Smith, Antonio Call for CSX Leadership to Protect Collinwood Rail Yard Workers

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Senate Democratic Whip Kent Smith (D-Euclid) sent a letter to CSX’s corporate leadership calling on the freight railroad company to support their Cleveland-based employees and reevaluate their intended crew staffing changes.

“For generations, the Collinwood Rail Yard has been a cornerstone of Cleveland’s industrial and transportation legacy. Weakening or hollowing out this facility would not only disrupt hundreds of families but would undermine a key component of Ohio’s rail infrastructure,” read the letter.

Leader Antonio and Senator Smith sent the letter following news from local union leaders that CSX Transportation had renewed its efforts to shift work and positions from the Collinwood Rail Yard in Cleveland to Buffalo, New York. They previously sent a letter in October, 2024, addressing similar efforts that took place that year.

“We believe that there is a path forward that preserves workforce stability and operational efficiency without forcing Ohio workers to bear the unfair burden of this change.”

Read the full letter here.