On the anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, labor unions gathered at the Capitol to urge Congress to pass the Railway Safety Act and implement additional safety measures. The event was led by representatives from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM), Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and leaders with the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO.
Josh Hartford, IAM Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division, stated, “It should not take another catastrophic derailment for Congress to move on rail safety. 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, said, “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. 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.”
IAM Rail Division head Josh Hartford stood alongside other union officials including TCU/IAM Legislative Director Dave Arouca and Legislative Representative Connor Vargo; IAM Legislative Assistant Director Ty Richardson; and IAM District 19 President Reece Murtagh during remarks supporting rail safety reforms.
Several members of Congress attended in support of these efforts: Representatives Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Michael Rulli (R-Ohio), and John Garamendi (D-Calif.) expressed their commitment to advancing bipartisan rail safety legislation. Mayors Matt Pacifico from Altoona and Michael Lambardo from Pittston also joined in voicing support.
Despite three years passing since the East Palestine derailment incident—where toxic chemicals were released after a freight train crash—Congress has yet to enact new regulations aimed at addressing hazardous practices within the rail industry. Supporters say that passage of the Railway Safety Act would reduce future derailments by strengthening oversight and prioritizing community safety.
TTD President Greg Regan commented on political consensus around rail safety: “This is not a partisan issue. 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 push comes as unions continue urging lawmakers through advocacy campaigns for immediate legislative action.
