Rail Industry News
AAR: Intermodal drops for 12th week in a row
For the week ending Oct. 23, 2021, total U.S. rail traffic was down 2.3% from the same point last year, as carload gains were cut by intermodal losses, the Association of American Railroads’ reported on Oct. 20. Containers and trailers were down 8% vs. 2020.
Norfolk Southern Q3 2021 profit up 32% despite flat volume
Norfolk Southern’s third-quarter profit jumped 32% even though the number of shipments the railroad delivered remained relatively flat because it was able to increase prices on most categories of freight.
U.S. railroads fear labor unrest over vaccine mandates
U.S. railroads Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) are asking a federal court to bar union employees from striking or calling out sick in response to the carriers’ vaccine mandates.
NS warns that COVID-19 vaccine mandate poses risks to service
Norfolk Southern CEO Jim Squires warned today that the railroad’s train crew shortages may be exacerbated by the federal COVID-19 vaccination mandate that takes effect on December 8.
Legislation introduced to allow lawsuits against Amtrak
Two Democratic members of Congress introduced legislation Wednesday to end an arbitration clause that Amtrak implemented in January 2019 and give customers the right to sue the passenger rail service to resolve disputes.
Union Pacific, Long Beach Port, Utah facility combine for new service to ease congestion
The Port of Long Beach (POLB), the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA), and Union Pacific Railroad announced an initiative to bring relief from existing port congestion by optimizing rail deliveries between California and Utah.
Amtrak routes connecting San Antonio to major Texas cities on track for upgrades
Amtrak has big upgrade plans in store for its Texas Eagle Route, including additional trains from San Antonio to Dallas and a new route from Houston to Dallas.
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...
Q&A: RRB appeals procedures
Persons claiming retirement, disability, survivor, unemployment or sickness benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) have the right to appeal unfavorable determinations on their claims.
Norfolk Southern reports Q3 2021 results
Third-quarter net income was $753 million, diluted earnings per share was $3.06, income from railway operations was $1.1 billion, and the operating ratio was 60.2%.
STB receiving a “steady stream of complaints” about CSX
Before CSX Corp. reported third-quarter earnings, CEO James Foote received a letter from the railroad company’s primary regulator questioning its service level for customers.
NTSB issues preliminary report on Amtrak’s Empire Builder derailment
On September 25, 2021, about 3:47 p.m. local time, westbound National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) train 7 (also known as the Empire Builder) carrying 154 people derailed in a right-hand curve at milepost 1014.57 on the BNSF Railway (BNSF) Hi Line Subdivision near Joplin, Montana.
No answers yet in search for cause of fatal Amtrak derailment in Montana
A preliminary report on an Amtrak train derailment in Montana last month that killed three people and injured dozens more offered no clues about what triggered the accident, but said the train’s emergency brakes were activated and that Amtrak estimated the damage at more than $22 million.
NS declares quarterly dividend
Norfolk Southern Corporation today announced a regular quarterly dividend of $1.09 per share on its common stock. The dividend is payable November 19 to shareholders of record on November 5.
UP, BNSF offer incentives to move containers away from LA, Long Beach
Union Pacific and BNSF are taking additional steps to improve the fluidity of goods and products moving inland from the West Coast ports, including offering incentives to ocean carrier customers to move containers out of the ports on the weekends.
President Biden helps kick off Portal North Bridge project
President Joe Biden and New Jersey Gov. Mike Murphy yesterday marked the start of the Portal North Bridge replacement project, a critical part of the New Jersey-New York transit system.
Norfolk Southern donates large railroad archive to Atlanta History Center
Next month Norfolk Southern opens its new national headquarters in Atlanta, and to celebrate, the company has donated a massive archive of railway history to the Atlanta History Center.
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...
Q&A: RRB appeals procedures
Persons claiming retirement, disability, survivor, unemployment or sickness benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) have the right to appeal unfavorable determinations on their claims.
Norfolk Southern moves to bar union lawsuits over vaccine mandate
Norfolk Southern Railway Co has filed a lawsuit seeking to block its employees’ unions from suing over a COVID-19 vaccine mandate and to prevent its workers from striking or picketing in protest of the requirement.
BLET News
Teamsters expand disaster relief assistance in North Carolina
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has expanded its Disaster Relief efforts in North Carolina to include additional counties that were impacted by Hurricane Matthew.
Health FSA open enrollment continues through October 31
Open enrollment for the Health Flexible Spending Account Plan (Health FSA) 2017 Plan Year is available for just over two more weeks, concluding on October 31, 2016. It is important to note that Health FSA enrollment is not automatic — even if you enrolled in the 2016 plan year, you must re-enroll by October 31 to participate in the 2017 Plan Year.
Teamsters offer disaster relief assistance in Florida
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is offering assistance to members living in Florida regarding Hurricane Hermine, which caused major damage to homes and property from August 31 to September 11, 2016.
Teamsters offer disaster relief assistance in North Carolina
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is offering assistance to members living in North Carolina regarding Hurricane Matthew, which caused major damage to homes and property beginning on October 4, 2016.
Important open enrollment announcement for Medicare-eligible BLET members and retirees
If you are a BLET member, retiree, spouse or dependent, and entitled to Medicare Part A and/or enrolled in Medicare Part B, you are eligible for the TEAMStar Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program (PDP). You are eligible for this program regardless of your health history or the drugs you are currently taking.
BLET Legislative Representatives meet in Washington
Legislative Representatives of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) met at Teamsters headquarters in Washington this week for training classes and to lobby House and Senate representatives about the need for two-person crews and other safety measures. The BLET Education and Training Department conducted the training classes.
Reminder: Health FSA open enrollment begins October 1
As a reminder, open enrollment for the Health Flexible Spending Account Plan (FSA) 2017 benefit year runs from October 1 through October 31, 2016. 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 2017 Plan Year.
Tyler Jones elected Kansas State Legislative Board Chairman
Tyler G. Jones was elected by acclamation to his first full term as Chairman of the Kansas Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Kansas City, Kan., held from September 12-13, 2016.
Lavery reelected to sixth term as Florida State Legislative Board Chairman
Brother David S. Lavery was reelected by acclamation to his sixth term as Chairman of the Florida State Legislative Board at the Board’s quadrennial meeting in Tampa, Fla., on September 13, 2016.
BLET establishes Maryland State Legislative Board
On June 2, 2016, the newly established BLET Maryland State Legislative Board held its inaugural meeting in Frederick, Md., and Brother David M. Dinges of BLET Division 181 (Brunswick, Md.) was elected as the Board’s first Chairman.
