Rail Industry News
Union Pacific EPV Whited sells $614,950 in company stock
Union Pacific Co. Executive Vice President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 2,510 shares of Union Pacific stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 6. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.00, for a total value of $614,950.00.
Union Pacific works to cut emissions
(Source: Progressive Railroading, December 7, 2021) Union Pacific Railroad yesterday published its first comprehensive climate action plan outlining its approach to driving climate action and responding to emerging risks affecting the rail industry. Full story:...
Baton Rouge to New Orleans passenger rail service inches closer as CP commits to service
The long-held dream of a passenger rail link between Baton Rouge and New Orleans inched closer after officials from Canadian Pacific Railway, which is close to gaining ownership of the tracks between the two cities, committed to re-introducing service on the line.
Teamsters applaud confirmation of Deirdre Hamilton to serve on National Mediation Board
The Teamsters Union applauds today’s confirmation of Deirdre Hamilton to serve as a member on the National Mediation Board (NMB) by the U.S. Senate. Hamilton brings more than 20 years of experience representing workers before federal courts and the NMB on a wide range of legal issues.
T&I Chair DeFazio won’t seek reelection in 2022
U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) today announced he will not seek re-election in 2022. DeFazio, Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, served 36 years in the House of Representatives, the longest serving House Member from Oregon and the 65th-longest serving member of the House in U.S. history.
Rail unions ask court to force BNSF to negotiate over vaccine mandate
Two rail unions want a federal court to dismiss BNSF’s lawsuit over its ability to implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Instead, they want the court to compel the railroad to negotiate any vaccine requirements.
Union Pacific cuts 2021 volume, operating growth forecast
Union Pacific Corp. cut its full-year forecast for volume and operating ratio growth on Wednesday, as supply chain logjams pressure the U.S. railroad operator’s volumes.
Two hurt as BNSF trains collide near Omaha
Two crew members are reported to have been injured in a December 3 collision of two BNSF Railway trains at Pacific Junction, about 18 miles south of Omaha, Nebraska.
TSA issues two cybersecurity directives for railroads
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) yesterday announced two new security directives and additional guidance for voluntary measures to strengthen cybersecurity across the transportation sector in response to ongoing threats to surface transportation systems and associated infrastructure.
Critical CN line officially re-opened, but damage might already be done to grain market
A vital Canadian National line in southern British Columbia is officially back on the grid. Crews worked around the clock to repair rail infrastructure on the Vancouver-to-Kamloops corridor, and train activity resumed on Dec. 5.
Norfolk Southern CEO Squires to retire in 2022; Shaw named successor
Norfolk Southern Corp. today announced that Chairman and CEO James Squires plans to retire May 1, 2022, at which time Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Alan Shaw will become CEO.
NTSB alerts transit, commuter railroads to check wheelsets
The National Transportation Safety Board issued Wednesday a Safety Alert calling on rail transit agencies and commuter railroads across the nation to assess its fleets for wheelsets that do not meet gage specifications and to take immediate action to correct the problem.
FRA announces the availability of $198 million in grant funding for intercity passenger rail capital projects
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Grant Program (Partnership Program).
New study says railroads could save $94 billion in two decades by converting to batteries
If U.S. Class I railroads convert from diesel locomotives to battery power, they can save $94 billion over 20 years “while consuming half the energy consumed by diesel trains,” according to a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report.
Hoffa: Don’t blame workers for delivery delays this season
This holiday season, there are many things for which we should be grateful. But the state of the U.S. supply chain is not one of them.
NS train blocks crossings in Alabama for 9 days
Another Norfolk Southern train is stalled on the tracks causing traffic nightmares for the people of Trussville. The mayor says the train hasn’t moved for nine days.
STB establishes new class exemption for emergency temporary trackage rights
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has adopted a final rule establishing a new “emergency temporary trackage rights class exemption” that could be invoked during natural disasters, accidents or derailments; the rule is effective Dec. 30, 2021.
Group seeks funds to study congestion relief along Cleveland-Chicago rail route
A bipartisan group of legislators from Ohio, Illinois and Indiana is supporting a request from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) for a grant to study how to relieve passenger and freight congestion along the 341-mile rail corridor between Chicago and Cleveland.
Via Rail showcases first Siemens test train
In September, VIA Rail Canada took delivery of the first of 32 new Siemens trainsets, and on Nov. 30, revealed it to the public; testing starts in December.
CN exec discussed B.C. flooding issues
We’ve all been watching the situation in British Columbia unravel, as this significant weather event continues to transpire and wreak havoc. David Przednowek, assistant vice president for grain with CN Rail, joined RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney to shed some light on what the railways are dealing with on the ground.
BLET News
BLET shares summary of Tentative National Agreement
In response to membership questions regarding the Tentative National Agreement, the BLET is making available a summary of its main points and some examples of its application.
National Negotiations update: Coordinated Bargaining Group unions reach tentative national contract agreement
Rail Unions making up the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG) announced today that they have reached a Tentative National Agreement with the Nation’s Freight Rail Carriers. The CBG is comprised of six unions, including the BLET.
BLET still accepting donations to help victims of Hurricane Harvey
The BLET National Division is continuing to accept donations and applications for its Perrien Fund to help members victimized by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana.
Health FSA open enrollment for 2018 begins October 1
Open enrollment for the Health Flexible Spending Account Plan (FSA) 2018 benefit year runs from October 1 through October 31, 2017. 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.
GoFundMe account to help injured BLET member
On September 14, BLET member Shane T. McDonald of Division 46 (Albany, N.Y.) was severely injured in a CSX yard accident near Syracuse, N.Y., and a GoFundMe account has been established to help him and his family with medical and living expenses.
Union Plus offers help for those impacted by Hurricane Irma
If you are a union member who participates in certain Union Plus programs and have been affected by Hurricane Irma, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant program.
Four rail hazmat training classes available
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is hosting four rail worker training sessions in the coming months. The dates are as follows: November 12-17, 2017; January 7-12, 2018; February 11-16, 2018; and March 18-23, 2018.
Public infrastructure for public benefit
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President The story of the growth of our Nation — the expansion of 13 Eastern Seaboard states from sea to shining sea — is the story of infrastructure. It is the story of inland waterways, like the Erie Canal, and the Transcontinental Railroad. It is the story of the federal highway system of nearly a century ago, and the interstate highway system created during the 1950s. And it is the story of the Hoover Dam and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Teamsters offer disaster relief assistance in Florida
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is offering Disaster Relief assistance to members living in Florida after Hurricane Irma damaged homes and property beginning on September 10, 2017.
Teamsters again expand Disaster Relief assistance in Texas
On September 4, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) once again amended the list of counties in Texas where it has declared a major disaster due to Hurricane Harvey, which has opened the way for the Teamsters to provide Disaster Relief assistance in additional areas.
