Rail Industry News
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.
Major League Baseball players join AFL-CIO in show of solidarity with other workers
The Major League Baseball Players Association plans to join the AFL-CIO labor federation, putting one of professional sports’ top unions in a formal alliance with other labor groups.
CSX, NS and UP executives tout gradual service improvements as crew hiring continues
The chief executives of CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific say their railroads are on the mend as more newly hired conductors enter active duty, operations are slowly improving, and freight demand remains strong.
West Coast port congestion leads NS, UP to test new ideas in cross-country shipping
Ongoing rail congestion at West Coast ports has created an opportunity for East Coast ports, container shipping companies and rail operators to enter into new trade relationships.
BLET News
BLET wins in court over Union Pacific’s antiunion tactics
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) secured a major court victory over the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) on April 13 as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit upheld a district court’s 2021 ruling granting the BLET a preliminary injunction stopping the railroads’ indefinite suspension of six members of BLET Division 192 in El Paso.
Ballots to be mailed in tentative BLET-MRL agreement
The tentative agreement governs rates of pay, work rules, and health & welfare for approximately 475 members.
Rail Labor calls on STB to act on poor-quality rail service
The BLET reaffiliated with the TTD in January 2022, and many of the issues raised by President Regan reflect the concerns of BLET members, particularly the negative impact that Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) has had on our industry, and the draconian attendance policies that have been implemented in the PSR era.
President Pierce answers follow-up questions from March 8 Congressional hearing
On March 8, 2022, BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce testified before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials. Following the hearing, President Pierce received questions for the hearing record from Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia and Rep. Rick Crawford.
Registration opens for BLET’s Denver regional meeting, June 13-17, 2022
Registration is now open for the BLET regional meeting in Denver, Colorado, June 13-17, 2022.
BLET’s NASLBC concludes 47th annual meeting
The BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen has met annually since 1975 to hear from each State Chairman about railroad related safety and health issues as well as each state’s political climate.
House Transportation leaders urge FRA to act on fatigue, attendance policies
Leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure are asking the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to take action on a 2008 Congressional mandate to address rail worker fatigue at Class I carriers, with a specific reference to attendance policies such as those imposed at CSX, Union Pacific, and BNSF.
BLET, SMART-TD gather allies at TTD Executive Committee meeting
CLEVELAND, Ohio (April 6) — The nation’s two largest railroad unions continue to gather allies and momentum as they oppose the imposition of precision scheduled railroading (PSR) tactics by Class I carriers that put safety and the health and lives of working people at...
GOP reps encourage BNSF to re-think Hi-Viz
Five Republican U.S. representatives have contacted the BNSF Railway and encouraged its CEO to reengage with its operating unions to alter the highly-restrictive and punitive Hi-Viz attendance policy.
Bragg elected Oklahoma SLB Chairman
Brother N. Shane Bragg, a member of BLET Division 578 (Tulsa, Okla.), was elected Chairman of the Oklahoma State Legislative Board during its quadrennial meeting held March 22-24, 2022, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
