Rail Industry News
TSA proposes new cybersecurity requirements for some railroads, other transportation systems
The TSA estimates that under the rule’s criteria, 73 of the approximately 620 U.S. freight railroads and 34 of approximately 92 passenger rail and transit operators would be subject to the requirements.
Norfolk Southern rule that rail cars be inspected in less than a minute sparks safety concerns
Railroad labor unions have been raising safety concerns for several years now about rushed train inspections after the industry implemented the lean Precision Scheduled Railroading operating model and eliminated one-third of all rail worker jobs.
BNSF reports Q3 2024 results
BNSF Railway’s profits, revenue, and volume all increased for the third quarter, thanks to surging intermodal and agricultural shipments.
FRA proposes automated track inspection regulations
The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes applauded the proposed ATI rule.
FRA aims to tighten rules for waivers that allow railroads to experiment with safety technology
The proposal also seeks to preserve union jobs: It says the FRA will take a dim view of safety waiver requests that seek to reduce employment levels or the number of inspections performed by track and car inspectors.
FRA awards $2.4 billion in grants to 122 projects
This announcement is part of a series of investments the Biden-Harris Administration has made in nearly 300 rail projects and dozens of emerging passenger rail corridors across the country through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded FRA grant programs.
CN reports Q3 2024 results
CN today reported its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, including operating income of $1.515 million.
CPKC reports Q3 2024 results
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) today announced its third-quarter results, including revenues of $3.5 billion.
Union Pacific reports Q3 2024 results
Union Pacific Corporation today reported 2024 third quarter net income of $1.7 billion, or $2.75 per diluted share. This compares to 2023 third quarter net income of $1.5 billion, or $2.51 per diluted share.
Norfolk Southern reports Q3 2024 results
For the quarter, income from railway operations was $1.6 billion and the operating ratio was 47.7%.
CPKC, CSX receive STB approval to create Mexico-U.S. rail link
The two railroads received approval from the Surface Transportation Board for their acquisition of rail lines operated by Genesee & Wyoming’s Meridian & Bigbee Railroad, also known as MNBR, resulting in the new direct interchange connection in Alabama.
CSX reports Q3 2024 results
Net earnings were $894 million compared to $828 million in the same period last year.
NJ Train regulation bill advances in state senate
A New Jersey state senate committee has approved a bill that would require two-person crews for freight trains and set a maximum length of 8,500 feet for “dangerous hazardous trains.”
NTSB: Improper coupling, excessive in-train forces caused March 2023 NS derailment
Contributing to the accident was the misidentification of couplers without alignment control during the NS’ inspection process, according to an NTSB report issued Sept. 22.
CSX’s former Clinchfield largely unrecognizable after historic flood
With roadways out of service and railroad washouts prohibiting inspections and repair, CSX’s Blue Ridge Subdivision and much of its Clinchfield are likely to remain out of the service for the foreseeable future.
Q&A: RRB financial reports
As of September 30, 2023, total railroad retirement system assets, comprising assets managed by the National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust (NRRIT) and the railroad retirement system accounts at the Treasury, equaled $26.5 billion.
UP explains absence from early contract agreements with organized labor
UP has sought to renegotiate the scheduling deal it reached last year with the BLET, under which engineers work 11 days and then have four days off. That prompted the union to sue the railroad this summer because it had yet to implement the scheduling agreement systemwide.
NTSB identifies probable cause of close-clearance death of CSX conductor trainee
“In this accident, a conductor trainee was fatally injured when he rode a shoving movement through a close clearance — a 7-inch gap — between his train and a series of parked locomotives. The conductor, riding a different ladder on the same railcar through the same gap, was not injured,” the NTSB said.
STB urges BNSF and UP to be prepared for West Coast container surge
Specifically, Primus asked the railroads for their plans to provide reliable service, how they will allocate resources to West Coast ports, and how the railroads are sharing information with port officials.
Biden-Harris administration calls on Class I freight railroads to guarantee paid sick leave and get to 100% worker coverage
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Department of Labor Acting Secretary Julie Su today sent letters to the CEOs of three Class I freight railroads – CPKC, CN, and CSX – calling on them to guarantee paid sick leave to all of their employees.
BLET News
World War II veteran and retired BLET General Chairman Jack McDermott to celebrate 106th birthday on January 18
From left: daughter Kathy, daughter Betty, Jack’s great grandson, daughter Debbie, Jack’s granddaughter, and Jack McDermott. Photo courtesy: Tayler S. Calder/Idaho State Journal ____________________ The BLET National Division extends happy birthday wishes to retied...
Members ratify new contract with New York, Susquehanna & Western
BLET members have ratified a new agreement with the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYSW). Ballots were tabulated on December 29. The agreement provides wage increases and work rule improvements. Additionally, NYSW members are now covered by the...
2025 YEAR IN REVIEW — ORGANIZING WINS: D&I Railroad was BLET’s 14th organizing victory since 2023
The BLET secured more organizing victories over the last two years than in the previous seven years combined. Between 2023-2025 the union successfully organized workers at 14 new railroads. BLET’s most recent organizing victory came in December 2025, when workers at...
2025 YEAR IN REVIEW — EDUCATION & TRAINING: Building stronger officers, stronger Local Divisions
Under the leadership of National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes, the Education & Training Department expanded its reach in 2025 by continuing to offer hybrid learning options that meet members where they are. While in-person instruction remains the gold standard,...
Monthly employee contributions under the National Health & Welfare Plan will increase in 2026
Based on higher than anticipated claim costs in 2024 and 2025, coupled with projected cost increases in 2026, and several other unfavorable factors, health care premiums, and the 15% employee monthly cost-sharing contributions, will increase in 2026 for BLET members...
2025 YEAR IN REVIEW — LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY SUCCESS: Protecting active and retired members through advocacy in the halls of government to keep RRB field offices open, ensure rail safety at America’s southern border
The BLET, working in conjunction with the Teamsters Rail Conference, secured several key political and regulatory victories for the union’s active and retired members throughout 2025. None perhaps were bigger than our successful efforts to protect the Railroad...
BLET Building Manager Tom Grdina retires after 41 years of service
From left: Tom Grdina with family at his December 30 retirement luncheon: son James, wife Susan, and son John. James is also a BLET employee, working as Director of the BLET Print Shop and Supply/Shipping Department. ____________________ The BLET National Division...
2025 YEAR IN REVIEW — COLLECTIVE BARGAINING GAINS: National freight contract and 14 other freight and passenger contracts ratified by BLET members
The BLET successfully negotiated and ratified 15 new collective bargaining agreements in 2025, boosting wages and providing substantial contractual improvements for more than 22,000 active members. This achievement is backed by the work of the assigned Vice...
Labor solidarity helps overturn restrictive ban on collective bargaining for public sector unions
In a victory for all of organized labor, the state of Utah has repealed a ban on collective bargaining for public sector workers that went into effect on July 1. While the law did not prevent workers such as teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public...
Please consider extending a helping hand to BLET Division 13 member Josh Bliss
The members of BLET Division 13 in La Crosse, Wisc., are raising awareness for the plight of Brother Josh Bliss. The Vice President of Division 13, Brother Bliss has battled cancer since 2022 but is now at stage four after it has spread from his kidney to his lungs....
