Rail Industry News
Unions urge Class Is to enroll in close call safety reporting system
The system enables rail workers to confidentially report “close call” safety incidents to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) without fear of retaliation by their employers.
Union Pacific furloughs shop and intermodal terminal workers
Union Pacific furloughed 94 mechanical employees at shops across the system this week.
Teamsters Canada accuses CN of secretly tracking employee’s location
The union says they have reason to be concerned that a large number of CN Rail employees may have also had their location tracked by the company during their own personal time after work.
CPKC says Union Pacific aims to stifle competition for Gulf Coast grain
Union Pacific’s contention that Kansas City Southern can’t haul grain from the Upper Midwest to the Gulf Coast using trackage rights south of Beaumont, Texas, is “revisionist history,” Canadian Pacific Kansas City has told federal regulators.
Tropical storm hits UP line in Texas; repair work continues in California
Union Pacific is now dealing with flooding along Texas’ Gulf Coast as a result of Tropical Storm Harold, adding to the issues it continues to address in Southern California from Tropical Storm Hilary.
Appeals court returns construction plan for Utah oil train route back to STB
The decision puts the project into timeline limbo.
Wildfires keep railroads busy out west
As wildfires continue to burn across the West, a number of railroads are deploying a unique and rarely-seen tool: the fire train. This week, BNSF Railway, Montana Rail Link and Canadian Pacific all have fire trains at the ready to help contain fires currently burning in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
STB denies BNSF request for partial stay of recent Emergency Service Order
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is requiring the BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) to transport coal from Navajo Transitional Energy Company LLC’s (NTEC) Montana mine to Canada for export after NTEC alleged BNSF has breached its common carrier obligation. In turn, BNSF filed a lawsuit, asking the courts to set aside STB’s order.
BNSF earnings decline as quarterly volume falls 11%
BNSF’s operating income fell 24%, to $1.6 billion, as revenue declined 11.6%, to $5.7 billion.
Department of Labor, BMWED, NS enter agreement to enhance safety at East Palestine derailment site
After several U.S. Department of Labor workplace safety and health investigations at the East Palestine, Ohio, site where a Norfolk Southern Corp. train derailed in February 2023, the train’s operator has entered into a settlement agreement with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
FRA, OSHA call on Norfolk Southern to review safety practices
Improving communication and training as well as fostering trust between the company and its workers are some of the areas where Norfolk Southern could do better, according to a Wednesday report from the Federal Railroad Administration assessing the eastern U.S. Class I railroad’s safety culture.
Norfolk Southern content with minimum safety too often, regulators say after fiery Ohio derailment
Norfolk Southern made improvements after one of its trains derailed, caught fire and spilled toxic chemicals near an Ohio town, but the company is nowhere near the “gold standard for safety” it is striving to be, according to federal regulators. Instead, the railroad is too often only willing to meet minimum safety requirements.
CSX plans extra training after deaths of 2 conductor trainees
CSX is telling its conductor trainees to return to their home terminals for additional training following the recent deaths of two trainees, including one that occurred Monday at a rail yard in Cumberland, Maryland.
AAR: North American rail volume down through 31 weeks
For the first 31 weeks of 2023 (ending Aug. 5), total U.S. weekly rail traffic dipped 4.1% from the same point last year, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) Aug. 9 report.
Senator Brown pushes Biden on federal disaster designation for East Palestine
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown on Monday urged President Joe Biden and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s request that the East Palestine train derailment be declared a federal disaster.
Republican lawmakers want to talk with BLET amid NJ Transit strike vote
New Jersey’s Republican leaders are calling on the union that represents NJ Transit’s locomotive engineers to meet with them in advance of a vote expected to take place later this month that could authorize a strike.
BLET calls for a strike vote after 3-year deadlock at NJ Transit
NJ Transit locomotive engineers who operate the agency’s commuter trains will vote on whether to strike as contract talks have not moved forward since 2019.
Massachusetts DOT halts rail project following worker death
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has halted work on a project on state-owned tracks used by the Housatonic Railroad following a fatal accident last week, pending a safety review of the contractor hired for the track work.
Editorial: Railroad companies must keep emergency responders in the loop
Journalists pieced together an alarming picture of how trains move through our communities carrying huge quantities of dangerous materials such as ammonium nitrate and vinyl chloride.
BNSF completes double-tracking project at Sandpoint, Idaho
The final track segments have been put into place to complete BNSF Railway’s 2-mile double-tracking project at the east end of its busy “Funnel” between Spokane, Wash., and Sandpoint.
BLET News
BLET supports Teamsters in historic strike against Amazon
Today, the BLET is proud to support our Teamster Brothers and Sisters at Amazon as they fight for higher wages, better benefits, and safer conditions at work. BLET members, officers, and staff are among the thousands standing on Teamster picket lines today as a part...
New England: Ballots mailed as BLET reaches tentative contract with Berkshire & Eastern
The BLET has reached a tentative contract with the Berkshire & Eastern Railroad (B&E). The tentative agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 32 members. Ballots were mailed this week. Ballots are due by Friday, December 27, 2024, at noon...
NJ Transit: CEO Kevin Corbett resigns as BLET continues to fight for its members
BLET members at NJT have protested publicly numerous times against management's misplaced priorities. They have been seeking a new labor agreement since October 2019. ____________________ On December 9, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced the resignation of NJ...
Bill to eliminate unfair cuts to Railroad Retirement unemployment and sickness benefits moves to the Senate after ratification by the U.S. House of Representatives
On December 11, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an authorization bill for national defense, which included an amendment for the REEF Act. This provision would fully restore unemployment and...
Two Teamster scholarship funds now accepting applications
BLET members and their families are advised that the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund has begun accepting applications for the 2025 award year. The Fund awards financial scholarships to the sons, daughters and financial dependents of Teamster members...
New York: Retirees honored at 57th annual Division 269/LIRR Dinner Dance
Brother James Daddino (holding plaque) is presented with the “Engineer of the Year” award by (from left to right) Karl Bischoff, Bret Becker and Kevin Sexton. ____________________ BLET Division 269 and the Long Island Rail Road General Committee of Adjustment honored...
Washington, D.C.: President-elect Trump announces cabinet picks to lead DOT, DOL
President-elect Trump has announced his intention to fill two cabinet-level positions of particular interest for the BLET and its members: the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Labor. Former Wisconsin Representative Sean Duffy has been nominated by...
Indiana: BLET members ratify new contract with Indiana Southern Railroad
Members of the BLET on December 5 ratified a new contract with the Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR). The on-property agreement governs rates of pay, benefits, and work rules for 13 BLET locomotive engineers and conductors. The five-year deal runs through the end of...
This holiday season a BLET family needs your generosity as a locomotive engineer recovers from brain surgery
Two BLET members were reunited in a hospital on November 26 for the first time since one came to the other’s rescue during a harrowing ordeal on the job in October. The quick-thinking and decisive actions of conductor Tim McMakin on October 27 likely saved the life of...
Michigan: BLET members ratify new contract with Huron and Eastern Railway
BLET members this week ratified a new contract with the Huron and Eastern Railway (HESR). The on-property agreement governs rates of pay, benefits, and work rules for 24 BLET operating employees. The five-year deal runs through the end of 2029 and provides general...
