutions to ban remote control trains. Specifically, Baton Rouge, La., Shreveport, La., Detroit, Mich., Marysville, Mich., Boston, Mass., Cleveland, Ohio and Pine Bluff, Ark., have expressed concerns about the dangers of remote control operations and asked the FRA to develop improved safety requirements in an effort to make their communities safer.
“We sincerely believe this technology is a safety hazard to both railroad employees and the general public when remote control trains are operated by employees who are lesser-trained and lesser qualified than locomotive engineers,” said BLE International President Don M. Hahs. “We hope that this rally will shed light on the dangers that we see nearly every day.
“Earlier this month, there was another employee death as a result of the use of this technology. We are beginning to ask ourselves ‘how many people have to die before something is done about it?’”
Speakers for the rally will include: BLE International President Hahs, International Brotherhood of Teamsters President James P. Hoffa and AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department Executive Director Edward Wytkind. Additional speakers will be announced as they are confirmed.
For more information, visit: www.ble.org