Rail Industry News
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.
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.
BLET News
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.
UP-Central Region BLET members urged to vote YES on Tentative National Agreement
By Ronnie E. Rhodes, General Chairman On October 6, I attended a meeting in Cleveland where the current Tentative National Agreement was reviewed by all the BLET General Chairmen. I supported the National President’s decision to put this agreement before the membership for a ratification vote. I want you to be informed when your ballots arrive so I will lay out the facts in an attempt to help you make an informed decision.
All CBG union members urged to vote YES on Tentative National Agreement
The following is a statement from BLET Pennsylvania State Legislative Board Chairman Ken Kertesz urging all Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG) union members to vote YES on the Tentative National Agreement. Brother Kertesz is a former Vice General Chairman on the Delaware & Hudson/CP Rail General Committee of Adjustment.
North Little Rock Brothers support Tentative National Contract
A group of members from North Little Rock, Ark., has written to express their support of the BLET’s Tentative National Agreement. These Brothers are Union Pacific locomotive engineers.
NS-Northern Lines General Chairman applauds Tentative National Agreement
The following is a letter from Norfolk Southern-Northern Lines/W&LE/CF&E General Chairman Dewayne Dehart in support of the Tentative National Agreement.
UP-SR GCA members urged to vote YES on Tentative National Agreement
The following is a letter from Union Pacific -outhern Region General Chairman Dana Marlow and his Vice General Chairmen encouraging their members to vote in favor of the Tentative National Agreement.
BNSF/MRL GCA members urged to vote YES on Tentative National Agreement
The following is a letter from General Chairman Jerry LaPrath in support of the tentative national agreement to all members of the BNSF/MRL General Committee of Adjustment dated October 27, 2017.
I’m voting YES on Tentative National Agreement
By James H. Dixon, BLET Division 62 Dear Brother Pierce: My thanks to you and your team for the Town Hall Meeting in Houston (October 25) to explain the new agreement proposal being considered. I arrived opposed to it and departed in support of it.
Video: BLET Town Hall Meeting
On November 7, 2017, the BLET National Division hosted a Town Hall Meeting regarding the Tentative National Agreement. More than 100 members and officers were in attendance, including representatives from BLET, SMART TD, and the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA). To help all BLET members make an informed decision about the agreement, a video of BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce’s presentation at the Town Hall is being made available online.
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.
