Rail Industry News
Norfolk Southern service deteriorates amid crew shortages
Norfolk Southern’s service has deteriorated over the past six weeks amid crew shortages and operational changes, according to shippers and connecting railroads.
Union Pacific asks STB to delay, extend review of CP-KCS merger
Union Pacific has asked the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to delay and extend its review of the proposed merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern.
Cleanup of diesel, coal underway after BNSF derailment in SE Iowa
The process of cleaning up fuel and coal spilled into the Mississippi River following a train derailment in southeast Iowa is well underway, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.
Former New Orleans mayor to oversee IIJA implementation
President Joe Biden on Nov. 14 appointed former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu to serve as Senior Advisor, coordinating implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the bi-partisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that Congress passed on Nov. 5 and President Biden signed on Nov. 15.
$1 trillion infrastructure bill could supercharge San Diego’s envisioned rail expansion
Over the past three years, top transportation officials for the region have drafted a $160-billion blueprint that would, among other things, expand transit, improve cross-border goods movement and relocate train tracks threatened by coastal erosion.
Railroad retiree earnings limits will increase in 2022
Railroad retirement annuitants subject to earnings restrictions can earn more in 2022 without having their benefits reduced due to increased limits indexed to average national wage increases.
Railroad Retirement benefits set to increase in 2022
Most railroad retirement annuities, like social security benefits, will increase in January 2022 due to a rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the third quarter of 2020 to the corresponding period of the current year.
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...
Railroads’ use of long trains to go under the microscope
The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill President Biden is slated to sign into law today (Monday, Nov. 15) contains funding for a study of Class I railroads’ use of ever-longer trains and their impact on safety, grade crossings, freight and passenger service, and the environment.
STB to consider environmental impacts of CP-KCS merger
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) will assess environmental impacts of the proposed Canadian Pacific (CP)-Kansas City Southern (KCS) merger; it’s expected that the environmental review process will wrap up by fall 2022.
BNSF and CN raise issues over CP-KCS merger
BNSF seeks more time regarding Mexico traffic, while CN claims the merger application was file too early.
STB sets hearings on three major issues
The Surface Transportation Board has scheduled hearings on three major issues: the CSX acquisition of Pan Am Railways; Amtrak’s bid to operate trains between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., and its reciprocal switching proposal.
BNSF coal train cars derail into river in Iowa after barge collision
A train traveling south near Montrose collided with a barge late Saturday, derailing multiple train cars and sending two cars into the Mississippi River.
CP-KCS merger to increase train traffic in Winona
A proposed merger between two railroad companies would increase train traffic in Winona and other Minnesota river towns by 50 percent, increasing the number of trains per day from 12 to 18, according to company documents.
Truckers, dock workers and railroads line up in three-way battle over vaccine mandate
The U.S. surface transport sector is fighting Washington in the courts, while Class I railways are squaring off against labor unions in another legal controversy.
U.S. ports logjam sees rocketing levels of container thefts
Stolen shipments are becoming an increasingly common theme, as slow-moving cargo that crawls through backlogged West Coast ports is being targeted by criminals looking to cash-in on consumer electronics, the price of which has been driven up by the semiconductor shortage.
Railroad retiree earnings limits will increase in 2022
Railroad retirement annuitants subject to earnings restrictions can earn more in 2022 without having their benefits reduced due to increased limits indexed to average national wage increases.
Railroad Retirement benefits set to increase in 2022
Most railroad retirement annuities, like social security benefits, will increase in January 2022 due to a rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the third quarter of 2020 to the corresponding period of the current year.
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...
Railroads struggle to replenish workforce after slashing thousands of jobs
Railroads are struggling to replenish their workforces after cutting thousands of positions at the start of the pandemic.
BLET News
Rail Conference backs Walt Barrows re-nomination to RRB
The Teamsters Rail Conference is urging the White House to re-nominate Walter A. Barrows to a third term as Labor Member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board.
Registration continues for BLET’s Myrtle Beach regional meeting
Registration continues for the BLET regional meeting at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, August 14-18, 2017. The meeting will offer numerous training classes for members and will provide them with the opportunity to hear reports from the Brotherhood’s top National Division officers.
Amtrak General Chairman Mark Kenny reelected by acclamation
Mark B. Kenny was reelected by acclamation to his sixth term as General Chairman at the Amtrak General Committee of Adjustment’s fourth quadrennial meeting held in San Diego, CA from May 9-12, 2017.
Lyons reelected General Chairman of CSX-Northern Lines GCA
William P. Lyons was reelected by acclamation to the office of General Chairman of the CSX-Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment at its quadrennial meeting in Pittsburgh, Pa., that began on May 9, 2017.
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Indiana and Ohio Railway
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract with the Indiana and Ohio Railway (I&O), governing rates of pay and work rules for approximately 50 engineers, conductors, and trainees.
BLET marks 154th anniversary today
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) proudly marks its 154th anniversary today. The union was founded as the Brotherhood of the Footboard on May 8, 1863 in Marshall, Mich. In 1864, the union changed its name to Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE), the name it retained for 140 years until merging with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Jan. 1, 2004, when it became the BLET. The BLET is the oldest labor union in the Western Hemisphere.
This is your union, and it is strongest when you are involved
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President I believe in the union movement, and honestly believe that we are at our strongest when we convince more and more members to get involved in their union by taking an interest in our shared future.
Division 32 seeks donations for family of fallen Brother
Suddenly and tragically, a member of the BLET has passed away and left behind a wife and two young children. Brian J. Cadore, age 32, was member of BLET Division 32 (Aurora, Ill.), and the members of his Division are asking BLET members to make a charitable donation to help support his family.
Workers Memorial Day 2017
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Every year, too many American workers are injured or killed in on-the-job accidents. Countless others get sick or become disabled because of workplace exposures to hazardous materials and conditions. Each year on April 28, we recognize Workers Memorial Day to commemorate and honor these workers and renew the fight for safe workplaces.
VP Tolman testifies for rail infrastructure investment
The need for proper infrastructure funding was a key point for Vice President and National Legislative Representative John P. Tolman as he delivered testimony on behalf of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) before Congress today in Washington, D.C. Vice President Tolman’s testimony also touched upon the need to address rail worker fatigue and maintain important rail safety regulations.
