Rail Industry News
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.
KCS touts shovel-ready industrial sites in U.S. South, Mexico
Kansas City Southern is letting customers know that it has created an industrial development program for companies seeking shovel-ready sites near its network in the U.S. and Mexico.
NCFO President Dean Devita issues a statement regarding national freight negotiations
Since the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) #250, the NCFO has been asked to comment concerning this situation. This is a sensitive time in negotiations and we don’t believe in bargaining in the press, social media, or a microphone in the streets.
BMWED provides national freight bargaining update
On September 2nd, the National Mediation Board issued a notice to the carriers and the various Unions, including BMWED, instructing the parties that have not reached a tentative agreement to attend meetings beginning on September 7th and continuing through September 9th. These meetings are to be facilitated by the NMB.
UP train derails in Arkansas
Eleven cars of a Union Pacific train derailed early Tuesday morning, closing two streets in central Jonesboro, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports.
Amtrak, freight railroads maintain positions in latest Gulf Coast filings
The latest round of filings in the Amtrak Gulf Coast dispute essentially find the parties stating their old arguments in new ways.
STB extends public comment period for proposed CP-KCS merger draft Environmental Impact Statement
In response to a request from affected communities for additional time to provide comments, OEA has extended the public comment period to October 14, 2022. Public comments were originally due on September 26, 2022.
LeClaire approves settlement as Camanche opposes CP-KCS merger
LeClaire joined a growing list of Quad City Area governments approving settlements with Canadian Pacific on Tuesday.
Second KCS U.S./Mexico border bridge getting closer
Construction is expected to start in October or November on a second Kansas City Southern international rail bridge at the U.S./Mexico border connecting the border cities of Laredo, Tex. and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
STB says five of seven Class I railroads were “revenue adequate” last year
Five of the seven Class I railroads operating in the U.S. were revenue adequate in 2021, the Surface Transportation Board said on Tuesday.
AFL-CIO announces largest ever voter mobilization ahead of midterms
The AFL-CIO on Friday launched an organizing drive that will aim to connect more than 100,000 volunteers with nearly 8 million voters ahead of November’s midterms.
UP derailment in Iowa spills asphalt into creek
A Union Pacific train derailed early Monday morning in Hampton, Iowa, impacting approximately 44 train cars and spilling asphalt into a creek.
Universities’ research aims to make railroads climate resilient
While the rail industry is accustomed to seasonal disruptions such as winter blizzards, the possibility of even more extreme weather events as a result of climate change takes disruption threats to a new level.
Transport Canada seeks adviser for high-frequency rail routes
Transport Canada this week announced the next phase of the High Frequency Rail project, which will explore options to increase the frequency of passenger-rail service, improve on-time performance and shorten travel times in southwestern Ontario.
KCS Holiday Express returns to the rails for 2022
Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced today the first return to the rails of the KCS Holiday Express train since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
Judge lets sexual harassment case go forward on woman conductor’s allegations against BNSF
A civil rights lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission can go forward on a female train conductor’s claims she faced a barrage of sexual harassment on a near daily basis while working at BNSF Railway’s Alliance rail yard.
IBEW reaches tentative agreement with NCCC
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has reached a tentative agreement with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee, representing most Class I Freight Railroads in collective bargaining.
TCU/IAM reaches tentative agreement with NCCC
Today, TCU/IAM reached a Tentative Agreement with the National Carrier’s Conference Committee (NCCC). This Agreement will now go out for ratification by the members.
BLET News
Ryan Snow reelected to third term as Chairman of California SLB
Ryan K. Snow was reelected by acclamation to his third term as Chairman of the California State Legislative Board during its 9th quadrennial session held in San Diego, California April 26-28, 2022.
Take Action: BLET pursues two-person crew bill in New York
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is mobilizing its members in the State of New York to lobby in favor of a statewide two-person crew bill. Earlier this month, S3953B was introduced in the State Senate and a companion bill, A1287B, was introduced in the State Assembly.
BLET to host Town Hall meetings in Little Rock, St. Louis
The first meeting will be held on May 10 at 10:00 a.m. in Little Rock, Arkansas. The second meeting will be held on May 11 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Louis, Missouri. All BLET members in the area are encouraged to attend.
Ballots to be mailed in tentative BLET-DM&E agreement
The tentative agreement provides General Wage Increases (GWIs) of 24.75% (27% compounded) for the life of the contract (January 1, 2020 to January 1, 2024). There are no major work rule changes and no health care concessions contained in the tentative pact. Online voting will be conducted by TrueBallot, Inc.
BLET to mark 159th anniversary on May 8
On May 8, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) will mark its 159th anniversary. The BLET and its members are proud of our heritage as the oldest labor union in North America.
The Coordinated Bargaining Coalition again calls on NMB to proffer arbitration
Due to the NCCC’s refusal to negotiate a fair agreement in good faith, all CBC Unions again request that the NMB proffer arbitration to the parties to stop the endless delays by the rail carriers.
Deadline approaches for BLET’s Denver regional meeting
Those planning to attend the BLET’s upcoming regional meeting in Denver, Colorado, are reminded that the deadline to make hotel reservations is Friday, May 13, 2022. The meeting will be held June 13-17, 2022.
Registration opens for BLET’s Baltimore regional meeting, August 1-5, 2022
Registration is now open for the BLET regional meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, August 1-5, 2022.
Barbara McLaughlin, 1934-2022
Barbara McLaughlin, the wife of late BLE International President Ronald P. McLaughlin, passed away on April 16, 2022. She was 87 years old. Ron McLaughlin served the former Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers as International President from 1991-1996, and he passed away at the age of 92 on November 12, 2021. The couple was married for more than 67 years.
BLET California State Legislative Board welcomes President Pierce, rallies by BLET’s mobile billboard
In San Diego today, members of the BLET’s California State Legislative Board, National President Dennis Pierce, and numerous other special guests rallied by a mobile billboard that is part of the union’s outreach campaign demanding that railroads invest in train crews and safety.
