Los Angeles, CA – On February 22, ATDA President Dowell, BNSF Member Kevin Ketcham, and Executive Assistant to the President David Ursini took part in a public rally to support the Railway Safety Act. Billed as a united public front for rail safety, the event featured speeches from members of the United States Congress, Transportation Trades Department (TTD) President Greg Regan, Rail Union Presidents, and other union leaders. During the event, which was held in Los Angeles, California, President Dowell delivered a speech on the importance of rail safety in protecting American lives and union jobs. Pointing to Class-1 Railroad companies as being a major part of America’s rail safety problem, Dowell shamed CPKC’s “safety fourth” priorities, along with their unwillingness to provide paid sick leave to union employees. The NS also found itself in Dowell’s crosshairs, as he criticized the Rail Carrier for assigning a single train dispatcher control of 1000-plus track-miles and responsibility for answering 107 different radio towers. In detailed demands for change, Dowell called for Class-1 Railroads to fulfill their promises to adopt C3RS programs and for the United States Government to regulate and legislate control over AI railroad technologies. Finally, Dowell concluded his speech with a cryptic message to the Union Pacific Railroad: “To the UP: The ATDA is coming, see you soon…” View the full video of President Dowell’s remarks here.
