Archive for February 2023
New York governor Hochul calls for rail safety regulations after vetoing the state’s 2-person crew bill
(Source: New York Focus, February 28, 2023) In the wake of the recent train derailment and toxic chemical release in East Palestine, Ohio, Governor Kathy Hochul called on the federal government to enact stricter regulations on hazmat trains and said that safety is her top priority. Her transportation commissioner said that, under Hochul’s leadership, the state is “laser…
Read MoreU.S. carload, intermodal volumes fall in Week 6
(Source: Progressive Railroading 02/16/2023) U.S. railroads logged 473,972 carloads and intermodal units in the week ending Feb. 11, a 6.2% decrease compared with the same week in 2022, according to Association of American Railroads data. The railroads reported a combined carload total of 233,382 units, down 1.6%, and 240,590 containers and trailers, down 10.2%. Four of the…
Read MoreExcess weight and length caused train to break down in days before it derailed in Ohio, employees say
(Source: CBS News, February 15, 2023) When Norfolk Southern train 32N derailed in Ohio earlier this month, it was not the first time it had experienced problems on the route. The train, which originated from Madison, Illinois, on the evening of Feb. 1, broke down at least once before derailing in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3,…
Read MoreRail Labor joins Senators Sanders and Braun to demand paid sick leave
Rail Labor representatives joined Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Senator Mike Braun (R-Indiana) at a press conference in Washington D.C. on February 9 to demand that rail companies provide workers with at least seven paid sick days. Senator Sanders said that Americans are sick and tired of the kind of corporate greed we are seeing…
Read MoreRail unions adopt resolution calling for paid sick leave
(Source: Progressive Railroading, February 6, 2023) Twelve rail labor unions of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, have adopted a resolution that calls for the nation’s freight railroads to give all railroad workers paid sick leave. The resolution states that the majority of rail workers don’t have paid sick leave and are all subject to discipline…
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