Rail Industry News
Hoffa: Biden’s OSHA leadership picks will prioritize worker safety
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, January 20, 201) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on President Biden’s selection of James Fredricks and Joseph Hughes to serve in top positions in...
STB: Class I workforce grew in December 2020
(Source: Progressive Railroading, January 20, 2021) U.S. Class Is employed 117,770 people in mid-December 2020, up 2.44% from mid-November 2020, but down 10.43% compared with the same period in 2019, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data. Two workforce...
Union Pacific reports Q4 and full year 2020 results
(Source: Union Pacific press release, January 21, 2021) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corporation today reported 2020 fourth quarter net income of $1.4 billion, or $2.05 per diluted share. These results include a previously announced $278 million pre-tax, non-cash...
Operation Lifesaver releases new PSA targeting low clearance vehicle drivers
(Source: Operation Lifesaver press release, January 19, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Low Clearance Vehicle Railroad Crossing Safety Tips, a new public service announcement (PSA) released today by Operation Lifesaver Inc., (OLI), shows drivers of low clearance vehicles how...
KCS commits to lowering greenhouse gas emissions
(Source: Kansas City Southern press release, January 19, 2021) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced that it has submitted a commitment letter to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) pledging to set a science-based greenhouse gas emissions...
With revised plan, Brightline eyes 2021 groundbreaking of Apple Valley rail project
(Victorville Daily Press, January 19, 2021) VICTORVILLE, Calif. — Brightline West’s high-speed passenger rail project between Apple Valley and Las Vegas, which was expected to break ground last year, appears to be back on track six months after a partnership with...
STB seeks short line reps on railroad shipper council
(Source: Progressive Railroading, January 19, 2021) The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is seeking nominations for candidates to fill two vacancies for small railroad representatives on the board's Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council. Full story:...
Rockslide causes CSX derailment in Southwest Virginia
(Source: Bristol Herald Courier, January 17, 2021) CLINCHCO, Va. — At around 12:30 a.m. on January 15, a CSX train struck a boulder on the tracks near the town of Clinchco, causing two locomotives and seven rail cars to derail, according to Sheriee Bowman, a CSX...
Mass. governor signs $16.5 billion transportation bill, but with vetoes
(Source: NBC Boston, January 16, 2021) BOSTON — Fees on ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft will not increase in Massachusetts after Gov. Charlie Baker vetoed a new proposed fee structure while signing a $16.5 billion transportation bond bill on Friday. The...
“Those crew members were heroes” in the moments after Dec. 22 Whatcom oil train derailment
(Source: KUOW, January 19, 2021) SEATTLE, Wash. — The day started like many others in Washington state, with a long line of tanker cars carrying crude oil to a refinery on the shores of Puget Sound. Full story: www.kuow.org
Investigators eye equipment, track and sabotage in Dec. 22 Whatcom oil-train derailment
(Source: KUOW, January 19, 2021) SEATTLE, Wash. — Even though an oil train derailed and burned for hours that day, government officials and oil-industry critics alike say the Puget Sound region got lucky on Dec. 22. No one was injured when the 108-car train derailed...
FRA solicits comments on DEIS for proposed Northeast Maglev system
(Source: Progressive Railroading, January 18, 2021) The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration have prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for a proposed superconducting maglev...
Railroads dramatically reduced collisions in decades leading up to PTC implementation
(Source: Trains Magazine, January 18, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Transportation Safety Board took a victory lap last week over the implementation of positive train control, the landmark safety system that it first recommended after the head-on collision of...
Hoffa: Trottenberg will bring wealth of experience as Deputy Secretary of U.S. DOT
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, January 18, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of former New York City Transportation Commissioner...
Inside California’s colossal container ship traffic jam
(Source: Freight Waves, January 13, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — In the movie “Falling Down,” the character played by Michael Douglas is stranded in a Los Angeles traffic jam. He abandons his car, starts walking with briefcase in hand and ultimately has a mental...
U.S. Class I rail headcount tumbles 14% in 2020
(Source: Freight Waves, January 18, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The U.S. operations of the Class I railroads employed the fewest number of employees in 2020 since at least 2012. Headcount at U.S. Class I rail operations totaled 120,492 employees last year, a 14%...
NTSB closes PTC recommendations for CN, CSX, Metra
(Source: Progressive Railroading, January 15, 2021) The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) yesterday announced it would close three key positive train control (PTC) safety recommendations after more than 40 railroads required to implement PTC met the...
Amtrak halting Virginia routes ahead of Biden’s inauguration
(Source: WAVY, January 17, 2021) PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Amtrak is issuing a travel advisory in Washington D.C. ahead of the Presidential Inauguration. Amtrak will continue to operate service as scheduled, except for some services in Virginia. Full story: www.wavy.com
In its last days, Trump Administration rushes more anti-union rules
(Source: Labor Press, January 17, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the final days of Donald Trump’s presidency wind down, his Department of Labor is still making rules to undermine labor rights, particularly for federal employees. Full story: Labor Press
SMART-TD wins another victory in the crew consist battle
(Source: SMART-TD press release, January 15, 2021) CLEVELAND, Ohio — On January 8, 2021, Arbitrator Wendell Bell issued his arbitration award regarding the process and procedure in arbitrating the Carriers’ (UP, BNSF, NS & KCS) attack on the Crew Consist Moratoria....
BLET News
Nick Johnson reelected by acclamation to serve as Arizona SLB Chairman
Brother G.N. “Nick” Johnson was reelected by acclamation to continue serving as Chairman of the Arizona State Legislative Board at the Board””s triennial meeting in Tucson, Ariz., on October 23.
Romney is not coal’s savior
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President As you all know by now, BLET’s “Proud to be American, Proud to be Union” campaign has been part of a bigger National Division effort to increase member involvement in our union. Involvement in your union is involvement in your future and every member should take an active interest in both.
BLET mourns loss of Div. 42 President Brian Wheeler
Brian D. Wheeler, President of BLET Division 42 (St. Louis, Mo.), passed away following complications from a rare blood disorder known as myelodysplastic syndrome on Tuesday, October 16.
Tim Craver reelected Chairman of Virginia State Legislative Board
Tim R. Craver was reelected by acclamation to his second term as Chairman of the Virginia State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Richmond, Va., on September 29.
BLET to host final Secretary-Treasurer workshop of 2012
The BLET’s Education and Training Department is hosting its final Secretary-Treasurer Compliance Workshop of 2012 from December 9-13 in Cleveland.
Pierce appoints John Fink to President’s Staff
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce announced today that Division 3 Local Chairman John F. Fink has been appointed to a position on the President’s Staff, effective Monday, October 22.
Open enrollment begins November 1, 2012 for BLET Short Term Disability Plan
Open Enrollment for 2013 under the BLET’s Short Term Disability insurance plan begins on November 1, 2012 and runs through December 14, 2012.
BLET announces formation of New Mexico State Legislative Board
BLET members in New Mexico will soon have an organized voice in their state’s political process once again. The BLET New Mexico State Legislative Board will be reestablished in November, thanks to the hard work of many BLET members throughout the state.
Hoffa to rally Teamsters at GOTV rally in Cleveland on Saturday
Jim Hoffa, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, will attend a major Get Out The Vote rally in Cleveland on Saturday, October 13. All BLET members in Ohio and surrounding states are encouraged to attend.
BLET Job Bank: CN hiring qualified engineers along Illinois Central territory
CN has multiple vacancies for qualified Locomotive Engineers at: Fulton, Ky., Memphis, Tenn., and Jackson, Miss. These positions are covered under the BLET agreement with the CN/Illinois Central. For further details and to apply go to http://jobs.cn.ca. Applications close on October 19, 2012.
