Rail Industry News
Shippers struggle to find intermodal containers for export
(Source: Freight Waves, March 16, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The precipitous drop in port volumes at the North American coastal ports is packing a one-two punch for the North American international intermodal sector. Full story: Freight Waves
Struggling intermodal meets further headwinds with coronavirus
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, March 16, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Intermodal carriers have already had a tough year because low spot rates in the trucking market meant shippers were turning to the highway rather than the railway. But early signs suggest intermodal might...
Hoffa: Senate must act to protect families from expanding COVID-19 crisis
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, March 16, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa about H.R. 6201, the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” legislation approved by the House...
Amtrak, U.S. state rail agencies need $1 billion after coronavirus outbreak
(Source: Reuters, March 16, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. railroad Amtrak said the passenger rail service and its state partners need $1 billion in government assistance after a dramatic decline in travel because of the coronavirus pandemic. Full story: Reuters
FRA declares emergency in response to coronavirus outbreak
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, March 14, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pursuant to Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 211.45, Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Ronald L. Batory has determined that the imminent threat...
NY-NJ Port Authority adds 120 police officers
(Source: Progressive Railroading, March 13, 2020) The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Police Department (PAPD) yesterday reached record staff levels following the graduation of 120 officers to the force. Full story: Progressive Railroading
Iowa jury awards more than $1 million to railroad worker injured on the job
(Source: Des Moines Register, March 13, 2020) DES MOINES, Iowa — A jury awarded a $1.29 million settlement to a Quad Cities man who was injured during a southern Iowa train derailment in June 2015. Full story: Des Moines Register
Hundreds pursue lawsuit against Union Pacific over rail yard contamination, cancer cluster in Houston
(Source: Houston Chronicle, March 13, 2020) HOUSTON — Hundreds of residents are now plaintiffs in a mass case against Union Pacific alleging damages caused by legacy rail yard contamination in a north Houston neighborhood where higher rates of cancer were identified,...
VRE prepping for virus impact
(Source: The Free Lance-Star, March 15, 2020) FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Amtrak has been hemorrhaging passengers while the Virginia Railway Express has been holding steady. But as responses to the virus worldwide have shown, things can change on a dime. Full story:...
LIRR sheet metal worker tests positive for coronavirus
(Source: New York Post, March 15, 2020) NEW YORK — A Long Island Rail Road sheet metal worker has tested positive for coronavirus, MTA Chairman Pat Foye said Sunday afternoon. The employee’s last day at work was over a week ago, on Saturday, March 7, Foye said. Full...
SEPTA running fewer regional trains due to staffing problems
(Source: NBC Philadelphia, March 16, 2020) PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Philadelphia-area transit agency canceled 14 of its scheduled departures due to what a spokesperson called “manpower issues.” Full story: NBC Philadelphia
Amtrak to cut Northeast Corridor trains by 60% as demand drops due to coronavirus
(Source: USA Today, March 15, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak is cutting its frequency on the Northeast Corridor by 60% of its typical weekday schedules between Boston, New York and Washington Monday in response to plummeting demand due to the coronavirus. Full story:...
Freight railroads monitor network for coronavirus impacts
(Source: Freight Waves, March 13, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Freight railroads are alerting customers of their plans to address the coronavirus in North America, and they urged their customers to notify them if their supply chain changes. Full story: Freight Waves
NJ Transit engineer quarantines himself after wife exposed to someone with coronavirus
(Source: www.nj.com, March 14, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — A New Jersey Transit locomotive engineer cautiously quarantined himself after his wife was in contact with someone diagnosed with the coronavirus, officials said. Full story: www.nj.com
FRA proposes draft safety standards for Texas Central bullet train
(Source: Progressive Railroading, March 12, 2020) The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) this week proposed a rule of particular applicability (RPA) to establish safety standards for the Texas Central Railroad's Dallas-to-Houston high-speed rail system. Full story:...
DOT announces $248.5 million in grants to support railroad infrastructure
(Source: U.S. Department of Transportation press release, March 12, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced the recipients of $248.5 million in grant funds under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements...
NS announces “re-positioning” of 30 jobs from West Virginia rail yard
(Source: Williamson Daily News, March 12, 2020) WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Norfolk Southern Railway has "re-positioned" 30 jobs from the 100-plus year old Rail Yard in Williamson, to yards in Bluefield, West Virginia and Roanoke, Virginia. The news came in an official...
Montana Supreme Court: BNSF not shielded from liability in Libby asbestos cases
(Source: Flathead Beacon, March 13, 2020) KALISPELL, Mont. — In a unanimous decision, the Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday determined that BNSF Railway Company is not shielded from liability for its role in spreading asbestos-laden dust in the Northwest Montana town...
Cenovus Energy to suspend crude by rail program in 2020
(Source: Freight Waves, March 13, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Falling crude oil prices have prompted Canadian oil and natural gas producer Cenovus Energy to stop its crude-by-rail program temporarily. Cenovus is “temporarily suspending its crude-by-rail program and...
How coronavirus could hit America’s 1.8 million truckers
(Source: Business Insider, March 12, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Companies across the US are requiring their employees to work from home as a response to the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 123,000 people and killed more than 4,500. But one of America's...
BLET News
Illinois joins Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact
On November 30, the Illinois Senate gave its final, unanimous approval to the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact, a plan to create railroad jobs and to expand passenger rail service in the Midwest. It is expected that Governor Rod Blagojevich will sign the measure with in the next 60 days.
Deadline for AFL-CIO scholarships in Mass. is February 7
Two $250 scholarships are available to children of BLET members who belong to Division 57 in Boston, Mass.
Scholarship reminder for NS members: Jan. 31 deadline looms
A deadline of January 31 has been set for the children of Norfolk Southern employees seeking to participate in the 2008 Norfolk Southern Scholarship Program.
BLET responds to NTSB report on 2005 Metra accident
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is continuing to defend Metra Locomotive Engineer and BLET Member Michael Smith in light of a post-accident report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
A look back at 2006
The year 2006 was an eventful and successful year for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
BLET to conduct three S-T Workshops in 2007
The workshops will take place in Chicago (Feb. 18-21), Kansas City (March 12-15) and Denver (April 9-12).
Holiday 2006
On the behalf of the officers and staff of the BLET, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all BLET members and their families a safe and happy holiday season.
Division 34 adopts a family for the holidays
Members of BLET Division 34 (Columbus, Ohio) got to play Santa Claus to a family in need last year and they enjoyed it so much they’re planning to do the same thing again this year.
BLET, GTW/CN reach five year tentative contract
The BLET’s Grand Trunk Western General Committee of Adjustment has reached a tentative five year contract with CN.
Teamsters say proposed rail security rules ignore employees’ safety role
Proposed rules by the Transportation Security Administration ignore necessary employee training and protections against employer retaliation. The Teamsters Union is still reviewing the rules, issued Friday, but so far has determined that the proposals are inadequate.
