Rail Industry News
U.S. intermodal drop-off spans 15 consecutive weeks
For the week ending Nov. 20, 2021, U.S. Class I railroads hauled 237,244 carloads, up 1.6% from the same point last year, but the 271,065 intermodal containers and trailers they moved fell 10% from 2020, the Association of American Railroads reported on Nov. 24. This is the 15th consecutive week of intermodal losses.
STB accepts CP-KCS merger application as complete
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board decided that Canadian Pacific’s merger application is complete, dismissing concerns from other railroads.
Mexican regulators approve CP-KCS merger
Mexican regulators have approved Canadian Pacific’s $31 billion plan to acquire Kansas City Southern and create a railroad linking Mexico, Canada and the United States.
STB chairman wants NS to explain deteriorating service
Surface Transportation Board Chairman Marty Oberman wants Norfolk Southern to explain how it intends to improve service amid deteriorating performance metrics and rising complaints.
Two hurt in Norfolk Southern derailment in Georgia
According to Norfolk Southern, two crew members riding in the lead locomotive, which overturned along with seven other train cars, were taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries before being released early Sunday morning.
UP employee injured in accident near Houston
Crews in Houston’s east end were called to the scene of a crash involving a train and a semi-truck. A Union Pacific employee on board the train was injured and transported to the hospital.
Fort Worth factory reinvented itself after railroads stopped buying new locomotives
The facility, formerly known as GE Transportation, is one of two in the nation that assembles locomotives.
FRA announces rechartering of RSAC, adding new voting members to increase diversity of perspectives
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced today that the charter of the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) has been renewed for a two-year period.
Major flooding in British Columbia leads to CP, CN track outages
Canadian Pacific and CN have had to suspend service in parts of British Columbia since Nov. 14 after heavy rains, severe flooding and subsequent mudslides wreaked havoc on infrastructure in the province.
Canadian working group responding to B.C. flooding
The governments of Canada and British Columbia have established a joint Supply Chain Recovery Working Group to help restore the flow of goods through the province after devastating floods cut off Vancouver from rail and road service on Nov. 16.
CP aims to restore service in B.C. next week after devastating mudslides
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. says it plans to restore service on washed-out tracks in southern British Columbia by midweek after torrential rain and mudslides ground train traffic to a standstill.
Teamster members elect new International officers for 2022-2027
The O’Brien-Zuckerman Teamsters United slate has been elected to lead the international union for the next five years.
Hoffa: House passage of Build Back Better Act is a boon for working families
The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on the House’s approval today of the Build Back Better Act (BBBA), which invests in hardworking Americans by helping them to better support their families.
Mountain railways: Ground zero for Canadian climate change
If there are no atheists in foxholes, then there should now be no climate skeptics left among Canadian railroaders, as they move rapidly on what they do best: rebuild to keep the trains running.
Medicare Part B Premiums for 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the standard monthly Part B premium will be $170.10 in 2022, an increase of $21.60 from $148.50 in 2021.
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...
Safety Board and CP Rail blocked criminal probe into deadly mountain crash, lawsuit alleges
A lawsuit, filed in Vancouver last week, alleges the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) caved to threats by CP Rail and muzzled its lead investigator in an “elaborate and aggressive” strategy to keep the RCMP from probing the company’s role in the crash.
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending November 13, 2021
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 502,613 carloads and intermodal units, down 4.7 percent compared with the same week last year.
Bus driver charged after train crashes into school bus in Virginia
Virginia State Police have cited a Rockingham County school bus driver after a train crashed into a bus on Wednesday afternoon.
Flood-damaged Vancouver, southern B.C. railways expected to remain impassable for days
Rail lines owned by Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. run along the Fraser River, which spilled its banks and cut off roads, bridges and tracks in this week’s heavy rain and flooding.
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.
