Rail Industry News
CSX VP Williams sells $756,578 in company stock
(Source: Finance Daily, April 22, 2019) NEW YORK — CSX Co. VP Angela C. Williams sold 9,560 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 18. The shares were sold at an average price of $79.14, for a total transaction of $756,578.40. Following the...
KCS CEO Ottensmeyer sells $1.7 million in company stock
(Source: Finance Daily, April 22, 2018) NEW YORK — Kansas City Southern CEO Patrick J. Ottensmeyer sold 13,800 shares of Kansas City Southern stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 18. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.48, for a total transaction...
UP EVP Ferguson sells $2 million in company stock
(Source: Finance Daily, April 23, 2019) NEW YORK — Union Pacific Co. EVP Rhonda S. Ferguson sold 11,485 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 18. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total value of $2,009,875.00. Following...
Is rail freight volume growing?
(Source: Freight Waves, April 22, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Here is this week’s strategic rail freight market view question for Freight Waves readers. Is rail freight growing in the U.S. market; or is it declining? The answer is complex. Economists can measure growth...
Union Pacific completes first of 3 PSR transition stages
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, April 22, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Union Pacific is through the first of three stages laid out in its "Unified 2020 Plan" — the railroad's plan to transition to precision scheduled railroading (PSR), which began in October. Full story:...
New Alberta premier aims to cancel oil by rail lease
(Source: S&P Global Platts, April 17, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The new government in the Canadian province of Alberta will likely take a more aggressive stance with the federal government in Ottawa on pipeline issues and may cancel a rail-car lease that would have...
NJ Transit: Atlantic City Rail Line to resume service on May 12
(Source: Cherry Hill Courier Post, April 17, 2019) TRENTON, N.J. — The Atlantic City Rail Line will resume service "with an improved schedule" on May 12, almost two weeks ahead of the original target date, NJ Transit said Wednesday. Full story: Cherry Hill Courier...
Union Pacific “pauses” construction of new $550 million Texas rail yard
(Source: Dallas Morning News, April 20, 2019) DALLAS — Union Pacific is "pausing" construction of its new $550 million rail yard in Texas. The Omaha, Neb.-based company said it will shift the money it committed this year to the Brazos project to instead make...
Third lawsuit filed in CSX Hyndman derailment
(Source: Altoona Mirror, April 19, 2019) ALTOONA, Pa. — A third lawsuit stemming from the derailment of a CSX Transportation freight train in Hyndman Borough 32 months ago was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Johnstown by a man who was forced from his home of...
Teamsters Local 528 members strike at Sysco over violations of workers’ rights
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, April 19, 2019) ATLANTA — More than 400 Teamsters Local 528 members employed at Sysco are now on strike at the company’s College Park, Ga., distribution center after management unilaterally changed working...
Senators push Transportation Department, Amtrak for answers on future of Empire Builder
(Source: Flathead Beacon, April 19, 2019) KALISPELL, Mont. — Montana’s two U.S. senators are pushing Amtrak officials for answers about the future of long-distance passenger trains, including the Empire Builder. Full story: Flathead Beacon
Trouble ahead for New York’s Amtrak if Trump’s 2020 budget proposal advances
(Source: Albany Times-Union, April 19, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration's proposed 2020 budget would cut transportation funding by $5.9 billion, shifting rail infrastructure costs onto states and shrinking long-distance Amtrak routes like the Lake...
Portland activists block rail line at Zenith oil terminal
(Source: Portland Tribune, April 21, 2019) PORTLAND, Ore. — Operations at Oregon's only crude oil export terminal went off the rails on Earth Day weekend — after activists blocked all train traffic leading to the Northwest Portland facility. Extinction Rebellion...
KCS says PSR transition will benefit customers
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, April 19, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C. — After teasing interest in PSR principles last year, KCS' transition has begun in earnest. But the KCS story does have some nuance to it: The railroad admits it has been leaving a lot of volume on the table...
Shippers: Show us the benefits of PSR
(Source: Freight Waves column by Jim Blaze, April 16, 2019) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Precision scheduled railroading (PSR) promised scheduled rail freight operations resulting in more than a financial gain for a railroad and its investors. The business theory is that...
Amtrak supporters appeal for funding for Hoosier State line
(Source: The Statehouse File, April 17, 2019) INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — With the end of the legislative session nearing, Amtrak has only days left to hop on board the state budget. Unless the state agrees to add $3 million annually for Amtrak to the two-year state budget,...
Transport Canada announces funding for rail safety improvements
(Source: Progressive Railroading, April 17, 2019) The Canadian government will provide CA$16.5 million through the Rail Safety Improvement Program to support 136 new rail-safety improvement projects and initiatives, Transport Minister Marc Garneau announced yesterday....
Metra to start building 2 new Chicago stations after getting state funds
(Source: Chicago Sun-Times, April 17, 2019) CHICAGO — Construction on two new Metra stations is expected to start within the next year after the projects received long-awaited state funding Wednesday. The two Chicago stations have been planned for nearly a decade, but...
Union Pacific VP Rynaski sells $1.496 million in company stock
(Source: Baseball Daily News, April 18, 2019) NEW YORK — Union Pacific Co. VP Todd M. Rynaski sold 8,802 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 1. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total value of $1,496,340.00. Following...
California port truck drivers awarded over $1.2 million for wage theft
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, April 17, 2019) PORT OF LOS ANGELES/LONG BEACH, Calif. — Ten California port truck drivers who haul cargo for Best Buy, Puma and Lowe’s have been awarded more than $1.2 million by the California Labor...
BLET News
Train crew injured in Minot derailment
An early morning derailment of a 112-car CP Rail train on January 18 near here has apparently taken the life of one local resident, injured two rail crew members, and caused officials to order the evacuation of a portion of the city of Minot.
Judge issues preliminary injunction in remote control case
A U.S. District judge this morning issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers from striking over the issue of remote control locomotives.
Judge rules remote control issue a minor dispute
A U.S. District Court Judge in Chicago decided yesterday in a 16 page opinion that the operation of locomotives in terminals and yards by train service employees using remote control technology is a “minor dispute,” which should be decided by arbitration.
Support rolls in from AFL-CIO affiliates
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers continues to receive support from AFL-CIO affiliated unions in its crusade to protect historic rail operating crafts.
Message from BLE President Hahs on $25 dues assessment
As you may be aware, the United Transportation Union is attacking the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers in light of the resounding defeat of the proposed merger vote announced on December 10, 2001. As President of the oldest union in the Northern Hemisphere, I will not allow138 years of history and tradition fall victim to an attack by a rogue union that sits outside the house of labor for the express purpose of raiding the BLE.
Frequently asked questions about dues assessment
The dues assessment applies to all BLE members who are remitting dues at the active, active/sub-standard, and train service rates. It also applies to Canadian non-members working as engineers.
BLE files to protect historic operating crafts
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has submitted two position statements with the National Mediation Board (NMB) as it prepares to defend historic rail operating crafts on the Kansas City Southern (KCS) property.
Railroad Retirement update: 2002 Reporting Summary
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board has provided a Year 2002 Reporting Summary chart for labor unions and their members.
Railroad Retirement update: Important info from United Healthcare
The following information has been provided by United Healthcare to help answer common questions posed by potential retirees. After reviewing the following, members who still have questions can contact United Healthcare directly at: (800) 842-5252.
Railroad Retirement Update: Benefit and financing changes
The following is a summary of the changes in railroad retirement benefits and financing provided by the new law, which was based on joint recommendations to Congress negotiated by a coalition of rail labor organizations and rail freight carriers.
