Rail Industry News
R.J. Corman appoints Batory to Board of Directors
(Source: Railway Age, February 1, 2021) NEW YORK — The R.J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC named Ronald L. (Ron) Batory, former FRA Administrator, to the Board of Directors on Feb. 1. Until earlier this month, Batory had served as the 14th FRA Administrator; he was sworn...
Runaway train in Goderich, Ontario, leaves significant damage
(Source: CBC News, February 1, 2021) GODERICH, Ontario — No one was hurt after a train derailed in Goderich, Ont., Monday afternoon, leaving significant damage in its path. The incident involved the Goderich-Exeter Railway (GEXR), a freight railway that runs from...
Union Pacific maintenance worker killed in accident in southern Arizona
(Source: Associated Press, February 1, 2021) VAIL, Ariz. — A Union Pacific worker in southern Arizona has died in an accident on the job. Company spokesman Tim McMahan confirmed that James Morgan, who worked on engineering matters as a systems laborer, was fatally...
Insurance companies must pay NJ Transit for trains damaged by Sandy, N.J. Supreme Court rules
(Source: www.nj.com, January 27, 2021) NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Supreme Court backed up a lower court ruling that told insurance companies to pay up after Hurricane Sandy damaged NJ Transit trains parked in the Meadowlands Maintenance Complex train yard that...
Suspect shoots at Norfolk Southern police officer on Chicago’s southwest side
(Source: NBC Chicago, January 30, 2021) CHICAGO — A police officer with the Norfolk Southern Railroad exchanged gunfire with a suspect Saturday evening in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on Chicago's Southwest Side, authorities stated. Full story: NBC Chicago
Man for La Mesa charged in derailment of BNSF train in southern New Mexico
(Source: Department of Justice press release, U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of New Mexico, January 29, 2021) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Luis Angel Rodriguez, 27, of La Mesa, New Mexico, made his initial appearance in federal court today where he was charged with...
Unifor, Via Rail reach agreement in principle affecting 2,400 employees
(Source: Canadian Press, January 30, 2021) MONTREAL — Via Rail and the Unifor union announced on Saturday a new agreement in principle concerning the renewal of a collective agreement for more than 2,400 workers. Full story: www.ctvnews.ca
Strong unions are key to a stronger America
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, February 1, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Working Americans have been hit hard by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic – not just their health, but their wallets as well. Millions are out of work and struggling to...
CN CEO optimistic about 2021
(Source: BNN Bloomberg, January 27, 2021) MONTREAL — The head of Canada’s largest railway says the company expects a positive second half of 2021, pinning his hopes to fewer COVID-19 cases and the nation’s prospects for economic recovery. Full story: BNN...
Class I railroads upbeat about intermodal in 2021
(Source: Freight Waves, January 29, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Class I rail executives are hoping anticipated higher North American intermodal volumes will be a moneymaker for their companies in 2021. Full story: Freight Waves
Attentive CSX locomotive engineer saves homeless man on tracks in Marietta, Ga.
(Source: Radio station WSB 95.5, January 31, 2021) MARIETTA, Ga. — Marietta Police shared a story Saturday on their Facebook page about an attentive CSX train engineer who was making his way through town and spotted something ahead of him on the tracks. Full story:...
Exploring the history of BNSF
(Source: Freight Waves, January 27, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — This is the first installment of a multi-part article on the history of BNSF Railway, one of the seven Class I railroads remaining in North America. Much of the information contained in this and later...
STB extends Uinta Basin Railway DEIS comment period
(Source: Railway Age, January 28, 2021) NEW YORK — The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is extending until Feb. 12 the comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed 85-mile Uinta Basin Railway in Utah. Eagle County, Colo.,...
South Carolina legislators may borrow $550 million to pay for rail yard, barge system
(Source: Post and Courier, January 28, 2021) NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — South Carolina legislators are looking to borrow up to $550 million to help pay for a pair of projects that would help move cargo at the Port of Charleston and its newest shipping terminal. Full...
CN burning off propane after 20-car derailment near Edmundston
(Source: CBC News, January 28, 2021) EDMUNDSTON — A CN team trained to dispose of dangerous goods was at the site of a train derailment near Edmundston on Thursday. Full story: www.cbc.ca
Amtrak clarifies what emergency funding would mean for frequencies, furloughs
(Source: Trains, January 29, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak has clarified details of a letter sent by CEO William Flynn to all U.S. House and Senate last week, confirming to Trains News Wire that legislators have the ability to override the metrics the passenger...
Pete Buttigieg wins Senate vote as Transportation Secretary
(Source: Reuters, January 27, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pete Buttigieg, a former mayor who challenged Joe Biden for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, won U.S. Senate Commerce Committee approval on Wednesday, 21-3, to head the U.S. Transportation Department....
Canadian oil by rail surges 87% in November 2020
(Source: Canadian Press, January 25, 2021) Canadian exports of crude oil by rail jumped 87 per cent in November as oil production rose in Western Canada amid limited pipeline capacity for heavy crude. The Canada Energy Regulator says rail shipments of oil amounted to...
APTA: Public transportation industry faces $39.3 billion shortfall
(Source: American Public Transportation Association press release, January 28, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — An independent, economic analysis conducted by EBP US Inc. for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) found that public transit agencies still face a...
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending January 23, 2021
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, January 27, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending January 23, 2021. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 529,030...
BLET News
Mobilization alert: Help protect our future on Monday, December 10
A showdown is taking place in Washington, D.C. Some Lawmakers are pushing to grant more tax cuts for the richest 2% of Americans — at a cost of $1 trillion over 10 years — while cutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits under the guise of a manufactured fiscal crisis.
Division 34 seeks support for families in need this holiday season
For the eighth year in a row, the members of BLET Division 34 (Columbus, Ohio) are generously sharing their good fortune and helping those in need through their annual Adopt-A-Family program.
Teamsters take action: Call Capitol Hill today
Today, members of the BLET and other Teamsters are making their voices heard as we fight back against those who continue to wage a War on Workers on Capitol Hill. Following the November elections, Congress is back in Washington for a lame-duck session and will consider proposals to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Ballots mailed in tentative BLET-Indiana Rail Road agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Indiana Rail Road (INRD), BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce announced today. Ballots were mailed on November 29 to active members of the BLET employed by INDR who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Pat Lynch elected Chairman of New Mexico State Legislative Board
Pat Lynch of BLET Division 446 (Belen, N.M.) was elected by acclamation to serve as Chairman of the newly-formed New Mexico State Legislative Board at meetings in Albuquerque, N.M., on November 13-14, 2012.
Thanksgiving 2012
By Dennis R. Pierce
BLET National President As the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all BLET members, officers and staff for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.
Members of BLET Division 28 help deliver a Happy Thanksgiving in Tucson
For many of us, Thanksgiving is a time for counting our blessings and helping those in need. The members of BLET Division 28 (Tucson, Ariz.) have taken the spirit of Thanksgiving to heart this year, launching a “Turkey Drive” to help families in need.
BLET to conduct LM-2 GCA Secretary-Treasurer workshop
In January 2013, the BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a workshop for all Secretary-Treasurers who file an LM-2 report for their General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) or Division. The workshop will be held in San Diego, Calif., from January 13-17, 2013.
Teamsters offer Sandy disaster relief assistance in Rhode Island
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members who live in Rhode Island after Superstorm Sandy caused major damage to homes and property on October 29, 2012.
GA-46000 Lifetime maximum adjusted for 2013
The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit (also known as ERMA or GA-46000) Plan will increase from $131,500 to $136,200 on January 1, 2013.
