Bill Would Allow Unions for Emergency Workers

WASHINGTON – The Senate yesterday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would give police officers, firefighters and other first responders the right to unionize but take away their ability to go on strike.

The 69-29 procedural vote proved the measure would survive any possible filibuster attempt. The Senate will vote to send the legislation to President Bush this week.

Virginia and North Carolina prohibit public-safety officers from collective bargaining. At least 20 other states don’t protect collective bargaining rights fully, supporters said.

Norfolk Southern gets blame in ’06 derailment

WASHINGTON – A fiery train derailment near Pittsburgh in 2006 was caused by Virginia-based Norfolk Southern’s inadequate rail inspection and maintenance program, the National Transportation Safety Board determined yesterday.

The Federal Railroad Administration’s inadequate oversight of the rail-inspection process also contributed, the NTSB said.

The freight train derailed while crossing a bridge Oct. 20, 2006, in New Brighton. No one was injured, but seven blocks were evacuated and several train cars fell into the river and released ethanol, which ignited and burned for 48 hours.

MEMO: EXCERPTED FROM NATIONAL BRIEFS

Originally published by Wire Reports.

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