General Information
AAR: March rail traffic reflects pandemic’s impact on U.S. economy
(Source: Progressive Railroading 04/02/2020) U.S. freight railroad traffic trends in March show the hit the U.S. economy is taking as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Association of American Railroads (AAR) data shows. U.S. railroads logged 1,835,053 carloads and intermodal units last month, a 9.3 percent decrease compared with February’s levels, AAR reported in a press release.…
Read MoreCanadian rail blockades could have a lasting effect on U.S.-Canada trade, setting the stage for even greater fallout from coronavirus
(Source: Fortune, April 1, 2020) NEW YORK — It was only a matter of days after protest blockades died down, rail lines rehired employees they had laid off, and Canada’s federal government reached a tentative agreement with the Wet’suwet’en First Nation that the country went into lockdown in response to the spread of the coronavirus.…
Read MoreHoffa: Lawmakers must prioritize safety of all essential workers
(Source: Column by International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa published in the Detroit News, April 1, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Our country is currently facing unprecedented uncertainty due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It is not only threatening our health, but our wallets as well. Many workers are rightfully worried about the…
Read MoreTwo-person crew bill becomes law in Washington State
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, April 1 — After more than seven years of hard work by the BLET’s Washington State Legislative Board and their counterparts within the SMART Transportation Division, a two-person crew bill was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on March 27, 2020. According to BLET Washington State Legislative Board Chairman Shahraim C. Allen,…
Read MoreUP, CSX warn of coronavirus’ potential impact on financial returns
(Source: Freight Waves, April 1, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Union Pacific and CSX said the coronavirus pandemic is creating huge uncertainties that could translate into “material” financial impacts on the companies’ financial results, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Full story: Freight Waves Wednesday, April 1, 2020
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