NS CEO Shaw, rail unions agree to work together on safety improvements

Norfolk Southern Railway President and CEO Alan Shaw and the leaders of 12 labor unions yesterday sent a joint letter to NS employees to underscore continuous improvement in rail safety at the company.

The letter was sent to all NS craft employees represented by the unions and to NS management. The letter states NS management and labor unions are "committing to work together to enhance rail safety" for the Class I's employees and the communities it serves.

"We won't agree on everything. That's OK. Our belief in the importance of safety unites us. We want our people to show up to work every day knowing their employer and their union are working diligently to help them do their jobs safely," the letter states.

Union representatives signing the letter were the national presidents of the American Train Dispatchers Association; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes; Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division; and Transportation Communications Union.

Also signing the letter were leaders from six unions representing the NS shopcraft coalition: Brotherhood of Railway Carmen; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Mechanical Division; International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; National Conference of Firemen & Oilers; and Transport Workers Union.