Railroads

RWU Statement on Amtrak 188

Brian K. Noe · May 20, 2015 ·

Here are some excellent thoughts from Railroad Workers United concerning the derailment of Amtrak 188.

If we are serious about preventing future catastrophes of this nature, we must equip railroad workers with the necessary tools to enable them to perform the job safely. Pointing fingers at this or that employee (at any level in the company, union or management) might make some folks feel better, but it does little or nothing to prevent future accidents. Railroad Workers United believes it is time we learn from these terrible tragedies and get serious about implementing the necessary measures to ensure safe railroad operations.

Perspective on the Amtrak 188 Derailment

Brian K. Noe · May 15, 2015 ·

Here’s some perspective on the recent Amtrak derailment near Philadelphia, from Railroader and railroad safety advocate John Paul Wright. Watch. Listen. Learn.

Environmentalists around the country have been protesting the “bomb trains” for several years now, but the 100 car unit trains are continuing to roll through hill and dale, towns and cities. This, despite the fact that we now know that fracked Bakken crude is more explosive than gasoline. The fireballs that have erupted lately dramatically illustrate this point.

Railroad Workers Reach Out

Brian K. Noe · January 22, 2015 ·

With public attention focused on the railroads in a way it hasn’t been for decades, the cross-craft solidarity group Railroad Workers United is seizing the opportunity to teach the general public “railroading 101”—and teach rail workers “environmental politics 101.”