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.
Railroad Retirement and Unemployment Insurance taxes in 2022
The amounts of compensation subject to railroad retirement tier I and tier II payroll taxes will increase in 2022, while the tax rates on employers and employees will stay the same. In addition, unemployment insurance contribution rates paid by railroad employers will include a surcharge of 3.5 percent, reflecting increased unemployment claims due to the pandemic.
KCS stockholders approve merger with CP
Kansas City Southern (“KCS”) announced that the Company’s stockholders have voted to approve the previously announced combination with Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (“CP”) at today’s virtual Special Meeting of Stockholders (“Special Meeting”). Of the 64.5 million shares voting at the Special Meeting, approximately 99.6% were cast in favor of the adoption of the proposed merger agreement.
STB: CSX-Pan Am merger hearing set, no environmental review required
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Dec. 10 reported that it will hold a virtual public hearing on the revised CSX-Pan Am merger application, and affirmed that an environmental and historic review of the proposed combination is not required.
Hoffa: 20 years later, it’s still clear allowing China to join WTO was a mistake
The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on the 20th anniversary of China becoming a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the nation’s continued mistreatment of workers.
FRA Deputy Administrator Amit Bose visits the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, notes supply chain progress
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Deputy Administrator Amit Bose visited the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on December 8, 2021 to discuss recent progress in tackling supply chain issues through collaborative efforts among the Ports, FRA, and rail carriers.
NS derailment damages Southern Railway heritage unit
Norfolk Southern’s Southern Railway heritage unit, ES44AC No. 8099, was among two locomotives damaged when a train hit a rock slide and derailed early Sunday in Pittsburgh’s Baldwin Borough.
Union Pacific announces 10% dividend increase for Q4 2021
Union Pacific Corporation announced that its Board of Directors today voted to increase the quarterly dividend on the Company’s common shares by 10% to $1.18 per share.
Opinion: A warning about oil trains from Utah that could be rolling through Colorado
Greetings from Utah. I write to warn Coloradans of the looming threat to your beautiful state — a threat devised by Utah politicians.
Snow sheds keep traffic moving on BNSF
For railroads operating in the northern parts of the United States and in Canada, winter snows always present a challenge. BNSF keeps trains moving with snowsheds in particular locations.
Retired CP Rail conductor on a mission to find past friends from 43 years ago
In 1978, one of the very last trains operated by CP Rail on the Canadian route from Vancouver to Toronto was stopped in its tracks in Kicking Horse Canyon, B.C.
UP, BNSF and NS suspend COVID-19 vaccine mandates
Union Pacific, BNSF and Norfolk Southern are putting on hold requirements that all of their employees be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Amtrak to cut service as employees refuse vaccines
Amtrak will cut services, and riders will experience slowdowns beginning this winter, in part as a result of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for federal contractors, the company’s president told members of Congress on Thursday.
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending December 8, 2021
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 527,406 carloads and intermodal units, down 2.8 percent compared with the same week last year.
Starbucks workers vote to unionize in Buffalo, N.Y.
After a monthslong battle, Starbucks workers in Buffalo, New York, supported efforts to unionize at least one cafe. The result marks the first successful attempt in the U.S. at unionizing within the giant coffee chain since Starbucks went public nearly three decades ago and could send ripples through the restaurant industry.
House passes bill to ease supply chain challenges
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 (H.R. 4996), which aims to help ease the nation’s supply-chain challenges.
Illinois officials vow to hold BNSF responsible for flooding
Cicero and Cook County, Ill., officials want BNSF to be held accountable for flooding problems for residents as a result of concrete resurfacing of the Class 1’s properties.
NS, U.S. Steel and Greenbrier collaborate on new gondola rail car
Norfolk Southern Corp., United States Steel Corp. and The Greenbrier Cos. Inc. today jointly announced a new, more sustainable steel gondola rail car.
U.S. intermodal slump continues for 18th week in a row
Week 48 U.S. freight rail traffic came in at 527,406 carloads and intermodal units, decreasing 2.8% from same week in 2020. Total carloads were 255,044, rising 3.9%, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 272,362 containers and trailers, dropping 8.4% compared with 2020. This is the 18th consecutive week of intermodal losses.
CP shareholders vote to approve proposed CP-KCS merger agreement
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) today announced that its shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favor of the issuance of CP common shares to Kansas City Southern (KCS) common stockholders in connection with the proposed CP-KCS combination.
BLET News
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.
Officers of BLET Division 48 endorse Tentative National Contract
The President and Local Chairman of BLET Division 48 in St. Louis, Mo., have endorsed the Tentative National Contract and are encouraging their members also to vote YES on the deal.
Reminder: Replacement ballots available for Tentative National Agreement
Ballots for the BLET’s Tentative National Agreement were mailed to members on November 9, 2017, and those who haven’t received theirs by now should contact the National Division for a replacement ballot.
