On Wednesday, May 3, Sierra Club members turned out to support railroad workers from the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the Teamsters (Brotherhood) in Chicago, Nashville, and Roseville, CA, in their battle for healthcare, dignity on the job, a fair contract, and a robust economy built on family-sustaining union jobs.
Members of the oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization in the country stepped up to show our unwavering support and solidarity with railroad workers, and the necessity of having the safest possible railways. We stood with Brotherhood workers across the country to make it clear that our opposition to using the rails to transport dirty, dangerous fuels and our support of safe and healthy working conditions for railroad workers go hand in hand.
Railway safety is a critical environmental issue. One of the most stark, and catastrophic examples was the 2013 oil train derailment and massive fire in Quebec, Canada, that wiped out the town of Lac Megantic, killing 47 people and causing an estimated $1 billion in liability damages for the railroad.
Railroad workers, and especially the Brotherhood, whose job it is to maintain the railroad tracks, understand better than anybody what it takes to keep our railways safe. In 2014, of the 1,220 train derailments reported to the Federal Rail Administration, a full 39 percent (475) were determined to be caused by track issues. While we can’t stop every derailment, BMWED has rightfully argued for years that we can significantly minimize derailments through higher maintenance and inspection standards. Safe tracks take work, and require a skilled and healthy workforce.
And so on May 3 the Sierra Club stood with the Brotherhood to call for a change in these priorities. To ensure that we have the safest tracks possible. To stop putting profits ahead of the health of workers, the safety of our communities, and the protection of our environment.
The Sierra Club believes in a future in which our railroads are leading our transition to a cleaner environment. This vision of a healthy environment and healthy future for our country cannot happen without healthy workers who are treated with dignity and respect. We will continue speaking out for railroad workers and all they do every day to keep our railways, communities and environment safe.