General Information
911 call center says is misidentified crossing before derailment of Chicago bound Amtrak train
(Source: Associated Press, November 21, 2023) A 911 call center on Monday took some responsibility for an Amtrak train derailment last week in southwestern Michigan, saying it misidentified a crossing and contacted a different railroad to warn that a car was stuck on tracks. As a result, the train’s engineer had no warning about the stranded vehicle…
Read More2022 BLET Bylaws available online
An electronic copy of the 2022 edition of the BLET Bylaws is now available in the Members’ Area of the Brotherhood’s website. The Bylaws book is available as a PDF and reflects changes adopted by delegates to the BLET’s Fifth National Convention. A password is required to access the Members’ Area to view and download…
Read MoreAGs want railroads to improve hazmat info for first responders
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 31, 2023) A coalition of 13 attorneys general is calling on federal regulators to adopt a federal rule that would require railroads to make available information on hazardous material loads to emergency responders. Full story: Progressive Railroading
Read MorePlanned UP maintenance-of-way furloughs spark controversy
(Source: Trains.com, November 1, 2023) The head of the track workers’ union has warned federal regulators that Union Pacific aims to furlough up to 1,350 maintenance-of-way employees next month and will push the remainder of this year’s planned trackwork projects into 2024 as a cost-saving measure. Tony Cardwell, president of the BMWED, claims that UP’s…
Read MoreUnion Pacific eliminates management jobs as part of plan to speed decision making
(Source: Associated Press, November 1, 2023) Union Pacific is trimming the ranks of the railroad’s management employees as part of the new CEO’s push to eliminate layers of bosses involved in decision making. The railroad, based in Omaha, Nebraska, said Wednesday that it is eliminating less than 5% of its roughly 5,600 management jobs. Full story: Associated Press
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