Rail Industry News
Teamsters national UPS agreement takes effect, final supplement ratified
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, April 28, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The five-year contract covering about 250,000 Teamster-represented workers at UPS will take effect at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, Monday, April 29, after workers in Michigan...
Former BNSF worker awarded $1 million in addition to original $2.1 million judgment
(Source: Flathead Beacon, April 27, 2019) KALISPELL, Mont. — In reaffirming a $2.1 million judgment awarded to a Columbia Falls man last year after a jury determined he was wrongfully terminated from his position at BNSF Railway, a federal judge in Missoula has...
150 years ago, Chinese railroad workers risked their lives in pursuit of the American dream
(Source: NBC News, April 25, 2019) NEW YORK — May 10 will mark the 150th anniversary of the railroad’s completion, an engineering marvel that linked the nation. Among its successes, it reduced cross-country travel time for passengers from months to about a week. The...
Oregon woman who lost legs in train accident sues railroads for almost $34 million
(Source: The Oregonian, April 25, 2019) BEAVERTON, Ore. — A Beaverton woman who police say was looking at her phone when a freight train hit her in 2017, causing both her legs to be amputated, is suing several railroad companies for $33.8 million. Cindy Rodriguez, 26,...
Amtrak to increase high-speed train service between Boston and Washington, D.C.
(Source: Boston.com, April 25, 2019) BOSTON, Mass. — Amtrak customers asked for more travel opportunities between Boston and Washington, D.C., and Amtrak answered. The high-speed Acela Express currently makes 10 round-trip journeys between Boston and Washington, D.C....
Amtrak’s Hoosier State line faces elimination as state finalizes $3 million budget cut
(Source: Journal & Courier, April 25, 2019) LAFAYETTE, Ind. — All last-ditch efforts to save the Hoosier State, an Amtrak passenger rail line that comes through Lafayette on the way to and from Indianapolis and Chicago, couldn’t find a sympathetic vote in the Indiana...
Teamster dispatchers ratify contract with Allegiant Air
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, April 25, 2019) LAS VEGAS — With close to 90 percent of eligible workers participating, flight dispatchers at Allegiant Air have voted overwhelmingly to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement...
Norfolk Southern poised to start next stage of new operating plan
(Source: Freight Waves, April 25, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Norfolk Southern expects to have the next stage of its new operating plan in place by the end of July. July is “where we really go in and reconfigure [NS’s] operating plan itself,” NS president and chief...
Union Pacific lays off 30 in Palestine, Texas
(Source: Palestine Herald-Press, April 25, 2019) PALESTINE, Texas — Union Pacific in Palestine laid off 30 employees from its car shop Thursday morning. Those employees reported to work and were told they no longer had jobs. Union Pacific would not confirm the number...
Older model tank cars involved in UP ethanol train derailment and fire in Fort Worth
(Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, April 26, 2019) FORT WORTH, Texas — Some tanker cars involved in a fiery train derailment Wednesday in south Fort Worth were older model rail cars that are considered less safe for transporting flammable liquids than newer models,...
NTSB begins investigation into Forth Worth ethanol train derailment
(Source: NBC Dallas Fort Worth, April 25, 2019) FORT WORTH, Texas — A team of investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board is in North Texas to try to determine why a train derailed before bursting into flames early Wednesday morning in Fort Worth. Full...
AAR reports rail traffic down again for week ending April 20, 2019
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, April 24, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending April 20, 2019. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 526,141...
Officials dedicate new multi-modal transfer station at Norfolk Southern tracks in Gainesville
(Source: The Daily News, April 25, 2019) GAINESVILLE, N.Y. — Six railroad cars awaited unloading Wednesday near the Norfolk Southern tracks off Route 19A. The project is known formally as the Wyoming Rail Transfer Station. Its history actually stretches back to 2008...
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston residents push for study on rail yard contamination
(Source: Houston Chronicle, April 24, 2019) HOUSTON — The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said Wednesday that it would ask state health officials to conduct a cancer-cluster study in a northeast Houston neighborhood where residents have lived for decades...
Amtrak: Elimination of Hoosier State line could threaten jobs at Beech Grove yard
(Source: Television station WISH, April 25, 2019) BEECH GROVE, Ind. — Hundreds of Amtrak jobs in Beech Grove could be threatened by the planned elimination of the Hoosier State line, an Amtrak spokesperson and union leaders said. Full story: www.wishtv.com
Norfolk Southern profit increases 23 percent in 1Q 2019
(Source: Associated Press, April 24, 2019) OMAHA, Neb. — Norfolk Southern Corp. delivered a 23% improvement in its first-quarter profit as the railroad began implementing a comprehensive plan to cut costs and improve productivity. Full story: Minneapolis Star...
Norfolk Southern shares up as it eyes price hikes, cost cuts
(Source: Reuters, April 24, 2019) NEW YORK — Norfolk Southern Corp shares soared to a record high on Wednesday after the fourth-largest U.S. railroad’s quarterly profit topped Wall Street’s forecast and executives said they planned to continue raising prices and...
Canadian Pacific “encouraged” by PSR adoption in U.S.
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, April 24, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Better operations at one railroad is good for all railroads, and the work of several U.S. railroads to convert to precision-scheduled railroading (PSR) is already showing marginal improvement to overall...
Ceremony launches new CSX rail hub in Rocky Mount
(Source: Rocky Mount Telegram, April 25, 2019) ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — With the turning of dirt Wednesday afternoon at N.C. Wesleyan College, Gov. Roy Cooper and fellow officials ceremonially began construction of the future CSX intermodal rail facility along U.S. 301....
Tracks not all running smoothly for North American railroads in Q1 2019
(Source: The Loadstar, April 24, 2019) LONDON — North American railroads saw mixed fortunes in the first three months of the year – but for two, the view down the line is less hazy. Full story: The Loadstar
BLET News
FRA offers remote control guidelines based on 49 CFR 240
The Federal Railroad Administration has produced basic guidelines that apply Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 240 to the operation of remote control locomotives.
Hoffa, Hahs meet at Teamster headquarters
Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers International President Don M. Hahs met yesterday at the Teamsters headquarters in Washington, D.C. to discuss a possible merger or affiliation.
BLE continues CSXT informational picketing
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers continued informational picketing for the second day in a row along the route of a train carrying CSX Transportation’s Board of Directors from New Orleans to Nashville.
BLE announces formation of Michigan State Legislative Board
BLE members in Michigan now have a voice in their state’s political ranks. On February 28, 2002, the Michigan State Legislative Board was founded with the help of BLE members throughout Michigan and all levels of the BLE.
BLE sets up informational pickets for CSXT Board of Directors
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers set up informational pickets in New Orleans today in conjunction with a meeting of CSX Transportation’s Board of Directors.
Sweeney ‘appalled’ at UTU tactics
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said he was “appalled at the UTU’s attempt to raid the BLE” as he addressed the BLE’s Advisory Board on February 25 during the AFL-CIO’s winter meetings in New Orleans.
Contract negotiations resume
The BLE National Wage Committee met with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee on February 27 and 28, resuming the negotiations on a national agreement.
BLE Constitution will govern Teamster merger/affiliation process
Following the February 27 announcement that the BLE Advisory Board had unanimously voted to explore mutually beneficial relations with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Section 1(e) of the BLE Constitution & Bylaws will come into play and govern the proposed merger/affiliation process.
BLE, Teamsters to explore ‘merger or affiliation’
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers’ Advisory Board unanimously approved a motion yesterday that allows the BLE’s Executive Committee to explore a possible merger or affiliation with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, in accordance with Section 1(e) of the BLE Constitution & Bylaws.
AFL-CIO Executive Council passes resolution condemning UTU raid
At its winter meeting in New Orleans, the AFL-CIO Executive Council passed a resolution which condemns the aggressive actions of the non-affiliated United Transportation Union against the BLE.
