WASHINGTON -- The Senate late Wednesday, April 29, confirmed UTU Illinois State Legislative Director Joe Szabo to be the 13th administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration.
An informal oath-of-office ceremony is contemplated for Tuesday, May 5, allowing Szabo to take office immediately afterward. A more formal swearing-in ceremony will be held at a date to be announced.
Szabo, age 51 and a fifth-generation railroader, is the first FRA administrator to come out of the ranks of rail labor, which was cited by UTU International President Mike Futhey as "a validation that this Obama administration is a friend of organized labor."
Hailing the confirmation was Senate Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), a long-time friend of Szabo's, who said on the Senate floor Wednesday night, "Joe Szabo understands better than most the long days, unpredictable schedules and sometimes hazardous working conditions that come with employment in the railroad industry."
Durbin predicted, "Joe will bring his passion for Amtrak to Washington. When it comes to making high-speed rail a reality in the U.S., and ensuring that millions of Americans have access to safe, reliable passenger and freight rail, there is no one better for this job than Joe Szabo."
Szabo, a fifth-generation railroader, hired out with the Illinois Central (now part of Canadian National) in 1976, where he worked as a yard switchman, road trainman and commuter passenger conductor. In 1987, he went to Chicago Metra when IC sold its rail commuter division.
In 1984, Szabo was elected secretary/treasurer of UTU Local 1290, progressing to delegate and legislative representative. In 1992, he was elected vice chairperson of the Illinois State Legislative Board, and in 1996 elected state legislative director. He also has been serving as a vice president of the Illinois AFL-CIO.
Szabo also has represented the UTU on the FRAs Rail Safety Advisory Committee, where he participated in the drafting of rail safety regulations.
He also served as mayor of the Village of Riverdale -- a Chicago suburb -- where he managed more than 100 employees and a budget of $9 million serving 15,000 residents.
In nominating Szabo in February, President Obama said that as the UTU's Illinois state legislative director, "Joe has provided vision and direction to rail safety and regulatory issues and worked with business and civic leaders in the advancement of freight and passenger rail service."
