Rail Industry News
Opinion: Don’t gut MBTA during the pandemic because front-line workers need it
(Source: Opinion column at WBUR.org by Mike Vartabedian and Olivia Nichols, October 30, 2020) BOSTON — For decades, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has suffered from a chronic lack of investment. The bottom fell out during the record-breaking winter...
Norfolk Southern works to woo shippers with “truck-like” offerings
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, October 29, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — During its Q3 2020 earnings conference call, Norfolk Southern referred to new product offerings as "truck competitive" or "truck-like" — a sign it is targeting those shippers for new intermodal business....
Case preview: Supreme Court to consider power of courts to review requests to reopen railroad benefit decisions
(Source: SCOTUS Blog, October 29, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The court will hear argument on Monday, Nov. 2, in Salinas v. U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, a case involving two of these statutes, the Railroad Retirement Act and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act,...
Inspector general: More Amtrak safety workers need drug testing
(Source: Roll Call, October 29, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak conducts random drug tests on conductors and engineers but fails to include about 4,000 other employees who work in safety-related positions, the company's inspector general said in a new report released...
KCS derailment in Texas leaks corrosive product, prompts evacuation orders for 600 people; no injuries reported
(Source: USA Today, October 29, 2020) MAURICEVILLE, Texas — A Kansas City Southern train derailed around 7:30 a.m. in Mauriceville, Texas, near the state's border with Louisiana. The derailment involved 25 cars, according to the Orange County Office of Emergency...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending October 24, 2020
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, October 28, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 24, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 522,653...
Take a video tour of Amtrak’s new Acela
(Source: Railway Age, October 28, 2020) NEW YORK — In a newly released video, Amtrak Vice President Northeast Corridor Service Line Caroline Decker takes viewers on a tour of the onboard amenities and features that customers will be able to enjoy when the next...
Norfolk Southern monitors Hurricane Zeta
(Source: Norfolk Southern service alert, October 28, 2020) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern continues to monitor Hurricane Zeta which is now a Category 2 hurricane that is currently affecting the Gulf Coast and will make landfall along the central gulf coast early this...
BMWED members picket CP Rail in Clinton, Iowa
(Source: Clinton Herald, October 28, 2020) CLINTON, Iowa — Union workers picketed Canadian Pacific Railway in Clinton on Tuesday, saying that CP refuses to abide by an arbiter’s decision in a wage dispute. Full story: Clinton Herald
DOT announces $291 million in “state of good repair” grants for rail projects in 9 states
(Source: U.S. Department of Transportation press release, October 28, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao today announced an investment of more than $291 million in grants for 11 intercity passenger rail projects in nine states...
Freight rail benefits from intercity passenger rail grants
(Source: Freight Waves, October 28, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding $291 million to 11 intercity passenger rail projects in nine states as part of the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program....
NS to close several yards in drive to ramp up efficiency
(Source: Freight Waves, October 28, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Norfolk Southern will be closing “several” yards in Atlanta, and it will cease humping operations at its Macon, Georgia, yard as part of a wider plan to ramp up network efficiency. The changes, which will...
Norfolk Southern reports overall revenue down 12% in Q3 2020
(Source: Freight Waves, October 28, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Coal chiseled away at Norfolk Southern’s operating revenue for the third quarter of 2020, with a 38% decline in coal revenue dragging overall revenue down by 12%. Operating revenue was $2.5 billion for the...
West Memphis readies campaign to bring jobs to 1,800-acre megasite
(Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal, October 27, 2020) MEMPHIS, Tenn. — West Memphis officials plan to launch a national marketing campaign for an 1,800-acre industrial site on Interstate 40. West Memphis will tout the I-40 Megasite's nearby intersection with...
Superior official says BNSF will resume payments to homeowners near taconite facility
(Source: Wisconsin Public Radio, October 27, 2020) SUPERIOR, Wisc. — BNSF Railway will resume payments to homeowners seeking reimbursement for cleaning up taconite dust that comes from a local processing facility, says a Superior official. Full story: www.wpr.org
Las Vegas high-speed rail project, rebranded Brightline West, reveals details on construction plans
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, October 27, 2020) NEW YORK — The high-speed line that will run from Las Vegas to southern California is coming to life these days. Brightline has released a construction schedule for the service, which will be called Brightline...
Bonding bill snub holds up second Amtrak train between St. Paul and Chicago
(Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press, October 27, 2020) ST. PAUL, Minn. — Meeting in their fifth special session of the year, lawmakers adjourned earlier this month after approving a nearly $2 billion bonding bill that did not include funding for the Twin...
NJ Transit has landmark $11 billion budget
(Source: www.nj.com, October 25, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — This is a capital plan like no other. NJ Transit’s five-year plan, totaling $11.21 billion, represents the agency’s first multi-year plan. Full story: www.nj.com
Rail blockade ends in Chihuahua, Mexico
(Source: Freight Waves, October 27, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — After more than 60 days of protests, a railroad blockade in the Mexican state of Chihuahua has ended, according to the Confederation of Industrial Chambers of the United Mexican States (CONCAMIN). While...
Transport Canada failed to follow up on dangerous goods violations: report
(Source: National Observer, October 28, 2020) TORONTO — Transport Canada did not follow up on a number of violations made by companies transporting dangerous items like crude oil, according to the latest audit by Canada’s federal environment commissioner. Full story:...
BLET News
BLET to conduct LM-2 GCA Secretary-Treasurer workshop
In January 2011, the BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a workshop for all Secretary-Treasurers who file an LM-2 report for their General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) or Division. The workshop will be held January 9-12, 2011 in San Diego, Calif.
Harvard Med School, WGBH team with BLET on fatigue project
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is working in conjunction with Harvard Medical School, the WGBH Educational Foundation, and the United Transportation Union to create a website for railroaders that provides them with practical information about sleep, sleep disorders and fatigue management.
Space remains for Secretary-Treasurer workshop, Dec. 12-15
A few spots are still available for the BLET Education and Training Department’s Compliance Workshop for Secretary-Treasurers in Cleveland from December 12-15.
Thank you, veterans!
By Dennis R. Pierce
BLET National President
On behalf of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, I extend our most sincere thank you to all members of the military on this Veterans Day. You have our never-ending gratitude for protecting the American way of life, our freedom, and our families.
BLET political agenda stays on track following elections
The BLET’s worker-friendly legislative and political agenda will remain on track in spite of a shift in power following the November 2 mid-term elections.
President Pierce: National bargaining update
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President
Let me say this loud enough for the railroads to hear, BLET WILL NOT ACCEPT A CONCESSIONARY AGREEMENT IN THIS BARGAINING ROUND! The membership of our great union has given enough, it’s past time for us to receive wages and benefits commensurate with the contribution we make to the Carrier’s profits.
Open enrollment begins November 1 for BLET Short Term Disability plan
Open Enrollment for 2011 under the BLET’s Short Term Disability insurance plan begins on November 1, 2010, and runs through December 15, 2010.
Former Amtrak General Chairman Ron Wiggins, 1941-2010
Former BLE Amtrak General Chairman Ronald E. Wiggins passed away on October 25 after a long, brave battle with multiple sclerosis. He was 68.
BLET Pennsylvania State Legislative Board holds quadrennial meeting
Chairman Ken Kertesz was reelected by acclamation to his third term at the Pennsylvania State Legislative Board’s quadrennial meeting in Hershey, Pa., from October 25-27, 2010.
Secretary-Treasurers invited to final workshop of 2010
The BLET’s Education and Training Department is inviting all Secretary-Treasurers to participate in its final Compliance Workshop of 2010, which will be held here in Cleveland from December 12-15.
