Railroad Workers United (RWU) is submitting an official comment to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - "Train Crew Size Safety Requirements." While we are encouraged that a Rule is finally once again being promulgated on this vital question after a six-year hiatus, RWU is not happy with the current language as proposed. The Rule - if finalized in its current form - has the potential to allow almost any rail carrier to run most trains with LESS than the two-person crew minimum that the Rule would ostensibly mandate. In addition, the Rule - if finalized in its current form - would preempt all existing state laws on the books, which now require a two-person train crew minimum.
RWU urges all rail workers, family and friends, and all concerned citizens to submit a Public Comment on this crucial rail safety issue. Let the FRA know that you want to see an ironclad Rule that mandates a minimum of two persons on every train. We do not need to allow exemptions, and we do not need to pre-empt existing state laws!
