Rail Industry News
Railroads helped the U.S. expand and increased interstate commerce
(Source: Freight Waves, March 12, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Wooden railroads were also built in the American colonies and were built exclusively to transport freight. Termed “wagonways,” the earliest were begun in the 1720s. In addition to the British and colonists...
California High-Speed Rail Authority releases construction progress video
(Source: Global Railway Review, March 16, 2021) LOS ANGELES — The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) has released its March 2021 Construction Update, highlighting the ongoing progress on the nation’s first high-speed rail project. Full story: Global...
Canada’s TSB publishes investigative report on March 2019 non-main track collision in Calgary
(Source: Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) press release, March 16, 2021) EDMONTON, Alberta — Today, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report (R19C0038) into the 9 March 2019 non-main track collision between a...
RRB appoints Keith T. Satrain as Chief Actuary
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, March 15, 2021) CHICAGO — The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has appointed Keith T. Sartain as its Chief Actuary, effective February 15, 2021. Mr. Sartain will direct the RRB’s Bureau of the Actuary and Research...
Amtrak appears to be playing hardball with CSX, NS on Gulf Coast service
(Source: Railway Age, March 16, 2021) NEW YORK — In a move that appears to be a pre-emptive strike, Amtrak has asked the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to intervene on its behalf if CSX and Norfolk Southern don’t cooperate on hosting proposed new service between...
Biden infrastructure promises give hope to California bullet train chief
(Source: Courthouse News Service, March 16, 2021) LOS ANGELES — The head of California’s bullet train project told state lawmakers Tuesday that the state should wait to see the posture of the nascent Biden administration before committing to spending plans of their...
BMWED suing CSX for payroll errors
(Source: Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division press release, March 16, 2021) HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. — For several months, after unilaterally implementing the "TimeTrax" program, CSX Transportation continues to short and/or mistakenly pay its rail...
UP to navigate vaccine rollout in 23 states
(Source: Television station KETV, March 16, 2021) OMAHA, Neb. — Critical workers at one of the nation's largest railroads have started to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations. But the Omaha-based company's chief executive says the effort to get the vaccine for his...
Canine companion inspires BLET member John Karakian
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, March 16, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Anyone who has walked a dog has heard the “who’s walking who?” joke. With John Karakian, BLET’s Grand Trunk Western General Chairman, his dog actually was walking him....
Savannah port sees first traffic at new container terminal
(Source: Savannah Morning News, March 16, 2021) SAVANNAH, Ga. — Thanks to an expansion of Ocean Terminal at the Georgia Port, allowing for container traffic, that fresh citrus fruit you crave might be just a bit fresher still. Seaboard Marine has begun importing...
FRA issues notice for trespassing information collection
(Source: Railway Age, March 15, 2021) NEW YORK — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has proposed collecting trespassing data from law enforcement agencies to help determine root causes and reduce the number of injuries and fatalities on railroad property. Full...
BNSF train blocks grade crossing for four days in Ardmore, Okla.
(Source: Television station KTEN, March 15, 2021) ARDMORE, Okla. — "They just don't care," said Bobbie Wells on Monday, pointing to a freight train that had been blocking Redwing Road since Friday evening. Full story: www.kten.com
Unifor members ratify new agreements with VIA Rail
(Source: VIA Rail press release, March 15, 2021) MONTREAL — Following the tentative agreements reached in January, VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) is pleased to announce the ratification of collective agreements 1 and 2 by the members of Unifor Council 4000, the union...
Canadian grain shippers group urges caution on rail service
(Source: Western Grain Elevator Association press release, March 12, 2021) WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA) is raising a cautionary flag with respect to rail capacity, rail service and supply chain improvements in western Canada, in...
The CEO of Amtrak thinks Americans are ready for trains again
(Source: Slate, March 15, 2021) NEW YORK — Though business remains way down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines are rolling out, and Amtrak CEO William J. Flynn aims to double the passenger railroad’s pre-pandemic ridership in the next two decades. Full story:...
21 NJ Transit workers have died from COVID; Now workers are getting vaccinated
(Source: www.nj.com, March 15, 2021) NEWARK, N.J. — Bus drivers, train crews, police and NJ Transit customer service workers in stations see the public every day and have been at the greatest risk of getting the coronavirus. Of the 21 NJ Transit employees who died of...
Two-person crew bill introduced in Ohio House of Representatives
(Source: Mahoning Matters, March 14, 2021) COLUMBUS, Ohio — State Reps. Michael Sheehy, D-Oregon, and Michele Lepore-Hagan, D-Youngstown, introduced House Bills 194 and 195, legislation requiring freight train operating crews to consist of at least two people and...
Normal, Ill., seeks reimbursement from UP to pay for train derailment response
(Source: Bloomington Pantagraph, March 13, 2021) NORMAL, Ill. — While the town didn't incur any property damage when a Union Pacific Railroad Co. train derailed Feb. 13 in uptown, Normal is seeking reimbursement for staffing overtime. Full story: Bloomington...
Rep. Seth Moulton reintroduces bill to create $205 billion high-speed rail across the U.S.
(Source: Lowell Sun, March 12, 2021) LOWELL, Mass. — In an effort to create millions of new jobs and fix infrastructure issues across the country, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton reintroduced a bill to Congress on Thursday that would invest $205 billion over five years to...
USDA: More wheat to go west this spring
(Source: Freight Waves, March 13, 2021) CHATTANOOG, Tenn. — Changing volume projections for U.S. wheat exports could be reflected in freight flows this spring, with more volumes going toward the western ports and fewer volumes going to the Gulf Coast, according to...
BLET News
Teamsters offer disaster relief assistance in Louisiana, Mississippi
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members who live in Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Isaac caused major damage to homes and property on August 26, 2012.
Republicans, Romney target Amtrak, Railroad Retirement
At the Republican National Convention in Tampa on August 28, the Republican Party approved a platform that calls for the elimination of funding for Amtrak.
Labor Day 2012: Remember in November
Labor Day should be a time to reflect on what we have accomplished, and an opportunity to educate the public about who we are, what we do, and what American workers have done to make our nation the greatest in the world.
Enrollment for Health Flexible Spending Account begins soon
BLET members should watch their mailboxes in coming weeks for a post card from Railroad Enrollment Services regarding a Health Flexible Spending Account (Health FSA) program.
BLET helps organize annual Labor Day parade in Charlotte
For the past 13 years, BLET member Ben Lee has volunteered to help organize the annual Labor Day Parade in Charlotte, N.C. But this year’s parade promises to be like no other.
Teamsters offer disaster relief assistance in Oklahoma
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members who live in Oklahoma after wildfires caused major damage to homes and property on August 22, 2012.
BLET National Division office to upgrade email software
The BLET National Division will soon begin upgrading its online communications services with the implementation of a more powerful firewall and improved spam filter. The Information Technology Department expects everything to run smoothly, but it is possible that problems may arise with the transmission of some email attachments.
BLET opens 74th annual EUMA in Atlantic City
Preserving America’s middle class and protecting Railroad Retirement were key themes during today’s opening ceremonies of the 74th annual meeting of the BLET’s Eastern Union Meeting Association (EUMA).
Teamsters Rail Conference honored for California high-speed rail efforts
At the California Labor Federation’s Solidarity Awards Dinner on July 24, 2012, the Teamsters Rail Conference and 10 other honorees were recognized with the “Furthering the Vision of High Speed Rail Award.”
New BLET page spotlights Republican attack on Railroad Retirement
ue to numerous inquiries from BLET members, the National Division has prepared a new web page that consolidates news and information regarding the Ryan Budget. For more information, click on the green box above.
