Archive for February 2021
FRA grants unions’ request for more time to file certification petitions
(Source: Progressive Railroading 02/16/2021) The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) last week granted two rail labor unions’ request for an extension to time limits under which certain petitions for review must be filed with the Operating Crew Review Board (OCRB). Under FRA regulations governing certification of locomotive engineers and conductors, a petition seeking review of a railroad’s decision…
Read MoreBiden talks transportation infrastructure with senators
(Source: Progressive Railroading 02/16/2021) President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg met last week with Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chair Tom Carper (D-Del.) and other senators to discuss transportation infrastructure legislation. The bipartisan group of senators included Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and James…
Read MoreFederal judge rules Union Pacific allowed to break 149-year-old contract with Palestine, Texas
(Source: Palestine Herald-Press, February 5, 2021) PALESTINE, Texas — A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Union Pacific Railroad is no longer bound to its 149-year-old contract with the City of Palestine and Anderson County. County officials called the move a blow to local railroad workers and the local economy, effectively gutting the future of the…
Read MoreDivided court favors judicial review of agency decision on railroad worker benefits
(Source: scotusblog.com 02/05/2021) By Sam Callahan and Allon Kedem on Feb 5, 2021 at 12:09 pm On Wednesday, the Supreme Court issued its first 5-to-4 decision in an argued case of the 2020-21 term — though not in a hot-button constitutional case, but in a narrow statutory dispute about jurisdiction. The question in Salinas v. U.S. Railroad Retirement Board concerned…
Read MoreHouse panel reviews pandemic’s impact on transportation workers
(Source: Progressive Railroading 02/05/2021) The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) yesterday held its organizational meeting for the new session of Congress as well as a hearing on protecting transportation workers and passengers from COVID-19. Committee members and witnesses testified on the pandemic’s impact on transportation sectors, including rail. “Our transportation networks will take a long time…
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