As America grapples with the everlasting impacts of the derailment in East Palestine, OH., Public Rail Now and Railroad Workers United released their latest report entitled "Putting America Back on Track: The Case for a 21st Century Public Rail System." Authored by Maddock Thomas, a Stone Fellow from Brown University and recipient of the North American Rail Shippers Association scholarship, this report presents a compelling argument for transitioning the United States' rail system to public ownership. Drawing on historical precedent and rigorous analysis, it makes a compelling case for overseeing our rail infrastructure in the same manner as our interstate highways, inland waterways, and airports.

Our calendar year 2023 started off with a bang, literally. The ink was barely dry on the National Freight Contract rammed down working railroaders’ throats by Congress and the White House, when a Norfolk Southern train laden with toxic chemicals derailed and exploded in a devastating wreck in East Palestine, Ohio. The RWU Media Outreach Committee once again rose to the occasion and responded to countless requests for information, interviews and webinars.

“Unfortunately, some have sought to minimize the wide-ranging impacts of this derailment, pointing to the fact that there were no fatalities or injuries. For this, we are certainly grateful, but the absence of a fatality or injury doesn’t mean the presence of safety,” said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. “Our agency doesn’t wait for death or injury to occur. Instead, we objectively analyze the facts and evidence to make recommendations that, if implemented, will ensure this never happens again. Thanks to the hard work of our world-class investigators, we now have a roadmap to do just that.”
(We recommend watching the entire hearing https://www.youtube.com/live/Itra5ny_nQ8?si=FcLzk8k5TGHGmYhN)

Working People Podcast: "Last Wednesday, a fellow rail worker was gravely injured on the job and lost his life," a Feb 6 email from Railroad Workers United reads. "Our brother Chris Wilson, who worked for Norfolk Southern, was critically injured in its Decatur rail yard Wednesday and died Thursday at Huntsville Hospital." Reporter Max Alvarez of The Real News Network speaks with four railroad workers from various crafts, all members of Railroad Workers United (RWU).

Our Friend and Collaborator Maddock Thomas was interviewed by Jacobin magazine about his work on Public Ownership of the U.S. rails. Maddock is doing the heavy lifting in detailing ways Public Ownership can succeed and RWU is proud to work with him.

Join Maddock and other labor and environmental activists from around the country this April at RWU's Spring Convention to discuss public ownership.