Daily Headlines
TTD pushes for passage of rail sweeping safety bill
The latest policy statement of the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of the AFL-CIO cites at least 18 areas where regulations and guidance via the Federal Railroad Administration can bolster existing rail safety practices.
Rail industry “crises” spur call to oust STB chair
Three progressive groups want President Joe Biden to remove Marty Oberman from chairmanship of the Surface Transportation Board and replace him with board member Robert Primus because of the way Oberman handled the merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern.
Transportation labor leaders convene to discuss policy priorities
(Source: Press release from the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, May 19, 2023) WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 30 U.S. transportation labor union leaders gathered at a legislative summit to set key policy goals that will improve the safety and well-being of the...
30 tons of explosive chemicals disappeared somewhere between Cheyenne and California
A railcar carrying 60,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in explosives at Wyoming coal mines, left Cheyenne for California on April 12. Two weeks later, the chemical was discovered missing from the railcar and no one is entirely certain what happened to it. Union Pacific was the rail company used for the shipment of the chemical.
Editorial: Is this Congress capable of serious action on freight rail safety?
So far, there’s been a deafening silence coming out of the House where legislation to the Senate bill has been introduced.
U.S. railroads not on board with safety push for two-person train crews
CSX CEO Hinrichs said the railroad industry does not want two-person crews written into rail safety legislation because technology could evolve to improve safety to the point where one person would be equally safe.
NS bondholders sue over safety disclosures preceding Ohio derailment
Norfolk Southern Corp. was sued on May 16 by bondholders who said they lost hundreds of millions of dollars because the railroad concealed safety risks prior to the February derailment in Ohio of a train carrying hazardous chemicals.
Metra files suit against STB over CPKC merger
This month, Metra filed a lawsuit against the STB in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
“It’s a problem:” Long trains pose safety concerns, challenges for first responders
To go around blocked crossings, first responders need to go around and backtrack on gravel roads, losing precious time. They’ve seen first-hand the consequences of a delay.
Can U.S. railroads bounce back from a dismal decade?
From 2013 to 2022 U.S. industrial production eked out 3% growth, overall economic output increased 57%, and truck tonnage grew 26%.
Freight rail stakeholders lay out their challenges before Congress
During his testimony, AFL-CIO TTD President Greg Regan discussed the problem of long trains.
New railroad safety rules under consideration after string of derailments across U.S.
On Wednesday, Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell from Washington state led an executive session on the proposed Railway Safety Act of 2023.
Calling railroads “a danger and a nuisance,” Houston mayor urges Congress to pass Railway Safety Act
Houston-area leaders, including Mayor Sylvester Turner are calling on Congress to urge action on the passage of the Rail Safety Act of 2023.
Editorial: Senators should put train safety before politics
Senators must not allow Ted Cruz’s political theatrics to stop the momentum of legislation that is about something much more important than money.
NS train triggered alarm prior to latest derailment in New Castle, Pa.
The NTSB said preliminary information indicates the train received an alarm “from a wayside defect detector, or hot bearing detector, several miles before the train derailed.”
California completes high-speed rail viaduct project
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) announced this week crews have completed the Cedar Viaduct in Fresno.
FRA issues safety advisory in wake of UP collision in Texas
The Federal Railroad Administration issued a safety advisory this week in the aftermath of an April collision and derailment on Union Pacific that involved a misaligned hand-throw switch.
CPKC releases selected combined historical data; begins reporting consolidated weekly data
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) today released selected combined historical financial information for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022 and the first quarter of 2023 reflecting CPKC results as if the merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern had occurred as at Jan. 1, 2022.
TTD President testifies on rail supply chain issues
“The Class I railroads have strayed from the traditional operating model of a service industry that responds to the demands and needs of its customers… Instead, the Class I railroads seek to generate the highest possible profits through the lowest possible operating ratios. To achieve these profits, railroads have stripped rail networks of their physical and human capital.”
Rail safety bill passes Senate committee amid Republican resistance
The 16-11 vote Wednesday on the Railway Safety Act fell mostly along party lines. Senate Republicans Eric Schmitt of Missouri and J. D. Vance of Ohio voted in favor of the bill.
BLET News
BLET marks 160th anniversary on May 8
Today, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) marks its 160th anniversary. The BLET and its members are proud of our heritage as the oldest labor union in North America.
Governor Walz talks rail safety at BLET Minnesota legislative board meeting
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz focused on rail safety as the guest of honor at the BLET Minnesota State Legislative Board’s quadrennial meeting in Bloomington, Minn., April 23-26, 2023.
BLET seeks applicants for National Legislative Office position
The deadline for applicants is May 15, 2023.
BNSF-ATSF General Committee of Adjustment holds two training classes
At the request of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (former AT&SF) General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), the BLET National Division assisted with training classes in Fort Worth, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona last week. The training event was organized by BNSF-ATSF...
Ben Wright elected Chairman of Texas State Legislative Board
With nearly 40 delegates in attendance, on Monday, April 17, 2023, Benjamin L. Wright of Division 189 (Saginaw, Texas) was elected as the new Chairman of the BLET’s Texas State Legislative Board (TX SLB) during the Board’s 16th quadrennial meeting in Austin, Texas. In addition, Brother Scott Piekarski of Division 620 (Fort Worth) was reelected by acclamation to his fourth term as Secretary-Treasurer.
BLET Auxiliary Raffle
The National BLET Auxiliary is selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a Solo Stove Bonfire. It is a stainless steel smokeless fire pit built for the backyard and beyond. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased by going to www.bletauxiliary.net. The drawing will be...
National General Chairmen’s Association concludes annual meeting
Paid sick leave and rail safety were among the topics of discussion as members of the BLET’s National General Chairmen’s Association (NGCA) concluded their annual meeting, which was held at the BLET National Division headquarters on April 12.
Ballots mailed in tentative agreement with South Buffalo Railway
Ballots were mailed on April 10 and will be counted on May 5, 2023. The three-year tentative agreement would provide a $1,000.00 signing bonus and general wage increases of 5.5% in 2023, 4.5% in 2024 and 4.0% in 2025.
Ohio governor signs two-person crew bill
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the state’s $13.5 billion transportation budget into law on Friday, March 31. The bill includes a mandate for two-person train crews and other important rail safety measures in response to Norfolk Southern’s February 3 derailment and toxic chemical spill in East Palestine.
Teamsters Rail Conference holds first meeting of 2023
The Teamsters Rail Conference held its first Policy Committee meeting of 2023 on March 29 with the new leadership of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWED).
