FRA chief says Little is a "visionary" with "courage"

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (July 12) – Federal Railroad Administrator Jolene Molitoris praised the United Transportation Union for its efforts to improve the railroad industry, and said UTU International President Charles L. Little was the "(union) president for the 21st century."

Molitoris was the keynote luncheon speaker yesterday at the UTU Regional Meeting being held here at the Sheraton Civic Center Hotel attended by 700 union members. She praised the Clinton-Gore Administration for being "the most supportive railroad and transportation Administration ever."

"Charlie, I’m really proud of what you and Byron Boyd and your team has achieved in your tenure," said Molitoris. "There is a vigor here (at the UTU), there is an excitement about how to make this union stronger. You’re a visionary with courage. When I heard about Membership I and what it was doing, I knew this was a (union) president for the 21st Century. Your website is one of the most powerful and impactful on the web…

Charlie Little, I want to tip my hat to you, your team, and your union."

In regard to conductor qualification/certification, Molitoris said, "UTU is the driving force behind the issue of conductor certification." She added, "We believe it is important to recognize the important skills and responsibilities of railroad conductors."

Molitoris said she expected that the September 14 RSAC meeting will vote to accept a planning task group to examine qualification standards for safety sensitive railroad workers, including conductors.

Molitoris also said the UTU has had a "very great impact" on the pending alcohol and drug regulations, especially on the issue of adulterated samples and split samples. She said work is now being expedited on the final rule and that it should be issued before the end of 2000.

"This is very much your issue," she said. She also said under a proposed rule that all of FRA’s alcohol and drug regulations would apply to "foreign railroads’ foreign-based train crews who engage in train operations in the U.S."

In regard to allowing noncompliant commuter rail equipment to operate on freight railroad right-of-ways, Molitoris said, "It will not happen in this administration."

She said, "It’s not difficult to have a steel backbone when it comes to people’s lives. People are first, safety is the Number 1 priority, and whatever it takes we will do."

Molitoris praised Little for signing the new social compact with CSX while acknowledging that cultural change is slow in the railroad industry.

"I talked about Charlie Little being fearless," she said. "I think you are fearless Charlie when it comes to change because change makes a lot of people nervous."

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