Rail Industry News
Opinion: A railroad’s earnings win isn’t an all-clear for the economy if profit gains come at the expense of jobs
(Source: Bloomberg opinion column by Brooke Sutherland, October 16, 2019) NEW YORK — CSX Corp.’s results were better than many feared they would be, but they came at the expense of several hundred jobs. It’s hardly the sign of a booming economy when profit gains come...
OmniTRAX involved in hub project in Georgia that will include rail, yard construction
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, October 15, 2019) NEW YORK — Affiliates of Denver-based OmniTRAX, Inc. and The Broe Group have signed A&R Logistics, Inc. (A&R) as lead tenant to anchor the Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub (SGIH), a master-planned, 2,750-acre...
LIRR to replace East Hampton rail bridges
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 15, 2019) MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) crews today began the final stage of work to replace two century-old rail bridges in East Hampton, New York, at North Main Street and Accabonac Road. Full story: Progressive...
Amtrak, NJ Transit start big upgrades at four stations on Northeast Corridor
(Source: Radio station 101.5 FM, October 15, 2019) NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit and Amtrak are kicking off construction work at four stations on the Northeast Corridor Line this fall. The work is mostly being paid for by Amtrak and is related to an agreement announced in...
After 30 days, UAW-GM talks suddenly face a deadline
(Source: Detroit Free Press, October 15, 2019) DETROIT — The clock is ticking for General Motors executives to reach a proposed tentative agreement with the UAW, people close to the talks said Tuesday. The union's move to summon its National GM Council to Detroit for...
STB’s cost of capital dilemma
(Source: Railway Age, October 15, 2019) NEW YORK — The Surface Transportation Board (STB) proposes to change the formula for computing the cost of the equity component of the railroad industry’s cost of capital. This is of consequence to railroads, shippers and...
Regulations prompt freight rail sector to address cybersecurity
(Source: Freight Waves, October 15, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — As freight railroads move to digitize their processes, rail companies are also looking into safeguarding their systems against hacking and other malicious attempts to disrupt freight rail operations. Those...
“A loss of identity:” Union Pacific employees in Kansas City angered, saddened by layoffs
(Source: Television station KSHB, October 16, 2019) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Union Pacific confirmed a plan to transfer switching operations from Neff Yard in Kansas City, Missouri, to a separate location in Kansas City, Kansas. Full story: www.kshb.com
“It’s unethical:” 200 Union Pacific workers given two days notice before KC’s Neff Yard closed
(Source: Television station WDAF, October 15, 2019) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Two hundred people who worked at Union Pacific's Neff Yard are out of a job. They were given just two days notice that they're no longer employed. Full story: www.fox4kc.com
Japan’s bullet train tracks battered by Typhoon Hagibis
(Source: Mashable, October 15, 2019) NEW YORK — Japan's nationwide high-speed train system, known as the Shinkansen, felt the brunt of the deadly cyclone Typhoon Hagibis after flooding, relentless rain, and mudslides. Full story: Mashable
Former Norfolk Southern conductor files lawsuit claiming job caused cancer
(Source: Television station WRCB, October 15, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A former conductor for Norfolk Southern Railway Company is suing. Ronnie Sparks claims his job caused his cancer. Full story: www.wrcbtv.com
UAW-GM strike, day 30: GM CEO, president join negotiations
(Source: Detroit News, October 15, 2019) DETROIT — General Motors Co. CEO Mary Barra and President Mark Reuss joined negotiators at the bargaining table with the United Auto Workers on Tuesday morning, a person familiar with the situation told The Detroit News. Full...
Goldman Sachs cuts 2020 transports earnings estimates on industrial weakness
(Source: Freight Waves, October 14, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Goldman Sachs equities analysts believe that weakness in the industrial sector of the U.S. economy will persist through the first quarter of 2020 before positively inflecting in the second quarter, leading...
Amtrak expands Pacific Surfliner service
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 14, 2019) Amtrak today added an additional train on the Pacific Surfliner service to provide a 13th round-trip between Los Angeles and San Diego. Full story: Progressive Railroading
BNSF train derails east of Flagstaff, closes tracks indefinitely
(Source: Arizona Daily Sun, October 14, 2019) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) reports a derailed freight train has closed both main tracks east of Flagstaff early Monday morning. Full story: Arizona Daily Sun
Union Pacific cutting about 200 jobs at Neff Yard in Kansas City, Mo.
(Source: Television KCTV, October 15, 2019) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Union Pacific is switching their operations from Kansas City, Missouri, to Kansas City, Kansas, which will cut jobs. The union says the move will eliminate 200 jobs, but the company also said that some...
Minneapolis passenger rail service to Duluth, another train to Chicago, still being considered
(Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune, October 14, 2019) MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Supporters of passenger rail service in Minnesota, including restoration of the route from the Twin Cities to Duluth and additional service to Chicago, are plotting their push for state funding...
UP to route 135 trains per day through Manteca, Calif.
(Source: Manteca Bulletin, October 11, 2019) MANTECA, Calif. — Union Pacific Railroad has put Manteca on notice to expect 135 trains eventually to pass through the city each day. That’s an enormous leap from today’s railroad traffic that sends 56 trains now each day...
UAW-GM strike, day 29: Talks continue as pressure ramps up for agreement
(Source: Detroit News, October 14, 2019) DETROIT — The United Automobile Workers union strike against General Motors Co. entered its 29th day Monday after another tumultuous weekend at the bargaining table. Full story: Detroit News
BNSF investigates Nebraska coal train collision
(Source: NBC Nebraska, October 12, 2019) ANTIOCH, Neb. — Train crews with Burlington Northern Santa Fe were uninjured after two coal trains collided Friday night. It happened just west Antioch just at around 11 p.m. Full story: www.knopnews2.com
BLET News
59th community opposes remote control operations
The city of Milford, Utah, became the 59th community to pass a resolution in opposition to remote control locomotives on June 1.
General Chairman Morrison reelected
General Chairman Austin Morrison won reelection by acclamation at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe General Committee of Adjustment’s triennial meetings in Amarillo, Texas, from June 15-16. He is a member of BLET Division 574 in Amarillo, Texas.
BLET comments on CSXT proposed line sale or lease
According to recent articles by the Associated Press and the Huntington Dispatch, CSX Transportation has put up for bid or lease two major routes in West Virginia and western Maryland, potentially affecting as many as 250 union jobs.
UTU is at it again
The United Transportation Union is at it again, seeking another backdoor attempt to raid membership of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
President Hahs visits Capitol Hill
BLET National President Don Hahs met recently with two transportation leaders in Washington, D.C. to discuss rail safety issues.
Short-term disability insurance coming in October
As a result of the last national contract, many members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will soon be able to take advantage of a short-term disability program obtained by the National Division through MetLife.
General Chairman Roberts reelected
Brother Tom Roberts of BLET Division 601 (Newark, N.J.) has been reelected General Chairman of the CSXT Northern District (Conrail Shared Assets) General Committee of Adjustment.
BNSF-MRL General Chairman Pierce reelected
Dennis R. Pierce has been reelected to another three-year term as General Chairman of the BNSF-MRL General Committee of Adjustment at meetings in Las Vegas on July 3. Pierce, a member of Division 98 (Lincoln, Neb.), was elected by acclamation.
Teamsters Applaud GCIU Board’s Approval of Merger Agreement
The Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU) General Board approved the submission of a merger agreement with the Teamsters Union to their membership for a rank-and-file vote on June 30.
Fourth of July statement from BLET National President Don M. Hahs
The following is a statement issued by BLET National President Don M. Hahs in celebration of our nation’s 228th birthday.
