Peters Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Railroad Inspector Workforce & Improve Railway Safety

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve railroad inspector pay. The bill, which Peters’ introduced with U.S. Senator Jim Justice (R-WV), would increase the pay levels for Federal Rail Administration (FRA) inspectors and specialists for the first time since 1979. The bipartisan bill aims to strengthen and expand this critical workforce, improving railway safety in Michigan and across the country. As of 2023, there were 2,382 Michigan freight railroad employees, many of whom would be included in this pay increase. “The United States railway system is critical to the success of our entire economy. Federal railroad inspectors play a vital role in maintaining that system by ensuring railroad tracks, equipment, and operating practices remain safe and secure,” said Senator Peters, Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports. “Making sure we can recruit and retain highly skilled professionals for this essential workforce will improve railway safety in communities across the country. This bipartisan, commonsense bill would help us do just that by providing federal rail inspectors with more competitive wages for the critical work they do.” “By tackling compensation for these critical safety positions, the senators are taking meaningful action to help the FRA recruit and retain the skilled professionals essential to overseeing railroad safety across the country. Fair pay is vital to attracting experienced talent and keeping qualified inspectors and specialists in federal service, rather than losing them to higher-paying opportunities elsewhere,” AFGE Local 2814 President Scott Hoose said . “I appreciate the bipartisan approach shown by Senators Peters and Justice. Railroad safety is a shared priority that crosses party lines. AFGE Local 2814 looks forward to continued progress on this legislation and stands ready to support efforts that give the FRA the tools and personnel needed to keep America’s railroads safe.” FRA inspectors enforce federal rail safety laws across approximately 160,000 miles of track nationwide, including 3,349 miles in Michigan alone. The current government pay structure leaves them one full pay level below comparable federal accident-investigation positions. As a result, the FRA has struggled with recruitment and retention of its safety inspector and specialist positions, potentially affecting rail safety enforcement and monitoring. By upgrading the pay scale, Peters’ bill aims to make these FRA positions more competitive to strengthen the workforce while supporting safer railroad operations. The legislation is supported by key stakeholders including the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2814 and the Transportation Trades Union. ###