Railroad Crew Cuts

The article details the rail industry's push for "precision scheduled railroading" (PSR), a system that aims to maximize profits by cutting costs, regardless of safety implications. This system involves longer trains, fewer locomotives, and slashed workforces. The article contends that PSR prioritizes shareholder value over the safety of workers and the public, contributing to the East Palestine, Ohio disaster. PSR has been implemented across major North American railroads, driven by hedge funds and Wall Street investors. The article argues that PSR is not about efficiency but rather about extracting maximum profit by squeezing workers and reducing safety margins. Railroads are taking advantage of deregulation policies, particularly those enacted under the Trump administration, to implement PSR without significant oversight. The article highlights the devastating consequences of PSR, including increased derailments, worker fatigue, and job losses. It connects the rise of PSR to the prioritization of profit over public safety, especially in the context of the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The article also suggests that the Biden administration has failed to adequately address the safety concerns arising from PSR, thus protecting the interests of Wall Street investors. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/05/13/ojsy-m13.html