Rail Industry News
Drivers play daily waiting games with trains across Fort Worth
Over the past year, drivers sent hundreds of reports of trains blocking track-and-street intersections to the Federal Railroad Administration.
U.S. Senators laud new proposed rule protecting local emergency responders who respond to train derailments
U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), and John Fetterman (D-PA) backed a new proposed rule from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that will require railroads to make real-time information regarding the contents of train cars available to emergency responders and to proactively push this information to emergency responders in the event of a derailment or other accident.
Canadian rail safety head marks 10-year anniversary of Lac-Megantic derailment
Much work is still needed to bolster rail safety and prevent another tragic accident like the one that happened in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, 10 years ago, the head of the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) said on Thursday.
10 years after Lac-Megantic disaster: Changes come slowly for Canadian city
Freight trains still rumble through Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, a daily reminder to its 5,750 residents of the accident that shattered a warm summer night, and their city, 10 years ago.
FRA warns Norfolk Southern of “grave deficiencies” in conductor training
The Federal Railroad Administration is demanding immediate changes to Norfolk Southern’s conductor trainee program, citing “grave deficiencies” that have been marked by incidents resulting in “amputations and other serious injuries.”
Norfolk Southern says other companies should share blame for East Palestine derailment
Norfolk Southern says the owner of the rail car that caused the fiery Ohio derailment in February failed to properly maintain it in the years before the crash, and the railroad wants to make sure that company and the owners of the other cars involved help pay for the costs.
Critics challenge the independence of railroad-employed police
Since October, FreightWaves has conducted a series of interviews on the issue, including the question of whether a governmental or other third-party entity should be responsible for ensuring that policing functions are performed ethically and lawfully.
AAR reports rail traffic for June and the week ending July 1, 2023
Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 26 weeks of 2023 was 11,957,330 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 5.3 percent compared to last year.
CPKC puts temporary embargo on shipping goods through Vancouver during B.C. port strike
CPKC, a major North American railway, says it has placed “temporary embargoes” on export traffic to the Port of Vancouver, as a strike at B.C. ports drags into its fifth day with no signs of a breakthrough.
AAR sues State of Ohio over rail safety legislation
The Association of American Railroads filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on June 30 seeking to block the state’s two-person train crew mandate.
Teamsters: After marathon sessions, UPS walks away and negotiations collapse
Around 4 a.m., UPS walked away from the bargaining table after presenting an unacceptable offer to the Teamsters that did not address members’ needs. The UPS Teamsters National Negotiating Committee unanimously rejected the package.
Q&A: Applying for a Railroad Retirement annuity
Railroad employees considering retirement should familiarize themselves with the Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) annuity application process. Being prepared can prevent needless delays and ensure that railroad retirement annuity payments begin as soon as possible after retirement.
Remediation and frustrations mark five months since EP derailment
Monday, July 3, marked five months since a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, and while some in the village are satisfied with both the cleanup efforts and the railroad’s attempts to make amends, others remain frustrated and fearful.
Ohio Governor DeWine requests presidential disaster declaration for East Palestine
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine requested on Monday that President Joe Biden issue a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration for damage resulting from the catastrophic East Palestine train derailment that occurred earlier this year.
Norfolk Southern sues 7 chemical, railcar companies over costs from East Palestine derailment
Norfolk Southern filed a lawsuit Friday against seven companies involved in the February 3 derailment that resulted in hazardous chemicals being spilled and burned off in East Palestine.
NMB installs Hamilton as Chair
The National Mediation Board (NMB) installed Deirdre Hamilton as chair on July 1. Her one-year term will expire on June 30, 2024.
NTSB releases annual report
he report also includes the NTSB’s Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements; worker safety is the one rail topic on that list.
BNSF wins new trial over $228 million jury award in biometric data case
A U.S. judge on Friday ordered a new trial on damages against BNSF Railway in a privacy class action, in a ruling that wiped out an award of $228 million to truck drivers who accused the freight railway giant of unlawfully collecting their fingerprints.
NTSB investigating CSX employee death at Port of Baltimore
The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation after a CSX Transportation employee was killed after being struck by a train Monday evening at the Seagirt Marine Terminal at the Port of Baltimore.
Unions bristle after NS hires outside consultant to advise on safety culture
“Hiring outside consultants may sound good to investors, but the experts are working every day in the cab of the engine,” said Eddie Hall, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
BLET News
2024 Election: BLET Legislative Board recommendations
In advance of the general election on November 5, the BLET National Division is publishing a list of voting recommendations from the various BLET State Legislative Board Chairmen. The list includes candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of...
Texas: Annual rail labor solidarity rally slated for October 15
BLET members are encouraged to attend the annual Houston Solidarity Rally, which runs from noon-7:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday, October 15. The rally features guest speakers from organized labor (including BLET), presentations from the Railroad Retirement Board and various...
Texas: BLET notches another short line organizing victory — third one in 2024
Train and engine service employees at Transglobal Solutions/TGS Cedar Port Railroad in Baytown, Texas, voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining the BLET this week. Rail industry publication Progressive Railroading described Cedar Port, where the railroad operates, as...
Members still have time to request replacement ballots in Metra-UP implementing agreement
Ballots are due on October 8 in the Metro-Union Pacific implementing agreement. Photo: Chase Gunnoe _____________________ BLET members are continuing to vote on a tentative implementing agreement regarding Metra’s takeover of services from the Union Pacific Railroad....
Pearson reelected to third term as Colorado State Legislative Board Chairman
Brother Paul Pearson of BLET Division 133 (Denver, Colo.) was reelected by acclamation to his third term as Chairman of the Colorado State Legislative Board at its 8th quadrennial meeting in Centennial, Colo., on September 18. Brother Pearson hired out with the...
Help is available for BLET members who suffered damage or property loss from Hurricane Helene
Big Bend Region, Florida — Coast Guard personnel from the Gulf Strike team and Station Pascagoula conducting urban search and rescue operations alongside federal and state partners to assist stranded people. (Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard) ____________________ More...
Biden-Harris administration calls on CPKC, CN and CSXT to guarantee paid sick leave for all railroad workers
Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. Department of Labor photo ____________________ On September 25, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Department of Labor Acting Secretary Julie Su sent letters to the CEOs of three Class I freight railroads — CPKC,...
Buffalo: CSXT’s remote control trains kill and maim pedestrians
The BLET continues to expose the dangers of remote control train operations after three tragic pedestrian incidents — including a fatality — in Buffalo, New York. The lead story on Page 1 of the September 22 issue of the Buffalo News says it all: “Driverless trains...
New England: Cadogan reelected State Legislative Board Chairman
The BLET’s New England Legislative Board, formerly known as the Massachusetts State Legislative Board, reelected Daniel Cadogan as Chairman at its 8th quadrennial meeting held virtually on September 7, 2024. This will be the third term of office for Brother Cadogan,...
BLET President Hall on hand as ATDA is inducted into DOL’s Century of Service Honor Roll
From left: Retired ATDA President Leo McCann, Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su and ATDA President Ed Dowell (DOL photograph) ____________________ The American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) was one of nine unions honored by the U.S. Department of Labor on...
