BLET News
Railroads’ use of long trains to go under the microscope
(Source: Trains Magazine, November 15, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill President Biden is slated to sign into law today (Monday, Nov. 15) contains funding for a study of Class I railroads’ use of ever-longer trains and their impact on safety, grade crossings, freight and passenger service, and the environment. The measure…
Read MoreRailroad retiree earnings limits will increase in 2022
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, October 29, 2021) CHICAGO — Railroad retirement annuitants subject to earnings restrictions can earn more in 2022 without having their benefits reduced due to increased limits indexed to average national wage increases. Like social security benefits, some railroad retirement benefit payments are subject to deductions if an annuitant’s earnings exceed…
Read MoreClass I employment levels fell in September
(Source: Progressive Railroading, November 1, 2021) U.S. Class Is employed a total of 114,218 people in mid-September, down 0.19% compared to mid-August’s employment level and down 3.31% year-over-year, according to Surface Transportation Board data. Five of six workforce categories registered month-over-month employment decreases in September. They were: transportation (train and engine), down 0.39% to 46,927…
Read MoreUP says cargo container theft in LA is a problem as cargo backlog continues
(Source: NBC Los Angeles, November 1, 2021) LOS ANGELES — Union Pacific railroad said there was a rash of cargo container break-ins as the containers were being hauled by train near downtown Los Angeles, all while officials are trying to clear the backlog of cargo at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Thousands…
Read MoreUnions join to fight Union Pacific on COVID orders
https://www.ble-t.org/pr/news/newsflash.asp?id=13488 CLEVELAND, October 15, 2021 – The Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) are jointly taking on Union Pacific Railroad (UP) over a series of unilateral and unlawful actions taken by the carrier recently. SMART-TD President Jeremy…
Read More