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In today’s world, it’s important for the union to keep current and accurate information so members can stay informed on things that are important to them. This can be accomplished through the SMART mobile app, via the SMART Member Portal on the SMART website or the old-fashioned way — by just letting your TD Local secretary know.

It’s no secret that we and the carriers do not often see eye to eye, and there is a false narrative out there that we openly share member/employee information with each other. Carriers have zero obligation to voluntarily share any change in your personal information with your union, including your job craft. Even in this age of easy communication, maintaining good labor relations isn’t the strong suit of many carriers, and that includes notifying the union when one of our members has moved, changed contact information or have changed craft roles at work, for example, holding dual certification as a conductor/engineer.

A feature has been added in the SMART app and the SMART website’s Member Portal so members can more accurately update their info with the union. It’s important to fulfill that SMART constitutional duty (Article 21B, Section 49) by keeping your contact info (address, phone number and email) as well as your emergency contact info, work craft and military service record current. To avoid missing out on important notices and to make your union one member stronger please use the app, website or contact your local leadership to ensure that your union has the most accurate information. Together we are stronger!

The SMART Union app is available by texting the word APP to 67336 or for download on Apple’s App Store or Google Play.

A link to the SMART Member Portal can be found here.

Total train and engine employment on Class I railroads increased by 7.49 percent in June 2011 versus June 2010, although not all major railroads increased hiring.

T&E headcounts on CSX and Canadian National (U.S. operations) declined in June 2011 versus June 2010, but all other railroads increased their headcounts — primarily through recalls from furlough.

The following table shows the changes in headcount for June 2011 versus June 2010, as reported by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board:

 CLASS I RAILROAD JUNE 2011 JUNE 2010     +/-
BNSF16,41415,032+ 1,382
CSX10,84110,928–      87
CN (U.S.) 2,134 2,325–     191
KCS 1,289 1,196+     93
NS11,78310,610+ 1,173
SOO 1,435 1,423+     12
UP20,21518,127+ 2,088
AMTRAK 3,410 3,348+     62

 

The number of trailers and containers hauled by major U.S. railroads hit its highest peak for 2011 during the week ending June 11, but the increase in train and engine service workers slowed from previous months.

Major U.S. railroads originated more than 237,000 trailers and containers for the most recent week reported by the Association of American Railroads. That was some 3,000 more than the previous high reached the week of May 28.

The number of train and engine workers on Class I railroads reached 63,078 in May – up 6.6 percent from May 2010, but up only 0.33 percent from April 2011.

Here are the total number of train and engine workers employed by the major U.S. railroads in May, as reported by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board:

Union Pacific 19,828
BNSF 16,053
Norfolk Southern 11,726
CSX 10,719
CN (GTW & IC) 2,074
CP (Soo) 1,412
Kansas City Southern 1,266

 

 

 

 

 

Additionally, Amtrak employs 3,433 train and engine workers.

Train and engine workers are the largest category of Class I employees.

Train & Engine 63,078
Maintenance of Way 36,021
Shopcraft 28,963
Professional & Admin. 13,546
Exec. & Officials 9,231
Transp. (non-T&E) 6,678

 

Train and engine employment on the nation’s major railroads rose again in April and is more than six percent higher than one year ago, reports the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.

The 62,872 train and engine workers employed by Class I railroads in April is still almost 12 percent below the January 2007 level (71,103), and more than seven percent below the January 2008 level (67,908).

The good news is that T&E numbers have been rising steadily over the past year as the economy continues its slow recovery from the depth of serious recession. Since January 2011, T&E employment is up almost three percent on Class I railroads.

Train and engine employment on major U.S. railroads climbed by almost 7.5 percent in March 2011 to 62,627, versus March 2010, according to U.S. Surface Transportation Board data.

The 7.47 percent increase in train and engine employment is more than double the increase in any other craft.

The total Class I workforce totaled almost 156,000 in mid-March, up almost 4.5 percent from March 2010.

The increased headcount reflects the rise in carloadings — especially intermodal (trailer and containers atop flatcars) and an economy climbing out of recession.

Almost 10,000 train and engine workers returned to work on Class I railroads through the first 11 months of 2010, with T&E jobs up almost 10 percent compared with November 2009, says the Surface Transportation Board, which tracks the data.

The STB says 61,819 train & engine workers are now on the job with Class I railroads.

The increase in train and engine workers during 2010 was more than double the increase in other crafts, said the STB.

A ray of sunshine for working families is emerging from otherwise bleak economic news: Many Americans are going back to work.

The Labor Department reports that 151,000 jobs were added during October, following four successive months of job losses.

On the nation’s railroads, thousands of train and engine (T&E) workers are being recalled to work.

Union Pacific Chairman Jim Young told Wall Street analysts in late October that UP had put some 1,100 furloughed workers back to work during the third quarter 2010, and that all furloughed UP workers would be back on the job in coming months. Young said he expects UP to be hiring additional employees in 2011.

At Norfolk Southern, according to the Journal of Commerce, all furloughed T&E workers have returned to their jobs, and NS will be hiring an addtional 1,550 T&E workers this year — and may hire an additional 1,800 in 2011, albeit many replacing those who will retire.

Although train and engine jobs on the nation’s Class I railroads had been cut by some 20 percent between June 2007 and June 2009, there has been a steady increase in T&E jobs in 2010, especially over the past few months, according to U.S. Surface Transportation Board data as reported to the agency by the railroads.

In June 2007, the nation’s Class I railroads employed 69,298 workers in train and engine jobs.

By June 2009, the number of T&E jobs on Class I railroads had declined to 55,434 — a decline of some 20 percent in T&E jobs from the June 2007 level.

Beginning this past June, however, the number of T&E jobs began rising significantly, climbing back to 61,444 in September, or only about 11 percent below the June 2007 level of T&E employment, according to STB data.

The STB has not yet reported October T&E employment, which is expected to show another rise.

With rail traffic strong and expected to remain so, there is confidence that the number of T&E jobs will continue rising on all railroads during the fourth quarter.

Another strong ray of sunshine is found in an observation by the British-based Economist magazine in its Oct. 30 issue:

“America has far more going for it than its current mood suggests. It is still the most innovative economy on earth, the place where the world’s greatest universities meet the world’s deepest pockets. Its demography is favorable, with a high birth rate and limitless space into which to expand.

“It has a flexible and hard-working labor force. Its ultra-low bond yields are a sign that the world’s investors still think it is a good long-term bet. The most enterprising individuals on earth still clamor to come to America.”

Train and engine employment continues to climb back toward pre-recession levels, with Class I railroads continuing to call back furloughed train crews.

The Surface Transportation Board posted data for September, showing train and engine employment on Class I railroads grew almost 9 percent in September, versus September 2009; and was almost 2 percent higher than in August 2010.

Train and engine service employment stood at 61,444 in September, while total Class I railroad employment was at 154,094.