On the anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, several rail unions and labor organizations gathered at the Capitol to urge Congress to pass the Railway Safety Act and implement further safety measures.
Representatives from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM), Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) participated in the event. The focus was on pushing lawmakers to address rail safety concerns that have persisted since the incident three years ago.
“It should not take another catastrophic derailment for Congress to move on rail safety,” said Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division. “One was enough. The issue is bipartisan. Congress needs to do what’s right and act now.”
Michael Baldwin, President of the Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen and Chairman of the Rail Labor Division of TTD, commented on the ongoing impact: “We are gathered here today to mark an anniversary that never should have happened. Three years ago in East Palestine, Ohio, a freight train derailed and unleashed toxic chemicals into a community that did nothing to deserve it. This was not a fluke, this was not bad luck, it was the foreseeable result of a system that has been allowed, even encouraged, to put profits ahead of safety.”
The union representatives present included Josh Hartford from IAM Rail Division; Dave Arouca and Connor Vargo from TCU/IAM; Ty Richardson from IAM Legislative team; and Reece Murtagh from IAM District 19.
Several members of Congress addressed attendees during the event. U.S. Representatives Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Michael Rulli (R-Ohio), and John Garamendi (D-Calif.) spoke in favor of advancing bipartisan legislation aimed at preventing future derailments. Altoona Mayor Matt Pacifico and Pittston Mayor Michael Lambardo also voiced support for increased rail safety standards.
The Railway Safety Act is described as a bipartisan effort designed to prevent incidents similar to East Palestine by strengthening industry regulations for both workers and communities.
TTD President Greg Regan emphasized unity across political lines on this issue: “This is not a partisan issue,“ he said. “Former President Biden and current President Trump both voice support for railway safety. This is something that can and needs to be addressed. The labor movement is ready to work with you all to make sure we can actually achieve a rail system that we can all be proud of.”
Three years after the East Palestine derailment, advocates say Congress has yet to address risky practices within the rail sector through meaningful reform.
