Fr: James M Brunkenhoefer

SUBJECT: Conductor Training Standards and Certification

Concluding Friday, March 26th a great deal of ground work has been done to build a foundation upon which minimum training standards cu1miinatinig in Conductor certification can become a reality. Virtually every Member of Congress has been visited either in person or through his staff They have been provided with written material and urged to write to Federal Railroad Administrator, Jolene Molitoris to put training standards and certification on the RSAC table nationwide.

When we assess the comments of those who visited the offices, we find one resounding element The Members and their staff want to hear from the people In their district. They need to know that minimum standard of training and eventual certification is not some concept concocted inside the beltway. They need to know that this issue is vital to us and to safe operation of the nation’s railroads.

It is imperative that you take the opportunity to contact your congressional delegation during this Easter recess and persuade them to write to Administrator Molitoris. Most were surprised that there is no certification procedure in place. Some were surprised that we were the moving force behind this issue. Over 61% of those Members and staff visited or contacted had a positive response to our efforts] Many said, "We just need to hear from the people in our District" YOU are the people they want to hear from. They DO NOT want to alienate YOU in this process. We already have copies of letters that have been written to the Administrator and there are others that have been written that we have not seen.

Talking points about Conductor training standards and certification. This is the message that we left them before they went on recess. A sample/draft letter to Administrator Molitoris that can be used for their model

Please leave them with the message that when they do write to the Administrator that you would like a copy of that letter. Forward that letter to this office for our records.

• Conductor training standards, certification would be uniform across the country and be accomplished through the Federal Railroad Administration’s RSAC (Rail Safety Advisory Committee) process. This process brings together all of the involved parties — rail management, rail labor and the FRA.

• The above process is non-confrontational and can more readily achieve stated goals in a more expeditious manner than legislation.

• The conductor, who traditionally was just a part of an on-the-ground crew, is now often times the only member of the crew on the ground. The conductor is often the only eyes and ears on the ground in position to look out for the safety of the public, the equipment and fellow crew members,

• Training standards and certification to make sure that skills and rule knowledge as well as safety procedures are well honed. It also provides the perfect environment to introduce new technology and safety practices.

• Railroad careers can span decades. There needs to be an adequate form for re-training

• The key to implementation of standardized training and certification of conductors is for Congressional delegations to write to FRA Administrator, Jolene Molitoris urging her to allow training and certification of conductors to become part FRA's rulemaking through the RSAC process.