UTU Leader Picked to Head Federal Railroad Administration

by Mike Hall, Mar 23, 2009

Joe Szabo, United Transportation Union’s (UTU’s) Illinois state legislative director and a vice president of the Illinois AFL-CIO, was nominated last week by President Obama to serve as head of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). A Senate confirmation vote is expected soon.

The FRA administers and enforces federal rail safety laws and writes and enforces federal rail safety regulations.

Szabo is a fifth-generation railroader who began work with the Illinois Central in 1976 as a yard switchman and also worked as a road trainman and commuter passenger conductor. He was elected UTU Local 1290 secretary-treasurer in 1984 and began serving as UTU state legislative director in 1996. UTU President Mike Futhey says Szabo is

the first FRA administrator to come out of the ranks of rail labor. It is a validation that the Obama administration is a friend of organized labor.

Edward Wytkind, president of the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department (TTD), says:

Szabo’s nomination underscores President Obama’s commitment to worker safety.

Wytkind adds that with the Obama administration’s support of Amtrak and commitment to developing high speed rail, Szabo will play a big role in “ushering in a new era” of passenger rail transportation.

When he announced the nomination, Obama said:

Joe has provided vision and direction to rail safety and regulatory issues and worked with business and civic leaders in the advancement of freight and passenger rail service.

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