Archive for January 2018
UP, BNSF look to Gulf Coast chemical plants for future growth
(Source: Omaha World-Herald, January 24, 2018) OMAHA, Neb. — A new fleet of petrochemical plants on the Texas Gulf Coast is expected to increase volumes on the region’s freight railroads, which include Omaha’s Union Pacific and Berkshire Hathaway-owned BNSF. Full story: Omaha World-Herald Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Read MoreBLET Statement on Not-Guilty Verdict in Lac-Megantic Trial
(The following is a statement from Dennis R. Pierce, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and President of the Teamsters Rail Conference.) INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, January 22 — Although it remains a travesty that criminal charges were ever filed, justice was served in the unanimous not guilty verdict issued by jurors…
Read MoreRRB offices remain open during government shutdown
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, January 22, 2018) CHICAGO — The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced that during the lapse in Federal funding for certain Government operations which began January 20, ongoing benefit payments will continue and all RRB offices are expected to remain open. RRB field offices, operating with reduced staffs, will…
Read MoreOregon DOT begins early review of transload facility plans
(Source: Progressive Railroading 01/08/2018) The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is evaluating six “pre-proposals” from applicants interested in assisting the state in building two transload facilities. The facilities would be designed to improve shipping conditions in the state. One facility would be developed in the Treasure Valley area and the other in the mid-Willamette Valley, ODOT officials…
Read MoreLac-Megantic verdict a tremendous relief for accused and all workers
(Source: United Steelworkers press release, January 19, 2018) LAC-MEGANTIC, Que. — The United Steelworkers (USW) welcomes today’s jury’s acquittal of three workers charged in the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic (MMA) train derailment in the heart of this community that left 47 people dead in 2013. “Nearly five years later, this verdict is a tremendous relief for…
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