Rail Industry News
Q&A: Reporting events than can affect Railroad Retirement benefits
Rights to benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act also carry responsibilities for reporting events that may affect the payment of these benefits to the employee or to members of the employee’s family.
COVID-19 vaccine mandates and Unemployment and Sickness Benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA)
The Railroad Retirement Board has prepared a list of frequently asked questions regarding those situations in which an employer’s vaccine mandate has adversely affected an employment situation.
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...
Intermodal traffic down for 20th consecutive week
U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Dec. 18, 2021was 504,099 carloads and intermodal units, down 3.1% compared with the same week last year, based on 234,704 carloads—up 1.7% compared with the same week in 2020—and intermodal volume of 269,395 containers and trailers—down 6.9%, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported on Dec. 22. This is the 20th consecutive week of intermodal losses.
Difficulty in finding, retaining workers hit particularly hard at NS, CSX in 2021
Three things happened that put railroads in a bind. Furloughed conductors found work elsewhere. Train and engine crews quit or retired at higher rates than usual. And an extremely tight job market made it difficult for railroads to recruit and hire conductor trainees.
7 themes that defined U.S. freight rail in 2021
While 2020 was a roller coaster year for all modes of freight transportation because of how the COVID-19 pandemic upended day-to-day life in North America, 2021 had its share of ups and downs as well.
Railroads faced service disruptions, congestion as intermodal demand grew
Demand for rail freight came roaring back in 2021 after a pandemic-induced decline. But at times, there seemed to be more business than railroads could handle.
Activist shareholder blames CN board as preferred CEO candidate bows out
An activist shareholder of Canadian National Railway Co. has blamed the company’s board of directors for failing to secure its preferred candidate for a new chief executive of the railway.
Hedge fund TCI seeks delay in CN’s CEO search
TCI Fund Management said on Thursday Canadian National Railway’s search for a new chief executive officer should be delayed until shareholders at the nation’s top rail operator vote for a new search committee to elect a CEO.
BNSF to share in cost of Chicago lead cleanup
BNSF Railway has agreed to reimburse the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for part of the costs of the cleanup at the site of a metal foundry in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.
Flooding, tax disputes continue between BNSF and Illinois town
The back and forth between the Chicago suburb of Cicero and BNSF railway, the town’s largest landowner, over flooding and taxation continues.
STB approves Watco purchase of Wisconsin, Michigan lines from CN
After a lengthy delay sparked by filings in opposition to the deal, the Surface Transportation Board has approved Watco’s purchase of about 650 miles of branch lines in Wisconsin and Michigan from Canadian National-owned Wisconsin Central.
NS tests incentive program to improve container movement at intermodal terminals
Norfolk Southern has introduced an incentive program to improve container movement in and out of international intermodal facilities in Chicago and Kansas City, Mo.
In Texas Supreme Court case, state argues that Dallas-Houston bullet train developer can’t use eminent domain
The Texas attorney general’s office has put its weight behind a landowner’s case against the companies developing a controversial Dallas-Houston bullet train, arguing they can’t force people to sell parcels needed for the high-speed rail project.
Investigation underway after UP train derails in Missouri
An investigation is underway after a Union Pacific train derailed over the weekend in southeastern Saline County. A spokesperson for Union Pacific said the derailment happened at the Route E crossing in Napton, Missouri around 4 a.m. on Dec. 19.
KCS announces 2021 Holiday Express fundraising results
Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced that the 21st anniversary KCS Holiday Express program has raised over $280,000 to benefit The Salvation Army in 21 communities on the U.S. rail network.
Brian Politt new president of SEPTA’s largest union
After longtime president of Transport Workers Union Local 234 Willie Brown stepped down, his second-in-command Brian Pollitt took over as the leader of the SEPTA’s largest labor union.
Q&A: Reporting events than can affect Railroad Retirement benefits
Rights to benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act also carry responsibilities for reporting events that may affect the payment of these benefits to the employee or to members of the employee’s family.
COVID-19 vaccine mandates and Unemployment and Sickness Benefits under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA)
The Railroad Retirement Board has prepared a list of frequently asked questions regarding those situations in which an employer’s vaccine mandate has adversely affected an employment situation.
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...
BLET News
Space remains for S-T training class in January
A limited number of spaces remain for the BLET Education and Training Department’s upcoming training class for Secretary-Treasurers. The class will be held at the BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio, from January 22-25, 2018.
BLET distributes gifts from Perrien Fund in Hurricane Harvey relief effort
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the BLET’s National Division Advisory Board approved an expansion of its Gary Perrien Fund to provide financial assistance to members living in Texas and Louisiana who had suffered losses from the storm. Thanks to the generosity of BLET members and officers, the Perrien Fund raised more than $91,000, which was distributed to impacted members in the days before Christmas.
“Be Strong:” International rail organizations extend solidarity, condolences following Amtrak crash in Washington State
Three international rail worker Organizations have sent letters of solidarity, support and sympathy to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National Division, its members and the victims of the fatal December 18 Amtrak derailment near Tacoma, Wash.
BLET to hold ST workshop 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 San Diego, California, from February 13-15, 2018.
BLET President’s statement regarding Dec. 18 Amtrak derailment in Washington State
The following is a statement by Dennis R. Pierce, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), regarding the fatal Amtrak derailment in Washington State on December 18, 2017
BLET Action Alert: Republican tax bill on track to put Railroad Retirement Unemployment & Sickness benefits in the siding
The Republican tax bill currently working its way through the House and the Senate could have a devastating impact on Railroad Retirement Unemployment and Sickness Benefits, according to analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the General Counsel of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). All active and retired BLET members and their families are urged to contact their Senators and Representatives immediately and urge them to vote “No.” A vote is expected to take place next week.
NCFO members ratify new collective bargaining agreement
The National Conference of Firemen & Oilers, SEIU (NCFO), a partner union of the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG), announced on December 13 that its members have ratified the new national agreement with the nation’s major freight railroads. The NCFO is one of five CBG unions to ratify the pact.
43 BLET families win Hoffa scholarships in 2017, including nine $10,000 winners
Forty-three BLET families were winners of scholarships from the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2017, including nine $10,000 scholarship winners. The $10,000 awards are the highest honor bestowed by the Hoffa scholarship fund.
Open enrollment ends December 14 at midnight for Aflac Critical Illness and Accident benefits
As a reminder, Open Enrollment for the new BLET Aflac Critical Illness and Accident benefits — first announced on September 6, 2017 — will conclude at midnight tomorrow, Thursday, December 14, 2017. All active members are eligible for the new benefits.
BLET to host S-T training class in January 2018
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a training class for Secretary-Treasurers from January 22-25, 2018, at the BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio.
