A serious injury involving a SMART-TD member at CSX’s Selkirk Yard has once again exposed what our union has been warning about for years: rushing employees into unfamiliar territory without proper training is a recipe for disaster. The conductor involved in the incident had recently transferred from Collinwood Yard in Cleveland, Ohio, raising serious questions about whether 10 days is enough time to qualify on a facility reportedly covering 1,250 acres.
Our union repeatedly warned CSX that cutting corners on qualification and training would eventually get someone hurt. Following the incident that left our brother severely injured, New York State Safety and Legislative Director Luke Deleskiewicz delivered a pointed message to CSX leadership: this outcome was foreseeable, the warnings were given, and management chose to ignore them.
We strongly encourage every member of the SMART-TD union to read Brother Deleskiewicz’s letter to Doug Ryhorchuck, the Senior VP of Operations at CSX, below.
Related News
- Idaho organizing win shows the power of union communication
- Funeral Arrangements Begin Sunday for Brother Scott Shoemaker
- Wildfire Smoke Is a Workplace Hazard. Don’t Ignore It.
- TRO Issued to SMART-TD Members on CSX to Refrain from Self-Help
- One Month Left to Register for the Baltimore RTS!
- SMART leaders train to engage union members with new communications class
- Local 1590 Unanimously Ratifies New Agreement with WeDriveU
- Las Vegas sheet metal union grows membership, wins better pay for Nevada workers
- A future in the trades: Local 33, Heavy Metal Summer Experience recruit the next generation in Wheeling
- “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”: SMART-TD Challenges CSX to Make Its Current Contract Offer Public