UTU asks NMB to support regulating rail van service

UTU asks STB to support regulating rail van services
after two killed in van collision with NS train in Illinois

At least nine persons killed in van accidents in last 3 years

WASHINGTON (July 13) - The United Transportation Union (UTU) is asking the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to support creating regulations to protect railroad crews being transported in van-and-taxi services in the aftermath of the latest deadly accident in Illinois on July 1 that killed two persons and injured two more.

One of the killed, Gerry T. Bradshaw, 49, a conductor for 29 years on Norfolk Southern Railroad, was president of UTU Local 768. Also killed was van driver Carol Miller, 55, and two other rail workers were seriously injured, including another member of UTU Local 768. The van was hit by an NS freight train traveling an estimated 60 mph when it pulled onto the tracks.

The latest casualties add up to at least nine people - union rail workers and van drivers - who have been killed in collisions with trains while being transported in unregulated vans and taxis working for a railroad, according to UTU news reports. UTU members have complained in Illinois and elsewhere about over-tired van drivers and unsafe vehicles being used to transport them, but the carriers have not acted to resolve the issue.

"If the carriers won't provide safe transportation for our members," said Charles L. Little, UTU International President, "then we are asking for support from the STB before the proper regulatory authorities."

UTU officials recently told STB Chairperson Linda Morgan about the dangers and problems associated with unregulated van services transporting rail workers during a conference on Conrail integration issues. National Legislative Director James Brunkenhoefer told Morgan that the transportation of rail crew employees operated in "an unbelievably large loophole" with "exhausted drivers driving exhausted rail workers across state lines" and that "serious accidents" had occurred because of this situation. Morgan said she would look into the situation.

"Just days after Brunkenhoefer's statement another serious - and deadly - accident occurred," said Little. "I have great confidence that Linda Morgan will do the right thing. This latest accident makes it important that the STB jump on this issue immediately, or I fear more lives will be needlessly lost, especially during the current problems on Norfolk Southern."

Little said the STB needs to champion setting hours of service and vehicle safety standards for van services and create a strong method to enforce them. The UTU is actively organizing rail crew van services to try to improve working and safety conditions, and has been successful in organizing many Renzenberger Van locations in California and elsewhere.

On July 1, an unregulated van shuttling three railroad workers pulled into the path of a Norfolk Southern train traveling at 60 mph near Cerro Gordo, Ill. Two people were killed, including Bradshaw and the van's driver, another is in very serious condition, and the fourth is recovering in the hospital. The van, which was delivering a relief crew to a stopped westbound Norfolk Southern train, traveled approximately 145 feet before coming to rest.