Corporate greed and anti-labor: The makings of the Ohio train catastrophe

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     February 16, 2023 The train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which sparked a massive fire and large-scale evacuations over the spill of toxic chemicals, has been nothing short of a catastrophe. But as my newsletter co-host Abigail Weinberg writes today, it's critical to see the disaster not as some kind of freak accident but more as the tragic result of failing infrastructure, lax safety protocols, and greed. Take a look: The train, operated by rail company Norfolk Southern Corporation, had woefully insufficient brakes; [Norfolk Southern reportedly chose not to upgrade them](. The company, like most rail companies, treats its workers like garbage, overworking them and refusing to offer paid sick leave. What really outraged me? The detail that following the train's derailment earlier this month, Norfolk Southern [initially offered the town a pathetic $25,000 in collective relief](. And despite reassurances, residents remain justifiably anxious over both the immediate and lingering effects that could arise from exposure to the spilled chemicals. It didn't have to be this bad. But it's the predictable outcome of a society that consistently values profit no matter the human cost. —Inae Oh Advertisement [Icarus Films, Inc.]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [We Need to Talk About Norfolk Southern’s Anti-Labor Policies]( The East Palestine train crash is a story of capitalism run amok. BY ABIGAIL WEINBERG SPONSORED CONTENT BILL PRESS PODCAST   David Corn, Washington bureau chief, Mother Jones "I've watched, listened to, and read Bill Press for decades, and I can attest that he is one of the sharpest political observers in the business. Bill and his all-star guests provide unique and important insight and analysis that you cannot find elsewhere.” [Listen to The Bill Press Pod]( [Trending] [Biden: Those three aerial objects we shot down probably aren't spy balloons]( BY ARIANNA COGHILL   [Ken Paxton settled his whistleblower lawsuit. His constituents will pick up the tab.]( BY TIM MURPHY   [Welcome to Haley's paradox]( BY JACOB ROSENBERG   [The troubling downside of those much-needed California rains]( BY GABRIELLE CANON Advertisement [Icarus Films, Inc.]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [IRS confirmation hearing hints at partisan battles to come]( Senate Republicans warn commissioner nominee Daniel Werfel he'll be "in the fire." BY MICHAEL MECHANIC [Fiercely Independent] Support from readers allows Mother Jones to do journalism that doesn't just follow the pack. [Donate]( Did you enjoy this newsletter? Help us out by [forwarding]( it to a friend or sharing it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Donate Monthly]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755