The Rail Labor Division of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, issued a blistering dissent to the Amtrak Reform Council and its first annual report, "A Preliminary Assessment of Amtrak," for its biased view, fiscal irresponsibility and misleading statements.
"We believe the Report reflects an aggressive anti-Amtrak and pro-privatization agenda; that it is replete with statements which are misleading, inaccurate and unsubstantiated; and that it is the culmination of the very fiscal irresponsibility that it claims to address," stated Rail Labor's dissenting opinion.
BNSF cancels Availability Policy The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has gained over
1,300 new members in four months by holding a string of successful "Town
Hall" meetings across the Union Pacific property. BLE objects to proposed Railroad
Retirement changes The Railroad Retirement reform proposal publicized last
week by a number of unions and the National Carriers' Conference Committee
is a complex package. The BLE cannot support the proposal, for several reasons. Fighting for the best deal possible
-- Why the BLE hasn't signed on to the Railroad Retirement agreement (a special editorial by BLE President Ed Dubroski) With an eye toward the future, and in a continued effort
to protect the safety of all operating employees, the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers co-authored an in-depth report submitted to the FRA's Rail Safety
Advisory Committee regarding the benefits and potential dangers of Positive
Train Control (PTC). This news article is for BLE members only and is password
protected. Legislative Update: DC Feedback
(proper hazmat procedures) Legislative Update: Support for
H.R. 3091 continues to grow Efforts in the House of Representatives to secure support
for H.R. 3091 has paid off with the addition of 33 new co-sponsors for a
total of 180. BLE members lend a helping hand
to support USWA strike in Virginia The Brothers of BLE Division 301 (Roanoke, Va.) recently
donated $300 to help striking members of United Steelworkers of America
(USWA) Local 240 in their struggle against Rubatex Incorporated. Canadian National/Illinois Central Railroad has immediate openings for experienced, certified Locomotive Engineers
to work in the Chicago area off of a guaranteed extra board. The Delaware & Hudson Railway Company is seeking
certified Locomotive Engineers and conductors/trainmen in the New York state
and Eastern Pennsylvania areas. Annual NASLBC meeting to be in
Niagara Falls This year the National Association of State Legislative
Board Chairmen (NASLBC) will hold its annual meeting in Niagara Falls, Canada,
reports NASLBC Secretary-Treasurer I. Perry Renfro. BLE members killed in the line
of duty, 1989-1999 BLE Senior Report: Federal income
tax tips from RRB The following questions and answers describe the benefit
information statements issued by the Railroad Retirement Board each January
for Federal income tax purposes. Railroad retirement beneficiaries needing
information about these statements, or tax withholding from their benefits,
should contact the nearest office of the Railroad Retirement Board. For
further Federal income tax information, railroad retirement beneficiaries
should contact the nearest office of the Internal Revenue Service. BLE Senior Report: RRB to seek
new Medicare provider The three members of the panel chosen by the National Mediation
Board to resolve the BLE-UTU dispute are noted for their vast wealth of
experience and knowledge in labor relations. BLE, UTU members sue UTU over
secret deal with Grand Trunk Members of the BLE on the Grand Trunk Western Railroad
have brought a class action suit against the carrier and the United Transportation
Union, claiming that UTU and GTW collaborated on a secret agreement that
unfairly discriminated against BLE workers. Canadian Spotlight: BLE victories
continue on VIA Rail The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has taken another
major step toward overturning an incredible ruling by a member of the Canadian
Industrial Relations Board. En Francais: La Cour d'appel
fédérale impose un sursis sur la décision du CCRI Setting the tone for the current round of national wage
negotiations, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has reached a tentative
agreement with Norfolk Southern that will have a positive impact for post-85
engineers. Part 2: 'Reliance' and 'distraction'
effects in PTC automation 3.4.1. Benefits of maintaining operating skills. In maintaining their judgment and skills through on-the-job
experience, the LE and C team (coordinating with the train dispatcher) protect
a number of personnel from danger: themselves, any other personnel on their
train, personnel on other trains, other railroad employees along the track,
persons on passenger trains, and the public along the right-of-way. In their
vigilance, this coordinated team also protects from damage to material property:
their engine and cars; any lading of these cars... BLE scholarships available for
2000, 2001 school years A comprehensive list of financial aid available through
BLE regional meetings, the GIA, Divisions, and other valuable sources. Railroads report mixed 4th quarter
income A comprehensive review of financial gains and losses by
major railroads in the U.S. and Canada. Teamsters strike continues; BNSF
to haul Overnite freight The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers continues to support
the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in its strike against Union Pacific
subsidiary Overnite Transportation Co. Union Pacific cleared to implement
'Safety Awareness Training' program A federal judge has dissolved the temporary restraining
order that prohibited Union Pacific from implementing its Safety Awareness
Training program. |
Volume 14 - Number 2
Advisory Board January Activity
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