Pete Buttigieg, US transportation secretary, speaks during a news conference near the site of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, US, on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.
Matthew Hatcher | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The presidents of U.S. railroad unions told Biden administration officials that rail workers have fallen ill at the Norfolk Southern derailment site in East Palestine, Ohio, in a push for more train safety.
Leaders from 12 unions met with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Amit Bose, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, in Washington, D.C., Wednesday to discuss the derailment, aftermath and needed safety improvements.
“My hope is the stakeholders in this industry can work towards the same goals related to safety when transporting hazardous materials by rail,” said Mike Baldwin, president of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen. “Today’s meeting is an opportunity for labor to share what our members are seeing and dealing with day to…
2023-03-01 19:44:54
Article from www.cnbc.com
Today, labor leaders from various unions around the United States gathered for an historic event in Washington D.C. that saw labor union representatives meeting with top officials from the Biden administration. The meetings focused on a range of issues relating to worker rights, pay and benefits, union membership, health and safety, and other integral topics that impact the lives of working people.
The attendees included leaders from the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of organized labor unions in the United States. The meeting was convened to address the various issues facing labor unions and hardworking Americans nationwide, including efforts to strengthen the voice of unions and protect their vital place in the economy. It was also an opportunity for President Joe Biden to reiterate his commitment to boosting the wages and working conditions of those who labor in the public and private sectors.
The meetings featured the Secretary of Labor, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, and other White House officials, who all voiced their understanding of the important role unions play in securing rights and fair pay for workers. The representatives, in turn, explained the various threats to worker rights and proposed solutions to help workers put food on the table, provide for their families, and plan for their future.
Overall, the meetings were productive and hopeful. It was the first in what is sure to be a series of fruitful conversations between labor leaders and the Biden Administration. The exchanges demonstrate the administration’s commitment to ensure that workers are treated fairly and paid fairly for their labor. The meetings will undoubtedly provide guidance for the future of labor rights and help ensure that workers across the nation are not only protected but respected.