CLEVELAND, May 16 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is issuing an “action alert” that urges all members to contact their members of Congress to support H.R. 2095, the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007.
H.R. 2095 is a major piece of legislation that was introduced last week by Congressman Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) and Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-Fla.). The bill that would provide sweeping reforms to railroad safety regulations that labor has sought for many years. It would vastly improve the quality of life for rail workers.
Rail Labor is united in its support of this important measure, including Teamster Rail Conference members BLET and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED).
Among its many provisions, the bill would:
• Amend the Hours Of Service Act;
• Eliminate limbo time;
• Eliminate camp cars for maintenance of way workers;
• Provide strong whistle blower protections;
• Address the issue of dark territory;
• Address highway/rail grade crossing safety; and
• Redesignate the FRA as the Federal Railroad Safety Administration.
To find your member of Congress and their contact information, visit the BLET’s National Legislative Office website at:
http://www.bletdc.org/action/congress
A sample letter is available here:
http://www.bletdc.org/action/alerts/2095%20letter.doc
“I encourage all BLET members, their families and the BLET Auxiliary to take the initiative and contact their members of Congress in support of H.R. 2095 so that we can make sure this bill passes with a veto-proof majority in the House,” said Don Hahs, BLET National President.