Teamsters rail conference calls for limited access to locomotive recordings

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) is not opposed to the installation of locomotive voice and video recorders (LVVRs), but all recordings should be used pursuant to the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act, union officials announced last week.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) recently called for the implementation of cab monitoring technology both for post-accident analysis and in-train operations to help prevent accidents. The rail industry's proposal to install LVVRs would create "a dangerous precedent," TCRC officials said in a press release, adding that access to recordings should be limited to the TSB to avoid violating workers' privacy rights.

"As is the case with aircraft and marine, access to these devices must be limited to cases involving accidents," union officials said. "The recorders must not be used to put additional pressure on industry workers who are already subject to multiple procedures and regulations in their everyday work."

Discussions about LVVRs are ongoing between the TRRC and CN, Canadian Pacific and VIA Rail Canada Inc.

"[We] are committed to being involved in any implementation of this technology to ensure the protection of the general public and its members balanced with enhancing safe rail operations," TCRC officials said.