Rail Industry News
Hoffa: Moving forward together
(Source: A message from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa, February 16, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The coronavirus has now plagued the world for more than a year. Things have changed significantly in that time. More than 400,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 and...
COVID relief bill: What’s in it for passenger rail?
(Source: Railway Age, February 16, 2021) NEW YORK — Here’s a closer look at the provisions and what they could mean for agencies, advocates and riders alike. Full story: Railway Age
Winter weather disrupts Western rail service, logistics networks
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, February 16, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The disruptions to rail service come to a supply chain slowed to a crawl in some areas as a result of port congestion stemming from record levels of imports. Full story: Supply Chain Dive
Union Pacific shuts down intermodal network because of winter weather
(Source: Railway Age, February 16, 2021) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has virtually frozen its entire intermodal network in the face of harsh winter weather. Full story: Railway Age
Teamsters remember James R. Hoffa
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, February 13, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — On February 14, Teamsters remember the life of the union’s General President Emeritus, James R. Hoffa. Hoffa, born February 14, 1913, served as General President of...
What Keystone pipeline cancellation means for crude by rail
(Source: Freight Waves, February 15, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — President Joe Biden’s revocation of the March 2019 permit enabling the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline will likely result in more crude-by-rail volumes, according to industry observers. But how...
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advances Biden’s relief legislation
(Source: Transportation Today, February 15, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure advanced out of committee nearly $100 billion in aid as part of President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Full...
Opinion: Railroad service improvement perhaps a C+
(Source: Railway Age opinion column by Jim Blaze, February 12, 2021) NEW YORK — Precision Scheduled Railroading overall so far is not anywhere near “precise-delivery railroading.” Full story: Railway Age
SEPTA employees endure steady threats of violence even as ridership drops
(Source: WHYY, February 16, 2021) PHILADELPHIA — It was late one September evening, and Kimberly Benedetto was driving the Route 47 bus south. When she stopped at JFK Boulevard, two teenagers boarded the vehicle without masks. Full story: www.whyy.org
CSX, Union Pacific caution about bad weather
(Source: Freight Waves, February 15, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Bitter cold and strong winter storms could impact rail operations over the next several days, according to service advisories from several U.S. Class I railroads. Snow and ice from a destructive winter...
CP derailment leaves 46 cars, two locomotives off the tracks near B.C. border
(Source: Calgary Herald, February 14, 2021) CALGARY, B.C. — Two locomotives and 46 train cars loaded with potash were involved in a derailment just east of the B.C. and Alberta border Friday. Full story: Calgary Herald
Metra UP-W tracks cleared after CN freight train derails in West Chicago
(Source: Chicago Sun-Times, February 15, 2021) CHICAGO — Metra Union Pacific West trains resumed stopping in West Chicago after a freight train derailment disrupted service for more than five hours. Full story: Chicago Sun-Times
Fire reported at site of UP derailment in Normal, Ill.; Cleanup continues
(Source: Bloomington Pantagraph, February 14, 2021) NORMAL, Ill. — Investigators are still searching for a cause to Saturday morning's train derailment in uptown Normal, which damaged at least 17 cargo cars on a Union Pacific train. Cleanup and repair on the track...
Bill to expand MARC service to Virginia, Delaware sees new life with veto override
(Source: Frederick News-Post, February 10, 2021) FREDERICK, Md. — The sponsor of a bill that could expand MARC train service into northern Virginia is confident that the Maryland Senate will uphold the House of Delegates’ vote to override Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto...
Amtrak CEO’s priorities could be good news for train travel in Colorado
(Source: Colorado Public Radio, February 11, 2021) DENVER, Colo. — Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn recently sent a letter to Congress outlining his priorities for the national passenger rail system, which includes the Southwest Chief that runs through Southern Colorado as well...
Teamsters applaud House Ways & Means vote approving pension reform plan
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, February 12, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Teamsters commend the work of the House Ways & Means Committee, which today approved broad COVID-19 stimulus legislation that includes a provision granting relief...
What does tight U.S. housing market mean for rail?
(Source: Freight Waves, February 11, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The U.S. housing market was tight in 2020, and that trend could continue into 2021, analysts say. Furthermore, that housing trend could have significant volume implications for lumber and wood shipped by...
Zero-emission locomotives on U.S. railways?
(Source: railway Age, February 12, 2020) NEW YORK — Based on emerging technologies in batteries, hydrogen fuel cells and renewable natural gas, zero-emission motive power is a possibility. Full story: Railway Age
NTSB satisfied with railroads’ progress on PTC
(Source: Safety & Health Magazine, February 12, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Transportation Safety Board is closing three safety recommendations related to the installation of Positive Train Control systems – emergency slowing and stopping systems designed to...
Rep. DeFazio releases transportation, infrastructure budget, calling next round of COVID-19 relief “critical”
(Source: Transportation Today, February 11, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep Peter DeFazio (D-OR), chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, said Tuesday that President Biden’s American Rescue Plan contains nearly $10 billion in aid for...
BLET News
Kronyak reelected by acclamation as New Jersey SLB Chairman
Matt Kronyak was reelected by acclamation to his second full term as Chairman of the New Jersey State Legislative Board at meetings in Newark, N.J., on March 12, 2013.
Unions join forces to fight carrier’s implementation of inward cameras
During a meeting with the Presidents of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the SMART Transportation Division on April 24, 2013, Kansas City Southern Railway announced that it intends to install and begin to use inward facing cameras in all of its locomotives over the next few weeks.
Speakers highlight BLET’s 150th anniversary celebration in Detroit
It was a proud day for a proud union yesterday as the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen — the oldest labor union in North America — marked its 150th anniversary with ceremonies in the city of Detroit, Mich., where the Organization was founded 150 years ago.
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen celebrates 150 years
Leaders of both railroad labor and industry came together in Detroit today to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen, the oldest railroad labor union in the western world. Presidents of unions and railroads alike received standing ovations from the more than 300 attendees.
Teamsters honor 150 year anniversary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
The following is a statement by Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa and General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
U.S. Senators thank BLET members on union’s 150th anniversary
Seven members of the United States Senate are congratulating the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and its members on the Organization’s 150th anniversary. Included are letters from Senators who lead labor and transportation committees thanking the BLET and its hard-working members for their many contributions to the railroad industry, to the labor movement, and to key workplace safety improvements that benefitted not just railroaders but many workers in other industries all throughout the United States.
Members of U.S. House recognize BLET’s 150th anniversary
Seven members of the U.S. House of Representatives have issued congratulatory letters recognizing the 150th anniversary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
Illinois Governor declares BLET Day; Three more states, two cities also honor BLET’s 150th anniversary
CLEVELAND, May 3 — Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has signed a proclamation declaring May 8, 2013, as “Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Day” throughout Illinois in honor of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen’s 150th anniversary. Governor Quinn joined three additional state governments (California, Massachusetts, and Ohio) and two cities (Detroit and Marshall, Mich.) in recognizing North America’s oldest railroad labor union.
Thanks to our union heroes
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President The horrifying scenes from Boston were difficult to watch last week. Cowards — called terrorists by some — detonated homemade bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring hundreds of others. But the bravery of our fellow union workers in Boston provided a silver lining in what was otherwise a horrible tragedy.
Change notification for BLET members from Express Scripts Pharmacy
BLET members who receive medications through their home delivery pharmacy service may notice a change to their prescription bottle and the packaging it comes in. This is because members may get their medications from either an Express Scripts Pharmacy or a Medco Pharmacy beginning May 1. Medco is part of the Express Scripts family of home delivery pharmacies.
