COLUMBUS, Ohio — A bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers sent a letter to CSX Transportation President and CEO Steve Angel, seeking clarification on freight pool changes affecting the Collinwood rail yard in Cleveland and the potential impact on workers across Ohio.
“We ask that CSX consider a temporary stay on the proposed operational shifts and engage in a joint meeting between management and labor representatives to explore a collaborative path forward, one that protects both operational efficiency and the livelihoods of dedicated CSX employees,” the lawmakers said in the letter.
Lawmakers are asking whether CSX has any current or future plans to close or significantly reduce operations at the facility, which could have a cascading effect on facilities across Ohio. Union leaders and employees report ongoing uncertainty despite prior assurances that yard operations and local service would not be impacted.
In late 2024, concerns about the yard were raised with former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, leading to a collaborative solution that created three Cleveland-based freight pools and preserved jobs. The bipartisan group is urging CSX to pause the proposed changes and engage with labor representatives to find a path forward that protects workers and operational stability.
“These aren’t just numbers on a balance sheet — these are families, neighbors, and taxpayers whose livelihoods sustain entire communities. This is the second time in two years the Collinwood terminal has faced uncertainty, and our members are growing increasingly concerned about what this means for their future,” Clyde A. Whitaker, state safety and legislative director of SMART Transportation Division, said in a release. “CSX owes its success to the men and women who built its reputation for safety and reliability. It’s time for the company to show that same commitment to Ohio’s workers and economy.”
The letter was signed by more than 36 members of the Ohio House of Representatives.
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