General Information
BLET resumes in-person training classes; Will host Legislative Rep training in June
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, March 7 — Class is back in session for members and officers of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BLET returned to in-person workshops last week with several days of intensive training for Secretary-Treasurers. The BLET’s Education & Training Department announced today…
Read MoreBipartisan rail safety bill runs into Republican roadblock
(Source: The Hill, March 6, 2023) Ohio Sens. J.D. Vance (R) and Sherrod Brown (D) unveiled a rail safety proposal last week that has already won over the White House and top Democrats. But winning support from Republicans is proving to be harder as some question if it is too soon to move on a bill that…
Read MoreUnion Pacific hit with $557 million verdict in Texas collision case
(Source: trains.com 03/07/2023) Jury’s award includes $500 million in punitive damages for woman who was reportedly sitting on tracks HOUSTON — A Texas jury has awarded a woman $557 million in damages after she was struck by a Union Pacific train and suffered major injuries while the woman was reportedly sitting on railroad tracks in…
Read MoreBiden urges Congress to pass Rail Safety Act
(Source: Progressive Railroading 03/06/2023) President Joe Biden is throwing his support behind the proposed bipartisan Rail Safety Act legislation introduced last week in the U.S. Senate. The bill would provide the federal government with measures that would hold railroads accountable to prevent train derailments like the one that occurred Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, Biden said…
Read MoreUP grain cars derail in Kansas
(Source: CBS News, March 5, 2023) A train with 18 cars filled with grain derailed just outside of Wellington, Kansas, on Saturday just after 5 p.m., Union Pacific confirmed in a statement to CBS News. No one was injured in the derailment and no hazardous materials were involved, according to the railroad company. Full story: www.wsgw.com
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