Rail Industry News
CSX to announce Q1 2022 results on April 20
CSX Corp. will release first quarter financial and operating results after the market close on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.
Genesee & Wyoming, BNSF say customers spent billions to be near rail
Customers of short line operator Genesee & Wyoming invested $1.5 billion last year in 69 projects that will utilize proximity to G&W’s network. Earlier this month, BNSF said its customers invested $1.5 billion in projects along BNSF’s network in 2021.
Q&A: Longevity of Railroad Retirement beneficiaries
Every three years, the Railroad Retirement Board’s Chief Actuary conducts a study of the longevity of its annuitants, as part of a valuation of future revenues and benefit payments.
Unions turn to arbitration in dispute over BNSF attendance policy
BNSF’s two largest unions will ask an arbitrator to throw out the railroad’s strict new attendance policy instead of appealing a court order preventing them from striking.
North American rail volume down 4% through first 11 weeks of 2022
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) now has 11 weeks of rail traffic data for 2022 (ending March 19).
CSX asks STB to toss NS request for trackage rights over CPKC
CSX contends that the NS-KCS Meridian Speedway joint venture unfairly restricts rail competition, which raises antitrust concerns.
TTD applauds DOT’s announcement of $2.9 billion in federal funding for major infrastructure projects
Major infrastructure projects, which are often multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional, are long overdue and desperately needed.
Wabtec to modernize 330 NS locomotives
Wabtec Corporation announced today an additional multi-year order from Norfolk Southern to modernize 330 locomotives as part of its continued partnership.
O’Brien-Zuckerman, IBT General Executive Board begin five-year term
Sean M. O’Brien was sworn in today as the new General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman and the newly-elected General Executive Board also took the oath of office.
CP Rail implies workers are overpaid, but its CEO’s pay has increased 920%
After threatening to lock-out workers last week CP Rail claimed that average compensation for its employees increased 43% between 2007 and 2020. But according to 2020 shareholder reports, the CP Rail CEO’s total compensation increased by 920% during the same time period – from $1.8 million in 2007 to $16.8 million in 2020.
Workers back on the job after TCRC, CP Rail agree to binding arbitration
CP Rail and TCRC announced Tuesday that they have agreed to final and binding arbitration to end a work stoppage that began on the weekend.
Two years after COVID, Amtrak lags, VIA rail hopes
Amtrak’s service recovery has stalled, while VIA Rail is looking forward to something of a comeback under difficult circumstances later this spring; a comeback that has already begun in part.
UP train derails in county where most U.S. derailments have happened since 2019
A UP train derailed in San Bernardino County, Calif., on March 21, and the area could be considered the most dangerous when it comes to these types of rail accidents in the country
Iowa towns negotiate with CP over train traffic
Cities along the Mississippi River and CP officials are talking about ways to measure and address the impact of its proposed merger with KCS.
Judge won’t dismiss BNSF lawsuit claiming illegal sewer tax by town of Cicero
The town of Cicero, Illinois, can’t derail a lawsuit brought by BNSF accusing Cicero of illegally attempting to tax and interfere with rail service.
Work stoppage at Canadian Pacific is over
The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) and Canadian Pacific (CP) have agreed to final and binding arbitration. In such a process, both parties agree to accept the arbitrator’s decision as final.
Investigation finds “near-urgent” track defect went unrepaired before CN derailment
A “near-urgent” track defect was detected but not repaired several days prior to the June 2021 derailment of a Canadian National train at a remote location on the railroad’s Chetwynd Subdivision in British Columbia, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in an investigation report released Monday.
House transportation committee mourns death of former chair Don Young
U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) members late last week expressed their sympathies upon learning that former committee Chair U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) died on March 18. He was 8
Quad-City river towns continue to negotiate with CP over impacts of KCS merger
The consolidation could triple the train traffic in the Iowa Quad-Cities.
1 injured after UP train derails east of Los Angeles
A Union Pacific freight train carrying lumber derailed in Southern California on Monday, sending 13 rail cars and three locomotives off the tracks. A contractor who was helping with cleanup efforts was injured
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.
