Rail Industry News
MBTA holds public meetings after proposing deep service cuts
(Source: NBC Boston, November 11, 2020) BOSTON — The MBTA held the first in a series of public meetings Tuesday to discuss the agency's plan to scale back services as it struggles with low ridership amid the coronavirus pandemic. The MBTA held the first in a series of...
Amtrak reminds Midwest customers to book early for Thanksgiving
(Source: Amtrak press release, November 9, 2020) CHICAGO — Amtrak continues to deliver on a new standard of travel by helping customers travel safely and comfortably throughout the Midwest this Thanksgiving. Passengers on Amtrak Midwest corridor and interregional...
Amtrak celebrates 20 years of Acela with $20 fares
(Source: Amtrak press release, November 10, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — To commemorate 20 years of Acela service throughout the Northeast Corridor (NEC),Amtrak is Acela-celebrating by offering customers the opportunity to travel on its premium product one way in Business...
CN honors and supports veterans in Canada and U.S.
(Source: CN press release, November 11, 2020) MONTREAL — Each November 11, CN takes the opportunity to honor and appreciate the sacrifices and selflessness of the men and women who served in the Canadian and American militaries. At CN, we feel fortunate to have many...
A Biden presidency’s potential impact on rail unclear
(Source: Freight Waves, November 10, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A White House administration under Democratic President-elect Joe Biden could see renewed support for passenger rail, given Biden’s previous support of Amtrak and high-speed rail. Full story: Freight...
Cleveland-Cliffs to acquire six short line railroads
(Source: Progressive Railroading, November 9, 2020) Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. last week notified the Surface Transportation Board (STB) that the mining company intends to acquire control of six short lines owned by ArcelorMittal USA LLC. Full story: Progressive...
Record-breaking Mexican rail blockade costs $81 million
(Source: Freight Waves, November 8, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Rail lines from Mexico’s Port of Lázaro Cárdenas have been blocked for almost 40 days, upending freight flows across several key trade routes. Protesters are blocking rail lines operated by Kansas City...
APTA congratulates President-Elect Biden, VP-Elect Harris
(Source: American Public Transportation Association press release, November 7, 2020) WASHIINGTON, D.C. — “On behalf of the more than 1,500 members of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the tens of millions of public transit riders, we welcome...
CSX wants to buy Pan Am Railways; NS says “not so fast”
(Source: Railway Age, November 9, 2020) NEW YORK — Shades of the battle between CSX and Norfolk Southern that occurred some 25 years ago over Conrail, but on a smaller scale: CSX is in negotiations to acquire Pan Am Railways, the 1,700-mile Class II previously known...
BNSF Q3 2020 revenue and operating ratio both down
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, November 9, 2020) NEW YORK — BNSF recently reported its financial results for Q3 2020. Revenue was down 14.4 percent compared to Q3 2019 (bad) and the operating ratio was down to 59.7 percent compared to 62.6 percent in Q3 2019...
Crude by rail poses higher social than financial risk: report
(Source: Mining.com, November 9, 2020) VANCOUVER, B.C. — Shipments of crude oil by rail in Canada in 2021 are expected to remain below the peaks of the beginning of 2020, according to a new report by Moody’s Investor’s Service. But reputational and social risks...
Tracking the speed, dwell time and cars of Class I railroads
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, November 9, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Understanding how a rail shipment moves through the tracks and hump yards across the country relies on a few key metrics. Three of the main key performance indicators that railroads use to communicate...
AAR reports rail traffic for October and the week ending October 31, 2020
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, November 4, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 31, 2020, as well as volumes for October 2020. U.S. railroads...
Rail industry ready to work with President-Elect Joe Biden
(Source: Railway Age, November 9, 2020) NEW YORK — With Joe Biden preparing to take the oath of office as the 46th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2021, the Association of American Railroads (AAR), Amtrak and the American Public Transportation Association...
NJ’s Payne will seek chairmanship of key transportation subcommittee
(Source: New Jersey Globe, November 5, 2020) TRENTON, N.J. — A New Jersey congressman is seeking the chairmanship of a powerful House subcommittee with jurisdiction over rail transportation, including Amtrak. Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-Newark) has put his name in to...
Union Pacific recalls 125 employees to De Soto car shops
(Source: Leader Publications, November 6, 2020) FESTUS, Mo. — The Union Pacific railroad has recalled 125 employees to return to work at its car shops in De Soto. Full story: www.myleaderpaper.com
Coal, petroleum and sand drive BNSF’s operating revenues lower in Q3 2020
(Source: Freight Waves, November 9, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Slumping revenues for coal and energy products put pressure on BNSF’s profits in the third quarter, according to parent company Berkshire Hathaway. Third-quarter operating revenue was $5 billion, down...
U.S. Class I railroads prioritize PSR, efficiency at the expense of service
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, November 4, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Railroad executives used words such as "surreal," "unprecedented" and "roller coaster" to describe 2020 on Q3 earnings calls. Full story: Supply Chain Dive
Statement from Amtrak President & CEO Bill Flynn on Biden Administration
(Source: Amtrak press release, November 7, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — “Amtrak looks forward to working with President-elect Biden and Congress. To get the economy moving and help Amtrak and our employees through this unprecedented situation, Congress must act now on...
Amtrak, automakers vow to work with future Biden administration
(Source: Reuters, November 7, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak and American automakers on Saturday pledged to work with the incoming administration of Democrat Joe Biden, who wants to boost mass transit and green vehicles. Full story: Reuters
BLET News
Pierce to testify before House Railroad Subcommittee
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce will testify for improved safety standards for BLET members before the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials at a hearing scheduled for tomorrow.
Hazmat, radiological training offered at National Labor College
The National Labor College has a full slate of hazardous materials training courses and radiological transportation training workshops coming up in the spring and summer of 2011. BLET members are encouraged to attend one or more of the classes to increase their knowledge regarding the transportation of hazardous and/or radioactive materials.
RRB informational conferences for 2011
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board will hold free informational conferences for elected officers of all railroad labor unions throughout 2011.
Sample resolutions available
As BLET National President Dennis Pierce wrote yesterday, the time to get involved is now.
Waiting list established for BLET General Chairman workshop
The BLET Education & Training Department reports that the General Chairman’s workshop scheduled for St. Louis, Mo., the week of April 17 is full. However, a waiting list has been established in case someone drops out.
The time to be involved is now
By Dennis R. Pierce
BLET National President As I have often said, one of the primary objectives of my Administration is to promote increased involvement by BLET officers and members alike. To put it bluntly, trade unionism is not a spectator sport; it is a participation sport where we can ill afford to sit back and let others decide our future. And moving from talk into action was never more urgent than it is today.
BLET members invited to massive labor rally in Indianapolis on March 10
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is one of many unions planning a massive pro-union rally in Indianapolis at 10:30 a.m. on March 10.
BLET supports member, protects FELA before Supreme Court
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and 10 other Rail Labor unions are headed to the U.S. Supreme Court later this month to protect the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA).
BLET mobilizes to protect democratic representation elections
The National Division has activated the BLET’s national mobilization network to fight an effort by the Republican leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives to turn the clock back on how representation elections are conducted under the Railway Labor Act by the National Mediation Board (NMB).
BLET members rally to stop the war on workers
As a follow up to the BLET’s February 25 News Flash, countless members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have remained on the front lines in recent days and engaged in solidarity rallies to oppose the war on workers in Wisconsin, Ohio, and other states.
