Unions back rule tightening crew certification standards
The Trump administration announced a proposed rule Friday that would require Mexican train crews hauling freight across the U.S. border to understand key safety information in English and would strengthen standards for certifying that crews can operate a train safely. The Trump administration said the rule is also intended to ensure that the common practice of using foreign crews crossing into America does not threaten U.S. jobs.
Two major rail unions praised the proposed rule, according to an Associated Press report. The two railroads directly affected by the restrictions — Union Pacific and CPKC — did not immediately respond to the AP’s request for comment, and the Association of American Railroads trade group declined to comment while it studies the rule.
The Federal Railroad Administration sent letters to both CPKC and Union Pacific in December after focused inspections found that train crews often had trouble understanding English. The agency urged the railroads to reexamine their practices and ensure Mexican crews can speak English and do not operate a train more than 10 miles, or about 16 kilometers, inside the United States.