BLET News
Headcount levels fall nearly 12% in March at U.S. Class I operations
(Source: Freight Waves, April 21, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The number of employees working for the U.S. operations of the Class I railroads dropped 11.9% in March to 127,867 employees, according to data from the Surface Transportation Board (STB). The percentage change compares March 2020 with March 2019. The number of train and engine service…
Read MoreBLET’s 2020 Milwaukee regional meeting postponed
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, April 21 — Due to the continuing, widespread movement and travel restrictions as well as limitations on the size of gatherings due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across the United States, the 2020 BLET regional meeting scheduled for Milwaukee, Wisc., between June 22-26 has been postponed. The BLET plans to reschedule the meeting…
Read MoreCOVID-19 could accelerate a global shift from planes to trains
(Source: Business Green, April 21, 2020) NEW YORK — A long-term shift in attitudes around climate change, travel and work triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic could serve to significantly curb aviation growth in the next decade, according to analysts at Swiss bank UBS. Full story: www.greenbiz.com Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Read MoreAmerica’s freight railroads refuse to cover out-of-pocket COVID-19 costs
(Source: Column by SMART-TD Vice President Brent Leonard, April 20, 2020) CLEVELAND, Ohio —While America and the world struggle to combat the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, new heroes have emerged. While much of America has long celebrated its athletes and celebrities as its heroes, this pandemic has shown us who the real heroes are in our society. At…
Read MoreSpecial alert for RRB benefit recipients who don’t file a tax return and have dependents
INDEPNDENCE, Ohio — John Bragg, Labor Member of the U.S. Railroad Retired Board, has asked the BLET to share with our members the attached alert from the IRS about the Economic Impact Payment and RRB recipients with eligible children. According to Brother Bragg: “The alert informs that the $1,200 automatic payments will be starting soon…
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