Rail Industry News
Union Pacific reopening Pine Bluff shop
Some furloughed employees are being called back to Union Pacific’s Pine Bluff yard to support repairing locomotives, a spokesperson for the Omaha, Neb.-based railroad company confirmed Friday.
BMWED encourages FRA to continue stringent human visual track inspection frequencies
Despite misleading commentary from the Class 1 railroads and grandstanding by Republican members of Congress, the Federal Railroad Administration continues to do right for public safety and require visual track inspection frequencies as presently mandated in their track safety standards.
Utah railroad workers criticize Union Pacific over schedules, lack of pay raises
Local members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) met with National President Dennis Pierce Wednesday morning in Salt Lake City as the union negotiates with Union Pacific and other railway companies for a new contract.
Report: Internal messages claim UP is set to reopen Pine Bluff shop
Union Pacific is reopening the Pine Bluff yard according to a message between UP managers obtained by Deltaplex News. UP originally closed the yard in February 2019 after laying off the majority of workers from the Pine Bluff facility.
Suspect in NYC subway shooting apprehended
Frank R. James, the suspect initially considered a “person of interest” in connection with the April 12 Brooklyn, N.Y. subway shooting, has been captured.
Sweetener buyers blast railroads over poor service in letter to STB
Joining organizations like the National Grain and Feed Association, the Sweetener Users Association (SUA) has a sent a letter to the Surface Transportation Board demanding that railroads take their lumps for service problems.
U.S. rail traffic still below 2021 levels
This is the seventh consecutive week that traffic has declined.
Will UP start metering traffic?
Union Pacific (UP) is calling on customers to help reduce the number of active railcars on its network, as the Class I railroad’s operating car inventory and car dwell times rise, and car and train velocities decline.
“Industries dependent upon the railroads’ service are forsaken”
The Surface Transportation Board has scheduled a hearing for April 26-27 in response to a letter sent by the National Grain and Feed Association about worsening rail service.
Person of interest sought in NYC subway shooting that injured 23
A search is under way for a “person of interest” in connection with the April 12 Brooklyn, N.Y. subway shooting that sent 23 people to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries; 10 were shot and 13 were injured in the rush to get out of the 36 Street N Line station in Sunset Park or suffered from smoke inhalation or panic attack.
Union Pacific will limit traffic to clear clogged rail lines
Union Pacific will start metering traffic on Monday if shippers don’t voluntarily reduce their active freight-car inventories on the railroad, which is bogging down due to a combination of crew and locomotive shortages.
Rails and regulators battle publicly over service issues
The spring meeting of the North East Association of Rail Shippers (NEARS) saw three Class I railroads seeking to persuade rail shippers and other stakeholders that they are working hard to improve rail service. But the Surface Transportation Board doesn’t appear convinced.
Freight railroads work to resolve service problems, delays
Shippers, regulators and rail labor groups say they believe the heart of the problem is that railroads cut too deeply when they eliminated nearly one-third of their workforce in recent years in the name of efficiency.
STB sets more hearing dates for Amtrak Gulf Coast case
The Surface Transportation Board’s evidentiary hearing in the Amtrak Gulf Coast case that began last week will continue this and next week, the board announced yesterday.
Reps. DeFazio, Payne urge FRA to minimize railroad worker fatigue
U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Donald M. Payne (D-NJ) encouraged the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to finalize its fatigue risk management program rulemaking.
NMB declines to release BMWED/SMART-MD coalition from mediation
The National Mediation Board (NMB) has denied the BMWED/SMART-MD Coalition’s request for a proffer of arbitration.
Ethanol producers complain about snarled rail service
The trade group representing ethanol producers has told federal regulators that its members are experiencing significant rail service delays and disruptions that could lead to higher gasoline prices.
CP doesn’t expect traffic data issue to change KCS merger timeline
Canadian Pacific CEO Keith Creel doesn’t expect a traffic density data issue to delay the overall timeline for regulatory review of the CP-Kansas City Southern merger.
Amtrak makes $3.3 billion grant request for FY2023
Amtrak is seeking $3.3 billion in total grant funding for fiscal-year 2023, as part of the national intercity passenger railroad’s annual appropriation request from Congress.
U.S. DOT: Supply-chain flow is improving
Despite challenges, there are signs of progress in the nation’s goods movement chain, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s new Transportation Supply Chain Indicators Tracker.
BLET News
BLET to hold ST training class for LM-2 filers
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a workshop for all Secretary-Treasurers who file LM-2 reports for their General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), Division or State Legislative Board. This workshop will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana from March 10-13, 2020.
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Pacific Harbor Line
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with Pacific Harbor Line (PHL). Ballots were mailed today to active members of the BLET employed by PHL who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Brown reelected General Chairman of BNSF (former C&S, CRI&P, FWD) GCA
Bobby J. Brown was reelected by acclamation to his third term as General Chairman of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (former C&S, CRI&P, FW&D) General Committee of Adjustment at its quadrennial meeting in Amarillo, Texas, October 14-16, 2019.
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Keolis (Boston) for locomotive engineers
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with Keolis Commuter Services (Boston) for locomotive engineers. Ballots have been mailed to active members of the BLET employed by Keolis who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
2020 Hoffa scholarship application process open
The application process is now open for the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund””””s 2020 college and vocational scholarship programs for the sons, daughters and financial dependents of Teamsters.
Thanksgiving 2019
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and appreciation to all BLET members, officers and staff for their hard work and dedication throughout 2019.
GA-46000 Lifetime maximum adjusted for 2020
The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit Plan (also known as ERMA or GA-46000) will increase from $166,400 to $171,100 on January 1, 2020.
Fransen appointed Coordinator of BLET Safety Task Force
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce has announced that Brian Fransen will begin serving the National Division as Coordinator of the BLET Safety Task Force (STF), effective immediately, following the retirement of long-serving Coordinator Carl W. Fields. President Pierce also announced the appointment of Bryan Aldridge to the position of Assistant Coordinator.
BLET salutes Carl Fields upon retirement
Brother Carl W. Fields, who served the BLET Safety Task Force for more than 25 years, retired effective October 17, 2019. His railroad career spanned more than 41 years with the Norfolk & Western Railroad and the Indiana Harbor Belt.
Veterans Day 2019
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National PresidentOn Veterans Day, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen wants all of our veterans to know how grateful we are for your service to our Nation. We thank you for your contributions and sacrifices, which have made our country free and strong.
