Rail Industry News
Freight railroads must keep two person crews, according to new federal regulation
Major freight railroads will have to maintain two-person crews on most routes under a new federal rule that was finalized Tuesday. The Federal Railroad Administration released the details of the rule Tuesday morning, after working on it for the past two years.
Oberman names STB passenger rail advisory committee members
Greg Regan, president, AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department, was appointed to a 3-year term to represent organized labor.
Biden fires RRB inspector general
An investigation found evidence that Martin Dickman created a toxic work environment and engaged in abusive treatment, including using crude and inappropriate language like slurs, and belittling employees.
FRA makes more than $2.4 billion in CRISI grant funding available
CRISI grants advance projects that modernize America’s freight and intercity passenger rail infrastructure, allowing people and goods to move with greater safety, efficiency, and reliability.
BNSF, CPKC say they won’t pay new Minnesota safety fee
BNSF Railway and CPKC, the two largest railroads in Minnesota, do not plan to make payments of approximately $1 million to the state required by a law passed last year.
Railroads scramble to keep freight moving after Baltimore port disruption
When the collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge disrupted operations at the Port of Baltimore on Tuesday, major railroad carriers kept freight flowing despite the inevitable risk of delays.
Three-train NS crash in Pennsylvania highlights shortcomings of positive train control
None of the circumstances the National Transportation Safety Board described Tuesday in its preliminary report on the March 2 derailment would have triggered the automated positive train control system to stop the trains.
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending March 23, 2024
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 470,593 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.1 percent compared with the same week last year.
CSX, NS count the cost of tragic Baltimore bridge collapse
Class I railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern say that their customers should expect delays with some shipments following the tragic collapse of the I-695 Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26.
NTSB looks at NS rules, procedures, and training as investigation of three-train Pennsylvania incident continues
The National Transportation Safety Board is looking at Norfolk Southern rules, procedures, and crew training relating to train handling as it continues its investigation into the collision and derailment involving three trains that occurred March 2 in Lower Saucon Township, Pa.
Vote on insurgent effort at NS set for May 9
Norfolk Southern has set May 9 as the date for its annual meeting, when an insurgent campaign to put outside directors on the company’s board and a new CEO in place will come to a head.
U.S. Class I workforce grew in February, STB data shows
The U.S. Class I workforce grew a bit larger last month. As of mid-February, the large railroads employed 123,377 people in the United States, up 0.6% from January’s level and 2.6% from February 2023’s count.
Analysts expect NS and activist investors to reach agreement in proxy fight
Norfolk Southern’s decision to hire a chief operating officer with Precision Scheduled Railroading expertise increases the likelihood that the embattled railroad will reach a settlement with activist investor Ancora Holdings, Wall Street analysts say.
NS to name new chief operating officer amid proxy battle
Amid a proxy fight with an activist investor, Norfolk Southern on Wednesday will name Canadian Pacific Kansas City executive John Orr as its chief operating officer.
President Biden nominates Homendy to continue as NTSB chair
President Joe Biden recently announced his intention to nominate Jennifer Homendy as the continuing chair of the National Transportation Safety Board.
Members of American Train Dispatcher Association protest at opening of CPKC stadium
The American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) staged a protest outside the match at the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stadium. ATDA shared its frustrations with CPKC sharing they are refusing to provide paid sick leave for employees.
STB to UP: Employment data must be public; Ancora responds to Oberman’s criticism
The Surface Transportation Board denied Union Pacific Railroad’s request to keep certain required, temporary employment-data reporting confidential.
Berkshire boosts pay of Warren Buffett successor to $20 million
Berkshire Hathaway said Warren Buffett raised the pay of his designated successor Greg Abel to $20 million last year, as the conglomerate posted a record operating profit.
A year after CPKC merger, Chicago-area mayors see more frequent and longer trains
One year into a hotly contested railroad merger, suburban leaders report lengthy and more frequent freight trains, and they’re preparing for a future deluge.
Ancora’s safety white paper can’t withstand a simple fact check: Analysis
Ancora is stuck on the misinformation highway with a safety white paper that makes several claims that can’t hold up to scrutiny.
BLET News
BLET members ratify new contract on CPKC Soo Line territory
BLET has ratified a new five-year agreement with the CPKC for locomotive engineers who work on the CPKC Soo Line territory. Ballots were tabulated on December 11. The deal provides general wage increases of 17.5 percent (18.8 percent compounded) over the life of the...
BLET reaches tentative agreement with NYSW
The BLET has reached a tentative agreement with the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYSW). Ballots were mailed in late November. If ratified, the tentative agreement would provide wage increases and work rule improvements. Additionally, if ratified, NYSW...
BLET members at CN-IC donating bicycles to kids in need this holiday season
From left: Division 827 Local Chairman William Lafferty and Division 914 Local Chairman Allen Templet Jr. selecting bicycles to donate. ____________________ BLET members who work for the Canadian National-Illinois Central (CN-IC) are in the giving spirit this holiday...
Ballots mailed to 12,000+ members as voting begins on tentative national contract
Voting is now underway as BLET members will make their voices heard on the tentative national agreement reached October 30 with 10 freight railroads represented by the National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC). Ballots were mailed today (December 5) to 12,000+...
Virtual Town Hall meetings set for December 9 to review tentative national agreement
The BLET will host two Zoom Town Hall meetings on December 9 to discuss the tentative national agreement. National President Mark Wallace will outline the agreement’s provisions and provide background on the negotiating process.
BLET’s Ray Vigil named to New Jersey governor-elect’s transition team
Ray Vigil (left) will serve on the Transition Action Team of New Jersey Governor-Elect Mikie Sherill (right). ____________________ Ray Vigil, Chairman of the BLET’s New Jersey State Legislative Board, has been appointed by Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill to serve on her...
Governor Shapiro authorizes $219.9 million in one-time capital emergency funding for SEPTA regional rail
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announces the emergency funding to be immediately directed toward SEPTA's safety issues and repairs. SEPTA photo ____________________ Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro ordered that $219.9 million from the state’s transportation...
Secretary-Treasurer refresher courses available via Zoom in December
The BLET National Division Education & Training Department will host an End-of-Year Secretary-Treasurer Refresher Training Class. This session is designed to review year-end reporting requirements, compliance deadlines, and provide a first look at our new...
Attention all CPKC Soo Line and SEPTA members: Replacement ballots are now available
The telephone hotline to request replacement ballots is now open for two separate ratification votes currently underway. The first is for BLET members who work on the CPKC Soo Line territory and the second is for BLET members at SEPTA. Ballots and voting instructions...
National Legislative Board concludes annual meeting
From left: Amit Bose, Brendan Sullivan, Richard Barnett, Ryan Snow, Herbert Harris Jr., Gary Best, Mark Wallace, Vince Verna, Shane Hubbard, Chuck Schulz, David Estes, Alex Beckmann, and Cole Scandaglia. ____________________ The BLET National Legislative Board (NLB)...
