In the latest move to address the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Amit Bose, the administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, met on Wednesday with leaders from 12 unions in Washington, DC.
The discussion focused on potential improvements to rail safety, a Department of Transportation official confirmed.
The meeting follows a letter sent Wednesday to Buttigieg and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on behalf of the Teamsters criticizing Norfolk Southern for putting workers at risk and not providing personal protective equipment, and asking officials to intervene.
Many employees “reported that they continue to experience migraines and nausea, days after the derailment, and they all suspect that they were willingly exposed to these chemicals at the direction of NS,” the letter states.
CNN has reached out to Norfolk Southern for comment on the letter.
Labor Secretary Marty Walsh was not part of the meeting but said he was glad that they have been brought into the conversation about the aftermath.
“They have to be. They’re the workers on the job. It’s not just a unions conversation, it’s a worker conversation,” Walsh said. “In order to prevent this from happening in the future, the companies need to bring the workers to the table.”
HumunculiTzu on March 6th, 2023 at 05:56 UTC »
Another fun fact about Northfolk Southern. Years ago, back when the railroads began making safety a bigger priority (it isn't perfect and still a ways to go but is many leagues better than before) Northfolk Southern had the lowest reported injuries in the industry, like super crazy low. All the other big railroads thought they HAD to be lieing. Turns out they weren't, not literally at least, they were instead firing anyone who reported an injury, so people just weren't reporting them.
Source: I work for another Class 1 railroad
bulletbassman on March 6th, 2023 at 02:51 UTC »
I temped for a short time for serv pro. They quickly learned not to send me to asbestos jobs cause I’d simply refuse to work. But on one of my first days I saw this kid ripping up the asbestos with no gloves, masks, or eye wear. I asked him if he knew he was working with asbestos and then he put on eyewear but nothing else!
emaw63 on March 6th, 2023 at 02:05 UTC »
I wish all railroad workers a very pleasant illegal strike