Rail Industry News
BNSF worker killed after two freight trains “converge” at La Mirada rail yard in California
(Source: KTLA, March 4, 2021) BUENA PARK, Calif. — A BNSF Railway worker died after being crushed between two trains that converged Wednesday morning near the La Mirada-Buena Park border. Arriving firefighters found that the victim, a Burlington Northern Santa Fe...
BNSF bridge in Minnesota damaged after blaze
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, March 2, 2021) NEW YORK — Firefighters were busy dealing with a fire on a BNSF bridge in Bemidji, Minn., on March 1. The fire caused moderate damage to the structure, and first responders were battling the blaze for more than two...
CN sets grain movement record for 12 consecutive months
(Source: Canadian National Railway press release, March 2, 2021) MONTREAL — CN is proud to announce that for the 12th consecutive month it has set a new record by shipping over 2.28 million metric tons (MMT) of Canadian grain and processed grain products via carload...
KCS stock drops after downbeat revenue outlook
(Source: MarketWatch, March 2, 2021) NEW YORK — Shares of Kansas City Southern fell 1.9% in morning trading Tuesday, enough to pace the Dow Jones Transportation Average's decliners, after the railroad company provided a downbeat first-quarter revenue outlook. The...
How COVID-19 has impacted Chicagoland public transportation workers
(Source: Streetsblog Chicago, March 2, 2021) CHICAGO — During the COVID-19 pandemic, at least 1,874 Chicago area transit workers tested positive for the disease, at least 14 had to be hospitalized and at least 14 passed away, according to numbers provided by the CTA,...
Nebraska Guard supports vaccinations at UP rail yard clinic
(Source: Nebraska National Guard press release, March 2, 2021) NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Nebraska Army National Guard Soldiers supporting the West Central District Health Department administered COVID-19 vaccine doses to railroad workers in a temporary mass vaccination...
NJ Transit to get 300 doses this week for COVID vaccine rollout for front-line workers
(Source: NorthJersey.com, March 2, 2021) BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. — NJ Transit will receive 300 vaccine doses this week to distribute to its front-line workers at the agency's vaccination sites in Maplewood and Camden, thanks to an agreement struck with the state...
Railroads told to turn over evidence in fuel surcharge suit
(Source: Transport Topics, March 2, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a move that could help speed up the path to a trial, a District of Columbia federal judge ruled in a multidistrict federal lawsuit that more than 200 shippers are entitled to pursue certain evidence to...
Canadian crude by rail exports rebounding
(Source: Progressive Railroading, March 2, 2021) Canadian crude-by-rail exports fell nearly 40% in 2020, averaging 172,013 barrels per day (b/d) compared with 280,272 b/d in 2019, according to the Canada Energy Regulator (CER). Full story: Progressive Railroading
Person crushed to death in rail incident near Buena Park, Calif.
(Source: OC Register, March 3, 2021) BUENA PARK, Calif. — One person was crushed to death early Wednesday morning between two Burlington Northern Santa Fe trains on the tracks near the border of Buena Park and La Mirada. Multiple sources told a news photographer at...
CSX probes “security incident” as hackers leak data
(Source: Freight Waves, March 2, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — U.S. rail operator CSX said it is investigating a “data security incident” linked to a software provider, Accellion, after a ransomware gang posted screenshots of internal company files to a leak site on...
RRB reports performance under customer service plan
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, March 1, 2021) CHICAGO — The Railroad Retirement Board’s Customer Service Plan promotes the following principles of quality public service: openness, accessibility, accountability, feedback, and timeliness standards....
Amtrak Inspector General’s report says railroad can better use injury claims to help reduce risks
(Source: Press release from Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General, February 25, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Our objective for this report was to assess the extent to which the company is incorporating its injury claims financial data into its Safety Management System...
SEPTA approves five-year strategic plan
(Source: Progressive Railroading, March 1, 2021) Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority's (SEPTA) board has approved a five-year strategic plan for fiscal years 2021 through 2026. The plan — SEPTA Forward: A Vision for a Stronger Future — provides a...
LIRR scaling back service again due to decreased ridership amid pandemic
(Source: Bronx News 12, February 25, 2021) NEW YORK — News 12 Long Island has learned that service on the Long Island Rail Road will be scaled back once again starting next month. The MTA says starting March 8, the LIRR will cut the number of trains it runs, bringing...
Canada’s Auditor General: Transport Canada’s safety oversight lacking
(Source: Railway Age, March 1, 2021) NEW YORK — Canada’s Auditor General, the equivalent of the U.S. Government Accountability Office, recently released a report criticizing Transport Canada (TC), the equivalent of the Federal Railroad Administration, as to its...
BNSF posts lower revenue, higher income in Q4 2020
(Source: Progressive Railroading, March 1, 2021) BNSF Railway Co. today reported fourth-quarter 2020 revenue decreased 3% to $5.7 billion, but operating income rose 3% to $2.2 billion and net income climbed 5% to $1.5 billion compared with 2019's financial results....
Nebraska legislative committee hears testimony on bills regarding train length, crew size
(Source: North Platte Telegraph, March 1, 2021) NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The contentious railroad issues of shrinking crews and longer trains went before a Unicameral committee Monday with labor and management split along familiar lines. Union leaders and several current...
AAR: Railroads stake out positions on addressing climate change
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, March 1, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) outlined today policy proposals aimed at safely and effectively combatting climate change. As the leader in fuel-efficient surface...
Feds won’t intervene in BNSF suit against asbestos clinic
(Source: Daily Inter Lake, February 28, 2021) KALISPELL, Mont. — The federal government decided last week it will not intervene in a lawsuit against the Center for Asbestos Related Disease in Libby that alleges the nonprofit clinic committed Medicare fraud by using...
BLET News
Deadline approaching for 2012 IWC in Billings, Mont.
July 2 is the early registration deadline for members planning to attend the BLET’s 72nd annual International Western Convention (IWC), slated for July 29-August 1 in Billings, Mont.
BLET legislative workshop preps officers for fall elections
The BLET held a State Legislative Board Chairmen’s training workshop in Washington, D.C. from June 3 through 7, 2012. Twenty-four State Legislative Board Chairmen, Vice Chairman and Secretary-Treasurers from around the country attended the workshop, which covered issues such as the BLET-PAC, the 2012 elections and the duties of State Legislative Board Chairmen.
BLET announces launch of RailroaderSleep.org
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce announced today that the results of a study regarding railroad worker fatigue management, sleep, and sleep disorders have been made publicly available.
BLET members ratify six-year contract with Grand Trunk Western
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen today ratified a new a six-year collective bargaining agreement with CN’s Grand Trunk Western (GTW) property.
GC Warren Dent reelected by acclamation to serve UP-Southern Region GCA
General Chairman J. Warren Dent Jr. was reelected by acclamation to the office of General Chairman at the Union Pacific-Southern Region General Committee of Adjustment meetings in Fort Worth, Texas, from May 31-June 1, 2012.
Craddock elected CN-IC General Chairman
Clay E. Craddock of BLET Division 762 was elected Chairman of the Canadian National-Illinois Central (CN-IC) General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial session in Tunica, Miss., on May 22, 2012.
Showing our pride: New BLET merchandise hits web store
To help members show their pride, the BLET National Division is making new logo gear and clothing options available on the BLET’s web store. Simply go to http://teamstersmerchandise.com/ and click on “BLET” in the far left column.
Remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice
By Dennis R. Pierce
BLET National President
Since its inception in 1868, Memorial Day has been a day set aside to specially honor and pay tribute to those who have served in the military for defending our country and our way of life.
Early registration deadline for 2012 SMA is May 31
As a reminder, May 31 is the early registration deadline for members planning to attend the BLET’s 85th annual Southeastern Meeting Association convention. The convention is slated for June 24-29 at the Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Fla.
KCS General Chairman Sam Parker reelected by acclamation
General Chairman Sam W. Parker was reelected by acclamation to his fifth consecutive term of office at the Kansas City Southern General Committee of Adjustment’s quadrennial meeting in Shreveport, La., May 15-17, 2012.
