Rail Industry News
Metra adds express trains to BNSF and Rock Island lines
(Source: Streetsblog Chicago, July 29, 2020) CHICAGO — In another sign that Chicagoland transit is slowly coming back from dramatic ridership losses during the pandemic, Metra announced this week that it is adding express trains to its Rock Island and BNSF lines,...
Murphy, Blumenthal press for more money for Amtrak in stimulus bill
(Source: Connecticut Mirror, July 28, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak says it will have to make further cuts to its service and workforce –changes that will impact Connecticut riders — if Congress does not approve another $1.5 billion in emergency pandemic funds. Full...
Wabtec anticipates market rebound in second half of 2020
(Source: Freight Waves, July 28, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — An anticipated sequential rebound in rail volumes in the second half of 2020 should support Wabtec’s revenues in the third and fourth quarters, executives said during the company’s second-quarter earnings...
Residual effects of Hurricane Hanna to slow cross-border freight for days
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, July 28, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hanna, which made landfall in Texas as a hurricane Saturday night, moved west Monday, dumping up to a foot of rain in southern Texas and northern Mexico and slowing border crossings. Major northbound routes...
Once Canada’s oil relief valve, rail shipping grinds to near halt
(Source: Reuters, July 28, 2020) WINNIPEG, Manitoba — After moving record-large Canadian oil volumes by rail just five months ago, shippers have hit the brakes, idling thousands of cars and tens of millions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure. Full story: Reuters
NS settles disability lawsuit for $2.5 million
(Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 29, 2020) PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Norfolk Southern Corp. and Norfolk Southern Railway Co. have agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,...
Norfolk Southern’s second quarter net profits fall by 46%
(Source: Freight Waves, July 29, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Norfolk Southern’s net profits for the second quarter slipped 46% to $392 million, or $1.53 in diluted earnings per share, compared with $722 million, or $2.70 in diluted earnings per share, in the second...
Norfolk Southern reports Q2 2020 financial results
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, July 29, 2020) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corporation today reported second-quarter financial results. Second-quarter net income was $392 million, diluted earnings per share were $1.53 and the operating ratio was 70.7...
Portal Bridge, the bane of NJ Transit riders, is finally going to be replaced
(Source: www.nj.com, July 27, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — The end is finally near for the cantankerous, rusty, delay-causing, 110-year old Portal Bridge. NJ Transit officials approved an agreement Monday evening, leading to construction starting next spring. Full story:...
Shippers’ group urges Senate to confirm STB nominees
(Source: Freight Waves, July 27, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Rail Customer Coalition is asking Congress to support the confirmation of two additional people to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) so that the board can reach its full member complement. STB...
Opinion: SEPTA and other transit systems are in dire need of more coronavirus relief
(Source: Philadelphia Inquirer opinion column by Yasha Zarrinkelk and Dena Ferrara Driscoll, July 27, 2020) PHILADELPHIA — As Congress negotiates the next big coronavirus relief package, it is clearer than ever that a sustained investment in Pennsylvania’s public...
SEPTA is launching a COVID-19 memorial fund following seven employee deaths
(Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, July 27, 2020) PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA is eyeing a way to help families of employees who have died or been severely impacted by COVID-19, the transit authority announced Monday. Full story: Philadelphia Inquirer
Union Pacific police will no longer work with ICE
(Source: CBS Los Angeles, July 27, 2020) LOS ANGELES — Police for the Union Pacific Railroad will no longer collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain people and transfer them into federal custody, the ACLU announced Monday. Full story: CBS...
Canadian rail carriers take a hit from COVID, but CN and CP are bullish on 2020’s second half
(Source: The Load Star, July 27, 2020) TORONTO — The balance sheets of Canada’s two class-one rail companies took a hit from Covid-19, but their top brass are upbeat on prospects for the second half of 2020, pointing to signs of strength in several key sectors. Full...
Norfolk Southern appoints Cindy Sanborn EVP & COO
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, July 27, 2020) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corporation today announced its board of directors has appointed Cindy Sanborn executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective Sept. 1, 2020. Sanborn will succeed...
Hoffa: Infrastructure investment holds key to improving economy
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, July 24, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following is a message from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa: The coronavirus has brought the American economy to its knees. During the last few months, millions...
New federal LNG-by-rail rule published, lawsuit likely
(Source: Kallanish Energy, July 28, 2020) HOUSTON — The Trump administration has published a new rule that authorizes the bulk movement of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail, and that has resulted in two environmental groups announcing that they intend to sue because...
Amtrak passenger arrested after drawing gun outside Penn Station
(Source: New York Post, July 25, 2020) NEW YORK — Amtrak police arrested a passenger outside of Penn Station early Saturday after the man brandished a handgun, sources told The Post. Full story: New York Post
Union Pacific eyes highway-to-rail conversion opportunities
(Source: Freight Waves, July 24, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Union Pacific is looking for opportunities to take more market share away from trucks, whether that means through investments or through its own service product, executives said during the company’s...
UP’s Fritz: “Second quarter proved very challenging”
(Source: Railway Age, July 23, 2020) NEW YORK — Union Pacific (UP), the fifth Class I to report second-quarter 2020 financials, was hit hard, like most of its peers. Net income of $1.1 billion, or $1.67 per diluted share, was 41% lower than the $1.6 billion, or $2.22...
BLET News
Deadlines approaching for SWCM in Kansas City
Southwestern Convention Meeting (SWCM) Host Chairman Mike Zenner is reminding BLET members that two important registration deadlines are quickly approaching for the convention, which will be held September 13-17 in Kansas City.
Former Canadian Vice President J.W. “Wes” Lyster, 1923-2009
Former Canadian BLE International Vice President J.W. “Wes” Lyster passed away on August 9. He was 86 years old.
Division 160 member survives tanker truck collision, explosion
Brother Tom Felchle, a member of BLET Division 160 (Harvey, N.D.) survived one of a locomotive engineers’ worst nightmares on August 6.
Replacement ballots available for CSX tentative agreement
Contract information and ballots were mailed to approximately BLET 5,000 members on August 5 for voting on the union’s tentative agreement with CSX. Members who did not receive a ballot can request a replacement by contacting the BLET National Division.
BLET reaches tentative agreement to continue CSXT bonus plan
On July 31, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and CSX Transportation reached tentative agreement on a five-year contract that provides general wage increases of 16 percent and continues and improves the current bonus plan.
Wellness programs available for rail workers
Reap the benefits of a healthier lifestyle with the Wellness Programs the National Railroad Health Plans have made available to you and your dependents.
BLET provides Christmas in July for kids with cancer
Members of Teamsters Joint Council 73 and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen in New Jersey recently helped make some wishes come true for eight special children with terminal cancer.
BLET, UTU file joint comments on FRA Hours Of Service Interpretations
In a joint submission aimed at improving safety and the security of member paychecks, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and United Transportation Union have asked the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to clarify and simplify its interim policies relating to, and interpretations of, the Rail Safety Improvement Act’s changes to hours-of-service limitations that went into effect July 16.
Tentative schedule now available for IWC, August 9-13
A tentative schedule is now available for the BLET’s 69th annual International Western Convention (IWC) in Green Bay, Wisc.
Health Care Day of Action on Tuesday, July 28
With the message that health care reform cannot wait, the Teamsters, in conjunction with a number of other groups, are encouraging their members to contact their members of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 28, and urge them to support H.R. 3200, the health care reform proposal.
