Rail Industry News
BLET, SMART-TD urge rail industry to respond to coronavirus concerns
(Source: Freight Waves, March 7, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — With reports that the coronavirus is spreading throughout the U.S., the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is pressing the rail industry to take action against a potential outbreak. BLET,...
Self-service options available for RRB customers
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, February 10, 2020) CHICAGO — Spend less time on hold and get what you need when you need it! There are self-serve options, available 24/7, for requesting information and conducting business with the Railroad Retirement...
BNSF breaks ground for second Sandpoint Bridge
(Source: Railway Age, March 5, 2020) NEW YORK — The first signs of physical progress have been made in BNSF Railway’s long-awaited plan to build a second bridge, nearly a mile in length, running parallel to its existing bridge across Lake Pend Oreille near Sandpoint,...
NS says Hoosac Tunnel out of service until the end of March
(Source: Norfolk Southern service alert, March 5, 2020) NORFOLK, Va. — Following is an update on the Hoosac Tunnel service disruption on Norfolk Southern’s partner line, Pan Am Southern, which affects all trains operating between Mechanicville, New York, and Ayer,...
Norfolk Southern debuts autonomous track inspection technology mounted on locomotive
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, March 5, 2020) NEW YORK — As part of a pilot, Norfolk Southern is operating the autonomous system on a mainline between Norfolk, Va., and Portsmouth, Ohio. The route offers a comprehensive range of track and operating conditions,...
Appeals court sides with Swinomish in BNSF suit
(Source: Big Country News, March 5, 2020) CLARKSTON, Wash. — A federal appeals court sided Wednesday with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in its lawsuit against BNSF Railway. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court ruling that upheld the...
Warren Buffett pulls out of $9 billion Quebec LNG project after rail blockades send “a signal” to investors
(Source: Financial Post, March 6, 2020) OTTAWA — Warren Buffett, one of the world’s most influential investors, has pulled out of a proposed $9 billion liquefied natural gas project in Quebec over concerns about railway blockades and infrastructure challenges. Full...
Mohawks remove Kahnawake rail blockade in gesture of good faith
(Source: Montreal Gazette, March 5, 2020) MONTREAL — In the end it wasn’t force that drove them from the tracks; not a military raid or convoy of police cruisers sent to smash through the Mohawk lines. Full story: Montreal Gazette
As Quebec rail blockades come down, supporters demand Indigenous rights be respected
(Source: CBC News, March 5, 2020) MONTREAL — The remaining blockades halting rail traffic in Quebec were taken down Thursday, putting an end to three weeks of protest in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs in British Columbia. Full story: www.cbc.ca
Police not probing recent Canadian rail disasters, crude oil derailments, or deaths for possible negligence
(Source: CBC News, March 6, 2020) CALGARY — Public police forces are choosing not to investigate major accidents at CN and Canadian Pacific Railway, including recent crude oil train crashes and deadly derailments, a CBC News investigation into Canada's rail system has...
AAR reports rail traffic for February and the week ending February 29, 2020
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, March 4, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 29, 2020, as well as volumes for February 2020. U.S. railroads...
Queens would see 12,000 new affordable apartments by decking over Sunnyside Yard
(Source: Gothamist, March 4, 2020) NEW YORK — The city has unveiled a massive plan to deck over Sunnyside Yard to make space for 12,000 affordable apartments in Queens. One of the first steps in the process is for Amtrak, MTA, the City of New York, and other local...
Permits approved for Las Vegas-Southern California high-speed train
(Source: Television station KSNV, March 4, 2020) LAS VEGAS — A high-speed train between Las Vegas and Southern California is one step closer to becoming a reality. Clark County says they have approved permits for Virgin Trains USA to build a station for their train....
New NJ Transit light rail will serve developments along N.J. waterfronts
(Source: www.nj.com, March 3, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — Gov. Phil Murphy and other officials announced the start of construction of the first Hudson-Bergen Light rail extension since the line was extended to the end of Bayonne in 2008. Full story: www.nj.com
Metra says it is making extra cleaning efforts to combat spread of coronavirus
(Source: CBS Chicago, March 4, 2020) CHICAGO — Metra is paying special attention to certain surfaces on its trains to combat spread of coronavirus, while the Chicago Transit Authority emphasized that it cleans its vehicles and stations rigorously as it is. Full story:...
MBTA to step up disinfecting surfaces amid coronavirus concerns
(Source: NBC Boston, March 4, 2020) BOSTON — Amid concerns of coronavirus, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is stepping up cleaning and disinfecting procedures at stations, as well as on subways, trains and buses. Full story: NBC Boston
Amtrak responds to coronavirus risk with increased train cleaning, waivers to change fees
(Source: USA Today, March 4, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak is intensifying its cleaning protocol for trains and stations and waiving reservation change fees through the end of April in response to the coronavirus threat. Full story: USA Today
New Amtrak CEO’s record on safety called into question
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, March 4, 2020) NEW YORK — Business Insider is reporting that Atlas Air pilots said that, under the leadership of William J. Flynn, there is a lack of emphasis on safety and training standards, the hiring of inexperienced and...
Kahnawake Mohawks authorize CP Rail to inspect tracks
(Source: Canadian Press, March 4, 2020) MONTREAL — Canadian Pacific Railway was able to inspect the railway tracks at Kahnawake, where protesters have maintained a blockade for more than three weeks, on Wednesday after the protesters allowed them through. Full story:...
“The railways got very wealthy on our land;” How Canada’s colonial past made railways a target of blockades
(Source: Globe and Mail, March 3, 2020) TORONTO — The blockades have been a response to RCMP arrests on Wet’suwet’en territory in northern B.C., where protesters have been trying to stop the Coastal GasLink pipeline. But for many Indigenous demonstrators from...
BLET News
Bill O’Brien, former Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman, 1933-2006
William T. “Bill” O’Brien, former Chairman of the BLET’s Ohio State Legislative Board, passed away from complications of liver cancer yesterday.
Kertesz reelected by acclamation in Pa.
Ken Kertesz has been reelected by acclamation to his second term as Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Legislative Board at the Board’s Quadrennial Meeting on October 20.
5 days until Election Day
When you go to the polls in five days, you will have the opportunity to decide the fate of this country and this country’s children. The November 7 elections are extremely important to the future of all Americans – whether they realize it or not.
PNR short line workers ratify first BLET contract
BLET-represented workers at the Panhandle Northern Railroad (PNR) unanimously ratified their first union contract on October 27.
Disabled members attacked by AAR, CEOs
The railroad industry has again shown its contempt for its workers, including those who are retired.
BLET to conduct final S-T Workshop of 2006
The BLET’s Education and Training Department will conduct a Secretary-Treasurer Compliance Workshop in Cleveland from December 3-6.
BLET’s D.C. State Legislative Board to host third annual exposition in Washington, D.C.
The BLET’s District of Columbia State Legislative Board will host its Third Annual Locomotive Engineers Exposition tomorrow in the Starlight Room at Union Station, Washington, D.C., from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
No Union in Union Workers Credit Services
At least five million people have received solicitations that give the impression of offering a credit card from the Texas-based Union Workers Credit Services, which has no official ties to any union or the AFL-CIO and does not offer a credit card.
CF&E short line workers ratify first contract
BLET members working on the Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern (CF&E) Railroad recently ratified their first union contract.
Members must contact IBT Election Supervisor with questions
In recent weeks, several BLET members have contacted the National Division office with questions regarding the election of International Union officers for the Teamsters.
