BLET News
Railroads and shippers argue over reciprocal switching proposal
(Source: Trains Magazine, March 16, 2022) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Railroads and shipper groups squared off over a proposed reciprocal switching rule during a daylong Surface Transportation Board hearing on Tuesday, with railroads warning of dire operational consequences and sole-served shippers saying they needed relief from high rates and poor service. Full story: Trains Magazine
Read MoreCP will lock out 3,000 engineers and conductors if they don’t have a deal with TCRC by Sunday
(Source: Canadian Press, March 17, 2022) CALGARY — Close to 3,000 employees of the Canadian Pacific Railway could be off the job early Sunday morning. Calgary-based CP Rail said in a release Wednesday that it has issued 72-hour notice to the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference of its plan to lock out employees at 00:01 eastern…
Read MoreNorth American Class I rail carriers slammed for profiteering from congestion crisis
(Source: The Load Star, March 14, 2022) LONDON — The large North American railways cannot shake off accusations of profiteering from supply chain congestion. Like ocean carriers, they have allegedly raised and imposed demurrage fees to boost profits. Full story: The Load Star
Read More“Completely demoralized:” U.S. railroad workers pushed to the brink
(Source: The Guardian, March 14, 2022) LONDON — One locomotive engineer in BNSF’s Great Plains Region claimed they had to push back a medical procedure for a chronic illness to the summer, when they have vacation time off scheduled, as they would have used nearly all of their attendance points required for the time off…
Read MoreClass Is employed fewer people in January
(Source: Progressive Railroading 03/11/2022) U.S. Class Is employed 111,754 people in mid-January, down 2.4% from December 2021 and down 1.5% compared with employment during the same period a year ago, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data. All employment categories logged decreases in January compared with December’s level. Transportation (train and engine) employment fell 3.87% to 45,767…
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