Rail Industry News
Class I September employment down from August count
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 21, 2020) Class Is as of mid-September employed 118,123 people, down 0.3% from mid-August's level and down 13.69% from September 2019's count, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data. Four of six employment...
Lower revenue dents CSX’s Q3 2020 profit
(Source: Freight Waves, October 21, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — CSX reported third-quarter 2020 net income of $736 million, or 96 cents per share, compared with $856 million, or $1.08 per share, in the third quarter of 2019 amid a drop in revenue and “lower economic...
CSX announces Q3 2020 results, authorizes additional $5 billion share buyback
(Source: CSX press release, October 21, 2020) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corp. today announced third quarter 2020 net earnings of $736 million, or $0.96 per share, versus $856 million, or $1.08 per share in the same period last year. Despite lower economic activity...
Superior City Council wants BNSF to resume paying residents for dust removal
(Source: WDIO, October 20, 2020) SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Superior city councilors voted unanimously Tuesday night to ask the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway to resume payments to some city residents. Full story: www.wdio.com
CP Rail reports Q3 revenue and profit down from 2019
(Source: Canadian Press, October 20, 2020) CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. says it earned $598 million in its latest quarter, down from $618 million in the same quarter last year. Full story: BNN Bloomberg
Sen. Tester condemns “unacceptable” Empire Builder cuts
(Source: Press release from the office of Montana Senator Jon Tester, October 19, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement as Amtrak’s cuts in service to the Empire Builder line, which crosses the entire state of Montana...
Amtrak CEO sees travel down 70% in 2021
(Source: Reuters, October 21, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The chief executive of Amtrak will tell lawmakers on Wednesday the U.S. passenger railroad expects travel and revenue to fall by more than 70% from pre-coronavirus levels in 2021, as it considers more service and...
CN reports Q3 2020 financial results
(Source: CN press release, October 20, 2020) MONTREAL — CN today reported its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020. "CN's people never stopped working since the beginning of the pandemic and I am proud of the essential...
CN earnings fall in Q3 2020 despite record grain shipments
(Source: Canadian Press, October 20, 2020) MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway Co. isn't quite ready to reinstate its 2021 guidance after experiencing a third quarter that saw its mix of business change with the economic recovery. Full story: Yahoo Finance
Chicago-Minneapolis Amtrak service expanding to twice daily
(Source: Streetsblog Chicago, October 19, 2020) CHICAGO — According to Railway Gazette, the plan for a second daily Amtrak Empire Builder Line run between Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul is moving forward thanks to the award of a $31.8 million grant from the Federal...
KCS examines missed connections to improve 60% trip plan compliance
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, October 19, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — KCS considers cross-border intermodal to be a potential growth area for its business, and CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer acknowledged that trip plan compliance will be important in gaining that business. KCS'...
KCS sees opportunities ahead amid lingering headwinds
(Source: Freight Waves, October 16, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Executives with Kansas City Southern are cautiously optimistic about rail volumes in 2021, with optimism for an economic recovery tempered by uncertainties related to the coronavirus pandemic. Full story:...
Hit by pandemic, Amtrak is making cuts that may endure
(Source: Roll Call, October 19, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The COVID-19 pandemic may force a reckoning for Amtrak’s long-distance routes, bringing about cuts that critics have long urged but that passenger rail advocates in and out of Congress say could undermine the...
NTSB investigates worker’s death at CSX yard in Virginia
(Source: Freight Waves, October 19, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Federal investigators are looking into the death of a CSX employee at the Acca Yard in Richmond, Virginia, on Oct. 12. Full story: Freight Waves
U.S. CDC issues “strong recommendation” for mask mandate on airplanes, trains, buses
(Source: Reuters, October 19, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday issued a "strong recommendation" that all passengers and employees on airplanes, trains, subways, buses, taxis and ride-share vehicles should wear...
CP Rail reports Q3 2020 results
(Source: Canadian Pacific Railway press release, October 20, 2020) CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway Limited today announced third-quarter revenues of $1.86 billion, diluted earnings per share ("EPS") of $4.41, adjusted diluted EPS of $4.12 and an operating ratio of...
Canadian Pacific quarterly profit falls by 3%
(Source: Reuters, October 20, 2020) NEW YORK — Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd posted a 3.2% fall in third-quarter profit on Tuesday, hurt by lower freight volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full story: Reuters
New book details first time Native Americans derailed a train
(Source: Lexington Clipper-Herald, October 17, 2020) LEXINGTON, Neb. — A book published this year about the 1867 Native American raid and train derailment at Plum Creek is now available at the Dawson County Historical Museum. The book, “Attacking the Union Pacific:...
Amtrak tests new faster trains
(Source: CBS News, October 17, 2020) NEW YORK — Amtrak is set to roll out its fastest train yet, traveling at up to 160 mph. Amtrak gave CBS News an inside look at the speed tests for the new trains, which are set to debut in 2021. Full story: Yahoo News
How Metra may fill its budget hole if there’s no federal rescue
(Source: Daily Herald, October 19, 2020) CHICAGO — Service cuts are an option if no federal aid emerges for Metra, Union Pacific employees verifying tickets behind plexiglass creates "a mess," but a massively complicated emergency braking system is good to go. Full...
BLET News
Railroad retirement tax reduced for 2011
Among the items included in the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, which was signed into law by President Obama on December 17, is a temporary employee payroll tax cut.
Happy Holidays from National President Pierce
Now that the election is over and our members have spoken, the time has come for all BLET members to bond together as we move into the future, so that true democracy prevails. The eyes of all in the rail community are upon us now, and the success of our proud exercise in democracy will be proven when all BLET members unite and get behind the efforts of our Organization.
Announcement of verified results of National Division Officers election
As prescribed by the Rules for the 2010 BLET National Division Officers Election, National Secretary-Treasurer William C. Walpert has released the verified results of National Division Officers election. A total of 22 National Division Officers and Alternates were chosen in the election.
BLET National Division office holiday schedule
In observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays, the BLET National Division headquarters will be closed on December 23-24 and December 30-31, 2010.
BLET to conduct workshop for Legislative Reps
The BLET Education & Training Department, in conjunction with the National Legislative Office and the National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC), will conduct a workshop for BLET Division Legislative Representatives in Washington, D.C., from February 13-17, 2010.
Ballots mailed in CSX ratification votes
Ratification ballots were mailed on December 9 to over 2,400 active BLET members working for CSX Transportation to decide the fate of two proposed agreements.
Pierce, Walpert reelected
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce and National Secretary-Treasurer William C. Walpert have been reelected to four-year terms that begin on January 1, 2011.
Deadline extended to Dec. 31 for eligible dependents
Thanks to an agreement between the Cooperating Railway Labor Organizations (CRLO) and the National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC), BLET members now have until December 31, 2010, to register their eligible dependents (up to age 26) for health care. The original
GA-46000 Lifetime maximum adjusted for 2011
The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (also known as ERMA or GA-46000) Plan will increase from $118,900 to $126,200 on January 1, 2011.
Requesting replacement ballots for BLET Officer elections
Members requesting a replacement ballot should be prepared to provide their name, mailing address, and BLET Division number. Ballots must be mailed in time to reach P.O. Box 93966, Cleveland, Ohio, 44101-9815, no later than 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 15, 2010.
