Tony Cardwell, General President of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED-IBT) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss two railway safety bills that could provide improvements for both workers and the communities surrounding railways. He also discussed the Brightline West High-Speed Rail Project and what it means for new union jobs in the rail industry.
Following the tragic events created by the Norfolk Southern Derailment near East Palestine, Ohio in 2023, safety on the railways has been a growing focus. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the Railway Safety Act of 2023 to address some of the safety concerns. The current bill on the Senate floor is an acceptable first step, but The Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2024 would be the more acceptable option, said Cardwell. He went on to explain the differences between the two bills.
The biggest issue the BMWED has with the Rail Safety Bill centers on the portions that have been watered down creating more significant safety concerns for the community and rail operators. Cardwell talked about the work done by lobbyists to keep the length of trains where they are today, which in some cases can be up to three miles long. Meanwhile, the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act contains a more robust set of regulations. Cardwell reiterated the BMWED will still support the Rail Safety Bill, as it is a good first step, but if they had a choice, they would prefer the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act. Until some legislation t is enacted, rail companies will continue to drive profits over rail and community safety, he said.
Construction on the Brightline West High-Speed Rail Project between Las Vegas and Los Angeles has begun. Cardwell discussed the excitement around the project and what it could mean for the future of transportation between the two cities. The goal is to finish the rail line in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles to help alleviate traffic. As the work continues and jobs are being created, Cardwell hopes the project will kickstart growth in high-speed rail projects across the country, creating more new union jobs.
Listen to the show above to hear more from Cardwell.