BLET News
Class I railroads upbeat about intermodal in 2021
(Source: Freight Waves, January 29, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Class I rail executives are hoping anticipated higher North American intermodal volumes will be a moneymaker for their companies in 2021. Full story: Freight Waves Monday, February 1, 2021
Read MoreThe importance of a current connection for Railroad Retirement benefits
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, January 26, 2020) CHICAGO — Under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), a “current connection with the railroad industry” is one of the eligibility requirements for both the occupational disability and supplemental annuities payable by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). It is also a factor in determining whether the RRB or…
Read MoreIntermodal carloads up 12% but railroads struggle with trip plan compliance
(Source: Supply Chain Dive, January 26, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Railroads benefited in the back half of 2020, as imports surged and retailers restocked shelves. Volume for traditional commodities, such as coal, slumped on the rail lines in 2020, but intermodal grew, thanks to a tight trucking market and a glut of containers needing to…
Read MoreOberman to chair STB
(Source: Railway Age, January 22, 2021) NEW YORK — Martin J. Oberman was designated Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Jan. 21 by President Joe Biden. He was sworn in as an STB member on Jan. 22, 2019, and has held the Vice Chairman position since Jan. 6, 2020. Democrat Oberman is serving…
Read MoreCoordinated Bargaining Coalition Update
January 22, 2021 – The Rail Unions comprising the Coordinated Bargaining Coalition (CBC), negotiating to-gether in the current round of National Negotiations, have issued the following statement: “The CBC and the nation’s Rail Carriers first met concerning the November 1, 2019 Section 6 Notices in January 2020. Although the COVID 19 Pandemic has made meetings…
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