Of critical importance, I think, is the historically higher rate of fatal/servere accidents for subway workers.
Regulations requiring what is called "roadway worker protection"-- workers on or about tracks-- are more stringent for railroads regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration. Ten years ago, FRA instituted a detail, and rigorous procedure for providing on track protection. Subways, not being part of the interstate rail system, are not regulated by FRA. Except for PATH- the legacy of its origin and function as part of the Pennsylvania Railroad. As much as railroads, particularly the Class 1s (UP, CSX, NS, BNSF, CN) bitch about federal regulation, the effectiveness of FRA's regulations in improving rail safety-- roadway worker protection, equipment inspections, and even random and mandatory drug and alcohol testing-- is beyond dispute. You would think transit unions would take the initiative and demand "me too" requirements for subways as part of their collective bargaining issues, holding to those demands through all the compromises involved in contract negotiations. One more reason to repeal the Taylor act. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Louis Proyect" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <PEN-L@SUS.CSUCHICO.EDU> Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2007 9:24 AM Subject: [PEN-L] On the death of a NYC transit worker/artist > http://www.wsws.org/articles/2007/may2007/marv-m12.shtml >
