Rail Industry News
NJ Train regulation bill advances in state senate
A New Jersey state senate committee has approved a bill that would require two-person crews for freight trains and set a maximum length of 8,500 feet for “dangerous hazardous trains.”
NTSB: Improper coupling, excessive in-train forces caused March 2023 NS derailment
Contributing to the accident was the misidentification of couplers without alignment control during the NS’ inspection process, according to an NTSB report issued Sept. 22.
CSX’s former Clinchfield largely unrecognizable after historic flood
With roadways out of service and railroad washouts prohibiting inspections and repair, CSX’s Blue Ridge Subdivision and much of its Clinchfield are likely to remain out of the service for the foreseeable future.
Q&A: RRB financial reports
As of September 30, 2023, total railroad retirement system assets, comprising assets managed by the National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust (NRRIT) and the railroad retirement system accounts at the Treasury, equaled $26.5 billion.
UP explains absence from early contract agreements with organized labor
UP has sought to renegotiate the scheduling deal it reached last year with the BLET, under which engineers work 11 days and then have four days off. That prompted the union to sue the railroad this summer because it had yet to implement the scheduling agreement systemwide.
NTSB identifies probable cause of close-clearance death of CSX conductor trainee
“In this accident, a conductor trainee was fatally injured when he rode a shoving movement through a close clearance — a 7-inch gap — between his train and a series of parked locomotives. The conductor, riding a different ladder on the same railcar through the same gap, was not injured,” the NTSB said.
STB urges BNSF and UP to be prepared for West Coast container surge
Specifically, Primus asked the railroads for their plans to provide reliable service, how they will allocate resources to West Coast ports, and how the railroads are sharing information with port officials.
Biden-Harris administration calls on Class I freight railroads to guarantee paid sick leave and get to 100% worker coverage
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Department of Labor Acting Secretary Julie Su today sent letters to the CEOs of three Class I freight railroads – CPKC, CN, and CSX – calling on them to guarantee paid sick leave to all of their employees.
Regulators scrutinize trends on second day of rail growth hearings
At the opening of today’s Surface Transportation Board hearing on the lack of rail freight volume growth, Vice Chair Karen Hedlund said she was still struck by what she heard the day before from analysts and shippers and Class I railroad executives.
Railroads and regulators must address the dangers of long trains, report says
The report said there is a clear correlation between the number of derailments related to in-train forces and the long trains that routinely measure more than a mile or two long.
Norfolk Southern CEO fired for “consensual relationship” with railroad’s chief legal officer
A statement from the company on Wednesday said that Shaw had been dismissed “for cause,” which could prevent him from collecting the kind of exit package that CEOs often receive when shown the door.
Safety concerns are at the heart of the TCRC-CN/CPKC dispute as arbitration decision draws near
A major issue in the ongoing negotiations is fatigue safety. According to the union, the railway companies are seeking to weaken protections around rest periods, shift length and scheduling.
Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw to step down amid misconduct probe, sources say
The Wall Street Journal reported that the railroad’s board opened a probe into him late Sunday over an alleged affair with an employee.
Amtrak and partners break ground on new Connecticut River Bridge
The new bridge will support a maximum train operating speed of 70 mph, a 55% increase from today’s maximum speed of 45 mph.
TCRC formally appeals binding arbitration order
The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (Teamsters) filed appeals challenging the decisions that led to binding arbitration being imposed on workers at CN and CPKC, effectively stripping them of their right to collectively bargain.
ATDA organizes train dispatchers at Genesee & Wyoming
On September 4, 2024, the NMB announced that Train Dispatchers from the Genesee & Wyoming Railroad have voted to unionize with the ATDA.
Rail worker’s death in Ohio railyard highlights union questions about remote control trains
BLET Vice President Randy Fannon, who heads the union’s Safety Task Force, said he thinks, “This tragic incident in Ohio involving a remotely operated train, blindly controlled from behind, would not have happened if there had been a locomotive engineer in the cab.”
BNSF stresses safety but is still held back by longstanding industry issues, report finds
The FRA also reiterated its recommendation for BNSF and all the major freight railroads to sign on to the confidential federal safety reporting hotline for workers to report concerns without fear of being punished.
Back-to-work order issued at CN, CPKC; TCRC will comply, but lawsuit planned
The Canadian arbitrator appointed to resolve a messy railroad labor dispute to protect the North American economy has ordered employees at the country’s two major railroads back to work so both can resume operating.
Canada forces arbitration in freight train labor dispute; Union cries foul
The union representing 10,000 engineers, conductors and dispatchers responded angrily to the order, accusing the railroads of intentionally creating a crisis to force the government to intervene. It also said it would keep its picket lines in place while reviewing the decision.
BLET News
Monthly employee contributions under the National Health & Welfare Plan will decrease by 10.2% in 2025
Though health care costs continue to rise nationally, healthcare premiums and the 15% employee monthly cost-sharing contributions will decrease in 2025 for BLET members covered by the National H&W Plans. Monthly employee cost sharing contributions will decrease by...
Arizona: Governor signs BLET-backed transportation worker assault bill
Pictured: BLET Arizona State Legislative Board Chairman Kevin Onnembo (third from right) at the governor's signing ceremony for HB 2742. ____________________ BLET Arizona State Legislative Board Chairman Kevin Onnembo was on hand earlier this month as Governor Katie...
2024 Election: BLET Legislative Board recommendations
In advance of the general election on November 5, the BLET National Division is publishing a list of voting recommendations from the various BLET State Legislative Board Chairmen. The list includes candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of...
Texas: Annual rail labor solidarity rally slated for October 15
BLET members are encouraged to attend the annual Houston Solidarity Rally, which runs from noon-7:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday, October 15. The rally features guest speakers from organized labor (including BLET), presentations from the Railroad Retirement Board and various...
Texas: BLET notches another short line organizing victory — third one in 2024
Train and engine service employees at Transglobal Solutions/TGS Cedar Port Railroad in Baytown, Texas, voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining the BLET this week. Rail industry publication Progressive Railroading described Cedar Port, where the railroad operates, as...
Members still have time to request replacement ballots in Metra-UP implementing agreement
Ballots are due on October 8 in the Metro-Union Pacific implementing agreement. Photo: Chase Gunnoe _____________________ BLET members are continuing to vote on a tentative implementing agreement regarding Metra’s takeover of services from the Union Pacific Railroad....
Pearson reelected to third term as Colorado State Legislative Board Chairman
Brother Paul Pearson of BLET Division 133 (Denver, Colo.) was reelected by acclamation to his third term as Chairman of the Colorado State Legislative Board at its 8th quadrennial meeting in Centennial, Colo., on September 18. Brother Pearson hired out with the...
Help is available for BLET members who suffered damage or property loss from Hurricane Helene
Big Bend Region, Florida — Coast Guard personnel from the Gulf Strike team and Station Pascagoula conducting urban search and rescue operations alongside federal and state partners to assist stranded people. (Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard) ____________________ More...
Biden-Harris administration calls on CPKC, CN and CSXT to guarantee paid sick leave for all railroad workers
Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. Department of Labor photo ____________________ On September 25, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Department of Labor Acting Secretary Julie Su sent letters to the CEOs of three Class I freight railroads — CPKC,...
Buffalo: CSXT’s remote control trains kill and maim pedestrians
The BLET continues to expose the dangers of remote control train operations after three tragic pedestrian incidents — including a fatality — in Buffalo, New York. The lead story on Page 1 of the September 22 issue of the Buffalo News says it all: “Driverless trains...
