Rail Industry News
Hoffa: Biden’s OSHA leadership picks will prioritize worker safety
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, January 20, 201) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on President Biden’s selection of James Fredricks and Joseph Hughes to serve in top positions in...
STB: Class I workforce grew in December 2020
(Source: Progressive Railroading, January 20, 2021) U.S. Class Is employed 117,770 people in mid-December 2020, up 2.44% from mid-November 2020, but down 10.43% compared with the same period in 2019, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data. Two workforce...
Union Pacific reports Q4 and full year 2020 results
(Source: Union Pacific press release, January 21, 2021) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corporation today reported 2020 fourth quarter net income of $1.4 billion, or $2.05 per diluted share. These results include a previously announced $278 million pre-tax, non-cash...
Operation Lifesaver releases new PSA targeting low clearance vehicle drivers
(Source: Operation Lifesaver press release, January 19, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Low Clearance Vehicle Railroad Crossing Safety Tips, a new public service announcement (PSA) released today by Operation Lifesaver Inc., (OLI), shows drivers of low clearance vehicles how...
KCS commits to lowering greenhouse gas emissions
(Source: Kansas City Southern press release, January 19, 2021) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced that it has submitted a commitment letter to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) pledging to set a science-based greenhouse gas emissions...
With revised plan, Brightline eyes 2021 groundbreaking of Apple Valley rail project
(Victorville Daily Press, January 19, 2021) VICTORVILLE, Calif. — Brightline West’s high-speed passenger rail project between Apple Valley and Las Vegas, which was expected to break ground last year, appears to be back on track six months after a partnership with...
STB seeks short line reps on railroad shipper council
(Source: Progressive Railroading, January 19, 2021) The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is seeking nominations for candidates to fill two vacancies for small railroad representatives on the board's Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council. Full story:...
Rockslide causes CSX derailment in Southwest Virginia
(Source: Bristol Herald Courier, January 17, 2021) CLINCHCO, Va. — At around 12:30 a.m. on January 15, a CSX train struck a boulder on the tracks near the town of Clinchco, causing two locomotives and seven rail cars to derail, according to Sheriee Bowman, a CSX...
Mass. governor signs $16.5 billion transportation bill, but with vetoes
(Source: NBC Boston, January 16, 2021) BOSTON — Fees on ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft will not increase in Massachusetts after Gov. Charlie Baker vetoed a new proposed fee structure while signing a $16.5 billion transportation bond bill on Friday. The...
“Those crew members were heroes” in the moments after Dec. 22 Whatcom oil train derailment
(Source: KUOW, January 19, 2021) SEATTLE, Wash. — The day started like many others in Washington state, with a long line of tanker cars carrying crude oil to a refinery on the shores of Puget Sound. Full story: www.kuow.org
Investigators eye equipment, track and sabotage in Dec. 22 Whatcom oil-train derailment
(Source: KUOW, January 19, 2021) SEATTLE, Wash. — Even though an oil train derailed and burned for hours that day, government officials and oil-industry critics alike say the Puget Sound region got lucky on Dec. 22. No one was injured when the 108-car train derailed...
FRA solicits comments on DEIS for proposed Northeast Maglev system
(Source: Progressive Railroading, January 18, 2021) The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration have prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for a proposed superconducting maglev...
Railroads dramatically reduced collisions in decades leading up to PTC implementation
(Source: Trains Magazine, January 18, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Transportation Safety Board took a victory lap last week over the implementation of positive train control, the landmark safety system that it first recommended after the head-on collision of...
Hoffa: Trottenberg will bring wealth of experience as Deputy Secretary of U.S. DOT
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, January 18, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of former New York City Transportation Commissioner...
Inside California’s colossal container ship traffic jam
(Source: Freight Waves, January 13, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — In the movie “Falling Down,” the character played by Michael Douglas is stranded in a Los Angeles traffic jam. He abandons his car, starts walking with briefcase in hand and ultimately has a mental...
U.S. Class I rail headcount tumbles 14% in 2020
(Source: Freight Waves, January 18, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The U.S. operations of the Class I railroads employed the fewest number of employees in 2020 since at least 2012. Headcount at U.S. Class I rail operations totaled 120,492 employees last year, a 14%...
NTSB closes PTC recommendations for CN, CSX, Metra
(Source: Progressive Railroading, January 15, 2021) The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) yesterday announced it would close three key positive train control (PTC) safety recommendations after more than 40 railroads required to implement PTC met the...
Amtrak halting Virginia routes ahead of Biden’s inauguration
(Source: WAVY, January 17, 2021) PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Amtrak is issuing a travel advisory in Washington D.C. ahead of the Presidential Inauguration. Amtrak will continue to operate service as scheduled, except for some services in Virginia. Full story: www.wavy.com
In its last days, Trump Administration rushes more anti-union rules
(Source: Labor Press, January 17, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the final days of Donald Trump’s presidency wind down, his Department of Labor is still making rules to undermine labor rights, particularly for federal employees. Full story: Labor Press
SMART-TD wins another victory in the crew consist battle
(Source: SMART-TD press release, January 15, 2021) CLEVELAND, Ohio — On January 8, 2021, Arbitrator Wendell Bell issued his arbitration award regarding the process and procedure in arbitrating the Carriers’ (UP, BNSF, NS & KCS) attack on the Crew Consist Moratoria....
BLET News
Ballots mailed in tentative BLET-Missouri & Northern Arkansas agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Missouri & Northern Arkansas (M&NA) Railroad, BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce announced. Ballots are being mailed today to active members of the BLET employed by M&NA who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
BLET Division 266 hosts Marty Kinder Benefit
The members of BLET Division 266 (Savannah, Ill.) are hosting a benefit for Brother Marty Kinder who suffered a severe on-duty injury last month.
Union Plus scholarship deadline is January 31
College-bound children of BLET members are advised that the deadline to apply for Union Plus scholarships is just over two weeks away on January 31, 2013.
Proud to buy union made
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President How can we expect non-union working class Americans to support our movement if we do not first support it ourselves? We will only accomplish this when we lead by example and show all Americans that we are proud to be part of something bigger than ourselves, and that we are united as union members. I don’t just mean unity within BLET or IBT; I mean unity with all unions across all spectrums of the work force.
National Labor College to offer hazmat training at regional locations
The National Labor College will conduct numerous hazardous materials training workshops for railroad workers at various regional locations throughout the United States during 2013.
Education & Training Dept. announces March Local Chairman workshop
The BLET Education & Training Department will conduct a Local Chairman Workshop from Sunday, March 17 through Saturday March 23, at the University of Illinois-Champaign.
Update on new vision care plan and discount plan for retirees
In November, the BLET National Division announced that an improved vision care plan would begin in early 2013 for certain members. As a part of the new program, a no-cost Discount Plan is being offered to retirees. Information on the early retiree Discount Plan is now available here.
BLET to host two Secretary-Treasurer workshops in early 2013
The BLET’s Education and Training Department is hosting two expanded Secretary-Treasurer Training Workshops in February and April of the New Year.
SEPTA rail workers win big victory
In a unanimous decision issued on December 19, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that the immunity from lawsuits conferred by the Eleventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution upon the 50 States does not extend to suits filed by injured railroad workers under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) against the commuter railroad operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).
A look back at 2012
From the BLET Executive Committee Looking back, it’s hard to believe the members of your Executive Committee and Advisory Board were sworn less than two years ago, on January 1, 2011. The past 24 months have flown by and events have unfolded so quickly that it feels like just yesterday. The year 2011 went by in a blur, and 2012 was no different.
