Rail Industry News
Mining, rail capacity keeps supply tight as world shows new demand for coal: Analysis
Recent circumstances have shown that coal still plays an important part in worldwide energy, enticing coal producers to try and beef up production.
CSX, NS and port push to keep Amtrak proceeding on track
Deliberations at the Surface Transportation Board over whether Amtrak should be allowed to reestablish Gulf Coast service between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans are still ongoing, and all the parties appear to be holding fast to their convictions over the best way to address Amtrak’s request.
Rail workers rally to demand new pact
As the nation’s railroad worker unions presented their details for a new contract with the freight railroads to a Presidential Emergency Board, rank-and-file workers rallied with their leaders in Galesburg, Ill., to demand one. And they picked up wide labor and political support.
BNSF Q2 2022 profit up 10% amid 15% increase in freight revenues
Net income for the western U.S. railroad the second quarter of 2022 was $1.66 billion, compared with nearly $1.52 billion for the second quarter of 2021.
Lawmakers seek to ban railroads from raising rates during service emergencies
Railroads would be prohibited from raising prices during service emergencies under a legislative package introduced this week meant to address the delays and high costs that have dragged down shipper operations for months.
Patriot Rail to acquire fellow short line railroad Pioneer Lines
Jacksonville, Florida-based short line operator Patriot Rail has signed an agreement to acquire Denver-based Pioneer Lines from parent company BRX Transportation Holdings.
Canadian officials solicit public input on Lac-Megantic rail bypass project
Canada’s Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra yesterday announced details of a new public consultation on hydrology and measures to mitigate the potential impacts of the Lac-Megantic rail bypass project in Quebec.
SMART-TD President Ferguson: The truth behind the need for two person crews
In an August 5 message, SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson counters rail industry propaganda regarding the FRA’s proposed rule that would require two-person train crews.
Fed up rail workers rally in Galesburg as potential national strike looms
Last month, for The Real News, I reported on the egregious working conditions that rail workers on Class I freight railroads are facing, including punitive and inhumane attendance policies, chronic understaffing (after rail companies collectively laid off 30% of their workforce since 2015), stagnant wages, and dire safety threats as trains have gotten longer and heavier while rail carriers have simultaneously sought to reduce crew sizes down to one person.
NS Director Jim Squires sells $26.2 million in company stock
Norfolk Southern Co. Director James A. Squires sold 105,420 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 2. The stock was sold at an average price of $248.81, for a total value of $26,229,550.20.
STB publishes draft Environmental Impact Statement in CP-KCS merger
The Surface Transportation Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis determined the only potential adverse impacts of Canadian Pacific’s proposed merger with Kansas City Southern would be train noise, according to the STB’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement released Friday.
Berkshire Hathaway reports $44 billion loss but its businesses thrive
Berkshire said operating profits were up at all of its major units including its insurance companies, major utilities and BNSF Railway.
After “near death” experience, Amtrak prepares for rapid growth
Two years ago, Amtrak was facing a “near-death” experience, Stephen Gardner, CEO of the national passenger rail service, said at a briefing last week with the Association for a Better New York. Now, the agency is seeing an unprecedented demand for Amtrak seats.
Skagit County transfer station still struggling with lack of service from BNSF
Weeks after Skagit County had to shut down its transfer station because of unreliable service from BNSF Railway, little has been done to fix the problem. Without a consistent train schedule, garbage piles up at the station. Counties in the region are looking to BNSF for answers, but aren’t hearing solutions.
STB chairman says higher pay would help solve railroad crew shortages
“The railroads are not offering sufficient rewards – a combination of quality of life and compensation – to keep people there. There’s a price at which people will stay,” Oberman says.
Federal regulators welcome input from rank-and-file railroaders amid widespread service problems
Union leaders routinely comment on matters such as mergers, line spinoffs, and labor protection issues. But Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman and former chairman Daniel Elliott II, who served on the board from 2009-2017, say they couldn’t recall ever hearing from rank-and-file workers before.
BNSF set to reopen one line of Southern Transcon after derailment
BNSF Railway has told customers it expects to reopen one of two tracks this morning (Thursday, Aug. 4) on its Southern Transcon main line at the site of a Tuesday derailment in East Galesburg.
Teamsters edge closer to a national work stoppage at Costco
Costco Teamsters are one step closer to a nationwide work stoppage following another day of contentious negotiations for a new national contract.
As East Coast ports take more share of China trade, expect more bottlenecks for supply chain
Port productivity remains a huge hurdle for the U.S. supply chain as billions of dollars of products are at anchor or landlocked, and a shift to use of East Coast ports over West Coast ports creates new pressures.
AAR reports rail traffic for July and the week ending July 30, 2022
Total U.S. carload traffic for the first seven months of 2022 was 6,900,820 carloads, down 0.1 percent, or 6,610 carloads, from the same period last year; and 7,912,632 intermodal units, down 5.8 percent, or 485,376 containers and trailers, from last year.
BLET News
BLET to host virtual training for LM-2 filers
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a workshop for all Secretary-Treasurers who file LM-2 reports for their General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), Division, or State Legislative Board. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this workshop will be held virtually on March 1-3, 2022.
Pierce appoints Luke Myers to President’s Staff
A native of Colorado, Brother Myers will serve the National Division as Director of Bylaws Administration out of the union’s headquarters in Independence, Ohio. Brother Myers hired out as a trainman with the BNSF, on January 7, 2002, and earned promotion to locomotive engineer on October 8, 2005.
BLET members ratify new contract with New York & Atlantic Railway
In a tremendous show of support for the union, nearly 91% of eligible voters cast ballots, with nearly two-thirds approving the new contract, which runs through December 31, 2026.
SMART-TD and BLET rail unions initiate steps to strike BNSF properties over new “Hi-Viz” attendance policy punishing sick rail workers during the pandemic
CLEVELAND, Ohio, January 13 — Yesterday, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation union (SMART-TD) who work for the BNSF...
BLET welcomes Amit Bose as new Administrator of FRA
On January 12, 2022, the U.S. Senate confirmed Amit Bose to serve as Administrator of the FRA. Dennis R. Pierce, National President of the BLET, issued the following statement…
Ballots mailed in tentative BLET, Metra agreement
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, January 11 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with Metra, the commuter railroad system serving Chicago. BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce announced that ballots were...
District court denies BLET, SMART-TD bid to halt Metra vaccine mandate
The unions took the position that Metra had no authority to unilaterally implement and enforce a COVID vaccination mandate among its employees without the required bargaining pursuant to the Railway Labor Act (RLA). The court ruled in favor of Metra finding the matter to be a minor dispute.
America’s Largest Transportation Labor Coalition Gains 3 More Unions, Unifies Rail Labor
The BLET and BMWED have re-affiliated with the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department.
2022 BLET Time Books coming soon
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is currently mailing 2022 Time Books to all eligible active members of the union.
2022 Hoffa scholarship application process now open
BLET members and their families are advised that the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund has begun accepting applications for the 2022 award year. The Fund awards financial scholarships to the sons, daughters and financial dependents of Teamster members.
