Rail Industry News
Railroad workers call for better wages, working conditions at rally in Lincoln
Many at the rally expressed concerns of how their current wages are not keeping up with inflation and the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Railroaders rally for new contract
Railroad workers across the country have been working without a contract since 2019. They are pushing for better pay, change in their harsh attendance policies, and further issues affecting railroad workers, their families, and their community.
BNSF workers call Hi-Viz “a brutal policy”
In February, BNSF instituted an attendance policy known as Hi-Viz, which drew immediate criticism from employees and railroad unions.
National rail strike or lockout possible July 18 unless President Biden intervenes
Railroad freight traffic across the United States could come to a screeching halt July 18 if progress isn’t made on a labor contract between national rail carriers and their unions.
Freight rail under scrutiny
So far, 2022 has been a perfect storm for the freight rail industry. In the eye of the storm, there are no fewer than 10 pain points.
How Biden’s rail expansion could impact Washington train service
As President Biden’s ambitious passenger rail expansion plan faces an early test on the Gulf Coast, Washington train advocates have expressed concern about how it could affect the Pacific Northwest.
Q&A: Unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad employees
The following questions and answers describe these benefits, their eligibility requirements, and how to claim them.
Corporate billionaires are wrecking the supply chain; Just look at the railroads
Lest we forget, BNSF Railway and Union Pacific made billions in profit in 2021.
Retailers to Biden: Get involved in rail labor dispute
A growing list of businesses are letting President Joe Biden know they’re worried about the current stalemate in major freight railroads’ labor negotiations and the impact a potential rail strike would have on the economy.
Railroad bottleneck at nation’s busiest West Coast ports reaches inflection point
Sixty percent of all long-dwell containers at the Port of Los Angeles are rail-bound, and container wait for rail is a little over eight days for the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Via Rail workers issue strike mandate
As negotiations continue in Montreal, members of Unifor, Canada’s largest union on the private sector and representing VIA Rail’s on-board service personnel, chefs, sales agents and customer staff, issued a strike mandate ahead of the July 11 strike deadline.
Bettendorf City Council OKs CP-KCS merger
As part of the agreement with Canadian Pacific, Bettendorf will receive $3 million to help mitigate the effects on the city as a result of the increased rail traffic.
AAR reports rail traffic for June and the week ending July 2, 2022
Total U.S. carload traffic for the first six months of 2022 was 5,993,917 carloads, down 0.1 percent, or 8,823 carloads, from the same period last year; and 6,878,726 intermodal units, down 6.2 percent, or 453,282 containers and trailers, from last year.
Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw sells $241,840 in company stock
Norfolk Southern Corporation shares valued at $241,840 were sold by Alan H. Shaw on June 1, 2022. At $241.84 per share, Shaw sold 1,000 shares.
Canada unveils measures to protect rail infrastructure from extreme weather
The Government of Canada is taking action to further improve the safety and security of Canada’s rail system, especially in light of the impacts of climate change and severe weather on railway operations.
Rail shippers call on Biden to appoint PEB to settle rail contract dispute
A coalition of rail shippers is calling on President Joe Biden to establish a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) to help the nation’s largest railroads and rail labor groups reach a contract settlement.
Big business calls on Biden to avert rail strike
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is calling on President Joe Biden to help resolve a dispute between the country’s Class 1 railroads and 12 rail unions to avert a possible rail strike beginning July 18.
CSX sending 137 information technology jobs to India
CSX Corp. is partnering with an India-based company to outsource some of its information technology services, affecting 137 jobs.
Rail traffic falls for 19th straight week
Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 500,285 carloads and intermodal units, down 2.5% compared with the same week in 2021.
What does the Federal Railroad Administration do?
The Federal Railroad Administration oversees the safety aspects of rail.
BLET News
BLET mourns passing of Washington State Legislative Board Chairman Shahraim Allen
Officers, members and staff of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) are deeply saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of Washington State Legislative Board Chairman Shahraim C. Allen, who died on June 24, 2021. He was 45 years old.
Rail Conference Joins High-Speed Rail Coalition
Dennis R. Pierce, President, Teamsters Rail Conference announced today that the Teamsters Rail Conference, following a unanimous vote by its Policy Committee, has joined the U.S. High Speed Rail Coalition Executive Committee. The Committee is comprised of passenger and high-speed rail stakeholders, proponents and supporters from all corners of the Nation.
BLET General Chairman Karakian delivers opening prayer at Teamsters 30th Convention
Brother John M. Karakian, General Chairman of the BLET’s CN-Grand Trunk Western General Committee of Adjustment, had the honor of delivering the invocation during opening ceremonies of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ 30th Convention on Tuesday, June 22.
Jeff Thurman reelected General Chairman of BNSF (former SLSF)/MNA GCA
Jeffrey L. Thurman was reelected by acclamation to his third term as General Chairman of the BNSF (former SLSF)/MNA General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting on June 9, 2021.
Labor Member Bragg announces the retirement of Assistant Geri Clark
Geraldine “Geri” Clark, long-time Assistant to the Labor Member, will retire effective July 2, 2021, after 51 years of dedicated service to railroad workers and the Railroad Retirement Board.
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Long Island Rail Road
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules for nearly 500 locomotive engineers.
BLET prevails in injunction hearing
Following a June 11 hearing, a federal judge in El Paso, Texas has issued a Preliminary Injunction against Union Pacific Railroad (UP) to reverse the unlawful suspensions of a group of six members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET)
Career opportunities: BLET seeks applicants for National Legislative Office positions
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is announcing two open full-time positions for employment in BLET’s Washington, D.C. Legislative office.
INVEST Act clears T&I Committee after railroads’ attack falls short
Early this morning, the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act (INVEST Act) was passed by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by a 38-26 vote.
BLET backs two-person crew, rail safety provisions of INVEST Act
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is endorsing the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act (INVEST Act), which is expected to be marked-up in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 9. The bill would authorize $547 billion in spending over five years on surface transportation, would mandate two-person crews on freight trains, and would triple funding for Amtrak.
