Rail Industry News
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...
Gardner to succeed Flynn as Amtrak leader
Stephen J. Gardner is taking over Amtrak leadership on Jan. 17, 2022, succeeding William J. Flynn, the railroad reported on Dec. 15. Flynn, who is retiring, will remain as a senior advisor through the end of the fiscal year to support the transition.
Minnesota jury awards former BNSF employee $9.4 million in damages
A former track inspector with BNSF Railway Company was awarded $9.4 million in damages following an eight-day trial Wednesday. According to a release, a jury found that Don Sanders was retaliated against in violation of the Federal Railway Safety Act after he reported hazardous safety conditions on the railroad and reported the harassment to BNSF’s human resources.
Supreme Court to decide if stopped train is “in use” under labor law
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday said it would clear up confusion among appeals courts over whether a train that has temporarily stopped is still “in use,” exposing railroads to liability for worker injuries.
Intermodal volume falls for 19th straight week
U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Dec. 11, 2021 continued to suffer, as a near-11% fall-off in intermodal volume erased a small increase in carloads, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported on Dec. 15. This is the 19th consecutive week of intermodal losses tamping down carload gains.
Passenger rail receives historic funding as Amtrak’s Downeaster turns 20
There’s light at the end of the tunnel for passenger rail expansion projects thanks to the $1 trillion federal infrastructure bill enacted last month, nearly 20 years after Amtrak’s first Downeaster set off into darkness and uncertainty on a cold December morning.
Freight railroads trying other locomotive fuels to cut emissions
The major freight railroads across North America continue to experiment with alternative locomotive fuels as a way to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Transport Canada proposes amendments to dangerous goods transport regs
The Government of Canada remains committed to promoting public safety and security during the transportation of dangerous goods, which is why important steps continue being taken to reduce the risks of accidents across the country.
Major UP fuel leak spans dozens of miles in California
Approximately 900 gallons of fuel leaked from a train between Sacramento and Dixon, Union Pacific said Wednesday. The spill happened along a 37-mile stretch before it was discovered.
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.
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.
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...
Amtrak: Updated vaccine policy allows employee testing, eliminates service impacts
In a Dec. 14 memo to employees, Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn reported that the railroad will “revert to our original vaccine mandate policy announced on Aug. 11, which will allow, on an interim basis, for testing as an alternative to getting vaccinated” against COVID-19.
CP’s $31 billion purchase of KCS advances
A railroad merger nearly derailed this year by a bidding war is moving forward ahead of a final say from regulators on Canadian Pacific’s $31 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern railroad.
Amtrak employee sues over fatal derailment on Montana’s Hi-Line
An Amtrak on-board service attendant, injured while assisting survivors of an Amtrak train derailment in September on the Montana Hi-Line near Joplin, is suing his employer and BNSF Railway for negligence.
Amtrak posts financial loss for FY2021
Amtrak today reported a $1.08 billion loss in adjusted operating earnings during fiscal-year 2021, a reflection of the pandemic’s toll on the national intercity passenger railroad.
Amtrak, MTA join forces on mega rail infrastructure deal
The $2.87 billion effort would connect Metro-North Railroad to Penn Station in Manhattan.
Trains on Amtrak’s St. Louis-Chicago route now running at up to 90 mph
After a delay of more than three years, trains on Amtrak’s St. Louis to Chicago route are finally running regularly at speeds of up to 90 mph.
Willie Brown, head of SEPTA’s largest union, steps down
Willie Brown has stepped down as president of the Transport Workers Union Local 234 this week.
BLET News
BLET members to keep Health FSA plan for 2018
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) will keep the Health Flexible Spending Account (Health FSA) through 2018 thanks to high enrollment levels in the money-saving plan.
GA-46000 Lifetime maximum adjusted for 2018
The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit Plan (also known as ERMA or GA-46000) will increase from $157,800 to $162,500 on January 1, 2018.
Why I’m voting YES on the Tentative National Agreement
The following is a statement from Kelly Lowery, Vice Local Chairman of BLET Division 475 (Smithville, TX) in support of the Tentative National Agreement.
UP-Western Line members urged to vote YES on Tentative National Agreement
The following is a statement by retired General Chairman Bill Hannah, Union Pacific-Western Lines GCA, encouraging members to vote in favor of the Tentative National Agreement.
Why I’m voting YES on the Tentative National Agreement
The following is a statement from Brother Cliff Horton, a member of BLET Division 212 (Sweetwater, TX), in support of the Tentative National Agreement.
UP-Western Region members urged to vote YES on Tentative National Agreement
The following is a statement from Union Pacific-Western Region General Chairman Steven A. Leyshon encouraging his members to vote in favor of the Tentative National Agreement.
Why I’m voting YES on the Tentative National Agreement
The following is an email to National President Dennis R. Pierce from Brother James E. Armes of Division 42 (St. Louis, Mo.).
Why I’m voting YES on the Tentative National Agreement
The following is a statement from Brother Randy Gorzell, Local Chairman of BLET Division 197 (San Antonio, TX) in support of the Tentative National Contract.
CSXT-Eastern Lines members urged to vote YES on Tentative National Agreement
The following is a statement from CSXT-Eastern Lines General Chairman Gary Best in support of the Tentative National Agreement.
Why I’m voting YES on Tentative National Agreement
The following is an email from Brother Paul Fancett of Division 5 (Los Angeles) in support of the Tentative National Agreement. He shared it with the BLET National Division and it is being reproduced with his permission.
