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The Real Story: Union Survey Ignores Facts
Despite an enviable record of safety over more than two decades, Teamsters leaders are attempting to attack the industry by touting responses to a loaded union questionnaire as a "study" of security gaps on U.S. railroads.
Union leaders more than a year ago gave the short questionnaire to members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED), both Teamsters affiliates and part of the Teamsters Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition. It carried a Teamsters logo and instructed members to "please give this form to your local chairman."
Teamsters admit their report is not a scientific analysis. In reality, it is a hyperbolic, self-serving tactic aimed at the bargaining table that ignores facts and misrepresents the industry’s strong record of safety and security.
The fact is that after 9/11, America’s railroads worked quickly with federal security agencies to develop and implement a multi-layered, risk-based security plan. Since 9/11, freight railroads have made over 50 operational changes and implemented a security system – based on threat level – with more than 100 new security changes.
The industry also provided security awareness training for rail workers, teaching them the types of suspicious activities to be alert for and how to report them. Security is included in the shift briefings employees receive every day. That's in addition to the intensive safety training required of all railroad operating employees and the special security training received by every railroad employee handling hazardous materials movements. Freight railroads are also working with the National Transit Institute at Rutgers University to create an enhanced security awareness training program for railroad employees throughout the country.
The Real Story: Steady Improvements Contribute to Nation's Prosperity, Security
Rail is the safest way to move the nation's freight over land. In 2007, the nation's Class I railroads hauled 31.5 million carloads of raw materials and finished goods weighing 1.9 billion tons - the second highest tonnage ever - while continuing to improve the industry's safety record. Over the past 25 years, the rail industry has reduced accident rates by 65 percent and employee injury rates by 79 percent. Rail workers today have lower injury rates than employees of any other mode of transportation.
Freight railroads serve as a vital link in the national economy via a network of over 140,000 miles serving every major port and metropolitan area. America's freight railroads are more efficient and cost-effective than any other rail system in the world.
The Real Issue: Technology Advancements for Tomorrow's Success
America's freight railroads have developed train control technology that will improve significantly the safety of freight operations. This 21st Century technology will help to prevent train collisions, improve productivity and reduce accidents caused by human error — the most common cause of train accidents.
Taking the nation's freight rail network to this next level of safety and success will require 21st Century labor agreements and changes to antiquated work rules adopted years ago, well before the development of the new technology. U.S. freight railroads are now in negotiations with unions representing engineers and train crews—hence the interest of the Teamsters in discrediting the safety and security record.
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