Rail Industry News
A year after East Palestine, rail industry blocks new safety rules
Publicly, Norfolk Southern and its peers have pledged to work with lawmakers on the bill. But the companies have still labored to severely weaken or eliminate some of its core provisions, according to 15 lawmakers, congressional aides, union officials and others, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.
STB modifies performance requirements for Class I railroads
The agency is keeping in place a requirement that Class I railroads provide monthly data on hiring and retention plans, and also provide an additional update containing labor force targets. In addition, the railroads are being directed to continue to submit data about trainees in their monthly employment data.
A year on, a small Ohio town is recovering from a fiery train derailment but health fears persist
Daily life largely returned to normal for most of the nearly 5,000 residents of East Palestine, Ohio, months after a Norfolk Southern train derailed and spilled a cocktail of hazardous chemicals that caught fire a year ago, but the worries and fears are always there.
Buttigieg and labor leaders urge Congress to pass railroad safety legislation
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the leaders of all 13 railroad labor unions today urged Congress to tighten rail safety regulations as the one-year anniversary of the disastrous derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, approaches.
New videos show towers of fire from vent and burn procedure in East Palestine
Residents of eastern Ohio can now get an up-close view in newly released videos of the twin toxic towers of fire that forced them from their homes last February after officials decided to blow open five tank cars filled with vinyl chloride they worried might explode days after a Norfolk Southern train derailed.
President Biden accepts mayor’s invitation to visit East Palestine
President Joe Biden will visit the eastern Ohio community that was devastated by a fiery train derailment almost one year ago.
Norfolk Southern first big freight railway to let workers use anonymous federal safety hotline
About 1,000 engineers and conductors who work for Norfolk Southern will soon be able to report safety concerns anonymously through a federal system without any fear of discipline.
Video: Norfolk Southern employees in Roanoke to join C3RS safety pilot program
“It’s a good deal. And it’s a big deal,” said Scott Bunten, General Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET).
Report: Activist investor group eyes Norfolk Southern
An activist investor group has taken a $1 billion stake in Norfolk Southern and aims to wrest control of the company’s board and oust CEO Alan Shaw, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
AAR: Carloads up, intermodal down for week ending January 27, 2024
Total carloads came in at 208,131, down 9.0% from 2023, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 259,091 containers and trailers, up 10.1% from 2023.
STB extends reporting of railroad employment data for BNSF, CSX, NS and UP
The Surface Transportation Board today issued a decision that extends the temporary reporting of employment data through the end of the year.
FRA issues Final Rule requiring emergency escape breathing apparatuses in trains carrying hazmat
The rule requires railroads to provide emergency escape breathing apparatuses (EEBAs) for train crew members and other employees who could be exposed to an inhalation hazard in the event of a hazardous material, or hazmat, release.
Union Pacific: uncertainty clouds freight outlook as carrier reports Q4, full-year 2023 results
For the quarter, operating income was flat, at $2.4 billion, on flat revenues of $6.1 billion. Earnings per share grew 1% to $2.71.
Norfolk Southerns’ Q4 2023 profit falls 33% as East Palestine derailment costs continue to grow
The railroad delivered 3% more shipments during the quarter, but even without the costs related to that toxic crash, its profits still would have been down 14%.
Buttigieg calls on Congress to pass rail safety bill
Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently pressed Congress to pass legislation that would strengthen rail safety policies. Ideally, he emphasized, congressional action on the measure would occur before the anniversary of the derailment of a freight train in East Palestine, Ohio.
Norfolk Southern cutting 7% of management positions
Norfolk Southern told employees today that it will eliminate 7% of its management and staff positions as a cost-cutting move.
Railroads seek to head off Mexican bridge closures as cross-border traffic grows
Railroad executives will meet with U.S. and Mexican customs officials next month to discuss how they can work together to keep vital rail border crossings open amid the surge in migrants crossing the Rio Grande.
Senate confirms three Amtrak board members
The U.S. Senate has confirmed attorney Anthony Coscia, Aviation Strategies President Joel Szabat, and Normal, Illinois, Mayor Christopher Koos as members of Amtrak’s board.
CSX reports Q4 2023 profit decline despite volume growth
The railroad’s operating income declined 10%, to $1.3 billion, as revenue declined 1%, to $3.6 billion.
CN posts Q4 2023 financial, operating results
The Class I posted Q4 revenue of C$4.5 billion, down 2%; net income of C$2.1 billion, up 50%; and C$3.29 diluted earnings per share (EPS), up 57%, compared with Q4 2022 results.
BLET News
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Western New York & Pennsylvania
Ballots are due back to the National Division by November 11. Photo by Cory Rusch, BLET Division 659 ____________________ The BLET has reached a tentative five-year agreement with the Western New York & Pennsylvania (WNYP) Railroad, governing rates of pay,...
Mark your calendars: 2026 BLET regional meetings to provide training, fellowship
BLET members who are scheduling their vacations for next year should make plans to attend one or both of the BLET’s regional meetings in 2026. The 2026 Western Regional Meeting will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, the week of July 13, while the 2026 Eastern...
In the line of duty: BLET mourns the loss of Brother Daniel P. Peterson
The BLET is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Brother Daniel P. Peterson, age 52, who died on the morning of October 19 as a result of an incident while working as a conductor for BNSF Railway. Brother Peterson was a proud and active member of BLET Division 232 in...
Railroad Retirement Board Q&A: Applying for a retirement annuity
Railroad employees considering retirement should familiarize themselves with the Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) annuity application process. Understanding how the process works can prevent delays and ensure that annuity payments begin as soon as possible after...
National Division begins taking requests for 2026 Time Books
The BLET National Division is now taking requests from members who wish to receive a new Time Book for 2026. These books will only be distributed to members upon request. To request a Time Book, members must first log in to the Members’ Area of the BLET National...
Ongoing Federal government shutdown taking its toll on initiatives to improve rail safety
As the Federal government shutdown that began on October 1 continues, it is beginning to affect government agencies that serve the rail industry and BLET members. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been...
PEB 253 recommends raises and back pay for BLET members at LIRR
On October 17, Presidential Emergency Board No. 253 (PEB) announced its recommendations in the contract dispute between the coalition of unions (including BLET) and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). That PEB recommended raises with full retroactive pay for all...
Local Chairman class Q&A: Three training class participants encourage others to attend
In mid-October, the BLET Education and Training Department hosted a training class for Local Chairmen at National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio. Three in-person workshop participants shared their thoughts about the experience. Jeffery Green represents...
PEB 253 expected to issue recommendations today in BLET-LIRR contract dispute
The BLET presented a strong case on behalf of its members as Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) 253 held formal hearings last week in the contract dispute between BLET along with several other unions and the Long Island Rail Road. It is expected that the PEB will...
Wisconsin: Lieutenant Governor joins annual BLET Team Building Session
BLET members at the Wisconsin State Legislative Board's 2025 Team Building Session. ____________________ The BLET Wisconsin State Legislative Board (WI SLB) hosted a team building session during the week of September 29. Chuck Schulz, Chairman of the WI SLB, said the...
