Rail Industry News
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.
U.S. DOT recommends several transit-rail projects for new, continuing funding
As part of its proposed fiscal-year 2023 budget, the U.S. Department of Transportation is recommending $4.45 billion to advance seven new rail and bus rapid transit projects for first-time funding and to continue funding for eight projects with existing construction grants.
BNSF worker died when he fell from locomotive, NTSB says
A BNSF worker who died early last month at the company’s Globeville Yard in Denver fell from the front of a locomotive while switching railroad freight cars, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Grain association takes railroads to task over crew shortages caused by PSR
One NGFA member that had to stop selling feed while it waited on a train that sat loaded at origin for 7 days due to a lack of available rail crews. Another spent an additional $3 million on secondary freight to keep animals fed.
BLET News
Rich reelected Tennessee SLB Chairman
Jeff B. Rich of BLET Division 129 (Nashville, Tenn.) was elected by acclamation to his first full term as Chairman of the Tennessee State Legislative Board at the Board’s quadrennial meeting in Nashville, Tenn., October 4-5, 2019.
Open enrollment underway for 2020 Health FSA
Open enrollment for the Health Flexible Spending Account Plan (FSA) 2020 benefit year runs from October 1 through October 31, 2019. Members must enroll in the Health FSA every year — FSA enrollment is not automatic each year so interested members should act soon so they do not miss out on enrollment for the 2020 Plan Year.
Important open enrollment announcement for Medicare-eligible BLET members and retirees
If you are a BLET member, retiree, spouse or dependent, and entitled to Medicare Part A and/or enrolled in Medicare Part B, you are eligible for the TEAMStar Retiree Health Program and TEAMStar Part D Prescription Drug Program (PDP). You are eligible for these programs during the open enrollment period regardless of your health history or the drugs you are currently taking.
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Delaware & Hudson
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with the Delaware & Hudson Railway (D&H). Ballots have been mailed to active members of the BLET employed by the D&H who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Louisville & Indiana
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with the Louisville & Indiana Railroad (LIRC). Ballots were mailed today to active members of the BLET employed by LIRC who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
BLET reaches tentative agreement with TASI for Caltrain engineers
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with Transit America Services Inc. (TASI). Ballots were mailed today to active members of the BLET employed by TASI who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
BLET establishes new Short Line Department
Following through on actions taken by delegates to the BLET’s Fourth National Convention in 2018, BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce has authorized the creation of a Short Line Department at the National Division level.
RRB asking all railroaders to complete online technology survey
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is asking all active and retired railroaders to complete an online survey to help drive its future strategic plans regarding online offerings.
In the Line of Duty: Bruce A. Dominique Jr.
Brother Bruce A. Dominique Jr., a member of BLET Division 219 in Shreveport, Louisiana, was killed in a railroad accident on September 6, 2019. He was 36 years old.
Nevada AFL-CIO adopts resolution supporting two-person train crews
The Nevada State AFL-CIO adopted a safety resolution in support of Federal legislation mandating two-person train crews at its 63rd Constitution Convention in Las Vegas on August 29, 2019.
