New technology sets train speed, saves fuel

A new technology to calculate optimal locomotive speed to save fuel has been developed by General Electric’s GE Transportation, reports the website, smartplanet.com. According to smartplanet.com, the technology, called Trip Optimizer, “can save 3.3 million gallons on th [...]

AFL-CIO launching young worker outreach

A new survey by the AFL-CIO shows young workers worse off this year than they were last year. In response, the federation is ratcheting up its outreach program to connect with the next generation of workers. The survey shows young workers are more likely to be working part ti [...]

Disability annuities for railroad employees

The Railroad Retirement Act provides disability annuities for railroaders who become totally or occupationally disabled. Medicare coverage before age 65 is also available for totally disabled employees and those suffering from chronic kidney disease. The following questions a [...]

FAA: Serious runway incursions halved

Serious runway incursions halved, says FAA Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Randy Babbitt says the number of serious runway incursions during the past 12 months at the nation’s airports dropped 50 percent from a similar 12-month period ending Sept. 30, 2009, the [...]

National rail talks: October update

The UTU and railroads party to the national rail agreement will meet next week and again in mid-November in continuing negotiations aimed at amending a contract covering wages, benefits and working conditions. These will be the sixth and seventh negotiating sessions between t [...]

UTU to Congress: ‘End air-employee abuse’

Airline pilots who sleep in the terminal because lodging is not provided? Flight attendants who can’t afford dental care and have used Super Glue to mend a broken tooth? Pilots and flight attendants who qualify for food-stamps? For airline pilots and flight attendants employe [...]

FRA to make cell-phone ban permanent

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has announced it will make permanent its Emergency Order No. 26 restricting the use by on-duty train crews of cell phones and other electronic devices. Some changes, as described below, are to be included in the permanent [...]