Rockland Reporter

Congressman Mike Lawler from New York and Congressman Salud Carbajal from California have introduced new legislation aimed at enhancing protections for rail yardmasters. The proposed Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act seeks to extend federal hours of service requirements to include yardmasters, aligning them with other safety-sensitive rail workers such as locomotive engineers and conductors.

The bill has received support from the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART). Congressman Lawler emphasized the importance of this measure by stating, “Railroad incidents have sparked major concerns here in my district and across America. Ensuring safe conditions for those who operate our railways is essential to ensuring the safety not only of these workers but also of the communities in which these railways operate.”

Congressman Carbajal highlighted the critical role that yardmasters play in managing rail yard operations and coordinating activities among various rail workers. He noted, "Yardmasters serve a critical role in our nation’s railroad network. They oversee the operations of a rail yard and manage the duties of various rail workers." He further explained that current regulations do not limit the number of hours a yardmaster can work, posing risks to their well-being and overall safety on the rails.

Lawler represents New York's 17th Congressional District, an area just north of New York City that includes parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. Known for his bipartisan approach, he joins Carbajal in advocating for this legislation as a common-sense solution to improve railway safety.