Rail Industry News
White House presses unions, railroads to avoid shutdown
The Biden administration urged railroads and unions to reach a deal to avoid a railroad work stoppage, saying on Monday it would pose “an unacceptable outcome” to the U.S. economy that could cost $2 billion a day.
Senators’ legislation seeks to avert freight rail stoppage
Sens. Richard M. Burr and Roger Wicker introduced a joint resolution Monday that would require unions and freight railroads to accept the recommendations of a presidential emergency board to avert a strike or lockout that could come as early as Friday.
BNSF to shut gates to temperature-controlled intermodal traffic
BNSF Railway will stop accepting temperature-controlled intermodal traffic as of 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13, as it prepares for a possible work stoppage, the railroad said in a notice to customers on Monday night.
Amtrak cancels three long-distance routes in advance of possible freight strike
In a move to prevent train passengers from being stranded, Amtrak on Monday said that it would pre-emptively cancel three long-distance train routes as an impending freight rail worker strike threatens to disrupt both train travelers and consumers.
Freight rail strike could suspend MARC, VRE services
A possible nationwide freight train strike may impact thousands of commuters in the DC region.
Unions blast rail move to delay shipments before deadline
The heads of the nation’s two largest rail unions said Sunday that the freight railroads’ move to begin delaying some shipments ahead of this week’s looming strike deadline is only an attempt to get shippers to increase the pressure on Congress to intervene and block a work stoppage by imposing a contract on workers.
U.S. railroad unions warn of cargo delays as contract deadline looms
Two unions negotiating contracts for almost 60,000 workers at major U.S. freight railways on Sunday said those employers are halting shipments of some cargo to gain leverage ahead of this week’s deadline to secure labor agreements.
Railroads prepping for strike action
The six Class I freight railroads participating in national bargaining will begin taking steps as early as Sept. 12 to manage and secure shipments of hazardous and security-sensitive materials “in light of the possibility of a rail labor strike.”
It’s not just about money: Unions are fighting for better schedules and working conditions
If pay was the only issue, the nation probably wouldn’t be facing the risk of its first national rail strike in 30 years this coming week, a walkout that could knock the legs out from under the still struggling supply chain and be another body blow to the US economy.
BMWED reaches tentative agreement with NCCC
The tentative National Agreement contains general wage increases of 22% over the term of the agreement (24% when compounded), with retroactive pay (often referred to as “backpay”) for all straight time and overtime hours.
UP main line in California closed by fire in Oregon
Union Pacific’s main line between California and the Pacific Northwest has been shut down in central Oregon today (Sunday, Sept. 11) as firefighters deal with a wildfire near Oakridge, Ore.
Two rail workers killed in UP crash in southern California
Two Union Pacific train crew members were killed early Thursday when their train crashed into parked freight cars near the Salton Sea, officials said.
Massive rail strike next week could deal another blow to America’s economy
“The fact is they [the railroads] are counting on Congress to act,” said Dennis Pierce, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. “We’ve let them [the union’s allies in Congress] know we need them to stay out of it.”
Economic impact from freight rail strike could total $2 billion per day
The Association of American Railroads estimates that a nationwide shutdown of rail operations could cost $2 billion in lost economic output each day, according to a report released Thursday.
FRA eyes RRP rule update
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Sept. 8 issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to solicit comments on whether it should retain or remove a provision of the Risk Reduction Program (RRP) final rule, which took effect in 2020.
New Asian cargo flows strain U.S. Gulf and East Coast infrastructure
Norfolk Southern (NS) is struggling to cope with container volumes pouring into its rail heads in Kansas City and Memphis from ports on the eastern seaboard.
AAR reports rail traffic for August and the week ending September 3, 2022
Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in August 2022 were 2,525,510, up 0.4 percent, or 11,184 carloads and intermodal units from August 2021.
NMB, Labor Secretary Walsh meet with labor, railroads ahead of possible strike
The National Mediation Board was meeting with unions and freight railroads on Wednesday, joined by U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh in hopes of heading off a potential strike, the department and a railroad group told Reuters.
House Subcommittee on Railroads to host hearing on impact of poor rail service on agriculture shippers
The purpose of this hearing is for members to learn about the impact of rail service challenges on agricultural shippers.
Railroads reverse years of streamlining to improve freight service
Rail yards are starting to rumble with activity again as freight railroads invest in expanding capacity and improving service. The Wall Street Journal reports that Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific have recently reopened several “hump yards,” where trains are broken down and reassembled for their next destinations.
BLET News
Groose reelected Missouri State Legislative Board Chairman
Calvin L. Groose was reelected by acclamation to his second term as Chairman of the Missouri State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, May 15-17, 2022.
Former BLET Vice President Paul Wingo, 1944-2022
Paul L. Wingo Jr., retired International and National Vice President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, passed away on June 6, 2022. He was 78 years old.
BLET hero drowns while rescuing children from riptide
BLET member Zackary T. Stine, age 36, of Division 182 (North Little Rock, Ark.), bravely and selflessly sprang into action after a group of four small children got caught in a riptide out in the river at Soggy Bottom Trails, an ATV park in Oklahoma.
United Rail Unions statement on national bargaining, June 2, 2022
These joint mediated negotiations, under the direction of the NMB Board Members themselves, resulted from the Unions’ request to be released from mediation after more than two years of bargaining with the major U.S. Class I railroads.
BLET-backed two-person crew bill advances in New York state
The BLET-backed two person crew bill — S3953B — has been passed by both the New York State Assembly and Senate, and members who live in New York state are urged to contact Governor Kathy Hochul’s office and ask her to sign the bill into law.
Memorial Day 2022
Statement by BLET National President Dennis Pierce: Each year on Memorial Day, our Brotherhood pays tribute to the men and women who have given their lives serving in our military. It is an important holiday for the BLET and its members as we honor the fallen for defending our country and our way of life.
Timothy T. Price, 1969-2022
Timothy T. Price, Chairman Emeritus of the Ohio State Legislative Board, passed away on May 15, 2022, after a battle with cancer. He was 53 years old.
Coordinated Bargaining Coalition welcomes face-to-face mediation over national contract negotiations
The Coordinated Bargaining Coalition (CBC) Rail Labor Unions are preparing for in-person mediation sessions before the National Mediation Board (NMB) in Washington D.C., May 24-26. The Unions hope this will help to settle their ongoing national contract dispute.
John Esterly elected Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman
John S. Esterly of BLET Division 34 (Columbus, Ohio) was elected to his first full term as Chairman of the Ohio State Legislative Board at its 17th quadrennial meeting held in Columbus, Ohio, April 24-26, 2022.
Statement by BLET National President Dennis Pierce on BNSF’s announced changes to its Hi-Viz punitive attendance policy
BNSF Railway’s newly announced changes to its Hi-Viz attendance policy are little more than fluff. Hi-Viz has been an abject failure.
