Hoglander takes NMB’s gavel for sixth time
(source: Progressive Railroading 07/07/2017) The National Mediation Board (NMB) appointed Harry Hoglander chairman, effective July 1. He succeeds Linda Puchala, who will continue to serve as a board member. An NMB member since August 2002, Hoglander previously was chairman in 2004-05, 2007-08, 2010-11, 2012-13 and 2014-15. The chair serves a one-year term running from July 1 in…
Read MoreUSDOT’s inspector general to review federal oversight of PTC funding
(source: Progressive Railroading 07/10/17) The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has asked the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) to review the oversight of federal positive train control (PTC) funding and recipients’ use of the proceeds. The OIG has initiated a multi-part audit to address committee members’ concerns about the Federal Railroad Administration‘s (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration‘s…
Read MoreNational negotiations update: Coordinated Bargaining Group Unions say contract negotiations take a “step backwards”
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, July 7 — As part of our ongoing effort to conclude national contract negotiations, the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG) met with the nation’s freight rail Carriers (NCCC) for three days during the week of June 26th. These efforts were part of our ongoing mediation process, mandated by the Railway Labor Act when the…
Read MoreRailroads adding more cars to trains in effort to trim costs, raising some concerns about safety
(source: Omaha World-Herald By Russell Hubbard / World-Herald staff writer ~ July 6, 2017) The train that moved through downtown Council Bluffs late last month on a bright Saturday morning didn’t seem extraordinary at first glance — just another Union Pacific freighter with different types of cargo and railcars slowly crossing the railroad tracks in a…
Read MoreQ&A: Unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad employees
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, July 6, 2017) CHICAGO — The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, which provides two kinds of benefits for qualified railroaders: unemployment benefits for those who become unemployed but are ready, willing, and able to work; and sickness benefits for those who are unable to work…
Read MoreFeds probing implementation of train safety technology
(Source: thehill.com BY MELANIE ZANONA – 07/06/17 ) A federal watchdog is probing how railroads are implementing train safety technology amid concern that some systems are not moving fast enough to meet an upcoming federal deadline. The Department of Transportation’s inspector general announced this week that the office is conducting a new audit to explore how railroads are using…
Read MoreAAR: Rail traffic during first half of 2017 increases 4.5 percent over same period of 2016
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, July 5, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 1, 2017, as well as volumes for June 2017. U.S. railroads originated 1,065,976 carloads in June 2017, up 4.4 percent, or 45,174 carloads, from June 2016. U.S.…
Read MoreFour years after Lac-Megantic disaster, research into rail safety continues
(Source: Canadian Press, July 5, 2017) LAC-MEGANTIC, Quebec — The dangers of transporting hazardous goods by train were highlighted in tragic fashion four years ago, when an oil-laden runaway train derailed and crashed in the center of Lac-Megantic, Que., killing 47 people. Full story: CTV News Thursday, July 06, 2017
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