May 23, 2023
Class I

NS, 12 Unions Issue Joint Safety Letter

Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief

Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan H. Shaw and leaders of 12 of the Class I’s labor unions sent a joint letter May 23 “underscoring their shared goal of partnering together to drive continuous improvement in rail safety at the company.” The letter was sent to all NS craft and management employees.

Union representatives signing the letter include the national presidents of the American Train Dispatchers Association; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes; Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division; and Transportation Communications Union.

Union signatories also included leaders from six unions representing the Norfolk Southern shopcraft coalition: Brotherhood of Railway Carmen; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Mechanical Division; International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; National Conference of Firemen & Oilers; and Transport Workers Union.

“Protecting the safety of workers is one of the founding values of labor unions, and union leadership advocates tenaciously on behalf of the safety and wellbeing of our people,” the letter states. “Management at Norfolk Southern shares that deeply held value, and invests time, energy, and resources to provide our people with the training, equipment, and technology to support safe operations. As a result, railroads are the safest way to move freight over land. We can do better.”