The Senate version of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that was passed in August did not include a two-person freight crew provision that was aimed at improving railroad safety.
Jeremy Hodges, Legislative Representative of the Sheet Metal – Air – Rail – Transportation division of Local 195 in Galesburg, is encouraging community members to contact their representatives and make them aware of the importance of railroad safety, and why the two-person provision is an important part of the pending federal legislation.
“The rail safety portion of that (bill) had three things in it when it passed the House, which was important to us,” Hodges said. “Train length, two-person crew, and blocked crossings.
“When it went to the Senate, the two-person (provision) got kicked out.”
Local Chairman Brayden Bent will join Jeremy Hodges and other members of the SMART 195 Wednesday and Thursday in the Industrial Tent on the Midway at the Warren County Prime Beef Festival.
