Rail Industry News
GM strike could hurt unionized auto haulers first
(Source: Freight Waves, September 17, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The halt in vehicle production at General Motors plants on Sept. 16 over a labor dispute is expected to have ripple effects throughout the automakers’ supply chain, but experts say the severity of any...
GM stops paying for health insurance for striking workers as talks continue
(Source: Reuters, September 17, 2019) BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — General Motors Co shifted health insurance costs for its striking workers to the United Auto Workers union as its members walked the picket line for the second day on Tuesday. Full story: Reuters
Legislators resist “reckless” LNG rail tank car plan
(Source: Environment News Service, September 17, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two Democratic Congressmen have introduced legislation requiring a comprehensive review of the transport of liquefied natural gas, LNG, by rail tank car within the United States. On April 10,...
KCS eyes energy opportunities in Mexico
(Source: Freight Waves, September 17, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Kansas City Southern expects to leverage its operations in Mexico as U.S. and multinational companies take advantage of the country’s 2013 energy reform and export crude oil to Mexico. KSU chief...
Precision pushback: How CSX is changing the railroad industry
(Source: Jacksonville Business Journal, September 18, 2019) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As the rail industry moves to mimic CSX’s operating model, shippers are calling foul — arguing with the company’s numbers and asking for more regulation. “Fundamentally, this is a...
Teamster women kick off 2019 conference in Montreal
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, September 16, 2019) MONTREAL — It’s that time of year again to kick off the Teamsters’ annual Women’s Conference! And this year we’re across the Northern border in Montreal, Canada where Teamster women...
Company announces $14 billion deal to build Texas bullet train, but is still long way from the end of the line
(Source: Houston Chronicle, September 14, 2019) HOUSTON — A planned high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas reached another milestone Friday as the sponsoring company announced a $14 billion deal to build it — as soon as it obtains the authority to do so. Full...
Alberta Premier says oil production curtailment exemptions possible if producers ship by rail
(Source: Bloomberg, September 16, 2019) CALGARY, Alberta — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says it’s likely his government will allow oil producers to exceed their provincially imposed output caps if they can ship those extra barrels by rail. Full story: Financial...
Chemical shippers endorse STB effort to reform freight rail ship rates
(Source: Progressive Railroading, September 16, 2019) The American Chemistry Council (ACC), which represents rail shippers in the chemical manufacturing industry, announced its support last week for the Surface Transportation Board's recently proposed changes to its...
Metra won’t increase fares in 2020 and will prioritize backlog of improvements
(Source: Curbed Chicago, September 16, 2019) CHICAGO — Metra won’t raise fares in 2020 which means the agency hasn’t asked customers to pay more for two years in a row. The new state capital bill will let the transit agency budget $2.6 million for improvements over...
MTA to spend unprecedented $5.7 billion on LIRR over the next five years
(Source: Nassau Daily Voice, September 16, 2019) LONG ISLAND, N.Y. — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to spend a whopping $51 billion over the next five years to create a faster, more accessible, and more reliable public transportation system, including...
Lawmakers fear China building “spy trains”
(Source: Chicago Patch, September 15, 2019) CHICAGO — The world's largest train manufacturer, a company owned by the Chinese government, is being targeted by U.S. lawmakers concerned it will build "spy trains" in the United States. CRRC Corporation recently opened a...
House panel investigates DOT Secretary Elaine Chao for alleged ethics violations
(Source: USA Today, September 17, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Oversight and Reform Committee said Monday it would be investigating Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao for alleged ethics violations. Full story: USA Today
Shift to electric vehicles a key issue in UAW strike against GM
(Source: Wired.com, September 17, 2019) NEW YORK — When United Automobile Workers members walked off the job at 33 General Motors sites around the US on Sunday morning, perhaps the most … striking detail was that they only numbered 46,000. The last time the UAW’s GM...
GM strike costing up to $90 million a day as UAW members hold out for a fair deal
(Source: CNBC, September 16, 2019) DETROIT — The music and chants from outside a General Motors assembly plant at midnight Monday could be heard from several blocks away as United Auto Workers members picketed the plant. Full story: CNBC
City of Portland releases photos of bridge damaged by UP derailment
(Source: The Oregonian, September 14, 2019) PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland released dramatic photos Friday showing the scale of damage that occurred last weekend when a Union Pacific train derailed and smashed into multiple Swan Island bridge support columns. Full story:...
Operating on UP tracks, Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner often runs late
(Source: The Examiner, September 14, 2019) JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. — The westbound Amtrak train due at mid-afternoon in Independence arrived more than three hours late Tuesday. On Monday, it didn’t make it at all. The Missouri River Runner, which crosses the state on...
Amtrak rolling out new food options in effort to counter “dumbed down” image
(Source: Albany Times Union, September 14, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rail enthusiasts of a certain age may remember the pre-Amtrak days when dining cars featured real silverware, cloth napkins and table cloths, and food more or less cooked to order. Full story: Albany...
EEOC: Union Pacific ignored doctor’s opinion of worker recovered from tumor
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, September 13, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Alleging that it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by refusing to allow a custodian who had a brain tumor removed to return to work, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission...
Canadian railways, government have big plans for Vancouver and Prince Rupert
(Source: Freight Waves, September 13, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Canadian National (NYSE: CNI) and Canadian Pacific (NYSE: CP), as well as the Canadian government, are investing millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements to support anticipated volume growth at...
BLET News
TTD resolution calls for an end to remote control
The Executive Committee of the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department unanimously approved a policy resolution on March 7 that calls for an end to remote control train operations.
2004 BLET Scholarship Directory available
The 2004 BLET Scholarship Directory is now available on the BLET website.
Memorial fund established for families of fallen Brothers
A memorial fund has been established for the families of Anthony C. Rodella and Jeffrey S. Bohler, the two BLET members who lost their lives in a Union Pacific Railroad accident on February 21.
Former Vice-President McGuire passes away
Former International Vice-President Carl Phillip McGuire passed away after a long illness on February 29 at the Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky.
BLET conducts planning session
The Advisory Board of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a division of the Teamsters Rail Conference, conducted its first strategic planning session last week. The Union’s approach for collective bargaining, safety, and security were among key topics at the meeting. A significant point during the three-day session was the structure of the Trainmen Department within the BLET.
Alabama State AFL-CIO passes remote control safety resolution
The Alabama State AFL-CIO passed a remote control resolution on February 7.
BLET announces logo options
A patriotic red, white and blue logo is the favorite of Internet users who voted in an online poll conducted by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
BLET Executive Committee endorses John Kerry for President
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen announced today that its Executive Committee voted unanimously to endorse Senator John F. Kerry for President of the United States.
BLET members killed in collision
Two members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen were killed in an accident on Saturday, February 21.
Carteret, N.J. becomes 49th community to question remote safety
The Borough of Carteret, N.J., became the 49th U.S. community to pass a remote control safety resolution. The Carteret Council unanimously passed the resolution on February 5.
