February 3, 2026, marks three years since the Norfolk Southern derailment, fire, and toxic chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio. During that time, Congress has been unable to advance or pass rail safety legislation. BLET and others in Rail Labor are calling out the industry for continuing to stonewall numerous safety improvements.
The unions and safety advocates, including East Palestine residents, continue to push for passage of the Railway Safety Act, which would mandate reforms called for by the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation of the derailment. BLET’s Safety Task Force, in its analysis of the derailment, cited corporate greed and Precision Scheduled Railroading as contributing factors.
Rather than address the safety risks caused by reduced staffing, running longer trains, tank cars that should have been retired years ago, stressed equipment and other factors, the rail industry and its trade association, the Association of American Railroads (AAR), continues to actively lobby for reduced human inspections of rail cars, against the use of a Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), and other efforts that would make trains and track safer.
BLET National President Mark Wallace issued the following statement today on the three-year anniversary of the East Palestine derailment and the need for Congress to pass rail safety legislation:
“Railroad safety demands Congress’s attention. Three years ago today, the catastrophic derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, demonstrated what happens when railroads are allowed to prioritize longer trains, fewer inspections, and increased automation over safety. With 12,000 municipalities served by railroads and more than 80 million Americans living near Class I rail lines, the stakes could not be higher. Two-person train crews, modern braking systems, stronger inspections, tougher penalties, and improved hazardous materials notification are essential to protecting railroad workers and the public. These reforms will only happen if Congress passes the Railway Safety Act.”
Pictured: First Vice President Gary Best and Director of Political Affairs Brendan Sullivan were among the BLET representatives on Capitol Hill today to lobby for rail safety legislation on the three-year anniversary of the East Palestine derailment.