Category: News
OSHA wants to hear about your experiences with its Whistleblower Protection Program
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced that there will be a public meeting to solicit comments on its Whistleblower Protection Program from 1 – 4 p.m. EST May 14, 2019. OSHA invites employers, employees of businesses affecting interstate commer [...]
Two-person crew bill passes Nevada State Assembly
A bill requiring a two-person crew on Class I and Class II railroads in the state of Nevada passed one house of the state’s Legislature on April 23. By a 29-12 vote, A.B. 337 was approved by the Nevada State Assembly. The bill’s primary sponsors were Assemblywomen [...]
More yard closures to come, Union Pacific COO says
In the carrier’s quarterly earnings call April 18, Union Pacific Chief Operating Officer Jim Vena said that more cuts are being weighed as UP quests for a 61% operating ratio and continues its move toward Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR). During the call, the carri [...]
U.S. Rep. Lipinski urges Metra to improve
At a meeting last week involving Metra and suburban Chicago city leaders, U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, told the carrier that it needed to step up its performance. “Too often, Metra riders are [...]
DOT posts final rule amending drug testing rule
The U.S. Department of Transportation published a final rule April 23 that makes technical corrections to regulations governing drug testing for safety-sensitive employees to ensure consistency with recent amendments made to DOT’s “Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug [...]
Former GC Russell “Dale” Hogan Jr. passes away
Russell “Dale” Hogan, a former general chairperson and retiree of Local 933 (Jefferson City, Mo.), died April 20, 2019, after a battle with cancer. He was 76. He joined the United Transportation Union (UTU) after hiring on as a fireman for Missouri Pacific in Janu [...]
North Dakota locals to hold informational meetings April 30 – May 2
North Dakota locals will be holding informational meetings for their members on April 30 in Fargo, May 1 in Minot, and May 2 in Bismarck. These meetings provide an exceptional opportunity to learn about your benefits and visit with union officers and representatives from the [...]
Sen. Tester presses Amtrak for accountability while administration tries to cut funding once again
U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D – Mont.) recently criticized the Trump administration for budget proposals that would cut funding for Amtrak rural services, especially the Montana Empire Builder line, and wrote Amtrak’s President Richard Anderson asking for accountability and answ [...]