The question has been posed to this General Committee as to whether we believe that single person RCO operations, or any single person train operations for that matter, are safe. Our answer is a resounding “NO” and we in the UTU are doing something about it!
In a letter dated March 10, 2009 General Chairperson Lesniewski wrote to D. R. Menefee, CSXT Director Train Accident prevention…
“As you know, in and around 2002 RCO Operations were pitched to both this Organization and, more importantly, to the FRA as a safe and efficient means of operation illustrating and emphasizing a two-person “pitch and catch” operation. Since that time however, no doubt due to financial consideration only, RCO operations at several locations throughout CSXT are evolving into a yard foreman/conductor only operation; which carries with it an all new set of challenges. While Crew Consist contractual provisions may permit the use of yard foreman only yard crews under stipulated conditions, I’m not so confident that safety considerations offer the same latitude.”
Since that time the parties have debated the safety of single person Remote Control Operations in subsequent correspondence and meetings, with yet another meeting in the offing. In the mean time, however, the General Committee has taken their concerns regarding this issue to higher level soliciting the assistance and advice of International President Mike Futhey and National Legislative Director James Stem. Both have responded with swift and decisive action. In a response letter dated June 8, 2009, National Legislative Director Stem responded challenging CSXT’s response to this General Committee’s concerns and writing:
“I will formally ask FRA what level of approval and partnership they have exercised in the establishment of CSX single person remote control assignments.
Without a regulation covering Remote Control Operations, the general requirement of providing a safe place to work will provide the only common sense approach to a safety for these operations.”
International President Futhey was also already right on top of the issue. On June 11, 2009, President Futhey signed a joint petition to the Federal Railroad Administration in collaboration with BLET President Rodzwicz calling for “… an emergency order to prohibit the use of one-person operating crews, including remote control operations.”
A copy of the joint Futhey/Rodzwicz petition for an Emergency Order by the FRA can be found
here.
National Legislative Director Stem’s June 8, 2009 response to General Chairperson J. E. Lesniewski, along with GC Lesniewski’s correspondence exchange with the Carrier regarding this issue, can be reviewed
here.
