BMWED LEGISLATIVE ISSUES – 110th Congress

February-March 2007
 

Rail Security

Numerous rail and transit security bills have been introduced and are working their way through various committees as follows:

On February 13 John Murphy, Director of the Teamsters Rail Conference and Teamsters Vice President, testified before the House Homeland Security Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee on the inadequate security training that rail employees receive, and the huge gap between rail security funding and that allocated for airline security.

The same subcommittee approved draft legislation, the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007, on March 1 that would require the Homeland Security secretary to establish regulations for rail and mass transit security within a year of its enactment.

The bill would authorize more than $5.1 billion for the next four years for rail, mass transit and bus security. The measure also would establish new grant programs for rail and mass transit security from fiscal 2008 to 2011. Rail would receive $2.4 billion; $3.7 billion for mass transit; and $87 million for buses. An amendment sponsored by Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) that would require labor organizations to provide security training for rail and mass transit workers was adopted by voice vote.

The full Homeland Security Committee also held a hearing on draft rail security legislation on March 6.

Ed Rodzwicz, President of the Teamsters Rail Conference, testified in support of the legislation. He stated the training provision and whistle blower protections contained in HR 1269 are of particular importance to union members.

On March 13 the full House Homeland Security Committee approved a bipartisan measure (HR 1401) sponsored by Bennie Thompson (D-MS), 30-0. Also adopted was a proposal by Edward Markey (D-MA) that would require the rerouting of hazardous material shipments.

HR 1269, a similar measure sponsored by James Oberstar (D-MN), differs in that it gives the Homeland Security Department responsibility for assessing security and risks for transportation systems and establishing guidelines for issuing grants. It would give the Transportation Department responsibility for distributing the awards.

The T&I Committee and the Homeland Security Committee are currently engaged in negotiations. Rail Labor is working with lawmakers to ensure that increased employee training and whistle blower protection provisions are incorporated in a final bill.

The Senate passed a broad homeland security omnibus bill (S 4) that incorporates many of the remaining Sept. 11 commission recommendations on Mar. 13. The Senate bill includes a provision that authorizes more than $4 billion for surface transportation security over four years. This provision is the STARS Act (S 184) reported on in the last issue. By a 73-25 vote, the Senate tabled an amendment by Sen Joe Biden (D-DE) that would require the rerouting of hazardous shipments around high-threat areas.

The companion House bill (HR 1) does not address surface transportation. The Administration threatened a veto of the bill because of a provision in the bill that would give collective bargaining rights to airport screeners.

Rail Safety

Reauthorization of the Federal Railroad Administration was the focus of the first meeting of the T&I Railroads Subcommittee on Jan. 30. T&I Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) said he will make rail worker fatigue and hours of service a priority in any reauthorization of the Federal Railroad Administration’s safety program.

Ed Rodzwicz, president of the Teamsters Rail Conference, testified that rail employees are suffering from fatigue due to staffing levels and over scheduling and that unsignaled areas of track are a danger that can be easily remedied. Ed Wytkind, President, AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department, testified on the need for more training, whistle blower protections so rail workers can identify security or safety risks without fearing retaliation, and strengthening the hours of service rules.

On Feb. 13 Tom Pontolillo, Director of Regulatory Affairs, BLET, testified before the Railroads Subcommittee on worker fatigue.

Amtrak Funding FY 08

In the FY 2008 Administration budget, President Bush continued to press his plan to reduce the passenger rail’s operating subsidy. The Administration’s budget provides that Amtrak receive $900 million, but that only $800 million go directly to Amtrak and the other $100 million be used for state matching fund grants. Amtrak is asking for $1.53 billion for fiscal 2008. Lawmakers would fund the railroad at about $1.3 billion under the House-passed fiscal 2007 continuing resolution (HJ Res 20).

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development held a hearing on the FY 08 budget request for Amtrak on Feb. 28. Ed Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, testified on the Administration’s gross lack of understanding of passenger rail’s importance to our nation’s transportation system and economy, demonstrated by the White House budget proposal.

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, unveiled a Senate budget plan that includes $1.78 billion for Amtrak. It matches the amount called for in S 294, a six-year Amtrak authorization bill.

Amtrak Authorization and Overhaul

The Senate Commerce Surface Transportation Subcommittee held a hearing on Amtrak reauthorization legislation (S 294) on Feb. 23. The $19.2 billion bill would authorize $1.4 billion over six years in capital grants to the states for intercity passenger rail upgrades. The grants would require states to provide a 20 percent match for all federal funds. The bill also includes funding for bridge and signal improvements on the Boston-to-Washington Northeast Corridor. It is expected the bill will start moving in the coming weeks.