President Pierce condemns PSR at House hearing

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, March 9 — BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce was highly critical of the so-called “Precision Scheduled Railroading” business model as he testified at a March 8 hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials.

President Pierce also made members of Congress aware of the many issues of importance to BLET members, including the fight to protect two-person train crews, draconian attendance policies, and the railroad’s failure to bargain in good faith.

The hearing was titled “Stakeholder Views on Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization,” and its purpose was to learn from rail industry stakeholders about the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) role in regulating the freight rail industry. Nevertheless, President Pierce, other witnesses, and several members of Congress took the railroad industry to task for the negative impact that its PSR model has had on shippers and labor.

“We know the STB is here to ensure that service from the railroads meets the needs of their customers,” President Pierce said. “But PSR has thrown the needs of the customers —as well as the needs of the employees — out the window. In practical terms, PSR and PSR-like strategies have led to furloughs, very long trains, clogged ports, and a workforce forced to work beyond the point of safe operations. The current business model is to furlough employees, and then make everyone left work more. In recent years, [our members] have been subjected to harsher and harsher attendance policies that demand they work day in and day out. These policies subject our members to disciplinary consequences, including termination, even if they take time off because they are too sick or too tired to work safely. The policies are destroying the family lives of our members, even to the point of destroying their very families.”

Responding to a line of questioning from U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) regarding PSR layoffs, one man crews, and the difficulty railroads have faced in hiring new conductors, President Pierce said: “How do you hire conductors when you’re telling them you’re going to get rid of them?”

President Pierce also blasted the rail industry for its refusal to engage in good-faith discussions at the bargaining table. He told the Committee how unions and railroads have been negotiating for a new national contract for over two years now. During that time, railroads have consistently reported record profits. “We need a willing partner across the table, and for two years we sat across the table with no willing partner to try to address these concerns,” he said.

President Pierce said the STB can play a role in changing PSR business practices.

“BLET believes that STB playing a more active role in regulating railroads can help by handling service complaints in a timelier and more effective manner,” he said. “Addressing why shipments don’t show up on time, and the related impact on the nation’s supply chain is critical to the US economy. Congress and STB should take an interest in what PSR is doing to shippers and employees, and this is where Congress can help give STB the legislative tools to ensure that America’s freight railroads provide world class service.”

Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR), is Chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, while Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr. (D-NJ) is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials.