Rail Industry News
United Auto Workers open tense labor talks with Ford, GM, Fiat, Chrysler
(Source: CNBC, July 15, 2019) DEARBORN, Mich. — Billions of dollars in investments and the viability of the U.S. auto industry are on the line this year as the Big Three Detroit automakers kick off negotiations with the United Auto Workers union with a ceremonial...
Class-action lawsuit targets Blackjewel LLC
(Source: Gillette News Record, July 9, 2019) GILLETTE, Wyo. — A Gillette employee of Blackjewel LLC has filed a class-action lawsuit against the coal mining company, claiming it failed to give its 1,700 employees proper notice or pay wages and other benefits earned...
South Carolina ports tapping rail and inland hubs more in 2019
(Source: Freight Waves, July 18, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The South Carolina Port Authority (SCPA) said ocean container moves were up 9 percent in its fiscal year, setting a volume record for the port. The Port of Charleston’s two main container terminals, Wando...
North Dakota files petition to block Washington state from restricting oil train shipments
(Source: Freight Waves, July 17, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — North Dakota filed a petition on the afternoon of July 17 asking the federal government to block the state of Washington from enforcing a law that would restrict crude oil-by-rail shipments that pass through...
Wall Street stocks fall as CSX results signal damage from trade tensions
(Source: Reuters, July 17, 2019) NEW YORK — U.S. stock indexes fell on Wednesday as weak results from CSX Corp. stoked concerns that the protracted trade war between the United States and China could hurt corporate earnings. CSX shares tumbled 10.3%, their biggest...
CP Rail rakes in record revenue as traffic increases during Q2 2019
(Source: Canadian Press, July 16, 2019) CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. announced record second-quarter revenues of nearly $2 billion Tuesday, driven by grain, international container traffic and energy, chemicals and plastics to beat analysts' expectations....
CEO of CSX says the economy is the “most puzzling” he’s seen as stock plummets
(Source: CNBC, July 17, 2019) NEW YORK — The CEO of giant East Coast railroad operator CSX is sounding alarm on the U.S. economy as it weighs on the company’s shipping volumes. Full story: CNBC
CSX stock tumbles most since 2008 on freight slump worries
(Source: Bloomberg, July 17, 2019) NEW YORK — CSX Corp. plunged the most since the 2008 financial crisis after a weakened 2019 sales forecast stoked fears of a prolonged freight slump. Full story: Yahoo Finance
CP reports Q2 2019 financial results
(Source: Canadian Pacific Railway press release, July 16, 2019) CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Railway Limited today announced record second-quarter revenues of $1.98 billion, an increase of 13 percent from last year, and record earnings per share (EPS) with...
Union Pacific reports Q2 2019 results
(Source: Union Pacific press release, July 18, 2019) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corporation today reported 2019 second quarter net income of $1.6 billion, or $2.22 per diluted share. This compares to $1.5 billion, or $1.98 per diluted share, in the second quarter...
Meth addict steals $540,000 in Amtrak vouchers to sell on eBay
(Source: Kansas City Star, July 16, 2019) MILAN, Mich. — A Michigan man who officials say stole $540,000 worth of Amtrak vouchers to resell on eBay was indicted on Monday, according to court documents. Full story: Kansas City Star
Cleanup crews making progress after Great Dismal Swamp derailment
(Source: Virginian-Pilot, July 16, 2019) NORFOLK, Va. — Cleanup crews in the Great Dismal Swamp are making progress after a Norfolk Southern train derailed last month and sent 36 cars carrying 3,500 tons coal into the refuge, according to refuge manager Chris Lowie....
Union Pacific, other freight companies earnings eyed for tariff effects
(Source: Reuters, July 12, 2019) NEW YORK — Results from two major U.S. railroads are likely to attract more scrutiny than usual as investors look for signs of how deeply U.S. President Donald Trump’s multi-front trade war is affecting freight companies and the wider...
Assault a NJ Transit worker? It’s jail for you!
(Source: Railway Age, July 10, 2019) NEW YORK — Public transportation is, well, public, and dealing with the public isn’t an easy job. Front-line workers such as railroad conductors and bus drivers can become victims of on-the-job assaults perpetrated by angry, noisy...
Judge orders mechanics unions at American to fine their members if they cause further flight disruptions
(Source: Forbes.com, July 11, 2019) NEW YORK — A federal judge in Fort Worth has told the two unions representing American Airlines' mechanics to begin fining their own members if their actions cause flight delays or cancellations in violation of his order issued two...
Union Pacific laying off workers in Illinois as it streamlines operations
(Source: Chicago Tribune, July 10, 2019) CHICAGO — Union Pacific is scaling back operations at two facilities in Illinois as part of a plan the company rolled out last year to improve the efficiency in its freight operations. A train-sorting facility in Rochelle ended...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending July 6, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, July 10, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 6, 2019. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 448,459...
Employees say Union Pacific’s PSR, longer trains and job cuts are dangerous
(Source: Television station KUTV, July 16, 2019) SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Union Pacific Railroad derailments have made a lot of headlines in our area in recent weeks. Last week, a train in Nevada left the tracks. Pictures show mangled automobiles on the ground and...
Edited transcript of CSX Q2 2019 earnings conference call
(Source: Yahoo Finance, July 17, 2019) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Edited Transcript of CSX Corp earnings conference call or presentation Tuesday, July 16, 2019. Full story: Yahoo Finance
CSX shares tumble after Q2 2019 earnings miss; Outlook slashed as freight volumes slow
(Source: The Street, July 17, 2019) NEW YORK — CSX shares were indicated sharply lower in pre-market trading Wednesday after the third-largest U.S. rail operator slashed its full-year revenue forecast amid slowing freight volumes linked to the ongoing trade dispute...
BLET News
Hahs talks Teamsters at IWC opening ceremony
More than 200 BLE members and their families gathered here this morning and heard opening remarks by BLE International President Don Hahs at the 63rd annual International Western Convention.
Advisory Board to vote on Teamsters
The BLE’s Advisory Board will meet in Cleveland on July 9-10 to review and vote on finalized documents relating to the proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Members ratify agreement on MBCR
Amtrak General Chairman Mark B. Kenny reported that members on the new Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR) have overwhelmingly ratified a collective bargaining agreement.
Flat Rock, Mich., becomes 18th city to pass remote control resolution
Flat Rock, Mich., has become the 18th U.S. city to pass a resolution opposing the use of remote control locomotives.
Last chance for EUMA hotel reservations
The deadline for hotel reservations at the Eastern Union Meeting Association has been extended to June 1, EUMA Chairman Fred Cox reported today.
Appeals court rules for engineer
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has reversed and remanded to trial an Americans with Disabilities Act decision by a lower court in the case of a locomotive engineer from the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad.
Memorial Day statement from BLE International President Don M. Hahs
The following is a statement by BLE International President Don M. Hahs regarding Memorial Day.
Hahs responds to Kaufman column
I must object to the broad generalizations made by Lawrence H. Kaufman in his column published in the May 12 issue of Traffic World.
Court denies Hours of Service case
On May 12, the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion on the Hours of Service Act, which may have far-reaching effects on railroad crew members.
Deadlines approaching for EUMA 2003
Hotel rooms are going fast for next month’s Eastern Union Meeting Association conference in Baltimore and reservations should be made as soon as possible.
