Rail workers still may be unhappy, regardless of barely-skirted union strike

Company CultureHigh Tech / High Touch
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

Workers and the railroads came to a tentative agreement at midnight hour last week, but not everyone is thrilled with the results. While a catastrophic strike seems to be averted, some workers protested before votes to approve the new railroad contracts, claiming the working conditions were still unsafe.

The trucking sector has made it clear through the American Trucking Association’s President and CEO Chris Spear that there is no way trucking could’ve made up for the economic turmoil a railroad strike would’ve caused. This warning has many anxious over the fragile railroad situation and wondering if a better solution can be agreed upon that will better suit the union workers.

Read more from The Trucker ▶

You also might like...
High-Speed Rail to Connect Las Vegas and Los Angeles by 2028
High-Speed Rail to Connect Las Vegas and Los Angeles by 2028

Get ready for a new era of travel between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area!

Canadian Railways On The Brink of Work Stoppage Amid Contract Deadlock
Canadian Railways On The Brink of Work Stoppage Amid Contract Deadlock

The union representing nearly 9,300 workers at Canada’s top two rail companies is signaling a potential work stoppage due to stalled negotiations over working conditions and wage hikes.

China's Hyperloop Dream is Breaking Speed Barriers and Redefining Travel
China's Hyperloop Dream is Breaking Speed Barriers and Redefining Travel

Imagine zipping from New York to Los Angeles in less than an hour or hopping from London to Paris in just 15 minutes.

ATI Pilots' Union Pushes for Improved Contract Amid Amazon's Rapid Growth
ATI Pilots' Union Pushes for Improved Contract Amid Amazon's Rapid Growth

In a recent interview, the chair of the pilots' union at Air Transport International (ATI), a key air carrier in Amazon's delivery network, expressed frustration over delayed contract negotiations.

Stellantis' Workforce Changes Spark Concerns and Union Opposition
Stellantis' Workforce Changes Spark Concerns and Union Opposition

Stellantis has made a significant announcement about the separation of 539 supplemental employees from its U.S. manufacturing operations, a move that has sparked concerns, especially from United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain.

Former Kansas City Southern CEO Joins J.B. Hunt's Board
Former Kansas City Southern CEO Joins J.B. Hunt's Board

J.B. Hunt Transport Services has welcomed former Kansas City Southern President and CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer to its board, expanding the board to 10 seats.

Costco CEOs Reflect on Unionization Vote in Candid Letter to Employees
Costco CEOs Reflect on Unionization Vote in Candid Letter to Employees

Costco's current and former CEOs, Craig Jelinek and Ron Vachris, responded to a Virginia warehouse's recent unionization vote with a candid letter to employees.

Improperly Licensed Truck Driver Blamed for Fatal Metra Train Collision in Illinois
Improperly Licensed Truck Driver Blamed for Fatal Metra Train Collision in Illinois

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that the actions of an improperly licensed truck driver were the probable cause of a fatal grade-crossing collision involving a Metra commuter train in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, in May 2022.

Tesla Raises Wages for Hourly Workers Amidst Unionization Pressures
Tesla Raises Wages for Hourly Workers Amidst Unionization Pressures

Tesla is increasing wages for hourly employees at its Sparks, Nevada, battery factory, with low-end hourly wages rising from $20 to $22 (a 10% increase) and high-end wages increasing from $30.65 to $34.50 (a 12.5% increase).

Deutsche Bahn Launches Sale of DB Schenker to Focus on Core Railway Business
Deutsche Bahn Launches Sale of DB Schenker to Focus on Core Railway Business

Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway operator, has initiated the sale of its logistics unit, DB Schenker, as part of its strategy to concentrate on its core railway business.

Biden Administration Allocates $3 Billion in Federal Funds to Troubled California High-Speed Rail Project
Biden Administration Allocates $3 Billion in Federal Funds to Troubled California High-Speed Rail Project

The Biden administration is providing California with over $3 billion in federal funds for its high-speed rail project, which has faced extensive delays and budget overruns.

U.S. Passenger Rail Receives a $8.2 Billion Investment for 10 Projects Nationwide
U.S. Passenger Rail Receives a $8.2 Billion Investment for 10 Projects Nationwide

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has allocated $8.2 billion for 10 passenger rail projects and introduced corridor planning initiatives across the United States.

Train Derailment Sparks Chemical Spillage and Evacuation in Eastern Kentucky
Train Derailment Sparks Chemical Spillage and Evacuation in Eastern Kentucky

A train derailment in eastern Kentucky caused the spillage of a chemical, leading officials to advise the evacuation of Livingston, a small town of about 200 residents, due to concerns about air quality.

President Biden Announces $16 Billion Investment in Northeast Corridor Rail Upgrades
President Biden Announces $16 Billion Investment in Northeast Corridor Rail Upgrades

The federal government plans to allocate over $16 billion to enhance the Northeast Corridor, the busiest rail line in the country, connecting cities like Washington, New York, and Boston.

U.A.W. President Urges Labor Unions to Unite in Contract Negotiations for Collective Strength
U.A.W. President Urges Labor Unions to Unite in Contract Negotiations for Collective Strength

The United Automobile Workers (U.A.W.) president, Shawn Fain, has proposed that other labor unions align their contract expirations with the U.A.W., emphasizing solidarity in collective bargaining efforts.

Green Line Extension Faces Major Track Repairs Amid Controversy
Green Line Extension Faces Major Track Repairs Amid Controversy

A significant portion of the Green Line Extension in Massachusetts needs track repairs due to narrowness issues, with 50% of the Union Branch tracks and around 80% of the Medford/Tufts Branch tracks requiring widening.

Major Coal Train Derailment Closes I-25, Stranding Commuters and Prompting Traffic Solution
Major Coal Train Derailment Closes I-25, Stranding Commuters and Prompting Traffic Solution

Over 30 coal cars derailed near I-25 due to a broken rail, causing a bridge collapse and closing the interstate.

Fatal Coal Train Derailment Shuts Down Interstate 25 in Southern Colorado
Fatal Coal Train Derailment Shuts Down Interstate 25 in Southern Colorado

A coal train derailed over Interstate 25 in southern Colorado, killing the driver of a semi-truck.

$1.4 Billion Committed to Enhance Rail Safety and Bolster Supply Chain
$1.4 Billion Committed to Enhance Rail Safety and Bolster Supply Chain

The Biden administration has allocated over $1.4 billion for railway safety and capacity enhancement projects across 35 states and Washington.

UAW Expands Strikes to 38 Facilities at GM and Stellantis, Excludes Ford
UAW Expands Strikes to 38 Facilities at GM and Stellantis, Excludes Ford

The United Auto Workers (UAW) is expanding its strikes to 38 parts and distribution locations across 20 states, targeting General Motors and Stellantis.

Class I Railroads in North America Seek to Enhance Service Quality to Counter Trucking Competition
Class I Railroads in North America Seek to Enhance Service Quality to Counter Trucking Competition

Leaders of Class I freight railroads in North America have emphasized the importance of improving service quality to compete with the trucking industry and address the decline in intermodal market share.

California's San Joaquin Valley to Port of Los Angeles Rail Service Set for 2028 Launch
California's San Joaquin Valley to Port of Los Angeles Rail Service Set for 2028 Launch

A rail service connecting California's San Joaquin Valley to the Port of Los Angeles is expected to commence operations in 2028.

Republicans Seek Answers from Buttigieg on Aviation and Rail Safety Concerns
Republicans Seek Answers from Buttigieg on Aviation and Rail Safety Concerns

Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability are seeking information from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg regarding aviation and rail safety issues.

Norfolk Southern Anticipates Weeks for Train Backlog Recovery
Norfolk Southern Anticipates Weeks for Train Backlog Recovery

Norfolk Southern, an Atlanta-based railroad, is facing a significant backlog of trains following a recent service outage.

Norfolk Southern Commits to Enhance Worker Health at East Palestine, Ohio, Derailment Site
Norfolk Southern Commits to Enhance Worker Health at East Palestine, Ohio, Derailment Site

Norfolk Southern Co. has reached a settlement with federal regulators and its unionized workforce to address concerns about worker health during track rebuilding and cleanup operations near the site of a hazardous train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio.

The Brightline Transformation in the U.S. is Revolutionizing Passenger Rail
The Brightline Transformation in the U.S. is Revolutionizing Passenger Rail

Brightline, a Florida-based company owned by Fortress Investment Group, is challenging the traditional passenger rail model in the U.S. by offering a privately funded and operated alternative.

Rising Labor Costs and Declining Cargo Squeeze US Rail Profits
Rising Labor Costs and Declining Cargo Squeeze US Rail Profits

US railroad companies, including Union Pacific Corp., CSX Corp., and Norfolk Southern Corp., are facing a squeeze on operating profits due to higher labor costs and weaker sales amid an ongoing freight recession.

Rail Freight from Canada to U.S. Witnesses Ongoing Decline Following Ports Strike
Rail Freight from Canada to U.S. Witnesses Ongoing Decline Following Ports Strike

Rail freight from Canada to the U.S. has experienced a continuous decline, with a 12% decrease reported last week, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Strike Averted, but UPS Customers May Face Higher Shipping Rates After Teamsters Deal
Strike Averted, but UPS Customers May Face Higher Shipping Rates After Teamsters Deal

The Teamsters and UPS have reached a tentative labor agreement, averting a potential strike that could have disrupted the supply chain.

Jim Vena Takes Over as CEO of Union Pacific, Replacing Lance Fritz
Jim Vena Takes Over as CEO of Union Pacific, Replacing Lance Fritz

Union Pacific, the second-largest freight railroad company in the U.S., has announced a change in its leadership.

Jennifer Joslyn
Previous

Truckers know best: the best and worst interstates for trucking
Next

Pitney Bowes Parcel Shipping Index reports 5k parcels were delivered every second in 2021