BLET News
Feds seek input on crude oil volatility through proposed rulemaking
(Source: Progressive Railroading, January 17, 2017) The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) last week issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) that seeks additional information from industry, the public and state and local governments on the safety of crude oil transportation by rail. Full story: Progressive Railroading Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Read MoreSupreme Court denies review of BLET victory on two-person train crews
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, January 17 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has secured another significant victory for rail workers — this time from the highest court in the United States — in the Union’s ongoing campaign to protect two-person train crews. On January 9, the United States Supreme Court denied a petition filed…
Read MoreRRB: Working after retirement
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, December 14, 2016) CHICAGO — Retirees, and those planning retirement, should be aware of the railroad retirement laws governing benefit payments to annuitants who work after retirement. The following questions and answers describe these railroad retirement work restrictions and earnings limitations on post-retirement employment, and how these rules can…
Read MoreAAR: Freight rail traffic down 11.4 percent from 2016 for week ending January 7
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, January 11, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending January 7, 2017. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 441,417 carloads and intermodal units, down 11.4 percent compared with the same week last year.…
Read MoreUnions seek to overturn punitive New Jersey substance abuse law
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, January 9 — Two railroad labor unions have jointly filed a lawsuit to overturn a punitive New Jersey law that prohibits New Jersey Transit locomotive engineers from operating trains if their personal motor vehicle driver’s license is suspended. The unions argue that the state law, signed by Governor Chris Christie in late August…
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