International President John Costa attended an important training on the FTA established Roadway Worker Protection regulation to protect our members who work on or around rail transit.
More than 40 Locals from across the U.S. attended this training to learn about this regulation requiring our Rail Transit agencies to establish programs to protect roadway workers from track level hazards. These programs are then reviewed and approved by State Safety Oversight Agencies
“I come from rail at New Jersey Transit and know firsthand the dangers and challenges facing our rail members on the job. I had to deal with asbestos on the subway and the agency refused to address this dangerous problem. I exposed it and they dealt with it,” Costa told attendees. “This critical training showed you how and why we must hold our transit agencies accountable to ensure these programs are improving safety. We can’t stand silent. The health and safety of our members must be a priority for our agencies.”
Conducted by ATU Health & Safety Director Andrew Falotico, Health and Safety Coordinator Anna Byrd, and ATU Training and Education Administrator Russell Bateman, the interactive training featured constructive discussions and attendees sharing their experiences in dealing with their transit agencies on safety issues.
