In a story about the proposed megamerger between Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific, CNBC reported that Union Pacific’s recent move to operate trains with Mexican national crews on rails within the United States could be a stumbling block for UP as it seeks approval for the merger from the Trump administration. A link to CNBC’s story can be found here. The report focused on a June 2 letter by BLET National President Mark Wallace asking U.S. President Donald Trump to take “immediate and decisive action” to protect national security and American rail jobs at the Southern U.S. border with Mexico.
“BLET has asked President Trump to instruct the U.S. Department of Transportation to prohibit the use of Mexican train crews within the United States, except those who are American citizens or lawful permanent residents,” CNBC reported. “BLET is also requesting that English be the mandated language for railroad employees, something the department recently required for the trucking industry.”
Historically, trains from Mexico stopped at the border for inspections, brake tests, and for the crews from Mexico to turn the train over to BLET-represented American engineers for operation on American rails. The BLET has produced a short video outlining the safety and security threats that are linked to the plans to allow engineers from Mexico to operate trains in the United States. Watch the video at the BLET’s YouTube channel.
CNBC’s reporting comes about one month after the NBC affiliate in Dallas-Fort Worth aired an investigative report highlighting BLET’s concerns on the cross border issue. The local NBC story also focused on how the use of crews from Mexico could lead to an increase in human smuggling. The story mentions the recent arrest of a Ferromex engineer in Eagle Pass, Texas who allegedly was complicit in a scheme to smuggle undocumented migrants in a locomotive traveling into the United States. A version of the NBC story also can be seen on TikTok. Click here to view.
The BLET will continue to protect American jobs and push back against these threats to the safety of communities along the rails and border security. The union has launched a Take Action campaign to inform Congress about the risks involved in the railroads’ plans. Click here if you’d like to add your name to the growing list of members who are getting involved. Once there, the site will provide guidance on how you and other BLET activists can connect with the appropriate members of Congress and, with a few clicks, send a message opposing these job and safety giveaways.
Photo by David Hawkins