Union Takes Bold Step To Force Congress To Act On Rail Safety

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: 
Dan Banks 
Government Relations/Public Relations Rep. 
SMART Union Transportation Division 
(330) 322-5949 
dbanks@smart-union.org 

Congressman Troy Nehls, SMART-TD, and Bipartisan Support Push for Railroad Safety Enhancement Act 

Washington, D.C. — The Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2024 (RSEA), a groundbreaking piece of bipartisan legislation introduced by Chairman Troy Nehls (R-TX) and Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA), aims to put the safety of railroad workers and the American public ahead of corporate profits. Despite widespread support across the political spectrum, including President Biden and President Trump, the bill has stalled in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Because this bill is urgent and our men and women on the front line of the rail industry don’t have the luxury of putting off the risk they face at work each day, efforts are being made to send this important legislation directly to the House floor.  

Congressman Seth Moulton, along with key supporters like Chairman Nehls, are working to ensure the bill moves forward. Moulton, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has gone to great lengths to support his Republican colleague’s legislation by co-sponsoring the bill. When faced with the gridlock in the T&I Committee, Moulton took the rare step of introducing a Discharge Petition to bypass the committee’s hold. If successful, this petition would send the RSEA directly to the House floor for a full vote, ensuring that the bill cannot be stalled at the committee level. 

“I’m proud to have worked with Chairman Nehls and Congressman Moulton to craft this important legislation, which is crucial for improving safety standards and working conditions for railroad employees,” said SMART-TD’s National Safety and Legislative Director. “This bill has received support from both Republicans and Democrats because it addresses the safety of the American people and supports workers on the front lines. It’s time to bring this bill to the full House for a vote.” 

The RSEA contains several key provisions aimed at improving safety across the railroad industry, including: 

• A 2-person crew minimum on all freight trains for enhanced safety. 
• No preset time limits on safety inspections, with penalties for managers who pressure workers to rush. 
• Limits on train length and tonnage to improve control and prevent accidents. 
• Mandatory enrollment in C3RS for Class I railroads.  

These measures reflect an ongoing commitment to rail safety and worker protection, supported by both Democratic and Republican members of Congress. 

The bill was introduced after a hearing in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, where Chairman Nehls, Congressman Moulton, and other members from both parties questioned key stakeholders, including rail labor representatives, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and others. Although invited, the railroads chose not to participate, an absence noted by Congressman Derrick VanOrden (R-Wis), who expressed concern that they were avoiding confrontation with facts on a national stage. 

“By refusing to engage in the hearing, the railroads made it clear that they are more focused on preserving their profits than on the safety of workers and the American public,” said SMART-TD Deputy National Safety and Legislative Director Jared Cassity. “But we will not let this bill die in committee. We’re going to push forward and ensure it receives the attention it deserves.” 

“This is a fight for safety, fairness, and accountability,” Congressman Moulton said. “The time to act is now, and we have an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of railroad workers and the safety of our communities.” 

Director Hynes of SMART-TD added, “The RSEA of 2024 is one of the rare instances where legislation truly lives up to its bipartisan promise, with support from both ends of the political spectrum. This is not just a victory for one party, SMART-TD, Rail Labor, or the workers alone; it’s a win for the American people.”  

Take Action Now 

To help advance this important legislation, supporters are encouraged to visit SMART-TD’s “Take Action” page, where they can send a pre-written message to their representatives urging them to sign the Discharge Petition. Once the petition reaches 218 signatures, the bill will be sent to the House floor for debate and a full vote. 

Now is the time to ensure that the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act receives the attention it deserves and that workers’ safety is prioritized over corporate interests. Together, we can move this bill forward and make railroads safer for everyone. 

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If you’re interested in speaking more about the legislation, we’d be happy to connect you with: 

SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson  

President Jeremy Ferguson, a member of Local 313 in Grand Rapids, Mich., was elected president of SMART’s Transportation Division in 2019.  

President Ferguson, an Army veteran, started railroading in 1994 as a conductor on CSX at Grand Rapids, Mich., and was promoted to engineer in 1995. Ferguson headed the recent national rail negotiations for the Union with the nation’s rail carriers. 

SMART Transportation Division National Legislative Director Gregory Hynes 

Greg Hynes is a fifth-generation railroader and was elected national legislative director in 2019. 

Hynes served on the SMART Transportation Division National Safety Team that assists the National Transportation Safety Board with accident investigations, from 2007 – 2014.  

In 2014, he was appointed to the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), which develops new railroad regulatory standards.  

Hynes was appointed the first chairperson of the UTU Rail Safety Task Force in 2009 and served in that capacity until being elected SMART Transportation Division alternate national legislative director at the Transportation Division’s 2014 convention. 

SMART Transportation Division Alternate National Legislative Director Jared Cassity 

Jared Cassity, a member of Local 1377 (Russell, Ky.), was elected to the office of alternate national legislative director at the Second SMART Transportation Division Convention in August 2019 and became director of the TD National Safety Team in June 2021.  

Cassity started his railroad career with CSX in September 2005 and was promoted to engineer in 2008.  

In addition to his elected roles, he has been a member of the National Safety Team since 2014, where he was subsequently elected to the position of Alternate Director (East) for the NST in 2016. Likewise, he was elected by his fellow peers of state directors to serve as the directors’ representative on the CSX Safety Model Executive Board in 2013.