On March 13, 2020, noting the President’s declaration of a national emergency related to COVID-19 and the World Health Organization’s characterization of COVID-19 as pandemic, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Ronald L. Batory activated an emergency relief docket (ERD) (Docket No. FRA-2020-0002). Activation of an ERD enables FRA to utilize its emergency waiver procedures to
On January 15, 2020, FRA issued an extensive Notice Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) entitled “Brake System Safety Standards.” The NPRM makes sweeping changes to brake inspections standards, and incorporates into the regulations a large number of waivers it has issued to railroads and railroad associations. Among these changes are modifications to regulations concerning air brake tests,
The BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from Federal railroad safety regulations with respect to transfer movements between BNSF’s Old South Yard and New South Yard in Houston, Texas. More specifically, BNSF proposes to conduct a Class III brake test in lieu of a transfer
In February 2019, Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations regarding refresher training for all NS craft personnel responsible for performing freight air brakes tests. Specifically, NS proposed to create a 3-D simulation using web-based software to satisfy
On November 18, 2019, SEPTA Carmen overwhelmingly ratified a contract which spans the period of February 17, 2017 thru February 16, 2022. The first wage increase was effective November 24, 2019. “I would like to thank the members for voting and their perseverance to get this contract completed,” said TCU Vice President Artie Maratea. “I
VA Senators send Letter to FreightCar CEO Asking for Explanation of Sending Jobs to Mexico In a letter from Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, they ask for FreightCar CEO James Meyer to explain the company’s actions in ending 200 good-paying union jobs and opening a new production facility in Mexico. The letter states:
Fred Owens is a third-generation worker at FreightCar America Roanoke and President of The Transportation Communications Union (TCU), Carmen Division Local 6016. Since 2005, Roanoke residents have assembled rail freight cars for FreightCar America (FCA). And before that, Norfolk Southern Railroad. And before that, Norfolk & Western Railway — arguably the principal reason why Roanoke
For immediate release | Contact: Kevin Gifford, TCU Communications Director, 301-840-8741, giffordk@tcunion.org On September 19th, FreightCar America [“FCA”], a manufacturer of freight rail car rolling stock, announced their intentions to begin manufacturing operations in Castanos, Mexico. In a joint venture with Fasemex, a Mexican manufacturing and servicing company, FCA will begin operations by mid-2020. This
Survey results from TCU and Brotherhood Railway Carmen Division representatives affirm wages and Health and Welfare as the top two issues going into National Bargaining. We are in the process of preparing our Section 6 Notice for both Clerical and Carmen Crafts, to be served in November on the national rail carriers for the bargaining
CSX Transportation (CSX) recently petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations regarding the testing and inspecting of air brakes for trains traveling over 1,000 miles but are not designated as extended haul trains under § 232.213. More specifically, CSX requested relief from
