BMWED President Tony Cardwell testified before members of Congress this week about the potential dangers of over-reliance on technology.
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BLET members rely on Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) investigations to hold railroads accountable, but proposed changes by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to safeguards that protect FRA inspectors from undue pressure threaten to weaken the safety culture.
In comments filed with the DOT, BLET National President Mark Wallace said, “Our members know that the railroads have a history of retaliation for reporting safety issues — something we take very seriously.” Wallace was joined by the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO and other rail unions in sounding the alarm about proposed changes that would make it easier to intimidate and fire FRA inspectors.
“We do not want rail carriers — or any regulated entity — to be able to make a simple complaint to DOT and get an investigator or inspector fired for reporting a correct violation. There needs to be a process in place that protects inspectors who are calling balls and strikes to enforce safety regulations,” Wallace said.
Read this article in Freightwaves for more.
Also in Washington, on June 24 BMWED President Tony Cardwell represented rail labor generally and the Teamsters Rail Division directly in testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in a hearing titled, “America Builds: The Role of Innovation and Technology in a Safe and Efficient Rail System.”
The BMWED president told members of Congress that unions don’t oppose the use of technology, if it’s used to boost safety, but it shouldn’t be used to supplant the people who keep railroads safely running. Cardwell’s remarks can be viewed here.