Two Class I railroads are moving forward with plans to take jobs away from American train crews by bringing trains from Mexico into the United States using Mexican train crews. BLET members are urged to inform Congress about this risky situation and ask for their help in stopping this job giveaway.
 
Mexican-domiciled train crews have begun crossing our southern border at Eagle Pass, Texas. There are plans to do the same at El Paso, Texas, to reach Santa Teresa, N.M. With other border crossings in Arizona and California, it is likely only a matter of time before more job giveaways expand to those states.
 
Instead of stopping north-bound trains at the border and swapping Mexican-based crews with American-based workers, U.S. rail companies are now allowing the crews from Mexico to operate trains to points several miles into the United States, passing through towns and over public grade crossings. U.S. rail companies say they need regulatory relief from performing inspections and crew changes at the border, claiming that these actions delay trains and cause congestion. The truth is that border crossing now takes longer than ever due to stopping for visa checks and waiting for third-party English-speaking translators to board the trains. BLET believes the lack of reliable safety standards, inspections, drug and alcohol testing, and possible language barriers should be enough to stop crews from Mexico in their tracks. Enough is enough, put American workers first!
 
The BLET has launched a Take Action effort designed especially for BLET members who live and work in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, or California. Please go here and ask your Representatives to support American jobs and tell companies like Union Pacific Railroad and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), “No more job giveaways.”