Rail Industry News
Palestine, TX, receives a win against Union Pacific
Palestine received a win in its battle against Union Pacific Monday, May 15.
BNSF and J.B. Hunt work on ways to improve service, convert loads off highway
BNSF and J.B. Hunt have tightened their relationship and are acting like one company as they jointly look for ways to increase capacity, improve service, and convert freight off the highway.
BNSF to expand intermodal service in Texas
BNSF is increasing intermodal options in Texas by expanding service at the Port of Houston in response to what BNSF says is growing intermodal demand.
NS strikes deal with BLET for paid sick leave
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, one of the two largest rail unions, reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern for up to seven paid sick days for engineers.
TTD pushes for passage of rail sweeping safety bill
The latest policy statement of the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of the AFL-CIO cites at least 18 areas where regulations and guidance via the Federal Railroad Administration can bolster existing rail safety practices.
Rail industry “crises” spur call to oust STB chair
Three progressive groups want President Joe Biden to remove Marty Oberman from chairmanship of the Surface Transportation Board and replace him with board member Robert Primus because of the way Oberman handled the merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern.
Transportation labor leaders convene to discuss policy priorities
(Source: Press release from the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, May 19, 2023) WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 30 U.S. transportation labor union leaders gathered at a legislative summit to set key policy goals that will improve the safety and well-being of the...
30 tons of explosive chemicals disappeared somewhere between Cheyenne and California
A railcar carrying 60,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in explosives at Wyoming coal mines, left Cheyenne for California on April 12. Two weeks later, the chemical was discovered missing from the railcar and no one is entirely certain what happened to it. Union Pacific was the rail company used for the shipment of the chemical.
Editorial: Is this Congress capable of serious action on freight rail safety?
So far, there’s been a deafening silence coming out of the House where legislation to the Senate bill has been introduced.
U.S. railroads not on board with safety push for two-person train crews
CSX CEO Hinrichs said the railroad industry does not want two-person crews written into rail safety legislation because technology could evolve to improve safety to the point where one person would be equally safe.
NS bondholders sue over safety disclosures preceding Ohio derailment
Norfolk Southern Corp. was sued on May 16 by bondholders who said they lost hundreds of millions of dollars because the railroad concealed safety risks prior to the February derailment in Ohio of a train carrying hazardous chemicals.
Metra files suit against STB over CPKC merger
This month, Metra filed a lawsuit against the STB in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
“It’s a problem:” Long trains pose safety concerns, challenges for first responders
To go around blocked crossings, first responders need to go around and backtrack on gravel roads, losing precious time. They’ve seen first-hand the consequences of a delay.
Can U.S. railroads bounce back from a dismal decade?
From 2013 to 2022 U.S. industrial production eked out 3% growth, overall economic output increased 57%, and truck tonnage grew 26%.
Freight rail stakeholders lay out their challenges before Congress
During his testimony, AFL-CIO TTD President Greg Regan discussed the problem of long trains.
New railroad safety rules under consideration after string of derailments across U.S.
On Wednesday, Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell from Washington state led an executive session on the proposed Railway Safety Act of 2023.
Calling railroads “a danger and a nuisance,” Houston mayor urges Congress to pass Railway Safety Act
Houston-area leaders, including Mayor Sylvester Turner are calling on Congress to urge action on the passage of the Rail Safety Act of 2023.
Editorial: Senators should put train safety before politics
Senators must not allow Ted Cruz’s political theatrics to stop the momentum of legislation that is about something much more important than money.
NS train triggered alarm prior to latest derailment in New Castle, Pa.
The NTSB said preliminary information indicates the train received an alarm “from a wayside defect detector, or hot bearing detector, several miles before the train derailed.”
California completes high-speed rail viaduct project
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) announced this week crews have completed the Cedar Viaduct in Fresno.
BLET News
UP-Central Region General Chairman Ronnie Rhodes retires
Ronnie Rhodes (right) pictured with his wife Lisa at the 2023 Milwaukee regional meeting. ____________________ The BLET National Division extends best wishes to Brother Ronnie Rhodes, who retired from his position as General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Central...
BLET calls for FRA to examine root cause of Amtrak’s ongoing loss of shunt problem
The BLET opposes the installation of shunt enhancer antennas on Amtrak's fleet of Siemens Charger locomotives. Photo by David Estes ____________________ The BLET has filed written comments with the Federal Railroad Administration to oppose Amtrak’s request for a...
Philadelphia: BLET reaches tentative agreement with SEPTA
The BLET has reached a tentative contract with SEPTA, and ballots were mailed today to eligible members who operate regional rail trains for the transit agency. The tentative three-year contract would run from March 3, 2023 to March 2, 2026. Among other gains, the...
BLET cites PSR and corporate greed as NTSB issues final report on East Palestine derailment
These Brothers represented BLET at the NTSB board meeting in East Palestine on June 25 (from left): Director of Political Affairs Brendan Sullivan; National VP & NLR Vince Verna; National VP and STF Chairman Randy Fannon, STF National Coordinator Brian Fransen,...
Pharmacy benefit manager to change for BLET members beginning in 2025
All individuals under the National Railroad Health and Welfare (GA-23000) Plan will have their Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) changed effective January 1, 2025. The Plans will switch from Express Scripts, Inc. to Optum Rx. All covered members, eligible spouses and...
Spradlin reelected KCS General Chairman
David Spradlin (front row, 2nd from left) was reelected GC of the Kansas City Southern GCA at their quadrennial meeting this week. ___________________ David Spradlin was reelected as Chairman during the Kansas City Southern / Louisiana & Arkansas Railway General...
Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern: BLET members vote to ratify tentative agreement
BLET members have voted to ratify a tentative contract agreement with the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern Railroad (CF&E). This on-property agreement will govern rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 45 operating employees. The five-year deal will run...
William Wallace elected new Chairman of UP-Western Region GCA as Leyshon retires
Newly elected GC William Wallace (front row, center) with members at the UP-Western Region GCA quadrennial meeting. He replaces the retiring Steve Leyshon (front row, 2nd from left). __________________ William Wallace of BLET Division 362 was elected as the new...
Message to the Membership: From President Eddie Hall on the 2024 Eastern Regional Meeting
Brothers and Sisters, I want to express my gratitude following the Western Regional Meeting in Kansas City and thank everyone who attended. You all are the Union, and I was delighted to host the meeting. I want to invite you and your families to our Eastern Regional...
A strike can happen at NJ Transit as soon as July 25
30-day “cooling-off” period begins today as NMB releases BLET from mediation Today, the National Mediation Board (NMB), the federal agency that regulates labor relations for railroads and airlines, has granted release to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and...
