Rail Industry News
CSX uncovers trip plan compliance
(Source: Railway Age, October 22, 2019) NEW YORK — CSX is taking a bold transparency move. In releasing its Trip Plan Compliance performance information, it is also at the early stages of disclosing how poor logistics delivery to customers has been in the past. But,...
The MTA is prepared to blow its deadline for installing PTC
(Source: Gothamist, October 22, 2019) NEW YORK — The life-saving, federally-mandated technology the MTA was supposed to install on its commuter rail lines after two fatal crashes is not likely to be completed on time. Nabil Ghaly, president at Rail Transport...
Slow shipments from Asia could mean sluggish Christmas shopping season
(Source: The Post and Courier, October 22, 2019) CHARLESTON, S.C. — A weaker-than-normal peak shipping season for Asian businesses making goods bound for U.S. markets could be an indication of a sluggish Christmas shopping season. Full story: The Post and Courier
Railroads face major challenges to jump-start their intermodal business
(Source: Freight Waves, October 22, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Not all that long ago, say 2015 to 2017, it was the best of times for the railroads’ intermodal business. These times are not like those times. The railroads have been mired in intermodal red ink all year...
Activist investor that shook up CSX sells most of its stake
(Source: Wall Street Journal, October 21, 2019) NEW YORK — The activist that shook up CSX Corp. has wound down most of its investment in the railroad operator, marking an end to a three-year saga that helped spur a massive overhaul of the U.S. railroad industry. Paul...
Canadian National sees Q3 2019 profit amid headwinds
(Source: Freight Waves, October 22, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Despite a lower operating ratio and higher revenue and net profits in the third quarter, Canadian National Railway said it plans to lower its guidance for 2019 amid sluggish rail volumes and a softer North...
CN reports Q3 2019 financial results
(Source: CN press release, October 22, 2019) MONTREAL — CN today reported its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019. "CN delivered strong results, despite a softening economy,” said JJ Ruest, president and chief executive...
Norfolk Southern reports Q3 2019 financial results
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, October 23, 2019) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corporation today reported third-quarter financial results. Third-quarter net income was $657 million and diluted earnings per share were $2.49. The operating ratio for the...
UAW member on picket line hit by car, dies at Tennessee plant
(Source: Detroit News, October 22, 2019) DETROIT — A General Motors Co. employee was struck by a car and killed Tuesday while out picketing on the strike line near the automaker's Tennessee plant, according to police. Roy A. McCombs died while on strike with the...
UAW-GM strike, day 37: Voting results trickle in from UAW members
(Source: Detroit News, October 22, 2019) DETROIT — UAW Local 1853 members at the Spring Hill Manufacturing plant in Tennessee voted down the contract 51% to 49% with skilled trades and production votes combined, according to unofficial results on the local's website....
How tentative GM deal stacks up to previous UAW contract
(Source: Detroit News, October 21, 2019) DETROIT — United Auto Workers striking General Motors Co. for the past month demanded the return of production from Mexico and reversal of plans to close the sprawling Lordstown Assembly complex in northeast Ohio’s Mahoning...
Buffett: Berkshire is worth much more as one than broken up
(Source: GuruFocus.com, October 21, 2019) NEW YORK — One argument that has started to gain a lot of traction with Wall Street analysts and owners of Berkshire Hathaway stock over the past few years is the idea that the conglomerate might be broken up after Warren...
Railroad bridge in Houston partially collapses, derailing UP train
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, October 21, 2019) NEW YORK — A railroad bridge has partially collapsed in northeast Houston this morning, causing a train to derail. Union Pacific says it was executing switching operations when the span failed around 1 a.m. this...
Amtrak: Host railroads responsible for on-time performance issues
(Source: Railway Age, October 21, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak Inspector General Kevin H. Winters recently issued a report about the economic impact of sub-standard On-Time Performance (OTP) of Amtrak trains caused by the freight railroads that host and dispatch...
Federal appeals court rules against BMWED in automated track inspection case
(Source: Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division press release, October 18, 2019) SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — A federal appeals court has ruled against the BMWED in our attempt to require BNSF to perform full visual human-conducted track inspections at the bare...
KCS bucks downward trend with cross-border freight boost
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, October 21, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — KCS is exhibiting the effects of overall depressed volume for railroads less than other Class I's due to its substantial freight share that crosses the U.S.-Mexico border. Chemical and petroleum products...
Moody’s Investor Services sees significant drops in Powder River Basin coal production
(Source: Freight Waves, October 21, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Coal production in the Powder River Basin (PRB) could decline significantly in 2020, but by how much remains to be seen, according to a report by Moody’s Investors Services. Full story: Freight Waves
Crude by rail shipments fell slightly in August, Canada Energy Board says
(Source: Canadian Press, October 21, 2019) OTTAWA — The Canada Energy Regulator says exports of crude oil by rail from Canada fell slightly in August to 310,000 barrels per day from 313,000 bpd in July. The August number is up 35 per cent from 230,000 bpd reported in...
DOT proposes rule for LNG transportation
(Source: Railway Age, October 21, 2019) NEW YORK — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), announced that it is publishing a notice...
Stakes remain high as UAW members begin voting on tentative contract
(Source: Detroit News, October 18, 2019) DETROIT — United Auto Workers leaders have a week to convince members to ratify a proposed new contract — and it won't be an easy task, members and experts say. Full story: Detroit News
BLET News
Railroad Retirement Board clarifies UTU falsehood
The Legal Department of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board has come forth and denied a major falsehood being spread by the United Transportation Union regarding the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Railroad Retirement Trust Fund.
BLET short-term disability insurance update
The MetLife Claims Center opened today to handle short-term disability claims from members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
Colorado State Legislative Board elects new officers
Members of the BLET’s Colorado State Legislative Board elected new officers at their second quadrennial meeting held in Denver on September 14.
BLET to UTU: ‘Keep it up’
(BLET National President Don M. Hahs today sent the following letter to UTU President Paul C. Thompson regarding recent postings on the UTU website.)
Wyoming AFL-CIO passes remote control resolution
The Wyoming AFL-CIO became the 21st state federation to pass a remote control safety resolution on September 11, 2004. The resolution was passed at the state AFL-CIO convention.
BLET Education & Training Department and Arbitration Department announces upcoming General Chairman Workshop the week of November 15
We are pleased to announce that the Education & Training and Arbitration Departments are offering a General Chairman’s workshop to be held in the BLET Arbitration Department offices on the fifth floor of the Standard Building, Room 500, in Cleveland, Ohio, the week of November 15, 2004.
Teamwork and safety
It comes as no surprise to locomotive engineers and trainmen that onboard computers and cab electronics are becoming more and more advanced.
But when there are no federal regulations covering these new technologies, it should also come as no surprise that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is there, striving to ensure its safe deployment.
In the Line of Duty: Glen A. York II
Glen A. “Skip” York, II, a member of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Division 811, was killed in a remote control switching accident in the Burlington Northern Santa Fe yard in Clovis, N.M., on September 2.
Labor Day statement from BLET National President Don M. Hahs
This weekend we celebrate the American worker and the labor movement which has for so long represented the interests of workers in this country. The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City.
BLET to investigate remote control fatality
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is dispatching its Safety Task Force to help investigate a fatal remote control train accident in Clovis, N.M.
