Rail Industry News
Howard Street Tunnel project receives final environmental OK
(Source: Progressive Railroading, June 24, 2021) The planned Howard Street Tunnel expansion project in Baltimore has received a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) as part of the project review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Maryland Gov....
Buttigieg thanks Teamsters for playing essential role
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, June 24, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg praised the leadership of the Teamsters during the final day of the union’s 30th International Convention and said he looks...
How the Santa Fe Railroad changed America forever
(Source: Smithsonian Magazine, June 24, 2021) The Santa Fe tried to choose routes that would generate the traffic to cover construction costs, and it selected sites that were likely to grow after the rail arrived. The company acquired open land at low cost—and then...
CSX selects Wabtec for power upgrades
(Source: Wabtec press release, June 24, 2021) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corporation and Wabtec are partnering to accelerate sustainable rail by modernizing locomotives across CSX’s fleet and implementing advanced digital technologies to deliver significant fuel...
CN-KCS proposal gets backlash from agribusiness
(Source: Greater Baton Route Business Report, June 24, 2021) BATON ROUGE, La. — The planned merger between Canadian National Railway Co. and Kansas City Southern is getting backlash from the agriculture industry, which could potentially throw a wrench into...
CN, KCS CEOs pen op-ed regarding proposed merger
(Source: The Hill opinion column by CN CEO J.J. Ruest and KCS CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer, June 24, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — One of the lessons of the coronavirus pandemic is that shorter supply chains are vital. This is especially true as global supply chain bottlenecks...
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending June 19, 2021
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, June 23, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 19, 2021. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 514,112...
General President Hoffa closes his final convention
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, June 24, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday evening, Jim Hoffa brought down the Convention gavel for the final time as he closed his final convention as General President of the Teamsters Union. Speakers...
Another delay for Brightline West
(Source: Railway Age, June 23, 2021) NEW YORK — Brightline West has decided not to seek state-based private activity bonds in 2021 to help finance construction of its high speed rail project connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. Full story: Railway Age
CN plans capital expenditure throughout provinces
(Source: Progressive Railroading, June 23, 2021) CN yesterday and today announced another CA$965 million in capital expenditure projects planned this year for its rail infrastructure. The Class I unveiled plans to spend CA$460 million in British Columbia, CA$370...
STB taking public comments on CN, KCS merger
(Source: The Times, June 23, 2021) GARY, Ind. — CN, which operates Kirk Yard in Gary and maintains rail lines across the Region, is seeking federal approval for its $33.6 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern that would let it ship goods all across North...
Canada increases fines for rail trespassing, interfering with operations
(Source: Transport Canada press release, June 23, 2021) OTTAWA — Railways are a crucial part of our national transportation network, delivering important products and commodities to Canadians, or to ports for export. The Government of Canada is taking action to...
UP to release Q2 2021 earnings on July 22
(Source: Union Pacific press release, June 24, 2021) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corporation will release second quarter 2021 financial and operating results on Thursday, July 22, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. ET. The company's management team will host a conference call and...
Disaster Relief and honoring Roy Gillespie on Day 2 of Teamsters Convention
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, June 23, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday afternoon, the 30th Convention looked back on the recent natural disasters that have tragically gripped our country and how the Teamsters have been on the...
Secretary of Labor tells Teamsters he stands with workers
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, June 23, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh greeted Teamsters during the second day of the union’s 30th International Convention, telling attendees that workers are an integral part...
GST Hall details financial position of the union at Teamsters Convention
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, June 23, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Whether Teamsters are defending contracts, organizing new members or going on strike, the union’s finances have never been more important. On the second day of the 30th...
Delegates honor Hoffa as General President Emeritus
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, June 23, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — At the 30th International Convention, Teamster delegates overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the union’s Constitution making James P. Hoffa the General President...
Is recent rail traffic recovery leveling off?
(Source: Railway Age, June 23, 2021) NEW YORK — U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 19, 2021, came in at 514,112 carloads and intermodal units, rising 12.5% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads reported on June 23. That...
Class I employment level changed little in May
(Source: Progressive Railroading, June 23, 2021) Class Is employed 115,508 workers in mid-May, a 0.02% increase from April’s level but down 2.84% year over year, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data. Four of six employment categories logged increases...
Connecticut rail plan aims to cut commuter travel time
(Source: Railway Age, June 22, 2021) NEW YORK — Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti have introduced a new passenger rail plan to boost capacity and improve frequency and travel times in Connecticut over the next 15...
BLET News
Important deadline for 2014 BLET Third National Convention
Delegates, visitors and other guests planning to attend the Third National Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) later this year are advised that hotel reservations must be made by 5 p.m. PDT on August 21, 2014. Also, delegates and BLET Secretary-Treasurers are reminded that credentials must be signed and returned to the National Division no later than Friday, August 1, 2014.
St. Louis to host BLET for 79th annual SWCM
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will convene in St. Louis for the 79th annual Southwestern Convention Meeting (SWCM), September 7-11, 2014.
Protecting two-person crews is still our goal
(The following is a statement by Dennis R. Pierce, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), regarding recent media reports concerning a tentative contract agreement that would open the door to single-person train operations along portions of the BNSF Railway.)
BLET Legislative Reps meet for training
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a division of the Teamsters Rail Conference, held a series of training classes for state legislative representatives at the Teamsters headquarters in Washington, D.C., last week.
Joint statement of BLET, IBEW regarding PEB recommendations at SEPTA
The following is a joint statement issued by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) System Council No. 7 regarding the recommendations of Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) 246 in the unions’ contract dispute with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).
BLET to open new Education & Training Center
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is proud to announce the opening of its state-of-the-art Education & Training Center. Located at BLET National Division headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, the new facility will host its first class on July 21, 2014 — a workshop for BLET General Chairman.
MetLife provides grief counseling resources for comfort and support
Facing a loss is never easy, and how you cope and grieve is very personal. No matter the circumstances, whether it’s a death, an illness, a divorce, or even a child leaving home, there are resources that can help.
BLET’s Southeastern General Chairmen elect officers
The BLET’s Southeastern General Chairmen’s Association held its annual meeting to conduct business and elect officers in Savannah, Ga., on June 18.
Reminder: Space remains for upcoming General Chairman, Local Chairman workshops
The BLET Education and Training Department reminds all BLET officers that space remains for upcoming General Chairman and Local Chairman workshops. Both workshops will be held in Cleveland, Ohio.
BLET mourns loss of National Division staff accountant Denise Sears
The National Division is saddened to announce the passing of our colleague, staff accountant Denise Sears following a long battle with illness on July 3, 2014. She was 60 years old.
