Rail Industry News
How MBTA is using the money from recent COVID-19 relief package
(Source: Boston.com, January 12, 2021) BOSTON — The MBTA expects to get several hundred million dollars from the federal COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress last month. Full story: www.boston.com
SEPTA to get $252 million in additional federal COVID-19 relief
(Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, January 12, 2021) PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA will see about $252 million in additional federal relief to stem losses from the COVID-19 pandemic, spokesperson Andrew Busch said Tuesday. The funds will help pay for operating expenses, such as...
Rail shippers’ policy wish list for 2021
(Source: Freight Waves, January 8, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — With a new year and a new White House administration ahead, rail shippers and industry observers say there are some key issues they hope will be addressed soon. Full story: Freight Waves
Rail unions petition FRA for emergency order
(Source: Railway Age, January 12, 2021) NEW YORK — Leadership at the industry’s two largest operating-craft unions, the SMART-Transportation Division and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, have petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration to issue...
Citizens concerned for health as railroad bridge burns in Salt Lake City
(Source: Salt Lake Tribune, January 9, 2021) SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — People who live in the Fairpark and Rose Park neighborhoods of Salt Lake City say noxious fumes filled their streets and homes on Thursday and Friday after a chemical-coated railroad bridge caught...
Colorado Pacific objects to UP’s Tennessee Pass rail line deal
(Source: Progressive Railroading, January 11, 2021) The Colorado Pacific Railroad intends to object to a new commercial agreement between Union Pacific Railroad and Colorado, Midland & Pacific Railway Co. (CMP) that calls for CMP to operate the Tennessee Pass rail...
Michelle Schultz sworn in as new member of the STB
(Source: Surface Transportation Board press release, January 11, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Michelle A. Schultz was sworn in today as a new member of the Surface Transportation Board. Ms. Schultz was confirmed by the Senate on November 18, 2020. During the past 14...
Robert Primus sworn in as new member of STB
(Source: Surface Transportation Board press release, January 8, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Robert Primus was sworn in at a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol, officiated by House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, as a new member of the Surface Transportation Board. Mr. Primus...
Expanded LIRR rail yard could boost rush-hour service
(Source: Newsday, January 10, 2021) NEW YORK — The recent expansion of a Ronkonkoma rail yard will allow the LIRR to increase morning rush-hour service on its Main Line by 50%, but it could be years before the struggling railroad has enough riders to get full use of...
Ransomware attack hits short line operator OmniTRAX
(Source: Freight Waves, January 9, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Colorado-based short line rail operator and logistics provider OmniTRAX was hit by a recent ransomware attack and data theft that targeted its corporate parent, Broe Group. Full story: Freight Waves
Officials pin hopes on Buttigieg as he prepares to steer U.S. DOT
(Source: Daily Herald, January 11, 2021) CHICAGO — Local road budgets are busted. Metra trains are empty and O'Hare International Airport is far below capacity. Pothole season is looming -- and we're still in the grip of a pandemic. Can Mayor Pete and Amtrak Joe help...
Feds give final approval for money to replace 110-year-old Portal Bridge
(Source: www.nj.com, January 11, 2021) NEWARK, N.J. — Construction of a new Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River will finally move forward after the Federal Transit Administration approved $766.5 million in federal funding for the project on Monday. Full story:...
NTSB issues preliminary findings in fatal CSX accident at Acca Yard
(Source: Freight Waves, January 11, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary findings regarding a fatal incident in October at CSX’s Acca rail yard in Richmond, Virginia. The cause of the incident is still...
Get the latest labor news from the Teamsters
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters updates the news section of its website each day with the latest regarding the Teamsters, domestic and global labor and trade issues, state and living wage battles, social justice, the War on Workers, and many other important...
Q&A: Railroad Retirement spouse and widow(er)s’ annuities and public service pensions
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, October 30, 2020) CHICAGO — Unless certain exemption requirements are met, Railroad Retirement Act spouse and widow(er)s’ annuities (including divorced spouse, surviving divorced spouse, and remarried widow(er)s’...
RRB Q&A: Private rail pensions may reduce supplemental annuities
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, November 30, 2020) CHICAGO — Railroad retirement beneficiaries are reminded that receipt of a private railroad pension may reduce the amount of a supplemental annuity payable by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). The...
Operation Lifesaver offers free railroad investigation and safety course to first responders
(Source: Operation Lifesaver press release, December 10, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) offers free Railroad Investigation and Safety Course (RISC) training for first responders across the United States. Developed by the nation’s railroad...
A new Portal Bridge is in the home stretch after NJ Transit approves funding deal with feds
(Source: www.nj.com, December 9, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — Ding dong, the Portal Bridge is dead. Almost. Beleaguered commuters, who’ve been delayed when the old swing bridge doesn’t close properly, might sing that song after NJ Transit’s board of directors approved an...
CN eyes opportunities in Upper Midwest with new inland terminal
(Source: Freight Waves, December 10, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Canadian railway CN seeks to expand its reach into the Upper Midwest through a new inland distribution terminal in New Richmond, Wisconsin. The facility will have an automotive compound for finished...
U.S. Rep. Moulton introduces high-speed rail bill
(Source: Progressive Railroading, December 10, 2020) U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) earlier this week introduced the American High-Speed Rail Act, which proposes the creation of a blueprint for a national high-speed rail network and calls for investing $205 billion...
BLET News
Mistakes, Misinformation or Mendacity?
Our reporting of the Ryan Budget’s threat to “60/30” early retirement and occupational disability created a firestorm of response, from claims by railroads and others that “there’s nothing to worry about” because such changes wouldn’t be enacted “by this Congress” to allegations that we simply had fabricated the threat.
BLET Job Bank: Amtrak
Amtrak has advised the BLET National Division that it is recruiting dozens of passenger engineers to fill open positions in the coming months.
Ballots mailed in tentative BLET-Missouri & Northern Arkansas agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Missouri & Northern Arkansas (M&NA) Railroad, BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce announced. Ballots are being mailed today to active members of the BLET employed by M&NA who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Education & Training Dept. announces October Local Chairman workshop
The BLET Education & Training Department will conduct a Local Chairman Workshop from Sunday, October 21 through Saturday October 27. It will be held at the Maritime Institute Conference Center in Linthicum Heights, Md.
BLET kicks off 77th annual Southwestern Convention Meeting
Protecting Railroad Retirement and the upcoming November elections were key themes throughout the opening ceremonies of the BLET’s 77th annual Southwestern Convention Meeting (SWCM) here today.
Teamsters offer disaster relief assistance in Louisiana, Mississippi
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members who live in Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Isaac caused major damage to homes and property on August 26, 2012.
Republicans, Romney target Amtrak, Railroad Retirement
At the Republican National Convention in Tampa on August 28, the Republican Party approved a platform that calls for the elimination of funding for Amtrak.
Labor Day 2012: Remember in November
Labor Day should be a time to reflect on what we have accomplished, and an opportunity to educate the public about who we are, what we do, and what American workers have done to make our nation the greatest in the world.
Enrollment for Health Flexible Spending Account begins soon
BLET members should watch their mailboxes in coming weeks for a post card from Railroad Enrollment Services regarding a Health Flexible Spending Account (Health FSA) program.
BLET helps organize annual Labor Day parade in Charlotte
For the past 13 years, BLET member Ben Lee has volunteered to help organize the annual Labor Day Parade in Charlotte, N.C. But this year’s parade promises to be like no other.
