BLET, SMART Advance Federal Crew Size Legislation

CLEVELAND, Aug. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Transportation Division of the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation International Association (SMART) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET/IBT) have jointly announced that legislation requiring at least two crew members on all freight trains in the U.S. has been filed in Congress.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO)

Initial sponsors for the legislation are Representatives Michael Michaud (D-ME) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and the bill, which has not yet been assigned a number, is expected to be assigned to the House Transportation and Infrastructure ("T&I") Committee for consideration.

The legislation reflects heightened concerns over crew size arising from the tragic July 6 derailment of a Montreal, Maine & Atlantic (MM&A) fuel train in Lac Mégantic, Quebec, which killed 47 and destroyed the center of the town. The MM&A train was crewed by a single person.

BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce called on the House to take up the bill at its earliest opportunity. "The American people are justifiably concerned that the single-person crewing practice used on MM&A and some other short line railroads places the public safety at risk," Pierce said. "We urge Chairman Schuster and the T&I Committee to hold hearings on this issue after the recess."

SMART Transportation Division President Mike Futhey said, "This is a responsible piece of legislation that recognizes the correlations between the consist of crews and public safety.  We thank Representatives Michael Michaud (D-ME) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and urge more Representatives to join in support."

SOURCE Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen