Rail Industry News
Intermodal down for 14th straight week as AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending November 6, 2021
Total carloads for the week ending November 6 were 235,585 carloads, up 3.1 percent compared with the same week in 2020, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 268,526 containers and trailers, down 8.6 percent compared to 2020.
CSX CEO concerned about vaccine mandate impact on train crew levels
Although CSX requires new hires and management employees to be vaccinated, the railroad has not yet decided whether it will issue a mandate for unionized employees, spokeswoman Cindy Schild says. CSX has offered financial incentives for employees to get vaccinated, however, and has asked craft employees to declare their vaccination status.
BNSF joins Class I legal battles with unions over COVID vaccine mandate
BNSF Railway Co. has joined other Class Is that have filed lawsuits against rail unions that are fighting implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, a company spokeswoman confirmed yesterday.
CSX to STB: “Committed to overcoming supply chain challenges”
CSX President and CEO Jim Foote on Nov. 2 responded to Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin Oberman’s Oct. 18 request for information about service problems, as evidenced by what STB characterized as numerous customer complaints.
Biden administration unveils U.S. ports and waterways action plan
Passage of the bill is good news for ports, waterways and offshore wind, providing $17.4 billion in funding for waterway and coastal infrastructure, inland waterway improvements and port infrastructure, which will benefit rail-served facilities.
Second Amtrak train for Roanoke may be just a few months away
Amtrak plans to launch a second daily passenger train this spring on the route between Roanoke and points to the north and east such as Lynchburg, Charlottesville and Washington, D.C., a rail official said.
Excitement grows for Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail route
A project to establish a high-speed rail corridor connecting Chicago to St. Louis could see fresh enthusiasm following the passage of the federal infrastructure package.
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...
Infrastructure bill includes key NTSB rail safety priorities
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress late last week will advance more than a dozen National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) safety priorities, including those that would impact the rail industry.
AAR: Intermodal down for 14th week in a row
For the week ending Nov. 6, 2021, total U.S. weekly rail traffic came in at 504,111 carloads and intermodal units, down 3.5% compared with the same week in 2020, AAR reported on Nov. 10. U.S. Class I railroads moved 235,585 carloads, increasing 3.1% from the prior-year period; and 268,526 containers and trailers, dropping 8.6% compared with last year. Intermodal volume has been down for 14 consecutive weeks.
White House announces immediate actions to unclog congestion at U.S. ports
The Biden administration yesterday announced a set of immediate and short-term actions aimed at alleviating supply chain problems at U.S. ports, waterways and freight networks.
CSX responds to Amtrak’s STB request to compel cooperation
Amtrak’s request for cooperation from CSX has received a harsh response from the freight railroad.
UP contractor killed in accident involving crane near Castroville, TX
A Union Pacific Railroad contractor employee was struck and fatally injured on a construction site near Castroville.
NTSB report releases details of 2018 CSX fatality in South Carolina
A series of ill-fated decisions led to the 2018 death of a South Carolina welder who was hit by a train going 50 miles per hour on tracks near Estill, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a final report that was recently published.
Gateway Tunnel is in line for funds from infrastructure bill, says Amtrak CEO
Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor stands to receive $30 billion from the recently approved bipartisan infrastructure bill that will be used for improvements including the Gateway tunnel project, according to the company’s chief executive officer.
Norfolk Southern opens new headquarters building in Atlanta
Norfolk Southern Corporation today formally opened its state-of-the-art headquarters in Midtown Atlanta.
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.
BLET News
BLET to testify at House hearing on rail safety regulations
BLET Vice President and National Legislative Representative John P. Tolman will deliver testimony regarding railroad safety regulations before a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. BLET members can watch the hearing through a live stream at the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee website.
BLET members attend KC-area Town Hall meeting
Representatives from three-dozen BLET Divisions attended a Town Hall meeting in Riverside, Missouri, on March 29. BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce served as the featured speaker, along with BNSF (former ATSF) General Chairman J. Alan Holdcraft.
Registration continues for BLET’s San Antonio regional meeting
Registration continues for the BLET regional meeting at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk, June 5-9, 2017. The meeting will be filled with educational opportunities and will provide chances to hear reports for the Brotherhood’s top National Division officers. Hotel reservations must be made by April 28, 2017.
Rail hazmat training for Arizona, New Mexico workers
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is hosting a training session from May 1-5, 2017. Attendance is only open to railroad employees in Arizona, Western New Mexico, and the Navajo Nation. Training will be located at the BNSF Depot, 1417 West Second St., Winslow, AZ, 86047.
Gabaldon elected New Mexico State Legislative Board Chairman
Brother Eric A. Gabaldon was elected Chairman of the New Mexico State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Albuquerque, N.M., on November 1, 2016.
Keeping unions strong in the rail industry
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Everything we have today — from legal protections, to the level of wages, benefits and working conditions we enjoy today — came from the battles waged by those who founded our unions and those who followed them. These victories were not simply conceded by the railroads or the government … they were wrested from the hands of the wealthy and powerful by means of a genuine movement and a broad solidarity on the part of our predecessors.
Action Alert: Amtrak must be fully funded
We also urge President Trump and members of Congress to allocate enough money for improvement of rapid, frequent and dependable service and continued growth of passenger rail throughout the United States of America.
Tell Congress: Don’t Tax Our Benefits!
The new health care bill is expected to come to a vote on the House Floor on Thursday, March 23. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, in conjunction with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, is asking all members to distribute the following flier to let Congress know that the so-called “Cadillac tax” is unfair and unacceptable.
The Benefits of Belonging
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President On May 8, 2017, we will mark our great Brotherhood’s 154th anniversary. Many things have changed since that time, but one of our primary responsibilities remains the same as it was when our Union was founded on May 8, 1863 — to protect and defend the jobs of our members.
Registration open for BLET’s Myrtle Beach regional meeting
Registration is now open for the BLET regional meeting at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, August 14-18, 2017.
