BLET News

(Source: Vox, March 30, 2023) Although train derailments involving hazardous chemicals are relatively rare, the occurrence of the Minnesota derailment so close to the Ohio one has raised questions about train safety and whether new regulations are needed to prevent more of these dangerous incidents from happening in the future. According to the Washington Post, there…

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, March 31 — Megan C. Mead became the first woman in the 160-year history of the BLET to hold a National Division office when she was elected by acclamation to serve as Alternate National Secretary-Treasurer on October 12, 2022. “As we observe Women’s History Month, I salute Sister Mead for this significant accomplishment,”…

(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, March 29, 2023) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 25, 2023. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 469,958 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.5 percent compared with the same week last year. Total…

(Source: The Hill, March 15, 2023) Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is urging the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to expand its investigation into Norfolk Southern to include other major railroads to determine ways to improve rail safety in the aftermath of the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last month. Full story: The Hill

(Source: Michigan Advance, March 15, 2023) A committee room and both lobbies of the Michigan Senate’s office building were jammed to the brim early Tuesday morning as more than a hundred workers — many sporting union jackets — watched a Democratic-led Senate panel debate and then adopt several landmark pro-union bills. Hours later, many of…