BY UNION PACIFIC:
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
warn Kansas City residents and U.P. customers about possible dangers associated
with Remote Controlled Operations in Kansas City railroad yards.
On June 4, 2002 concerned Kansas City residents
will join with union workers to protest Union Pacific Railroads' irresponsible
implementation of Remote Controlled Operations in their Kansas City switching
yards.
The Department of Transportation
issued a warning on May 25 about possible terrorism attacks on the
rails. Union Pacific Railroad is a major transporter of nuclear
waste, hazardous materials and deadly chemicals. And while the country braces for another
terrorist attack, Union Pacific is removing federally trained and certified
locomotive engineers off the trains in the Kansas City area in order to run
trains by remote control.
Union Pacific plans on implementing remote
control operations at many of their major switching terminals across the
country. Already at the U.P. Des Moines, Iowa and Hinkle (Hermiston, OR)
classification yards the railroad has experienced numerous accidents since
implementing this new program.
"While the airlines and airports are increasing
security by placing trained professionals in airports and on airplanes, Union
Pacific, is taking skilled Federally Certified Engineers off the trains",
said Randy Schneider BLE-Local Chairman. "It makes no sense."
Members of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers representing BLE-Divisions in the Kansas City area will
conduct informational picketing to educate the public and Union Pacific
customers of potential safety and operating efficiency issues which will most
certainly arise with the irresponsible implementation of Remote Controlled
Operations (locomotives operating without Locomotive Engineers on
board).
A local
spokesman for the BLE has stated, "Everyone who shares an interest in the
safe and efficient operations of Union Pacific Railroad has an obligation to
educate themselves with regards to Remote Control Technology".
Union
Pacific has decided to aggressively move forward with the implementation of
this new technology at their KC-yard operations despite a 2-14-2001 Federal
Railway Administration Safety Advisory that states, "FRA has limited data
on which to base an objective safety analysis and must therefore proceed
prudently" (FRA-2000-7325-37).
Union Pacific plans on implementing remote control
operations at many of their major switching terminals across the country.
Already at the U.P. Des Moines, Iowa, Hinkle (Hermiston, OR)
classification yards the railroad has experienced numerous accidents. since
implementing this new program. In
the past few weeks' remote control operations were implemented in Kansas City,
and already there has been a derailment involving a remote controlled
locomotive. Because Union
Pacific Railroad is a major transporter of nuclear waste, hazardous materials
and deadly chemicals the BLE feels it is imperative that the public be made
aware of potential safety issues created by the implementation of Remote
Control Operations.
On May 15, 2002 the six BLE - General
Committees of Adjustment representing locomotive engineers on the Union Pacific
R.R. filed a lawsuit against the Union Pacific Railroad seeking injunctive
relief to prohibit the implementation of remote control technology without
sufficient safety data to support this technology. The impact of remote control train operations
cannot be overstated. Locomotives
without trained and certified engineers are presently operating without anyone
physically on board.
The BLE believes that Union Pacific could avoid
these potential safety hazards and operating efficiency issues by using
federally certified locomotive engineers to operate remote control
locomotives. Locomotive engineers are
the most highly trained, skilled and experienced employees in the railroad
industry and are the only railroad employees who are required by the federal
government to be licensed and certified to perform their duties.
For more detailed
information visit our website at www.bleupsrgca.com
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