Rail workers in the U.S. fight for two-person train crews

Rail workers in the U.S. are supporting a proposed Federal Railroad Administration rule which would  make two-person train crews the standard for train operations.

Representatives of the U.S Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department say two-member crews are fundamental if trains are to operate safely, especially as train lengths and weights continue to grow.

Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, emphasised that railway safety was important not only for rail workers themselves but also for American communities. He said people understand that “having massive freight trains travel through their communities operated by one-person crews is a safety menace that should be barred by our government.”

He also said a federal rule would prevent management from trying to offer workers higher salaries or bonuses in exchange for single-operator trains which undermine safety.