One Man Train Crew Agreement

The braking system uses GPS, wireless radio and computer to monitor the position and speed of the train, and it can give orders to engineers. Regulators say the system could have prevented the derailment of an Amtrak passenger train in Washington state in December 2017, killing three people and injuring 57 others. Because of their size, trains pose a considerable threat to the people who work on them. Injuries to railway workers can be long and attenting and, in many cases, take years to be visible. First, freight trains only want to use one-person crews on rail sections where control-command is positive and operation is most appropriate for a single engineer, according to the National Railway Labor Conference, which negotiates for major railroads. This decision is a long-awaited victory for the Union. The Court of Appeal overturned the injunction that forced the smart-TD General Committees to negotiate crew members, despite the existence of moratoriums that prohibit such negotiations. SMART-TD has always read these moratorial clauses to prohibit the service of Section 6 Crew Communications until the last protected employee is voluntarily disconnected from service. Indeed, this is the real reason for their existence.

According to the railways, the proposal would make their rail system safer. The company also says that one-man crews would not operate on trains with hazardous materials. We must all focus on the situation that awaits us and on the decisions that must be taken for the future of railway work and crews operating freight trains. We need to strengthen our lines of defense and prepare to go on the offensive by reaching the public and the media. Instead of asking, « What is the union doing for us? » it`s time to come to local union meetings and get involved. It`s time for spouses to join the SMART-TD Auxiliary and get involved. It`s time to collect your SMART-TD PAC contributions and then connect with your federal state and U.S. lawmakers so they hear your voice this election year. It`s time to enlist in the SMART Army. It`s time to stay strong! Earlier this year, the Federal Railroad Administration dropped a proposed rule to require two-headed crews because it said there was not enough evidence to show they are safer. Members of both organizations sit in freight train cabins, remain vigilant and stand safe in each station, ready to react immediately if things go wrong.

We must continue these efforts within the crew. Major railways and several safety experts believe that operating trains with a single person can be safe. Dozens of short-distance trains already operate some trains with only one crew member, although their operation may be very different from the major freight railways. « The court`s ruling allows for serious discussions on all aspects of the occupation, » said Brendan Branon, chairman of the NRLC and the National Carrier Committee, the negotiator for the major U.S. railroads. « The industry wants to work with SMART-TD to create a future leadership role on the ground, and this decision brings the parties to the negotiating table to begin these discussions now. » Employment contracts prescribing two-person crews have existed for major railways for about thirty years, although many short-distance trains already work with one-man crews. . . .