Rail Industry News
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.
Biden FY23 budget request: $105 billion for U.S. DOT
President Joe Biden on March 28 submitted to Congress a $5.79 trillion budget plan for fiscal year 2023 that calls for $105 billion to be distributed to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
Class Is seek Gulf Coast port mediation; Amtrak says no thanks
While Amtrak opposes their recent joint motion for mediation, all parties agree that an “amicable resolution” may be possible.
BNSF derailment at Port of Tacoma knocks out power lines, blocks traffic
A BNSF freight train derailed at the Port of Tacoma on Tuesday afternoon, striking power lines and blocking traffic.
Analysis: Will autonomous trucks put the iron horse out to pasture?
There’s no question that autonomous trucks pose a threat to the railroad industry.
NS announces new $10 billion stock repurchase program
Norfolk Southern announced on March 29 that its Board of Directors has authorized a new program for the repurchase of up to $10 billion of its common stock beginning April 1, 2022.
Grain shippers complain about delays on BNSF, NS, and UP
The trade group representing grain producers says severe delays on BNSF Railway, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific have forced its members to shut down flour mills as well as feed mills that produce food for livestock.
Supreme Court to hear employee slip and fall case that may impact future claims
The Supreme Court is poised to decide yet another case involving one of the many federal statutes that govern the nation’s railroads and rail workers.
CP lockout ends, but business propaganda continues
(Source: RankAndFile.ca, March 25, 2022) OTTAWA — CP Rail workers and management entered binding arbitration to resolve their labor dispute on March 22 — three days after workers were locked out by the employer. There was immense pressure on the Teamsters and CP Rail...
Opinion: Iowans stand to lose from CP-KCS merger
A proposed $30 billion merger between two of North America’s large railroads will jeopardize the environment, potentially delay getting critical agricultural goods to market and threaten communities throughout Iowa, unless federal leaders act fast.
Editorial: Slow down CP-KCS merger
The cities in our area say they’re concerned about the ability of police and fire crews to reach homes and businesses on the river side of the track.
Metra opposes CP-KCS merger
Metra, one of the largest commuter railroads in the country, is objecting to the proposed $31 billion merger between Class I freight rail carriers Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern Railway.
CSX recommends shareholders reject “mini-tender” offer by TRC Capital
CSX is not affiliated with TRC and does not endorse TRC’s unsolicited offer.
Ample Canadian crude pipeline, rail export capacity exists if output rises
Energy executives and analysts acknowledge there now exists ample pipeline and rail capacity to move additional barrels from Alberta into US refining hubs, even without the infamous Keystone XL Pipeline.
Business groups call for “permanent” supply chain solution in wake of CP Rail work stoppage
Business groups advocating for rail to be declared an essential service in the wake of this week’s temporary work stoppage at Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. say a “permanent” solution is needed to ease this country’s supply chain woes.
Grain-feed group seeks STB’s help on rail quagmire
Congestion and poor service on the nation’s railroads are symptoms of a network problem affecting entire regions, at times preventing feed deliveries to US livestock producers without backup suppliers.
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending March 19, 2022
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 499,362 carloads and intermodal units, down 2.7 percent compared with the same week last year.
UP to announce Q1 2022 results on April 21
Union Pacific Corporation will release first quarter 2022 financial and operating results on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
BLET News
BLET members ratify new contracts with TASI, Louisville & Indiana
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified two new contracts in recent weeks: one with Transit America Services Inc. (TASI) for Caltrain engineers, and one with the Louisville & Indiana Railroad (LIRC).
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Indiana Rail Road
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with the Indiana Rail Road (INRD). Ballots were mailed today to active members of the BLET employed by INRD who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Save the date: 2020 BLET regional meetings
The BLET National Division is pleased to announce the dates and locations of its 2020 regional meetings: June 22-26 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and August 17-21 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Rail Chiefs announce formation of Coordinated Bargaining Coalition
Top leaders of 10 rail unions announced today that their organizations will be participating in coordinated bargaining in the round of national negotiations that began on November 1, 2019.
Former BLE General Chairman Morris Royal, 1921-2019
Former BLE General Chairman Morris Royal Sr. passed away on October 29, 2019. He was 97 years old.
Rail hazmat training for Albuquerque-area workers
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is hosting Rail Hazmat Chemical/Emergency Response and OSHA Awareness Training Programs from November 6-10, 2019, in Albuquerque, N.M. Attendance is only open to railroad employees within 250 miles of Albuquerque and the surrounding Native American community.
BLET members urged to contact Congress on two critical issues as union lobbies in D.C.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is urging all members to contact their Representatives and Senators in Congress to support the union’s two most pressing legislative issues: foreign crews operating trains into the United States at the southern U.S./Mexican border, and two-person train crews.
BLET part of union group suing to overturn new NMB rule that undermines workers
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, along with 14 other unions and union groups representing railroad and airline workers, has filed a joint lawsuit to protect workers covered by the Railway Labor Act from an anti-union rule change recently implemented by the National Mediation Board (NMB).
Our Solidarity is Crucial to our Success
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President In past President’s Messages, I have written to BLET’s Membership about the many issues that confront us in our effort to protect the interests of locomotive engineers and trainmen, as well as working class Americans in general. While my past Messages may not have presented those issues as “good news,” I am still convinced that we will prevail if we remain united. Our solidarity as BLET members, and our solidarity with other Unions that share our goals, is the key to that success.
Ronnie Rhodes reelected to third term as UP-Central General Chairman
Ronnie E. Rhodes was reelected by acclamation to his third full term as General Chairman at the Union Pacific-Central Regional General Committee of Adjustment’s quadrennial meeting in New Orleans, La., October 8-9, 2019. All other officers of the GCA were also elected by acclamation.
