WASHINGTON — Railroad employees who supervise traffic moving through rail yards would receive the same work-hour protections as other rail workers, including those who operate trains, according to legislation introduced this week.
U.S. Reps. Salud Carbajal, D-Calif, and Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., reintroduced the Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act, a bill that places yardmasters under the same federal hours of service requirements that currently cover locomotive engineers, conductors, switchmen, dispatchers, and signal employees.
“Yardmasters are the traffic controllers of our country’s railroad network,” Carbajal said in a statement commenting on the legislation.
“Like their counterparts in aviation, they play a vital role in ensuring the safety of everyone traveling by train. My bipartisan legislation will improve working conditions and support the professionals who keep America’s railroads running safely and efficiently.”
The bill ensures that a yardmaster is not allowed to remain on duty for more than a total of 12 hours, and then must receive a minimum of 10 hours off duty.
Lawler said in a statement that the legislation “closes a long-overdue gap” in rail safety.
“Yardmasters are essential to the safe and smooth operation of our freight rail system, and it’s only right that they receive the same duty hour protections as other rail employees,” Lawler said. “This legislation is about protecting workers, improving safety, and ensuring our rail network continues to serve communities and commerce across the country effectively.”
SMART-TD, which represents yardmasters, endorses the bill, as it did when the legislation was first introduced in 2019 and reintroduced in 2024.
“For far too long, our yardmaster members have been left without the basic protections afforded to other safety-sensitive rail employees,” the union stated in a press release. “This bill finally addresses that gap by extending hours of service safeguards to these essential workers.”
Related articles:
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now