The unions and the freight railroads must repair their relationship and collaborate on improving service if the industry wants to thrive and take more market share, observers told FreightWaves.
Norfolk Southern plans to pursue other measures than furloughs to get through market downturns, and two activist investors press NS and Union Pacific to address paid sick leave.
Stakeholders are processing their responses to federal actions this week to avert a potential economy-crippling rail strike.
The Senate voted 80-15 to intervene on a potential rail strike. The bill does not mandate seven days of paid sick leave.
Lack of sick pay is a sticking point among railroaders on both sides of the debate over the tentative deal, but Congress could change that.
A rail strike could lift spot truckload prices and support a market that’s been soft, sources said. But should a strike continue, expect congestion and higher costs.
The House of Representatives voted 290-137 to intervene on a potential rail strike. It also voted to guarantee seven days of paid sick leave.
Congress is poised to pass a bill that will thwart a rail strike. But some lawmakers are breaking rank to call for an amendment that rail workers agree with.
If a prolonged rail worker strike happens, expect cross-border commodities such as cars, auto parts and Mexican beer to be bogged down.
President Joe Biden is compelling Congress to intervene if there is a rail strike — and hinting that both sides should accept the labor agreement as it stands.
In a letter sent Monday to legislative leaders, trade groups warn of a financial disaster should a railroad strike occur on Dec. 9.
Is a rail strike imminent? Here are five things that might help you understand how we got here.
One railroad union has voted to ratify its labor agreement while another has split its vote, raising the prospect of a rail strike.
The American Chemistry Council says a rail strike lasting a month or longer could significantly damage the U.S. economy.
The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers’ refusal to ratify the latest deal sends the rail union back to the bargaining table.
Both the railroads and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way – Employes Division say the extension will help all parties make the best decision on how to proceed with the outstanding tentative labor agreements.
The rail division of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers will ratify the latest tentative labor agreement between itself and the freight railroads.
Agricultural shippers urge Congress to take action to prevent a rail strike while Canadian Pacific has a banner month for moving grain in October.
FreightWaves chats with a representative of the rail division of the International Association of Machinists about the labor agreement talks with the freight railroads.
Concerns that not all of the unions will agree to ratify their labor agreements have caused rail shippers and other transportation industry stakeholders to push President Joe Biden to act.
BRS follows the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division, which earlier this month rejected the tentative labor agreement.
The National Carriers’ Conference Committee signaled that freight railroads will reject the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division’s counteroffer on a new labor deal.
The National Conference of Firemen & Oilers voted by a nearly 59% margin to approve its labor agreement with the freight railroads.
A labor agreement with U.S. freight railroads passed the latest ratification test with members of the mechanical and engineering division of SMART-TD voting to accept the contract.
Members of rail union BMWED have rejected a tentative contract deal with U.S. railroads.
American Train Dispatchers Association members have approved the new labor contract with freight railroads by a 64% majority vote.
Rail companies can save on labor by eliminating the conductor role. But workers believe it would make their jobs more dangerous.
Rail workers with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have voted to ratify the union’s labor agreement with U.S. Class I railroads.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 19 has reached a new agreement with the U.S. Class railroads, one that modifies an agreement initially rejected by the group.
Just because a labor agreement is in sight between the railroads and the unions, that doesn’t mean rail service will instantly improve, shippers told FreightWaves.
The outlook for trucking companies buying new or used Class 8 trucks can best be described like a 2005 Facebook relationship status — “It’s complicated.”
Freight railroads are attempting to rapidly resume normal operations now that a deal has been reached to avoid a strike on Friday.
Rail workers haven’t seen the new tentative agreement that delayed their strike plans, but currently known details aren’t promising for some.
A nationwide rail strike has been averted as the railroads and unions have reached a deal.
In the unlikely event of a legislative settlement, rail workers could attempt to gain leverage through a risky walkout.
Billions in trade between the U.S. and Mexico could be affected by a railway strike that could begin Friday.
With a Friday deadline looming for some rail unions and management to make a deal, a shutdown is looking more and more possible.
Ahead of a strike that could occur after midnight Friday, U.S. freight railroads are winding down operations and the White House is preparing contingency plans.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, whose ranks total nearly 5,000 members, has voted to reject the tentative labor agreement between it and the Class I railroads. But two unions voted to ratify their agreements.
Beyond impacts to the supply chain, one national security expert contends a rail strike could pose a threat to national security.
Settlement legislation introduced in the Senate may not be enough to avoid a rail strike or lockout on Friday.
Nine out of 12 labor unions have reached tentative agreements with the railroads, up from five last week.
Congress must prevent a rail shutdown. Otherwise, factories will close, food and fuel supplies will dwindle and inflation will soar.
Three more railroad unions have reached tentative agreements with Class I railroads on new labor contracts.
Uncertainties over whether union members will go on strike next Friday are causing the U.S. Class I railroads to embargo certain shipments and tell customers to expect delays.
The Association of American Railroads estimates that a nationwide strike could cost about $2 billion each day, while shippers groups rally Congress to intervene in the event a strike seems imminent.
Two more unions, whose membership totals about 6,000 freight rail employees, have tentatively agreed to a new labor contract that calls for substantial wage increases.
Two of the larger unions, BLET and SMART-TD, were unable to reach a tentative labor agreement last week. But both “remain committed” to reaching one.
Three railroad unions plan to send their members a tentative labor agreement for ratification. However, there are still nine unions that have yet to strike a deal.
The presidential emergency board is charged with examining the sticking points in the stalled contract negotiations between U.S. freight railroads and their unions.
The protests stem from the potential impact the AB5 law will have on the over 70,000 owner-operators who operate in California.
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen voted to strike if they deem it necessary as the unions and railroads fail to reach a contract agreement.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce wants President Biden to intervene in the ongoing rail labor dispute to avoid service disruptions.
Normal rail service to resume on Nov. 27, ending a week-long strike that has shaken Canada’s supply chain.
Federal Minister of Agriculture suggests government would consider back-to-work legislation or binding arbitration for striking Teamsters members as disruption brings 37% in drop in Canadian National revenue ton-miles and worsening supply-chain conditions across the country.
Federal minister urges Canadian National and Teamsters to reach agreement as walkout by 3,200 conductors, transpersons and yard workers continues.
