Lawmakers Reintroduce Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Port of Long Beach
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Salud Carbajal and Mike Lawler reintroduced the Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act.
The Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act seeks to “strengthen workplace protections” for yardmasters by affording them the same protections as other workers in the railroad yard. The legislation, which was first introduced in 2019, includes railroad yardmasters under federal hours of service requirements. This would cover “locomotive engineers, conductors, switchmen, dispatchers, and signal employees.” Endorsed by SMART, the legislation says yardmasters would not be required to be on duty for more than 12 hours. Additionally, they must receive a minimum of 10 hours off duty afterward.
SMART-TD commented on the introduction of the legislation, “SMART-TD applauds Congressman Salud Carbajal and Congressman Mike Lawler for their steadfast leadership in introducing the Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act. For far too long, our Yardmaster members have been left without the basic protections afforded to other safety-sensitive rail employees. This bill finally addresses that gap by extending Hours of Service safeguards to these essential workers, whose decisions directly impact the safety of conductors, engineers, and the communities we serve. We are proud to stand behind this legislation that prioritizes safety, fairness, and common sense. On behalf of our SMART-TD Yardmaster members across the country, we thank Representatives Carbajal and Lawler for championing this long-overdue protection.”
Rep. Carbajal (D-CA-24) said, “Yardmasters are the traffic controllers of our country’s railroad network. Like their counterparts in aviation, they play a vital role in ensuring the safety of everyone traveling by train. . . My bipartisan legislation will improve working conditions and support the professionals who keep America’s railroads running safely and efficiently.”
Rep. Lawler (R-NY-17) said, “I’m proud to join Rep. Carbajal in reintroducing the Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act, a commonsense, bipartisan bill that closes a long-overdue gap in rail safety policy. Yardmasters are essential to the safe and smooth operation of our freight rail system, and it’s only right that they receive the same duty hour protections as other rail employees. This legislation is about protecting workers, improving safety, and ensuring our rail network continues to serve communities and commerce across the country effectively.”
