LL6825 LC Scott Snyder showing FRA Administrator Amit Bose how Carmen perform a 215 mechanical inspection.
On Monday, FRA Administrator Amit Bose visited and met with local rail labor leaders in Memphis, TN. “My priority is to make sure railroaders know that the FRA has their back when it comes to safety,” said Administrator Bose.
“It’s critical that our members see that this FRA Administrator cares and wants to fix safety issues,” said TCU-BRC National Rep. Ricky Reilly. “Bose has made strides in addressing imminent concerns of our members – especially stopping these unsafe waivers – but we need to keep the pressure on the carriers to do right by railroaders and the general public.”
Bose spent the morning visiting two terminals in Memphis, TN, including BNSF’s Intermodal facility, where TCU Lodge 794 members work 24/7 to move America’s container cargo.
FRA’s top priority will always be safety. Earlier today, FRA Administrator Amit Bose met with workers and toured BNSF’s Tennessee Yard while in the Memphis area. pic.twitter.com/t7oUvYEm7a
— The FRA (@USDOTFRA) October 22, 2024
4th generation railroader and current CN Carman Matt McCulpin with FRA Administrator Bose.
Bose also received an in-person walkthrough of a 215 mechanical inspection by BRC Lodge 6825 Local Chairman Scott Snyder at CN’s Memphis Car Shop.
Issues discussed in the meeting included inspection times, the future of camera portals, defect and hotbox detectors, and holding the railroads accountable. FRA Office of Safety staff were on-hand to answer specific questions about regulatory issues and interpretations.
Administrator Bose meeting with local, state and national rail labor leaders.
“Today was about showing up, seeing the important and difficult work that railroaders do every single day, and – most importantly – listening to them so that we have a better understanding of what’s really going on,” said Bose. He also urged all of the crafts not to lose faith, and acknowledged that the regulatory process can be painfully slow at times, but stressed that the agency is indeed working under his leadership to address railroaders’ safety concerns.
From left to right: BRC ANR Justin Johnson, BRC NR Ricky Reilly, TCU NLD Dave Arouca, FRA Administrator Amit Bose, BRC ANR Keith Schlamadinger, LL6825 LC Scott Snyder.