Rail Industry News
CP to employ Ballard fuel cells in hydrogen locomotive project
(Source: Canadian Pacific Railway press release, March 9, 2021) VANCOUVER and CALGARY — Ballard Power Systems and Canadian Pacific announced today that CP will employ Ballard fuel cell modules in CP's pioneering Hydrogen Locomotive Program. The modules will provide a...
Virgin sues Brightline over branding content
(International Railway Journal, March 9, 2021) NEW YORK — Virgin Enterprises, Britain, has launched legal proceedings against US private operator Brightline to recoup $US 251.3m it says it is owed after Brightline pulled out of a 20-year deal to use the Virgin brand....
Coronavirus relief bill includes money to restore Amtrak Empire Builder daily service
(Source: Associated Press, March 8, 2021) CHICAGO — The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill approved by the U.S. Senate over the weekend includes funding for Amtrak’s Empire Builder route, which runs through St. Paul on its Chicago-West Coast route. Full story:...
Keolis permanently furloughs 9% of MBTA conductors
(Source: Commonwealth Magazine, March 8, 2021) BOSTON — Keolis Commuter Services, the private company operating the MBTA’s commuter rail system is permanently furloughing 40 conductors and assistant conductors, roughly 9 percent of the conductor workforce. Full story:...
BNSF must pay track inspector $1.7 million in safety-retaliation lawsuit
(Source: Bloomberg Law, March 9, 2021) NEW YORK — BNSF Railway Co. must pay a track inspector $1.7 million for the retaliation a jury found he faced after refusing a supervisor’s request to change his classification of a rail defect so the track could remain in...
Hoffa: House passage of PRO Act will ease organizing for U.S. workers
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, March 10, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa about the House’s approval of legislation today that would comprehensively update the National...
House passes bill that would protect worker organizing efforts
(Source: National Public Radio, March 9, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Democrats have approved a bill that would provide protections for workers trying to organize, a measure that is the labor movement's single biggest legislative priority in this Congress. Full...
LIRR unions say they are disgusted over service cuts
(Source: Patch.com, March 9, 2021) LONG ISLAND, N.Y. — The Long Island Rail Road's unions urged management to restore train service after a tumultuous Monday morning commute that saw many riders standing in the aisles in close quarters, raising concerns about the...
Cleveland City Council passes resolution supporting Amtrak’s proposed Ohio expansion
(Source: Television station WKYC, March 8, 2021) CLEVELAND — During their Monday meeting, Cleveland City Council passed a resolution supporting Amtrak’s proposed expansion of passenger rail services in Ohio. Full story: www.wkyc.com
Amtrak to add private rooms to overnight Northeast Regional trains
(Source: Amtrak press release, March 8, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak Northeast Regional service will now include private rooms, affording customers an opportunity to enjoy a distinctive travel experience. Private rooms will be offered on select trains operating...
Amtrak Inspector General to audit Gateway project
(Source: www.nj.com, March 8, 2021) NEWARK, N.J. — The Amtrak inspector general is auditing the Gateway Tunnel project in advance of what could be federal approval for the long-awaited construction job this year. Full story: www.nj.com
Gateway partners advance early construction work on third and final section of Hudson Yards concrete casing
(Source: Gateway Program Development Corporation, March 8, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak has awarded a contract and work has begun on behalf of the Gateway Program to relocate utilities out of the future path of the third and final section of the Hudson Yards...
Men convicted in Via Rail terror case received fair trial, Canada’s Supreme Court says
(Source: Canadian Press, March 8, 2021) OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada says two men convicted of terrorism offences received a fair trial even though the judge made an error in assembling the jury. The men were found guilty in 2015 of terror-related charges...
STB names Itzkoff, Jakubowski to railroad-shipper council
(Source: Progressive Railroading, March 8, 2021) The Surface Transportation Board (STB) last week announced Donald Itzkoff and Eric Jakubowski have been appointed to the board's Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC). Full story: Progressive...
Amtrak comments on NEC privatization proposal
(Source: Progressive Railroading, March 8, 2021) Amtrak has reviewed a private firm's proposal that calls for privatizing the national intercity passenger railroad's Northeast Corridor (NEC) service Full story: Progressive Railroading
U.S. analysts expect more oil by rail as debate continues over cross-border pipelines
(Source: Canadian Press, March 7, 2021) OTTAWA — The fierce debate over cross-border pipelines is putting more Canadian oil and gas on trains destined for the United States — a country experts fear is ill-equipped for the potential consequences. Full story:...
Intermodal poised for run, according to Wells Fargo
(Source: Freight Waves, March 8, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Pointing to intermodal share gains versus other modes and inventories in need of significant replenishment, Wells Fargo equity research analyst Allison Poliniak-Cusic has raised her price targets on...
NTSB issues preliminary report in fatal UP accident in Vail, Arizona
(Source: National Transportation Safety Board press release, March 8, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — On January 31, 2021, at 12:40 p.m. local time, a Union Pacific Railroad (UP) employee with 41 years of railroad service was struck by a piece of rail-bound maintenance...
Senate-passed American Rescue Plan Act: $30.5 billion in transit relief
(Source: Railway Age, March 8, 2021) NEW YORK — The U.S. Senate has passed an amended version of H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, providing $30.5 billion in emergency funding for transit and $1.7 billion for Amtrak. Full story: Railway Age
Family of Southern Illinois man killed by train is suing UP and a local farm
(Source: The Southern Illinoisan, March 6, 2021) BELLEVILLE — The family of a 23-year-old Waterloo man who was fatally struck by a train while working on a farm near Fults in 2019 has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against his employers and the railroad. Full story:...
BLET News
BLET Safety Task Force investigates fatality of UP trainman
At approximately 3 a.m. today, a trainman received fatal injuries while performing switching duties at the Union Pacific yard in Mason City, Iowa.
BLET endorses Barack Obama for Reelection
Just moments before the opening of the 72nd Annual International Western Convention (IWC), the BLET’s Advisory Board voted unanimously today to endorse Barack Obama for reelection as President of the United States.
BLET applauds OSHA, Federal Railroad Administration agreement to protect workers from retaliation
On July 17, the Federal Railroad Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that they had reached a memorandum of agreement to begin working together to address the seriousness and overwhelming number of whistleblower complaints that OSHA has received from railroad workers. BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce applauded the announcement.
Important changes for the 2013 calendar year open enrollment period
Railroad Enrollment Services has announced an upgrade to the upcoming open enrollment process, which will be switched to online open enrollment for the first time.
Atlantic City to host BLET for 2012 EUMA
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will convene in Atlantic City, N.J., for the 74th annual convention of the Eastern Union Meeting Association (EUMA), August 20-24, 2012.
James Tiede elected Chairman of Kansas State Legislative Board
James (Jim) Tiede was elected by acclamation to serve as Chairman of the Kansas State Legislative Board during the Board’s quadrennial meeting in Kansas City, Kan., July 17-18, 2012.
D.B. Kenner elected Chairman of Montana State Legislative Board
D.B. Kenner was elected by acclamation to serve as Chairman of the Montana State Legislative Board during the Board’s quadrennial meeting in Billings, Mont., June 12-13, 2012.
BLET regional meetings update: IWC, EUMA registrations underway
Members looking to take part in training workshops, or looking to enjoy some time away from the railroad, should consider attending one of two BLET regional meetings coming up soon.
Teamsters offer disaster relief assistance in Florida
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members who live in Florida after tropical storms caused major damage to homes and prope
Jim Dayton reelected General Chairman of UP-Western Region GCA
Brother Jim L. Dayton was reelected Chairman of the Union Pacific-Western Region General Committee of Adjustment during the Committee’s quadrennial convention held June 26-28, 2012, in Boise, Idaho.
