Rail Industry News
Panel to probe NJ Transit’s problems starts in Nov. and Gov. Murphy says he’s on board
(Source: www.nj.com, October 28, 2019) NEWARK, N.J. — A special panel convened by State Senate President Steve Sweeney will start its work probing NJ Transit’s problems next month and Gov. Phil Murphy pledged his administration’s full cooperation. The hearings also...
America’s largest private coal miner files for bankruptcy
(Source: CNN, October 29, 2019) NEW YORK — The slow death of the American coal industry has forced Murray Energy, the largest private coal miner in the United States, to file for bankruptcy protection Tuesday. Full story: CNN
With capacity to spare, railroads have an eye on truck cargo
(Source: Transport Topics, October 28, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — A recent remark by a senior official with CSX Transportation on a third-quarter earnings call with financial analysts has caught the attention of trucking industry leaders. Full story: Transport Topics
Four states, led by New York, support Washington state oil train rule
(Source: DeSmog Blog, October 29, 2019) NEW YORK — On October 23, New York Attorney General Letitia James, joined by attorneys general from Maryland, New Jersey, and California, sent a letter of support to the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety...
Canadian farmers, potash miners wary as CN workers vote for strike action
(Source: Saskatoon Star Phoenix, October 29, 2019) SASKATOON, Sask. — Saskatchewan farmers are growing concerned about the possibility of a strike at one the Canadian National Railway in the middle of what is expected to be a busy month of grain shipments following a...
DOT looks to open up railroads for LNG shipments
(Source: Houston Chronicle, October 29, 2019) HOUSTON — Liquefied natural gas could soon move around the country by rail as the Trump administration moves to loosen restrictions on transporting LNG in an effort to further boost to the nation’s energy sector. The...
Airline veteran appointed Chief Safety Officer at Amtrak
(Source: Railway Age, October 29, 2019) NEW YORK — Steve Predmore, a 30-year aviation and bus safety professional, has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Safety Officer at Amtrak, effective Nov. 4, 2019. Predmore will succeed Ken Hylander, who will...
U.S. rail headcount reaches new low
(Source: Freight Waves, October 29, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — In September, the U.S. operations of the Class I railroads employed the fewest number of workers in years, according to data from the Surface Transportation Board. The railroads had 136,865 employees on...
Wildlife groups threaten lawsuit against BNSF over grizzly bear deaths
(Source: The Missoulian, October 28, 2019) MISSOULA, Mont. — Wildlife advocates say they are planning to sue BNSF railroad unless it comes up with a solid plan to keep its trains from hitting and killing grizzly bears. Full story: The Missoulian
LaGrande wants Amtrak’s return to Eastern Oregon
(Source: Bend Bulletin, October 28, 2019) LaGRANDE, Ore. — Cook Memorial Library’s community room was probably as crowded late Saturday morning as the Union Pacific Railroad depot in La Grande was on Sept. 27, 1937, when people waited there for the train carrying...
CSX Director Halverson sells $2.852 million in company stock
(Source: Riverton Roll, October 27, 2019) NEW YORK — CSX Co. Director Steven T. Halverson sold 39,812 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 24. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.65, for a total value of...
High-speed trains would roll through Georgia, Carolinas at up to 220 mph
(Source: Associated Press, October 26, 2019) MARIETTA, Ga. — High-speed trains would whisk passengers from Atlanta's airport to Charlotte, North Carolina, at speeds of up to 220 mph (355 kph). Public input is being sought on the three proposed routes. Full story:...
Former UP worker gets probation, fine for Portland oil spill
(Source: The Oregonian, October 28, 2019) PORTLAND, Ore. — A former wastewater plant operator for Union Pacific Railroad who allowed more than a thousand gallons of oil to seep from an overflowing tank into the Willamette River in January 2018 was sentenced Monday to...
Illinois senator presses for federal help to address Amtrak’s on-time performance
(Source: Freight Waves, October 28, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) is pressing the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to take a greater role in ensuring that Amtrak and the freight railroads improve their rates for on-time performance. In...
Six-week strike cost GM nearly $3 billion
(Source: Detroit News, October 29, 2019) DETROIT — The first two weeks of the strike by the United Auto Workers cost General Motors Co. $1 billion in lost earnings, and overall losses from the six-week walkout will rise to nearly $3 billion, the automaker said...
TCRC members vote in favor of strike action at CN
(Source: Teamsters Canada Rail Conference press release, October 28, 2019) OTTAWA — Members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) at Canadian National (CN) could go on strike as early as Tuesday, November 19 at 0001. Approximately 3000 conductors,...
STB: U.S. Class I workforce down in September 2019
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 28, 2019) Class Is as of mid-September employed 136,865 people in the United States, down 1.74 percent from mid-August's level and down 7.63 percent from September 2018's count, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB)...
BNSF to launch tie replacement project on Metra line
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 24, 2019) Metra announced yesterday that BNSF Railway Co. crews tomorrow will begin a major tie replacement project on the BNSF Line between Downers Grove and Aurora, Illinois. BNSF plans to replace 17,000 ties over 15 miles...
As Mississippi River remains high, CP Rail works to protect its tracks
(Source: Quad-City Times, October 24, 2019) DAVENPORT, Iowa — Canadian Pacific Railway was pouring rocks around the railroad tracks that span Davenport’s riverfront this week as company officials say the freighter company is protecting the roadbed from being eroded by...
Montana’s largest coal mine closes as new owner struggles with bonding
(Source: Billings Gazette, October 24, 2019) BILLINGS, Mont. — DEQ has denied an operating permit to Spring Creek Mine owner Navajo Transitional Energy Company. NTEC is wholly owned by Navajo Nation. There are concerns the tribe won't be backing mine bonds with its...
BLET News
Locomotive engineers reject LIRR contract proposal
Locomotive engineers on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), the largest commuter railroad in the United States, overwhelmingly rejected management’s latest contract proposal over the weekend.
Working families remain our top priority
November 2 was the culmination of years of hard work by BLET members and other union members around the country. While John Kerry did not win, the house of Labor was united in our efforts and we should be proud of what we accomplished.
TCRC member killed in switching incident
Brother Christopher Lewis, a member of Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) Division 528 (London, Ontario), was fatally injured in an on the job accident on October 27.
Statement from President Jim Hoffa and Secretary-Treasurer Tom Keegel on the Presidential election
“While our candidate, John Kerry, did not win, we are proud that the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, along with the entire family of labor, united in an historic effort to fight for the interests of working families. And while President Bush was re-elected, we note that more than 55 million people cast their vote for a progressive agenda. We will continue the fight for that agenda in the next Congress and in state legislatures around the nation as we work hard to expand the base of support.
Urgent safety message from the FRA
Betty Monro, Acting Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, issued the following safety message regarding the recent rash of swiching accidents in the railroad industry.
Labor helps Kerry rally in Cleveland
Organized labor, including the AFL-CIO and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, made its presence known last night as Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry concluded his campaign tour in Cleveland.
Get out and vote!
Today, Americans have an historic opportunity to direct this nation’s future. The elections being contested will determine the path that our country takes, and based on our choices, we can either go down the right path or the wrong one.
Attention BLET Secretary-Treasurers
If you received a notice from the Internal Revenue Service regarding Form 990, please forward it to the BLET Compliance Department for handling
BMWE members overwhelmingly approve IBT merger
By a 76 percent majority, members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees today voted in favor of merging with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Iowa elects new State Legislative Board Chairman
Members of the BLET’s Iowa State Legislative Board elected Jeff A. Kurtz as their new chairman at quadrennial meetings on October 13 and 14.
