Daily Headlines
New York state bill would mandate two-person train crews
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is encouraging its members to lobby in favor of the legislation.
Editorial: Railroads need to do better
The railroads’ performance is so inconsistent that some customers can count on them only to be late.
Dow transport stocks tumble as railroad downgrades act as a drag
Among the transports’ biggest losers, shares of Union Pacific Corp dropped 3.8%, CSX Corp. slid 2.9% and Norfolk Southern Corp. sank 2.9%.
AAR to STB: No quick fix to service problems
“The Class I railroads recognize that their recent service performance has not met many customers’ expectations,” the Association of American Railroads (AAR) wrote in a May 18 filing to the STB.
Analysis: Coal’s comeback perseveres through mid-2022
American coal prices in the aftermath of the coronavirus have reached unprecedented highs and world events are notching prices even higher.
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending May 14, 2022
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 505,120 carloads and intermodal units, down 5.4 percent compared with the same week last year.
FRA releases 2021 fiscal year enforcement report
The Federal Railroad Administration today released its Annual Enforcement Report summarizing regulatory compliance inspections and audits that FRA or state inspectors participating in FRA’s rail safety program conducted during the past fiscal year (FY), as well as civil penalty enforcement actions arising from them.
Q&A: Buyouts and Railroad Retirement benefits
Railroad employees frequently ask the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) how accepting a buyout from a railroad employer affects their future eligibility for benefits under the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts.
Get the latest labor news from the Teamsters
The highly-informative site is a must for those in the labor movement who wish to stay informed and fight to protect the American Middle Class.
Court: Some rail rate talks allowed in price-fixing suits
The ruling from the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals this week will likely set up more arguments over evidence as Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads defend themselves against dozens of lawsuits accusing them of conspiring to inflate their rates with coordinated fuel surcharges between 2003 and 2007.
Wyoming protest part of nationwide picket to promote awareness of BNSF policies
The rail industry is in crisis along with many other industries in America who not only had to find creative ways to keep afloat during COVID, but now as the economy has been recovering, the problems switch to living in the collateral damage of the sanctions and actions imposed in the midst of the pandemic.
U.S. rail traffic downturn at 12 weeks and counting
For the week ending May 14, 2022, Class I railroads moved 230,128 carloads (down 5.2% from the prior-year period) and 274,992 intermodal containers and trailers (down 5.5% from 2021).
Transport Canada updates rules for securing trains
Canadian Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra yesterday announced approval of amended regulations aimed at improving railway safety.
Carload considerations: Railcar velocity is an important to the shipper as the railroad
Car velocity is one element of a set of metrics that illustrates the operating performance of a Class I railroad and provide a systemwide snapshot of the overall state of the railroad.
Watson Bryant to lead New Orleans Public Belt Railroad
Watson Bryant will become the first African-American woman to lead a short line in the United States, NOPB officials said in a press release.
BNSF changes controversial attendance policy; Union members unimpressed
But even with the changes, labor officials remain unimpressed and said BNSF Railway’s new policies could lead to unsafe working conditions on the railroad.
Unions critical of BNSF’s new adjustments to attendance policy
Two unions are still critical of BNSF’s controversial attendance policy, saying recent adjustments aren’t enough to overcome its shortcomings.
FRA publishes quarterly on-time performance report card for Amtrak
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today published a report on performance metrics for Amtrak’s intercity passenger train operations, covering the first quarter of Fiscal Year (FY) 2022.
Ohio exploring passenger rail expansion in Ohio
Ohio took the formal step of signaling interest in expanding Amtrak passenger rail in the state, though it is far from saying yes to the idea.
FRA revises regs on roadway worker protection, maintenance machine
The Federal Railroad Administration has finalized amendments to a pair of regulations related to roadway worker safety and on-track roadway maintenance machines and hi-rail vehicles.
BLET News
Coordinated Bargaining Coalition welcomes face-to-face mediation over national contract negotiations
The Coordinated Bargaining Coalition (CBC) Rail Labor Unions are preparing for in-person mediation sessions before the National Mediation Board (NMB) in Washington D.C., May 24-26. The Unions hope this will help to settle their ongoing national contract dispute.
John Esterly elected Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman
John S. Esterly of BLET Division 34 (Columbus, Ohio) was elected to his first full term as Chairman of the Ohio State Legislative Board at its 17th quadrennial meeting held in Columbus, Ohio, April 24-26, 2022.
Statement by BLET National President Dennis Pierce on BNSF’s announced changes to its Hi-Viz punitive attendance policy
BNSF Railway’s newly announced changes to its Hi-Viz attendance policy are little more than fluff. Hi-Viz has been an abject failure.
Ballots to be mailed May 18 in tentative BLET-DM&E agreement
Ballots will be mailed on May 18 to eligible members regarding the BLET’s tentative on-property agreement with the Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern Railroad (DM&E), National President Dennis R. Pierce announced today.
Ryan Snow reelected to third term as Chairman of California SLB
Ryan K. Snow was reelected by acclamation to his third term as Chairman of the California State Legislative Board during its 9th quadrennial session held in San Diego, California April 26-28, 2022.
Take Action: BLET pursues two-person crew bill in New York
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is mobilizing its members in the State of New York to lobby in favor of a statewide two-person crew bill. Earlier this month, S3953B was introduced in the State Senate and a companion bill, A1287B, was introduced in the State Assembly.
BLET to host Town Hall meetings in Little Rock, St. Louis
The first meeting will be held on May 10 at 10:00 a.m. in Little Rock, Arkansas. The second meeting will be held on May 11 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Louis, Missouri. All BLET members in the area are encouraged to attend.
Ballots to be mailed in tentative BLET-DM&E agreement
The tentative agreement provides General Wage Increases (GWIs) of 24.75% (27% compounded) for the life of the contract (January 1, 2020 to January 1, 2024). There are no major work rule changes and no health care concessions contained in the tentative pact. Online voting will be conducted by TrueBallot, Inc.
BLET to mark 159th anniversary on May 8
On May 8, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) will mark its 159th anniversary. The BLET and its members are proud of our heritage as the oldest labor union in North America.
The Coordinated Bargaining Coalition again calls on NMB to proffer arbitration
Due to the NCCC’s refusal to negotiate a fair agreement in good faith, all CBC Unions again request that the NMB proffer arbitration to the parties to stop the endless delays by the rail carriers.
