Rail system exposed to terrorists, experts say

WASHINGTON – An alleged al Qaeda-backed plot to derail a U.S. passenger train in Canada sought to exploit the vulnerabilities of railroads that have not gotten much attention from the American public. While the United States has sharply tightened security around airlines sinc [...]

Right-to-work bills rejected by Maine House

The Maine House has rejected a pair of right-to-work bills. The first bill would make Maine a “right-to-work” state and the second would prohibit employers from deducting union dues or service fees from employees who have opted out of being in a union. If the bill [...]

Former Canadian PR director Strickland dies

George K. Strickland, the former director of public relations for UTU Canada, died April 14. He was 91. Strickland served with Royal Canadian Mounted Police before hiring out with Canadian Pacific Railway. He later worked as a UTUIA field supervisor prior to becoming the Cana [...]

Class I railroads report earnings

Canadian Pacific Canadian Pacific reported April 24 first-quarter net income of C$217 million, up from C$142 million in the first quarter of 2012, a 51 percent improvement in earnings per share. First-quarter revenue of roughly C$1.5 billion was up 9 percent, setting “a [...]

Feds delay policy to allow small knives on planes

Feds delay policy to allow small knives on planes  WASHINGTON – Airline passengers will have to leave their knives at home after all. And their bats and golf clubs. A policy change scheduled to go into effect this week that would have allowed passengers to carry small knives, [...]

Authorities thwart Amtrak terror plot

Canadian police and intelligence agencies said Monday that they’ve thwarted an Al Qaeda-supported plot that aimed to blow up a passenger rail line, with some news accounts suggesting that the target was train service connecting Toronto and New York City. Amtrak, which operate [...]

Conductors reach tentative pact with SEPTA

The SMART Transportation Division (UTU) general committee of adjustment representing conductors and assistant conductors employed by Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has reached a tentative contract with the commuter railroad. The agreement calls for [...]