Rail Industry News
Railroad workers rally Saturday in Galesburg
The workers and unions have been negotiating with rail companies since late 2019. The freight train workers said they want higher wages, better hours and to be treated respectfully.
Transport Canada wants specifics on how railways will manage equipment in winter
Transport Canada is now requiring railway companies to submit winter operating plans for their equipment, including how the railways will manage the maintenance of air brakes in very cold temperatures, as part of a broader effort to improve rail safety.
Q&A: RRB financial reports
As required by law, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) submits annual financial reports to Congress on the financial condition of the railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance systems. These reports must include recommendations for any financing changes that may be advisable to ensure the solvency of the systems. In June, the RRB submitted its financial reports on the railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance systems.
U.S. Class I workforce grew in June
As of mid-June, U.S. Class Is employed 116,251 people, a 0.41% increase compared with employment levels in mid-May and a 0.28% increase from June 2021’s level, according to Surface Transportation Board data.
Canadian Pacific CEO defends PSR, eager for merger with KCS
CP posted a net profit of CA$765 million ($597 million), or 82 cents per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2022, compared with net profit of $1.25 billion, or $1.86 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2021.
BNSF to open domestic intermodal facility in Pacific Northwest
BNSF is developing a new rail hub at the Port of Tacoma, Wash., in partnership with the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), “to meet increased intermodal demand in the greater Seattle region and unlock capacity.”
CN blasts Amtrak proposal for dispatching control
Canadian National calls an Amtrak proposal that would give it dispatching control over CN lines with poor passenger performance “an outrageously self-serving recipe.”
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending July 23, 2022
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 498,901 carloads and intermodal units, down 0.8 percent compared with the same week last year.
NS launches annual scholarship program for children of employees
One hundred children of Norfolk Southern Corporation employees will receive college scholarships of up to $10,000 over four years through the company’s new Thoroughbred Scholars program.
Rail unions welcome FRA’s two-person crew rule
Transportation labor welcomes the FRA’s proposed rule requiring a minimum of two crew members on trains and establishing minimum requirements for the location of crewmembers on a moving train to promote safe and effective teamwork.
FRA issues proposed rule to enhance train safety, codify train crew size requirements
To enhance safety, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced a proposed rule requiring a minimum of two train crewmembers for over-the-road railroad operations.
FRA releases proposed rule requiring two-person train crews
The Federal Railroad Administration has released its long-anticipated rule proposal to require two-person crews for trains, drawing predictable, and strong, reactions from railroads (which are opposed), and unions (which are in favor).
Rail traffic declines for 22nd consecutive week
U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 23, 2022 (Week 29) was 498,901 carloads and intermodal units, down 0.8% from the same week last year.
Norfolk Southern reports profit of $819 million in Q2 2022 profit as delivery delays linger
The railroad used rate increases and higher fuel surcharges to generate $819 million profit, or $3.45 cents per share.
CP reports Q2 2022 financial results
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited today announced its second-quarter 2022 results, including revenues of $2.20 billion, reported operating ratio (“OR”) of 60.6 percent, adjusted OR1 of 59.7 percent, reported diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.82 and core adjusted diluted EPS1 of $0.95.
Norfolk Southern resumes hump operations at two yards under new operating plan
Norfolk Southern has resumed hump operations at its classification yards in Macon, Ga., and Bellevue, Ohio, as part of the new operating plan it began rolling out last month.
BNSF extends embargo on California-bound carload traffic
BNSF Railway’s embargo of certain types of carload traffic bound for California has been extended into August as its Southern Transcon remains congested in the Southwest.
City of Houston, Harris County file notice of intent to sue Union Pacific over environmental contamination, cancer clusters
The lawsuit is being filed for the imminent and substantial endangerment from environmental contamination from UP’s facilities on Liberty Road, in the Greater Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods.
NS reports Q2 2022 financial results
Second quarter railway operating revenue was $3.3 billion, income from railway operations was $1.3 billion, net income was $819 million, and diluted earnings per share was $3.45.
CN reports Q2 2022 financial results
CN today reported its financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022. Financial performance improved year-over-year with record adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of C$1.93, up 30%. (1) For the same period, the Company reported diluted EPS up 32% to C$1.92.
BLET News
Save these dates for BLET meetings in 2022
BLET members and officers are reminded of the dates for the BLET regional meetings coming up next year.
President Biden signs infrastructure bill that boosts Amtrak funding, addresses freight rail safety
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, November 16 — On November 15, President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) into law. The bill contains significant funding enhancements for Amtrak and addresses key safety issues in the freight industry. The...
Veterans Day 2021
By Dennis R. Pierce BLET National President INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, November 11 — On this Veterans Day, we are proud and humbled to honor our veterans and pay tribute to their sacrifices that have made our country free and strong. Veterans Day is an important day of...
Pierce reelected CRLO Chairman
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce was reelected by acclamation as Chairman of the Cooperating Railway Labor Organizations (CRLO) during October 28’s CRLO business meeting. The CRLO is a group of 12 Rail Labor unions that sit together to oversee the collectively...
Eric Gabaldon, Brendan Sullivan join BLET National Legislative Office
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, November 2 — BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce today announced that he has appointed two BLET members to serve in key roles at the Union’s National Legislative Office in Washington, D.C. Brother Eric A. Gabaldon of Division 400 (Albuquerque,...
Cunningham reelected BNSF (former ATSF) General Chairman
Brother M. Robby Cunningham was reelected by acclamation to his second term as General Chairman of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (former ATSF) General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting in San Diego, California, October 4-7, 2021.
Nevada SLB Chairman Matt Parker reelected to third term
Matthew B. Parker was reelected by acclamation to his third term as Chairman of the Nevada State Legislative Board at the Board’s quadrennial meeting on September 16, 2021.
Unions counter Norfolk Southern COVID vaccine mandate
On October 29, 2021, the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) responded to the suit Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) filed against them on October 21, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Chicago Division.
Unions file for injunctions against NS
The BLET and the SMART–TD escalated their fight against Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) to stop the railroad from forcing locomotive engineers to work as conductors, and for disciplining those who don’t.
Rail Workers’ Right to Choose Medical Network Upheld
The decision is a major victory for railroad workers covered by national agreement health care plans, as their bargained-for right to choose their own medical network remains intact.
