Daily Headlines
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending May 11, 2024
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, May 15, 2024) The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 11, 2024. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 468,748 carloads and intermodal...
CPKC to resume contract negotiations with TCRC
(Source: Reuters, May 16, 2024) Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) said on Thursday its leadership, with the assistance of federal mediators, will resume contract negotiations with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) union on May 17. Full story: Reuters
Study shows longer freight trains have higher risk of derailment
(Source: Claims Journal, May 16, 2024) The longer the freight train, the greater the risk of derailment, new research from the Society for Risk Analysis shows. The study, published in the journal Risk Analysis, was led by Peter Madsen of Brigham Young University’s...
Communication error led to UP yard fatality, NTSB determines
(Source: Trains.com, May 16, 2024) A communication breakdown over granting permission for a train movement into the yard, as well as regarding placement of a portable derail device, was the probable cause of the August 2022 fatality of a Union Pacific conductor at a...
Three railroads ask federal court to toss out STB’s reciprocal switching rule
(Source: Trains.com, May 16, 2024) Canadian National, CSX, and Union Pacific last week asked a federal appeals court to set aside the Surface Transportation Board’s new reciprocal switching rule, which will allow sole-served shippers in terminal areas to request...
U.S. Senate extends Homendy’s term as Chair of NTSB
(Source: AIN Online, May 16, 2024) The U.S. Senate last night confirmed a three-year extension of Jennifer Homendy’s term as chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). This approval, by voice vote, comes two months after President Joe Biden nominated...
Senator Baldwin pushes railroads to address staffing shortages that compromise safety and service for Americans
(Source: Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), May 15, 2024) Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called on the six Class I railroads to address severe staffing shortages that are endangering workers, increasing the risk of derailments and accidents, and...
BLET News
Rhode Island: State Senate unanimously passes two-person crew bill
Education & Training: General Chairman Workshop
Victory in Colorado! Governor signs BLET-backed rail safety bill
Norfolk Southern: Shareholders make split decision in proxy battle fight
Freight railroads oppose shareholder resolutions creating safety committees
CN-IC, Iowa Northern: Ballots mailed in tentative implementing agreement
Scott Bunten reelected NS Eastern Lines General Chairman
Canadian National/Wisconsin Central: BLET Divisions unanimously vote yes on new quality of life agreement
161st anniversary: BLET was founded on May 8, 1863
Daily Headlines
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending May 11, 2024
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, May 15, 2024) The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 11, 2024. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 468,748 carloads and intermodal...
CPKC to resume contract negotiations with TCRC
(Source: Reuters, May 16, 2024) Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) said on Thursday its leadership, with the assistance of federal mediators, will resume contract negotiations with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) union on May 17. Full story: Reuters
Study shows longer freight trains have higher risk of derailment
(Source: Claims Journal, May 16, 2024) The longer the freight train, the greater the risk of derailment, new research from the Society for Risk Analysis shows. The study, published in the journal Risk Analysis, was led by Peter Madsen of Brigham Young University’s...
Communication error led to UP yard fatality, NTSB determines
(Source: Trains.com, May 16, 2024) A communication breakdown over granting permission for a train movement into the yard, as well as regarding placement of a portable derail device, was the probable cause of the August 2022 fatality of a Union Pacific conductor at a...
Three railroads ask federal court to toss out STB’s reciprocal switching rule
(Source: Trains.com, May 16, 2024) Canadian National, CSX, and Union Pacific last week asked a federal appeals court to set aside the Surface Transportation Board’s new reciprocal switching rule, which will allow sole-served shippers in terminal areas to request...
U.S. Senate extends Homendy’s term as Chair of NTSB
(Source: AIN Online, May 16, 2024) The U.S. Senate last night confirmed a three-year extension of Jennifer Homendy’s term as chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). This approval, by voice vote, comes two months after President Joe Biden nominated...
Senator Baldwin pushes railroads to address staffing shortages that compromise safety and service for Americans
(Source: Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), May 15, 2024) Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called on the six Class I railroads to address severe staffing shortages that are endangering workers, increasing the risk of derailments and accidents, and...
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