Rail Industry News
Neff Yard sits nearly empty after Union Pacific announcement
(Source: Television station KSHB, October 17, 2019) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Union Pacific's decision to transfer switching operations away from Neff Yard will lead to at least 200 people losing their jobs and far fewer trains going in and out of the once-popular freight...
UAW reaches tentative deal with GM
(Source: Detroit News, October 16, 2019) DETROIT — The United Auto Workers’ month-long strike against General Motors Co. could be nearing an end after they reached a proposed tentative agreement Wednesday that is expected to deliver base-wage increases, uncapped...
CSX Q3 2019 profit slips 4% as railroad hauls less freight
(Source: Associated Press, October 16, 2019) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX's profit declined 4% in the third quarter, but tight cost controls helped the railroad weather a 5% decline in volume. The Jacksonville, Florida, based railroad said it earned $856 million, or $1.08...
CSX announces Q3 2019 financial results
(Source: CSX press release, October 16, 2019) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Corporation today announced third quarter 2019 net earnings of $856 million, or $1.08 per share, versus $894 million, or $1.05 per share in the same period last year (an earnings per share increase...
Union Pacific reports Q3 2019 results
(Source: Union Pacific press release, October 17, 2019) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corporation today reported 2019 third quarter net income of $1.6 billion, or $2.22 per diluted share. This compares to $1.6 billion, or $2.15 per diluted share, in the third quarter...
Union Pacific Q3 2019 profit down 2% volume down 8%
(Source: Associated Press, October 17, 2019) OMAHA, Neb. — The slowing economy and ongoing trade disputes are dragging railroad profits down in the second half of the year. Union Pacific and CSX railroads both reported declining profit and revenue as they hauled less...
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
BLET News
BLET Job Bank: Amtrak
Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corp., is recruiting Locomotive Engineers to work out of Fort Wayne, Ind.
BLET to conduct advanced Local Chairman Workshop
The Education & Training Department of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is seeking participants for an advanced Local Chairman Workshop scheduled for October 31-November 5.
J.T. Norris reelected to lead Legislative Board Chairmen
J.T. Norris of BLET Division 562 (Richmond, Va.) was reelected to another term as the Chairman of the BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen in meetings here yesterday.
BLET State Legislative Chairmen meet in Montana
BLET State Legislative Chairmen from across the United States are meeting here this week under the auspices of the National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen.
‘Totally ridiculous’
In response to the UTU’s latest website posting titled, “Are the Teamsters eyeing the Railroad Retirement assets,” BLET National President Don M. Hahs responded with a two word statement: “Totally ridiculous.”
Meany Center includes WMD awareness in 2004-05 hazmat training
The George Meany Center/National Labor College has expanded its hazardous waste/chemical emergency response training programs for 2004-2005 to include Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) awareness training.
There they go again
The following statement by BLET National President Don M. Hahs is in response to recent articles posted on the UTU website.
King County AFL-CIO passes safety resolution
On July 21, the King County Labor Council in Seattle, Wash., adopted a resolution calling for all railroads within county limits to use fully qualified and federally certified locomotive engineers to operate all locomotives.
BLET, Teamsters prepare for Kerry acceptance tonight
Teamster and BLET leaders continue their participation in the Democratic National Convention in Boston this week and will be present tonight when John Kerry accepts the Party’s nomination for president in a primetime speech.
Hoffa addresses the Democratic National Convention
The Teamsters President delivered the following remarks on behalf of working families before the Democratic National Convention on July 27.
