Rail Industry News
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.
Judge blocks vaccine mandate for federal contractors
A federal judge yesterday blocked President Joe Biden’s administration from enforcing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees of federal contractors. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker in Georgia issued the stay to prevent the mandate from taking effect nationwide.
U.S. East Coast ports make major plays to become intermodal gateways
US importers and forwarders are looking to New York’s Port Elizabeth Terminal for a faster intermodal link to the US Midwest and Canada.
Georgia Ports Authority to expand container capacity
The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) continues to expand its capacity at the Port of Savannah while seeing a downward trend in the amount of containers stuck on terminal, indicating a gradual relief of the supply chain backlog.
BLET News
Coordinated Bargaining Group Update To All Members
As previously announced on October 6, 2017, the six Rail Unions comprising the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG) have reached a Tentative National Agreement with the Nation’s Freight Rail Carriers. As this Update goes to press, members of all CBG Unions have either received their ballots, or soon will. All members are encouraged to review the Tentative Agreement and compare those terms and conditions to the other options before us and participate in your future by casting your vote.
Veterans Day 2017
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Veterans Day is of particular importance to the membership of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. Our Brotherhood was founded on May 8, 1863, and many of our earliest members were veterans of the Civil War.
Don’t be fooled by bombastic rhetoric… vote YES on tentative national contract
By Gil L. Gore, BLET National Vice President Looking at our proposed National Agreement out for ratification and the political rhetoric emerging from the same reminds me of the lyrics to an old Kenny Rogers song The Gambler… “Every gambler knows that the secret to survivin’ is knowin’ what to throw away and knowin’ what to keep… Cause every hand””””s a winner and every hand””””s a loser.” The same holds true for this round of national bargaining.
BLET mails ballots for Tentative National Agreement
Balloting has begun for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen’s (BLET) tentative national agreement with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee, which governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for over 25,000 locomotive engineers and trainmen.
Final notice: Deadline is October 31 for Health FSA open enrollment
Time is running out for BLET members who want to sign up for the Health Flexible Spending Account Plan (Health FSA). Open enrollment for the 2018 Plan Year ends at midnight Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
BLET extends condolences to National President Pierce
The BLET National Division extends deepest condolences to National President Dennis R. Pierce and family on the passing of his father.
Matt Parker reelected Nevada State Legislative Board Chairman
Matthew B. Parker was reelected by acclamation to his second term as Chairman of the Nevada State Legislative Board at the Board’s quadrennial meeting in Reno, Nevada, September 20-21, 2017.
Cleveland-area rail workers, retirees asked to climb aboard to help with display
The Great Lakes Science Center is looking for current and retired rail workers to come aboard and volunteer to help with “All Aboard! The Science of Trains,” a railway display exhibit running Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, through Feb. 19, 2018, at the museum, 601 Erieside Ave. in Cleveland.
Health FSA open enrollment for 2018 continues through October 31
Open enrollment for the Health Flexible Spending Account Plan (FSA) 2018 benefit year is available for just over two more weeks, concluding on October 31, 2017. It is important to note that 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 2018 Plan Year.
Coordinated Bargaining Group condemns interference in its ratification process
On October 6, 2017, the six Rail Unions comprising the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG) announced that they had reached a Tentative National Agreement with the Nation’s Freight Rail Carriers. Shortly after that announcement, a Union belonging to a different bargaining coalition began a campaign of misinformation, misrepresentation and outright falsehood in an effort to disrupt and undermine the democratic ratification process of the CBG Unions. This anti-union activity has included public letters replete with falsehoods, leaflets at TY&E on-duty points, also filled with falsehoods, and a social media campaign intended to negatively influence the ratification process of the CBG Unions. We can no longer stand by and allow this anti-union interference and disruption to go unchecked.
