Rail Industry News
Will BNSF workers strike? U.S. judge in Fort Worth to rule
A federal court in Fort Worth will decide Tuesday whether to block a threatened Feb. 1 strike by two unions representing BNSF Railway conductors and engineers.
Loved ones of railroaders protest new attendance policy outside federal courthouse during hearing
A federal judge in Fort Worth is expected to make a decision before Tuesday night on whether or not to block the threatened strike by two BNSF Railway unions over the new attendance policy.
“It’s a slap in the face:” BNSF workers consider strike over new attendance policy
Union workers for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Corporation are considering a strike after the company announced a new attendance policy set to take effect Feb. 1, but the railway has filed a lawsuit trying to prevent the strike.
BNSF tries to stop worker strike as employees continue to fight for rights
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Corporation is asking a federal judge to stop a potential worker stoppage.
NTSB highlights need for better rail worker safety
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) used the fifth anniversary of a deadly railroad worker accident to advocate for recommendations that would address worker safety.
Before recent wave of train cargo thefts, Union Pacific laid off an unspecified number of railroad police officers
However, one major development that may be directly correlated with the rise in theft has continuously been left out of the reporting: In September of 2020, due to pandemic-related budget cuts, Union Pacific laid off an unspecified number of employees across the railroad system. Including members of its railroad-only police force. Despite record profits in the billions in the last quarter of 2021.
RRB Q&A: Annuitants may need to increase tax withholding at age 62
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, December 21, 2021) CHICAGO — Certain portions of a railroad retirement annuity are treated differently for Federal income tax purposes. The following questions and answers explain these differences and address the...
Get the latest labor news from the Teamsters
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters updates the news section of its website each day with the latest regarding the Teamsters, domestic and global labor and trade issues, state and living wage battles, social justice, the War on Workers, and many other important...
New BNSF policy will impact families, home lives, and supply chain
A new attendance policy from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Corporation has employees upset and calling for a strike. The decision is not just impacting the employees, but also their families and home life.
BNSF takeover of MRL comes after decades of rapid growth
It may have been a surprise to most of the state to hear Montana Rail Link start 2022 with an announcement it wanted out of its lease with BNSF Railway, but not for Lochiel Edwards, a Montana wheat farmer who always has one ear on the track.
MTA announces best LIRR on-time performance in modern history
The annual total, 96.3% of trains operating on-time over the course of the year, breaks the previous record of 95.9% set in 2020 and represents a 5.5 percentage point improvement over 2018’s annual on-time rate of 90.4%.
California HSR board clears environmental steps to advance service to L.A.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s (CHSRA) board yesterday approved the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the 14-mile Burbank-to-Los Angeles project section.
Illinois NS derailment also involves Amtrak train
A Norfolk Southern freight train partially derailed Friday morning on the south side of Springfield, losing six cars and delaying the arrival of an Amtrak train on the way to the city. The Amtrak train, traveling north on the Union Pacific railroad line, hit a wheel from one of the derailed freight cars. No injuries were reported.
Operation Lifesaver releases new rail safety resources for farmers, farm machine operators
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) is releasing new rail safety resources to help farmers and farm machine operators stay safe and avoid incidents around railroad tracks and trains.
FTA increases Hudson tunnel project rating to “medium-high”
The Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) on Jan. 20 announced new ratings for six projects seeking funding from the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program—one was for the Hudson Tunnel Project and the others for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects.
RRB Q&A: Annuitants may need to increase tax withholding at age 62
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, December 21, 2021) CHICAGO — Certain portions of a railroad retirement annuity are treated differently for Federal income tax purposes. The following questions and answers explain these differences and address the...
Get the latest labor news from the Teamsters
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters updates the news section of its website each day with the latest regarding the Teamsters, domestic and global labor and trade issues, state and living wage battles, social justice, the War on Workers, and many other important...
CSX reports higher revenue, earnings in Q4 2021
CSX was the second Class I railroad to report fourth-quarter 2021 financial results on Jan. 20; it posted net earnings of $934 million (or $0.42 per share), a 22% boost from the prior-year period’s $760 million (or $0.33 per share).
CSX announces Q4 2021 results
CSX Corp. today announced fourth quarter 2021 net earnings of $934 million, or $0.42 per share, compared to $760 million, or $0.33 per share in the same period last year. Fourth quarter 2021 operating ratio was 60.1% compared to 57.0% in the prior year period.
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending Jan. 15, 2022
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 493,617 carloads and intermodal units, down 6.6 percent compared with the same week last year.
BLET News
Delegates wrap up October 1 afternoon session at BLET Fourth National Convention
The Fourth National Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) continued here this afternoon with more inspiring speeches and reports by the various standing committees.
‘United, Moving Forward:’ President Pierce addresses BLET delegates at Fourth National Convention
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce delivered the Report of the National President today to conclude the morning session of the BLET’s Fourth National Convention. With the theme of “United, Moving Forward,” President Pierce’s report focused on to two general areas: the major accomplishments of the Brotherhood over the past four years since the Third National Convention concluded in 2014; and what challenges lie ahead for the organization.
BLET Fourth National Convention begins
The Fourth National Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) opened here this morning with energetic presentations from Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa, Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan, and BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce. Over 400 delegates are in session representing more than 57,000 locomotive engineers, trainmen and non-operating craft members on national freight and passenger rail systems across the United States.
Final preparations underway for BLET’s Fourth National Convention
Convention planners are working at a fevered pitch to make final preparations for opening ceremonies of the BLET’s Fourth National Convention, which is slated to begin on Monday, October 1.
Dick Crow reelected UP-Northern Region General Chairman
R.E. (Dick) Crow was elected to his second full term as General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Northern Region General Committee of Adjustment during the GCA’s quadrennial meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 26-27, 2018.
Piekarski elected to third term as Illinois SLB Chairman
Paul Piekarski was elected to his third full term as Chairman of the Illinois State Legislative Board at the Board’s 15th quadrennial meeting in Springfield, Ill., September 5-7, 2018.
UP-WL General Chairman Brian Carr elected by acclamation
Brother Brian P. Carr was elected by acclamation to his first full term as General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Western Lines General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting in San Diego, Calif., September 17-19, 2018.
Shane Hubbard elected chairman of Indiana State Legislative Board
Shane Hubbard was elected Chairman of the Indiana State Legislative Board at its 14th Quadrennial Meeting in Indianapolis, September 12-13, 2018.
Bipartisan group of 27 U.S. legislators urge DOT’s Chao to block KCS safety waiver that allows Mexican train crews to operate in U.S.
On September 17, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Ranking Member Michael Capuano (D-MA) sent a bipartisan letter, signed by 27 Members of Congress, to Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Elaine Chao expressing opposition to a petition filed by Kansas City Southern Railway (KCSR) requesting a waiver of critical Federal safety and inspection requirements.
BLET President Pierce addresses TCRC delegates in Vancouver
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce was the opening speaker today as the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference’s (TCRC) Fourth Quadrennial Convention got underway in Vancouver, B.C.
