Northeast Ohio Senators Call for CSX Leadership to Reconsider Crew Staffing Changes

Today, a bipartisan group of Northeast Ohio state senators joined Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood), Senate Democratic Whip Kent Smith (D-Euclid), and state Senator Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) in sending a letter to CSX’s corporate leadership calling on the freight railroad company to pause implementation of crew staffing changes and engage directly with affected workers. Prior letters from Leader Antonio and Senator Smith were sent in regards to these proposed changes.

“Despite those prior discussions, we now face the imminent loss or displacement of dozens of Ohio railroad jobs with virtually no time left for meaningful dialogue,” read the bipartisan letter. “Forcing Cleveland-based employees to commute approximately three hours each way to Buffalo raises serious concerns about worker fatigue, operational safety and risks to the communities through which freight travels.”

The letter goes on to urge CSX to identify a new path without placing an unfair and potentially unsafe burden on Ohio workers. 

“The people we represent expect responsible corporate partnership, especially when decisions carry significant public and economic consequences. Accordingly, we urgently call on CSX to immediately pause implementation of these changes and engage directly with affected workers, union leadership, and state and federal stakeholders to identify a path forward that preserves operational efficiency without placing an unfair and potentially unsafe burden on Ohio workers.”

Read the full letter here.