Rail Industry News
Wave of Asian imports engulfs more U.S. ports, driving up costs
(Source: The Load Star, November 20, 2020) NEW YORK — The wave of imports that has overwhelmed Los Angeles and Long Beach has spread to other gateways, causing delays and higher costs for importers. The port of Oakland reported a 10.4% year-on-year rise in imports in...
Biden forms transportation transition team
(Source: American Trucker, November 20, 2020) NEW YORK — The Biden-Harris Transition Team created an 18-member panel to review the Department of Transportation (DOT) and other related U.S. agencies to help prepare the incoming administration before taking over the...
Senate confirms two additional STB members, bringing board roster up to five for first time
(Source: Freight Waves, November 20, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Freight railroads and shippers alike praised the Senate confirmation this week of two additional members to the Surface Transportation Board (STB). The confirmations of Robert Primus and Michelle Schultz...
Class I employment continues downward trend
(Source: Progressive Railroading, November 20, 2020) Class Is as of mid-October employed 116,804 people, down 1.12% from mid-September's level and down 13.21% from October's 2019 count, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data. All six employment...
CSX employee killed in Fostoria rail yard
(Source: Television 13 ABC, November 22, 2020) FOSTORIA, Ohio — According to a spokesperson for CSX, an employee was “fatally injured while performing work this morning at our rail yard in Fostoria, Ohio.” Full story: www.13abc.com
NTSB, FRA begin investigation into fatal accident in Alabama
(Source: Television station WALA, November 18, 2020) PRICHARD, Ala. — Representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration told FOX10 News they are jointly investigating the matter. In addition, Prichard police late...
MTA’s “doomsday” budget calls for deep service cuts
(Source: www.ny1.com, November 18, 2020) NEW YORK — "Ugly” and “grim” - that’s how MTA officials described a budget that would drastically slash service and jobs - set to hit the riding public in May, unless the agency gets its federal bailout. Full story:...
MBTA employees, commuters rally against proposed service cuts
(Source: NBC Boston, November 19, 2020) BOSTON — A group of MBTA employees and commuters were scheduled to hold a rolling rally outside the agency's Boston headquarters on Thursday morning to speak out against proposed service cuts. Full story: NBC Boston
Carload volume deficit narrows as retail sales climb
(Source: Freight Waves, November 19, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — U.S. carload traffic narrowed its year-over-year deficit last week, with carloads down only 3.1% compared with the same period in 2019, according to the Association of American Railroads. U.S. carload...
More CN layoffs only if business slows dramatically during second wave of COVID, CEO says
(Source: Canadian Press, November 18, 2020) MONTREAL — CN Rail may only have to consider another painful round of layoffs if COVID-19's second wave causes shipping volumes to drop dramatically again, its chief executive said Wednesday. Full story: www.ctvnews.ca
Clock is ticking for 110-year-old Hudson River rail tunnel
(Source: Associated Press, November 19, 2020) NEW YORK — Myriad problems in the Hudson River rail tunnel must be addressed in the next few years to avoid what officials say are potentially catastrophic failures before a new tunnel is finally built, a...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending November 14
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, November 14, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 14, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was...
Teamsters mourn passing of Tom Keegel
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, November 20, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — C. Thomas “Tom” Keegel, General Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2020 following a...
Containerized grain shippers feeling brunt of tight market
(Source: Freight Waves, November 18, 2020) CHATTANOOG, Tenn. — North American containerized grain shippers are feeling the effects of the tight container market and there’s no relief in sight. Full story: Freight Waves
Amtrak, northeast transit agencies launch “Mask Force”
(Source: Progressive Railroading, November 18, 2020) Amtrak, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority(MTA), Port Authority of New York and New Jersey(PANYNJ), New Jersey Transit and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) have joined forces to...
NY legislator calls for reversal of rule allowing LNG by rail
(Source: Rochester City Newspaper, November 18, 2020) ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rep. Joe Morelle is calling on a federal agency to reverse a new rule that allows railroad tankers carrying liquefied natural gas to roll through Monroe County. Full story: Rochester City...
AAR: Intermodal registers double-digit gains in most recent week
(Source: Railway Age, November 18, 2020) NEW YORK — For the week ending Nov. 14, 2020, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 527,462 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.2% compared with the same week last year, based on a double-digit intermodal gain, the Association of...
COVID cases affecting CSX employees
(Source: Jacksonville Daily Record, November 19, 2020) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After the initial COVID-19 outbreak slowed freight traffic in the spring, CSX Corp. has seen increased business on its rail lines as the economy recovers. However, the recent spike in COVID...
For House Rail Subcommittee, an earful on multiple matters at Nov. 17 hearing
(Source: Railway Age, November 19, 2020) NEW YORK — “Examining the Surface Transportation Board’s Role in Ensuring a Robust Passenger Rail System” was the topic of a virtual Nov. 17 hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and...
NJ Transit is only U.S. railroad in danger of missing PTC deadline
(Source: www.nj.com, November 18, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit is the only railroad still at risk of losing the race to have a federally mandated safety system approved and in operation by a Dec. 31 deadline, a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) report released...
BLET News
Walpert to serve as Trustee of Railroad Retirement Investment Trust
Bill Walpert, National Secretary-Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, has been unanimously appointed to serve as a Trustee of the National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust (NRRIT).
NASLBC concludes 26th annual meeting
The BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC) observed a moment of silence for the victims of the tornadoes in nearby Joplin, Mo., when they opened their 26th annual meeting in Kansas City on May 23, 2011.
In the Line of Duty: J.G. Hadden
CSX has identified BLET member James Gregory Hadden as one of two crew members killed in the line of duty in Mineral Springs, N.C., on May 24.
2 crew members killed in CSX collision
Two crew members have been killed and two others injured when two CSX freight trains collided today in Mineral Springs, N.C. The crew members have not been identified.
Teamsters offer Disaster Relief assistance in Missouri
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members in Missouri after severe storms, tornadoes and flooding caused major damage to homes and property on April 19, 2011.
American Income Life increases free benefits to BLET members
The BLET National Division provides all active and retired members a group accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefit through the American Income Life Insurance Company (AIL). All members are hereby advised that AIL has increased the accidental death and dismemberment benefit at no cost to you or the BLET.
Registration deadline looms for 2011 SMA
The registration deadline for the BLET’s 84th annual Southeastern Meeting Association is coming up and members are encouraged to make their reservations as soon as possible. The 2011 SMA will be held in Asheville, N.C., from June 12-17, 2011.
Former BLET General Chairman John Mullen, 1954-2011
Former BLET General Chairman and Special Representative John D. Mullen passed away on May 18 following complications arising from a heart transplant.
GC Jim Louis reelected reelected by acclamation at Conrail/CSXT Northern District GCA meeting
The Conrail SAA/CSXT Northern District General Committee of Adjustment reelected Jim P. Louis by acclamation to his first full term as General Chairman at quadrennial meetings in Buffalo, N.Y., on May 18.
Reynolds reelected by acclamation as Wisconsin Central General Chairman
Wisconsin Central General Chairman John W. Reynolds was reelected by acclamation at the General Committee’s quadrennial meeting in Green Bay, Wisc., from May 9-12, 2011.
