Eastern Railroad Discussion > The "World Socialists" offer a view on the STB hearings

The news website of the World Socialist movement offers its views on the recent Surface Transportation Board hearings over service failures and faulty operating metrics by the class 1 railroad companies.  Not surprisingly, the WS folks see the exploitation of workers by management as expected, and the poor performance of CEO Jim Foote and COO Cindy Sanborn as disrespectful of the hearing officers and the shippers.

It's interesting to me to see how a Marxist perspective focuses on many practical issues that railroad workers face every day. A lack of respect from management, two years without a contract, huge cuts in staffing, etc. The railroad union leadership didn't make out much better.  Mr Wallace was criticized for the absence of any proposals to make worker lives better, they say. Practical solutions to fatigue and safety risks, for starters.

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2022/05/07/stbm-m07.html

 

For the most part, I agree with them.  I spent 38 years on the NS, and this website is pretty much on target as to what I have seen.

It tracks pretty well with the testimony from front line workers in the STB hearings.  An employer can only push people so far before the employees quit or retire.  That's where the railroads are now.

I'm generally sympathetic with RR labor on issues like this. But I think you have to admit, at least a couple of decades back, that many union members were quite willing to trade decent working conditions and seemingly minor safety issues for more money. 

The happiest people I encountered in the mining business were people working "six twelves". That should not be legal, especially underground.  

march_hare Wrote:
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> I'm generally sympathetic with RR labor on issues
> like this. But I think you have to admit, at least
> a couple of decades back, that many union members
> were quite willing to trade decent working
> conditions and seemingly minor safety issues for
> more money. 
>
> The happiest people I encountered in the mining
> business were people working "six twelves". That
> should not be legal, especially underground.  

I don’t know anyone that was willing to accept shittier agreements for SMALL wage increases, and GIVEBACKS (pay cuts) on our contracts.

I was there.

Regards.

Posted from iPhone