Rail Industry News
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.
Railroad execs outline train crew hiring challenges, promise service improvements
CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern are working to improve their service amid ongoing crew shortages and supply chain disruptions, executives told shippers on Thursday.
Opinion: Has the railroads’ “get up and go” spirit “got up and gone?”
I find it difficult to believe that two giant corporations that have built their networks by combining many great railroads of the past have become capacity-constrained and fragile.
Gulf Coast Round 4: A battle within a battle
The battle between Amtrak and potential host railroads CSX and NS, joined by the Port of Mobile, entered a new stage April 4, as the first witnesses began their appearances before the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in the first case that will decide how and on what conditions Amtrak will be allowed to initiate new passenger service.
Amtrak is using Twitch to fight freight railroads
Last week, Amtrak used Twitch, the live streaming platform, to fight the freight services’ claims that passenger service on the track would cause “a near-catastrophic meltdown of freight operations” without infrastructure upgrades.
STB to hold hearings on rail service issues, April 26-27
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced it will hold a public hearing on April 26-27 on recent rail service problems and recovery efforts involving several Class I carriers.
Federal regulators to hold hearings on rail service problems
Federal regulators have ordered officials from BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific to appear a two-day hearing this month regarding ongoing rail service problems.
BNSF workers say harsh new policy forces them to work sick, exhausted
Thousands of railroad workers in Colorado can’t strike over a new attendance policy that two unions say is so punitive it could lead employees to clock in while sick or exhausted, potentially leading to accidents.
Gulf Coast battle: A possible solution
As the evidentiary hearing regarding the reintroduction and expansion of Amtrak passenger train service between New Orleans and Mobile continues before the Surface Transportation Board, interesting operational cost-sharing questions have emerged regarding how Amtrak trains may be able to coexist with very long CSX freights.
AAR reports rail traffic for March and the week ending April 2, 2022
Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in March 2022 were 2,507,684, down 3 percent, or 78,714 carloads and intermodal units from March 2021.
Lawmakers are raising the alarm about railroad worker fatigue
Top Democrats on the House committee that oversees the freight rail network have urged the Federal Railroad Administration to do something about worker fatigue.
Metra to boost Union Pacific Northwest service as it anticipates return of commuters
Anticipating the return of more weekday commuters, Metra is significantly boosting service on its Union Pacific Northwest line and tweaking the Union Pacific North schedule.
Union Pacific, coalition file suit to halt new Oakland A’s ballpark
The Union Pacific Railroad Company has filed a lawsuit challenging the city of Oakland’s certification of an environmental impact report (EIR) for the proposed new waterfront ballpark for the Oakland Athletics.
‘The worst and most egregious attendance policy’ is pushing railroad workers to the brink
Workers, their families, and the unions that represent them speak of Hi Viz in apocalyptic terms. They regard it as a draconian measure that makes no sense except as an effort to get every BNSF employee to quit out of rage, depression, or ill health.
March 2022 rail volumes were a mixed bag in U.S.
Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in March 2022 were 2,507,684, dipping 3%, or 78,714 carloads and intermodal units, from March 2021.
BLET News
The BLET Short-Term Disability Enhanced-Plan Open Enrollment Ending Soon
Open Enrollment for the BLET’s Short Term Disability Enhanced-Plan (underwritten by Sun Life Financial) ends Friday, January 31, 2020. Those who meet the deadline will have their coverage take effect on February 1, 2020.
GIA International President Onita Wayland, 1928-2020; Husband Tony Wayland, 1922-2020
Onita Wayland, former President of the Grand International Auxiliary (GIA) to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2020. She was 91 years old. Her husband Tony Wayland, a retired member of BLET Division 620 (Fort Worth, Texas), passed away the next day on January 21, 2020. He was 97.
Forschen elected Chairman of North Dakota State Legislative Board
Brother Sean M. Forschen was elected by acclamation to his first term as Chairman of the BLET’s North Dakota State Legislative Board during its quadrennial meeting in Bismarck, N.D., January 8-9, 2020.
2020 BLET Scholarship Directory
Each year, the BLET National Division compiles a list of scholarship opportunities available to the children of BLET members. Numerous financial aid opportunities are published here in the 2020 BLET Scholarship Directory.
BLET National Division launches National Negotiations website
The BLET National Division has launched a new webpage — https://www.ble-t.org/negotiations2019 — to provide important information to affected members regarding the current round of National Negotiations.
Important notice regarding Form 1095-B for those covered by the GA-23000 Plan
Due to a change in IRS requirements, most of those covered by The Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan (GA-23000) members will no longer automatically receive a paper copy of the Form 1095-B. Members living in states that still require reporting of health coverage (e.g. New Jersey) will still automatically receive a paper copy of the Form 1095-B for state filing tax purposes.
Deadline is March 2 for 2020 Hoffa scholarship program
As a reminder, applications are due by March 2, 2020, for the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund. The program offers college and vocational scholarships for the sons, daughters and financial dependents of Teamsters. The application process can be time consuming, so BLET members and their eligible dependents are encouraged to get started as soon as possible.
BLET to conduct Legislative Representatives class in March 2020
The BLET Education & Training Department, in conjunction with the National Legislative Office, will conduct a class for BLET Division Legislative Representatives in Washington, D.C., from March 23-26, 2020.
BLET to host Secretary-Treasurer class in February 2020
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a training class for Secretary-Treasurers from February 23-28, 2020, at the BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio.
BLET members ratify new contract with Indiana Rail Road
By a 5-to-1 majority, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Indiana Rail Road (INRD).
