Wyoming House passes two-person train crew bill

Wyoming's House of Representatives yesterday passed a bill that would require a minimum of two crew members in the cab of locomotives operating through the state.

House Bill No. HB0079 also would establish financial penalties of up to $10,000 for railroads that violate the law. The bill now moves on to the State Senate, according to a press release issued by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), which supports the legislation.

State Rep. Stan Blake (D) introduced the bill in late January. Blake is an employee of Union Pacific Railroad, BLET officials said.

Meanwhile, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 (ATU 113), which represents 12,000 workers at the Toronto Transit Commission, said a recent poll found two-thirds of Toronto residents are opposed to the transit agency's plan to reduce subway train crews by eliminating the subway guard position.

The poll, conducted by Mainstreet Research on behalf of ATU 113, found that close to six in 10 survey respondents said it is "extremely/very important" that Toronto residents agree with any plan to reduce crew sizes, union officials said in a press release.

Survey results can be by clicking on this link.