Brightline West has agreed to a contract with the High-Speed Rail Labor Coalition for a high-speed rail system project that will see a 218-mile high-speed rail system connect Las Vegas and southern California within the Interstate 15 right-of-way, with train capable of speeds of 200 miles per hour.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the High-Speed Rail Labor Coalition is comprised of 13 rail unions representing more than 160,000 freight, regional, commuter and passenger railroad workers in the United States. The MOU demonstrates the support of union labor in the development of the Brightline West system, and Brightline West’s commitment to providing the safest possible rail operations and high-quality working conditions for its employees.
The $10 billion investment has widespread economic benefits, including the creation of nearly 35,000 jobs during construction and more than $10 billion in economic impact. The fully electric, emission- free system will be one of the greenest forms of transportation in the U.S., removing three million cars and 400,000 tons of CO2 each year.
“Our nation’s first high-speed rail system will be operated and maintained by union labor, a statement of the strength of the American workforce,” said Mike Reininger, CEO of Brightline Holdings. “As the most shovel-ready high-speed rail project in the United States, we are one step closer to leveling the playing field against transit and infrastructure projects around the world, and we are proud to be using America's most skilled workers to get there."
Brightline West includes stations near the Las Vegas Strip and in Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley and Hesperia, Calif. The system is expected to create over 1,000 permanent jobs once operational.
“As the nation's largest transportation labor union federation, we are proud to support monumental projects like Brightline West, which will deliver a modern, efficient and green transit system while putting skilled union members to work," said Greg Regan, president of the transportation trades department of the AFL-CIO.
