On the anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, several unions and labor leaders gathered at the Capitol to call for stronger rail safety measures. The event was organized by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM), Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and other rail union representatives from the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO.
Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division, emphasized the urgency of legislative action. “It should not take another catastrophic derailment for Congress to move on rail safety,” said Hartford. “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, reflected on the impact of the disaster. “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,” said Baldwin. “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,” he added.
Union officials including TCU/IAM Legislative Director Dave Arouca and Legislative Representative Connor Vargo stood with their colleagues during these remarks.
Several members of Congress also addressed attendees at 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.) pledged support for advancing the bipartisan Railway Safety Act. Local officials such as Altoona Mayor Matt Pacifico and Pittston Mayor Michael Lambardo also voiced their backing.
Despite three years passing since the East Palestine derailment incident—where hazardous chemicals were released after a freight train accident—Congress has yet to enact comprehensive rail safety reforms. Supporters say that passing the bipartisan Railway Safety Act would help prevent similar incidents in the future by introducing new safety requirements for trains and rail operations.
Greg Regan, President of TTD, highlighted broad political agreement on this issue: “This is not a partisan issue,“ Regan 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.”
The call for legislative action comes amid ongoing concerns about industry practices related to railroad safety standards across communities nationwide.
