Rail Industry News
Transportation unions want federal action against Class I railroads’ attendance policies
The Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of the AFL-CIO is urging federal agencies to rein in Class I railroads’ attendance policies, which TTD says force union employees to work long hours without adequate rest.
NS to announce Q1 2022 earnings on April 27
NS will announce its first-quarter 2022 financial results at 8:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday, April 27.
SMART-TD blames train crew shortages on cutbacks related to PSR
Ongoing service problems related to crew shortages on the U.S. Class I railroads are entirely self-inflicted due to the implementation of Precision Scheduled Railroading, the SMART Transportation Division labor union has told federal regulators.
Start of Gulf Coast hearings brings questions about STB’s ability to order improvements
Monday’s first day of a Surface Transportation Board hearing on Amtrak’s request to initiate service between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., moved so slowly that some attorneys speculated that the four days this week allotted for the hearing may not be enough.
Court orders BMWED to remain in national handling
Federal Judge Thomas F. Hogan ruled BMWED could not break decades of precedent and suddenly separate out four railroads for individual bargaining while remaining in national handling with other railroads.
Teamsters vow to pressure Amazon after historic New York vote, President O’Brien says
The Teamsters’ new president has pledged his powerful union will step up the pressure on Amazon and mount its own efforts to unionize the company after workers in New York voted to form the company’s first U.S. union.
BNSF CEO Farmer responds to NGFA service complaints; Sen. Capito asks STB to address rail car shortage
BNSF Railway Co. President and CEO Katie Farmer last week responded to the National Grain and Feed Association’s letter to the Surface Transportation Board that outlined association members’ concerns about rail service problems with some Class Is, including BNSF.
BNSF planning massive intermodal, logistics hub near Phoenix
BNSF Railway Co. has acquired a 3,508-acre piece of land in the Phoenix region with plans to develop it as its Western hub, according to state records.
Teamsters laud progress on Biden-Harris trucking action plan
The Teamsters Union is applauding the work of the Biden administration during the past 90 days in making substantial progress towards addressing critical issues for drivers and those interested in a career behind the wheel.
Transportation Safety Board of Canada issues findings and recommendations after probe of CP runaway that killed three in 2019
The degradation of air brakes in extreme cold, the limited effectiveness of current train brake tests, and inadequate training and experience of supervisory personnel contributed to the 2019 Canadian Pacific grain train runaway and derailment that killed three crew members in British Columbia’s Kicking Horse Pass.
CP disputing TSB accident report
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) at a March 31 news conference released its investigation report of Canadian Pacific’s Feb. 4, 2019 train derailment on the Laggan Subdivision near Field, British Columbia.
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending March 26, 2022
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 504,817 carloads and intermodal units, down 3.2 percent compared with the same week last year.
“We’re fed up:” Ohio officials say stopped NS train delayed first responders heading to house fire
A family’s home in Lockland, Ohio, was damaged by a fire Thursday morning, but first responders said the damage might not have been as bad if they could have arrived faster.
Justices affirm denial of UP’s motion to dismiss toxic tort
A lawsuit alleging the Union Pacific Railroad Company knowingly contaminated residential neighborhoods in Houston with creosote, a probable carcinogen, will continue.
Operation Lifesaver awards grant for Nebraska crossing safety, trespasser prevention whistle-stop tour and campaign
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), announced it will award an Innovative Rail Safety Grant to Nebraska Operation Lifesaver (Nebraska OL).
Supreme Court hears arguments in “use” of locomotive case
The case involves the Locomotive Inspection Act, a federal statute that requires railroads to regularly inspect and implement safety measures for their locomotives.
U.S. rail traffic dips in week ending March 26
It is the fifth consecutive week that total U.S. rail freight has declined.
NTSB publishes preliminary report on February fatality of BNSF worker in Denver
On February 9, 2022, about 10:57 a.m. local time, a BNSF Railway remote control operator (RCO) helper was killed when he fell from the front of a locomotive on Track 116 while switching railroad freight cars in the BNSF Globeville Yard in Denver, Colorado.
STB poised to decide reciprocal switching rules as shippers, railroads remain at odds
Federal regulators seem inclined to adopt some form of reciprocal switching rules, with Surface Transportation Board Chairman Marty Oberman saying the proposal could be a way to address high rates and service concerns in the rail industry without the need for more “granular regulation.”
U.S. DOT’s FY23 budget proposes funds for Amtrak repairs, Hudson Tunnel project
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) would receive $142 billion under President Joe Biden’s fiscal-year 2023 budget proposal, the department announced yesterday.
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.
