General Information
“It’s infuriating… just corporate greed:” Why Norfolk Southern is downsizing in Roanoke
(Source: Television station WSLS, February 18, 2020) ROANOKE, Va. — Norfolk Southern said it will eliminate about 104 workers from its Roanoke operations when it closes down its locomotive shop and transfers work at its distribution center. Full story: www.wsls.com Thursday, February 20, 2020
Read MoreOpinion: Oil trains need big enough crew for safety
(Source: Everett Herald opinion column by Derek Stanford and Mike Sells, February 19, 2020. State Sen. Derek Sanford, D-Bothell, represents the 1st Legislative District. State Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett, represents the 38th Legislative District.) EVERETT, Wash. — Some rail industry leaders have even expressed a desire to eliminate crews entirely, relying solely on technology to…
Read MoreBLET National Auxiliary spearheads challenge for 2020 Election
(Source: BLETAuxiliary.net 02/17/2020) Voter apathy is a hard thing to overcome, but the BLET National Auxiliary is spearheading a challenge for the upcoming 2020 election to inspire and promote participation. In order to promote activism from now until November 3, 2020, we have organized a way to get involved so as to be eligible for…
Read MoreFRA issues ‘risk reduction’ rule for freight railroads
(Source: Progressive Railroading 02/19/2020) The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a final rule that launches the Risk Reduction Program to support an increasing standard of safety for Class Is, agency officials announced yesterday. The final rule requires the nation’s largest freight railroads to develop and implement an FRA-approved risk-reduction plan that identifies and analyzes hazards and associated risks…
Read MoreA look back at 2019, gearing up for 2020
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President (BLET Editor’s Note: The following message from BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce has been excerpted from the January 2020 issue of the Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen News.) INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, February 14 — As we begin 2020, the month of January gives us a chance to look back…
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