(The Idaho State Journal posted the following article by Zach Wesley on its website on July 11.)
POCATELLO, Idaho — As it stands, the city will not interfere with Union Pacific’s plan to install remote control units into its Pocatello rail yards in November.
Representatives from Union Pacific, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the United Transportation Union presented their sides of the issue at Thursday’s city council study session.
“I’m not sure we’re going to take any action,” said Councilman Harry Neuhardt, “Unless we hear something to the contrary, it’s not a city issue.”
There is a point of contention between the BLE and the UTU.
Union Pacific wants to replace engineers inside of locomotive engines with remote control devices while the engines are operated inside the rail yards.
The UTU holds the right to operate the remote devices while the BLE is the engineers union.
It is likely that BLE engineers will lose jobs once the remotes are used.
“Our main issue is that it is a safety issue. It’s not who runs the trains,” Jim Lance, BLE local chairman, said.
Lance maintained that this was not an employment issue. He said the BLE does not want the remote controls in Pocatello rail yards because they are not regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration.
“We want Pocatello on board with the other cities that have already banned or limited the use of the remotes until guidelines can be put into effect,” Lance said.
The UTU and UP said the remotes have been used safely in Canada for 13 years.
“If there is some credible reason to think there is a demonstrative threat to public safety, then we can act,” Neuhardt said.
The remotes do not control the locomotives over long distances.
Scott Hinckley, Union Pacific Railroad general director from UP’s Omaha, Nebe. office, said that caution signs would be put in areas where the remotes will be used.