To All Members:
At 11:30 a.m., Thursday, January 30th, the Washington State House of Representatives voted 65 to 30 to pass the Safe Train Crew Size Act (HB 1841), BLET/SMART’s major legislative priority this year!
This is a deeply personal issue for all of us – rail safety isn’t just about trains, but about the people who operate them too. It’s long past time that our elected officials recognized that truth.
This is a strong step forward. Our bill has been endorsed by the Washington State Council of Firefighters, the Washington Fire Chiefs Association, the BlueGreen Alliance, and more than two dozen environmental advocacy organizations. Next, the Senate will consider the bill, and it’s up to us to make sure that they feel the urgency to take action NOW.
Representative Mike Sells from Everett, Representative Marcus Riccelli from Spokane, and Representative Bruce Chandler was our biggest champions, making sure that this bill got the attention it needed.
If you live in Everett, you can click here to send Rep. Sells a thank you email.
If you live in Spokane and want to thank Rep. Riccelli, click here.
If you live in Granger or the surrounding area and want to thank Rep. Chandler, click this link: bruce.chandler@leg.wa.gov
Our Legislation is now in the Senate, to be heard in the Labor and Commerce Committee, sometime in the coming week or so. I will be in contact once a hearing is scheduled.
If you would like to participate in this Public Hearing, providing testimony to the committee as to why the 2-Person / Multiple Train Crew bills should become law, please let me know, and I will get you prepared.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, or want to get more involved in our effort to make trains safer and our union stronger.
In solidarity.
Shahraim
Fraternally,
Shahraim C. Allen
Chairperson / Legislative Director
Washington State Legislative Board
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
International Brotherhood of Teamsters – Rail Conference
Teamsters 313 Building
220 South 27th Street
Tacoma, WA 98402
shahraim@gmail.com
253-961-1021 – cell