BLET News
Teamsters denounce DHS policy change amid COVID-19 pandemic
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, May 22, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following is a statement from Teamsters Dairy and Food Processing Division Director Rome Aloise regarding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcement that it will be suspending limits on the H2-B visa program and permitting companies in the U.S. food supply…
Read MoreRail industry headcount shrinks
(Source: Freight Waves, May 24, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Rail employment dipped to record low levels in April, walloped by the COVID-19 pandemic and declining coal volumes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that rail employment among U.S. freight and passenger rail companies was around 157,200 workers in April, down from under 180,000 in April…
Read MoreBLET reaches tentative agreement with Portland & Western
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, May 22 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with the Portland & Western/ Willamette & Pacific Railroad (PNW). Ballots were mailed today to active members of the BLET employed by the PNW who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement. Ballots are…
Read MoreMay 21 update from Railroad Retirement Board’s Labor Member
(BLET Editor’s Note: The following is a message to Rail Labor from John Bragg, Labor Member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board.) CHICAGO, May 21 — In my last update, I explained that Phase 2 of the Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) CARES Act implementation plan was targeted for completion by the end of May. Phase…
Read MoreRail pins hopes on auto manufacturing as U.S. carloads sustain record decline
(Source: Freight Waves, May 21, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Class I railroads are closely watching the restart of North American automotive production, hoping that the slow ramp up will not only grow auto volumes but also improve demand for supplies such as steel and plastics, according to executives at recent investor conferences. Full story: Freight…
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