Rail Industry News
CN boosts freight rates and fuel surcharges, reports $3.4 billion in Q2 2022 revenue
Revenue in the second quarter was C$4.34 billion ($3.4 billion), topping the expected C$4.08 billion and about 21% higher than last year. The company said it was helped by a combination of higher freight rates and fuel charges as well as strong volumes of coal and US grain.
Canadian government to audit CP safety practices, announces new rail safety actions
Transport Canada yesterday announced the launch of new rail safety measures that align with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s (TSB) recommendations issued in response to the 2019 derailment of a Canadian Pacific train in Field, British Columbia.
Illinois reps, senators oppose CP-KCS merger
U.S. lawmakers from Illinois and suburban government officials yesterday announced their opposition to the current terms of the proposed merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern.
LIRR ends development of battery-electric equipment
The Long Island Rail Road has scrapped a plan to develop battery-electric multiple-unit trainsets for use on its non-electrified lines, Newsday reports, after determining retrofitting of existing equipment is not feasible.
UP plans major locomotive rebuild program
Wabtec will modernize 600 locomotives over a three-year period for Union Pacific in a deal valued at more than $1 billion, the largest such program in railroading history.
Rail labor dispute that Biden entered has been brewing for years
Rail workers across the country were set to walk off the job on July 18 before President Joe Biden intervened, the latest development in a contentious saga that has been brewing for years.
Railroads, unions clash over reasonable pay
Members of the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) began hearing presentations on Sunday from carriers and labor unions as they look to bring an end to a roughly two-and-a-half-year contract dispute.
Freight rail service is deteriorating
Containers are piling up around the country and trains are waiting for longer stretches at depots, frustrating industrial shippers and exacerbating delays across U.S. supply chains.
STB sets hearing dates in CP-KCS merger case
The hearing will be held Sept. 28, 29 and 30 at the board’s offices in Washington, D.C.
How BNSF corralled U.S. Class I volume growth
Sometimes big stories hide in plain sight. One of them is the jaw-dropping way BNSF Railway has outgrown the other three big U.S. Class I railroads.
UP redesigns locomotive paint scheme
Union Pacific is making the biggest change to its locomotive paint scheme in more than 20 years.
STB may seek to continue collecting expanded railroad performance data
Some of the more detailed metrics the Surface Transportation Board has begun collecting as it tracks the rail industry’s service issues could become part of the STB’s regular regulatory oversight, board member Patrick Fuchs said Tuesday.
Deadly Amtrak collision with dump truck in Missouri caused $4 million in damages, NTSB reports
The deadly collision last month between an Amtrak train with 282 people on board and a fully loaded dump truck in Missouri caused $4 million in damage, the National Transportation Safety Board announced Thursday.
Dockworkers back rail unions in labor talks
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Coast Longshore Division announced on July 19 that it stands in solidarity with the Rail Unions and they workers they represent as they seek what they would consider a fairer contract that reflects the vital work they do nationwide.
Higher attrition rates dampen CSX plans for operational rebound
Although a higher than anticipated attrition rate in the second quarter is slowing the pace of operational improvements, CSX still expects to continue to improve its service metrics in the third and fourth quarters.
STB denies California poultry producer’s request for extension of UP emergency service order
The Surface Transportation Board on Wednesday denied a California poultry and feed producer’s request for an extension of an emergency service order covering Union Pacific grain trains.
UP reports second quarter 2022 results
Union Pacific Corporation today reported 2022 second quarter net income of $1.8 billion, or $2.93 per diluted share. This compares to 2021 second quarter net income of $1.8 billion, or $2.72 per diluted share.
UP profit up 2% to $1.84 billion in second quarter of 2022
Union Pacific’s second-quarter profit improved a bit, but the railroad’s expenses jumped as it tried to reduce the delivery delays that have left its customers waiting for trains at times.
Appeal to customers crucial to rebound from service issues, UP says
With car velocity dropping and inventory climbing earlier this year, Union Pacific engaged in some “difficult conversations” with customers, Eric Gehringer says. The railroad’s executive vice president of operations is well aware for whom they were more difficult.
CSX reports Q2 2022 income
CSX Corp. today announced second quarter 2022 net earnings of $1,178 million, or $0.54 per share, compared to $1,173 million, or $0.52 per share in the same period last year. Second quarter 2022 operating income was $1.70 billion compared to $1.69 billion in the prior year period.
BLET News
Unions join to fight Union Pacific on COVID orders
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) are jointly taking on Union Pacific Railroad (UP) over a series of unilateral and unlawful actions taken by the carrier recently.
RRB Labor Member update: Field Offices remain closed, FAQs available
The following is a message to Rail Labor from John Bragg, Labor Member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board.
Open enrollment for 2022 Health FSA to run from October 1-31, 2021
From now until midnight on October 31, 2021, you can enroll or change your Medical or Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefit selections for the 2022 benefit year.
Unions join together to thwart Norfolk Southern’s effort to eliminate train service crafts
The BLET) and SMART-TD have joined forces to defeat efforts by Norfolk Southern to supplant the train service crafts of conductors and brakemen by calling locomotive engineers to work their assignments.
Coordinated Bargaining Coalition Update
In January, we said that “the Rail Carriers have not made any proposals worthy of consideration by the membership of the CBC Unions.” No Carrier proposals have beenreceived since our January 2021 update that would change the veracity of that statement.
Donate to Teamsters Disaster Relief to help victims of Hurricane Ida
Through its Disaster Relief Fund, the Teamsters provide needed relief and outreach to our members, and we need your help in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. You can help your fellow members in their time of need by donating needed supplies.
BLET’s Washington D.C. Legislative Board concludes 5th quadrennial meeting
On July 27, 2021, members of the BLET’s District of Columbia State Legislative Board convened their 5th quadrennial meeting at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters headquarters in Washington, D.C. Brother Herbert Harris Jr. was reelected by acclamation to a fifth consecutive term as Chairman.
Special Open Enrollment for the BLET Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
The Benefits of Belonging to the BLET include numerous legal and contractual advantages, as well as certain benefits available only to members of our Brotherhood and their families. Among these is the BLET Critical Illness (CI) and Accident Insurance (ACC) Plan.
Resources for those impacted by current disasters and emergencies
The following health and wellness resources are available to members covered by The Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare (GA-23000) Plan or The National Railway Carriers and United Transportation Union (NRC/UTU) Health and Welfare (GA-690100) Plan, who are currently impacted by declared disasters and emergencies (such as hurricanes, wildfires and floods).
Labor Day 2021
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Labor Day is dedicated to protecting the social and economic achievements of American workers. It is also an annual national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our nation.
