Champ Zavala, Vice Chairperson of the United Passenger Rail Federation, part of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes—a division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters—joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast today. He discussed rail safety, the ongoing funding challenges for public transit in Illinois and the personal impact of workplace safety violations.
Zavala began with the state of rail safety, emphasizing the importance of thorough inspections. He explained that track inspectors are responsible for identifying defects and potential hazards, which is crucial for the safety of thousands of passengers daily. Despite their efforts, Zavala noted that inspectors are spread thin, often unable to cover all areas thoroughly due to limited resources and time constraints. This shortage of inspectors poses a significant risk, as undetected issues can lead to catastrophic incidents, similar to the East Palestine disaster.
Next, Zavala discussed the funding challenges facing public transit in Illinois. He described the ongoing tug-of-war over financial resources, which could result in severe service cuts. Such reductions could double the number of vehicles on already congested highways, exacerbating traffic issues in the Chicagoland area. Zavala said that without adequate funding, the state cannot modernize its transit infrastructure, leaving it behind other regions globally.
Finally, Zavala shared a personal story about the tragic loss of his brother-in-law due to an OSHA violation, underscoring the human cost of inadequate safety measures. He revealed that the accident could have been prevented, as a similar incident occurred a year prior without corrective action. The union's intervention has since led to necessary safety improvements, but Zavala emphasized that more needs to be done to prevent such tragedies. He added that unions play a crucial role in advocating for workers' rights and workplace safety to prevent future accidents on the job.
Listen to the full episode above to hear more from Zavala and learn more about the importance of proper safety regulations and union advocacy.