From the Union Pacific Yahoo group, this post: KTSM TV Channel 9 (El Paso TX): http://www.ktsm.com/news/story.ssd?c=be8d88a957a74fa2 Union Pacific Overworking Train Crews Since the train collision in Carrizozo, N.M. that killed two El Paso men, several Union Pacific employees have claimed they are worked to the point of exhaustion. Monday, February 23, 2004 -- Union Pacific employees have called News Channel 9, wishing to be unidentified, with stories of exhaustion and long hours of work. Federal law requires train workers to work in shifts no longer than 12 hours with a break no less than 10 hours. But the train crews News Channel 9 spoke with say Union Pacific often breaks this law. One worker reported a time where he worked an 18 hour day with as little as three hours off between his next shift. "Union Pacific is forcing people to go to work tired and exhausted putting both the the employees on those trains in jeapordy and the general public in danger as well," said Bill Hannah, Regional Chairman for a local rail union. Hannah says a reason Union Pacific overworks employees is because it is understaffed, especially in El Paso. Union Pacific has not responded to these claims.
I've heard this from several areas on their company. Am thinking that any truly ambitious tv reporter, could easily set up a surveilance, and spot people working past the limits. Catching the RR in a few places systemwide would hang them big time. But then they'd still deny it, pass blame down the ladder, etc. This is all brought on by trying to raise profit through cutting staffing. Do you really want to work for a RR? Boxcab E50
Please keep in mind I am just passing that bit of info along- I can niether confirm nor deny such actions are taking place, or that UP is actually doing what is being alleged by these anonymous sources. That's my CMA statement........as for what UP may be doing, it would take an intrepid reporter plus some employees with the stones to stand up & name names. If this is really happening, UP would be in major trouble. There is also the possibility this story was cooked up by disgruntled employees who wanted to stir up some trouble for their employer. Only way to find out is actually investigate the story. Where's Mike Wallace when you need him..............
Frisco, You and BCab both make good points. I'm sure that if investigated the UP would be questioned thouroughly regarding on duty hours and short rest hours. That remains to be seen. The incident in Carrizozo was most likely preventable. Other train crews stated that the engineer appeared to be asleep just prior to the collision. The doomed train had passed through 2 yellow and one red signal before hitting the other train. IMHO relatives of the two crewmen attempted to throw the blame on UP, thus the Channel 9 report. That was pretty much all that was reported and since February no new media reports. I know a person who was a friend of the conductor/fireman ( what ever they call them today ) and we hear rumblings of drugs being a factor . Maybe that's why there has not been any more news releases regarding this accident. I'm not taking up for the UP or trying to fault the crewmen for any reason. I think there are a lot more facts regarding this collision that will never be known by the public.
Nor was I casting blame only upon the RR. My thought was that it would be fairly easy to spot time abuse just by watching. Whether or not any was seen, would surely knock down that fire for a while. I know that there is certainly blame available on both sides. An intrepid "investigative" reporter, if any such honest souls still live, could really have news (not a story) to tell the nation. Boxcab E50
