Weekly Digest Number 29 - July 18th, 2023

(Editor's Note: As the memory of the national rail contract fight fades, it is important to remember just how we managed to wrestle these first ever sick days from the Class One rail carriers. This synopsis of what went down over the course of the last year or so is worthwhile reading. It correctly notes that what has been won did not come from the benevolence of the Class Ones, not from the efforts of union "leaders", nor did it come about because of Joe Biden's behind-the-scenes efforts. It came about through a revolt of working railroaders and efforts by grassroots groups such as Railroad Workers United and the BMWED Rank & File Caucus.)

Despite Controversy, Rail Workers Are Winning Paid Sick Leave

Freight rail corporations, which appeared triumphant at the end of 2022 after successfully using the blackmail threat that a rail strike would cripple the U.S. economy, then faced blowback from the negative consequences of their political victories.

July 13, 2023 Paul Garver and Eli Gerzon  WORKING MASS

(Editor's Note: RWU went on record in opposition to this privatization scheme in June. See the Resolution HERE. We are working with Cincinnati citizens to save their railroad.)

RWU, Citizens' Group Oppose the Sale of the Cincinnati Southern to NS

(Editor's Note: Here is the latest attempt to destroy Amtrak. Even when the Republicans held the House, Senate and the White House with a President determined to kill off Amtrak's national network, they were unable to succeed because of broad public support in both parties for passenger rail. But we must remain vigilant and resist any effort such as this one to kill our passenger rail network.)

House Republicans Propose 64% Cut to Amtrak Budget for Fiscal 2024

By | July 12, 2023

Spending plan would also eliminate rail infrastructure program, reduce other grants including CRISI program favored by short lines

Rail Passengers Association President Jim Mathews stated, “These proposed cuts are all the more infuriating coming at the same time as we’re seeing unprecedented interest in adding and upgrading passenger rail service from cities and towns across America. When the Federal Railroad Administration asked for proposals as part of its Corridor Identification Program, there was a massive response from states across the nation — Red and Blue, North and South, Heartland and Coastal. We can’t afford to gut these exciting new programs before they even get started.”

(Editor's Note: A proposal in Congress would in effect nullify Amtrak's ability to function as a national entity. We are on the verge of a passenger rail renaissance in this country. We cannot allow it to be derailed by the carriers, Congress, and the conservative business establishment.)

ACTION ALERT: Tell Congress: $7 Billion for Passenger Rail!

On July 12, the House T-HUD subcommittee made a direct attack on high-speed and regional rail by proposing to slash total funding for passenger rail to just $1.4 billion in 2024. Please tell your Representative in Congress that this is unacceptable. It is urgent that we expand the program by making use of the full $7 billion authorization.

July 12th, 2023

(Editor's Note: It is not often these days that rail unions consortiums and rail carrier groups come together around an issue. Here is a rare and unique example. Every rail worker should get on board this train.)

AAR, ASLRRA, IBT, TTD Urge Swift Passage of REEF Act

Two rail industry associations and two unions teamed recently to encourage Congressional support of the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness Act (REEF Act; H.R.2785/S.1274), which they said would “eliminate cuts to railroad unemployment and sickness benefits.”

Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor, Railway Age Magazine July 13th, 2023

(Editor's Note: Like the big rail carriers did last Fall, UPS is playing brinksmanship with its workforce. One major difference between the two scenarios: the workforce in this case is united into a single union (IBT), one that is taking a militant stance towards the employer, has involved the members in the bargaining process from Day One, and is bringing those members front and center in actions like this one. This is what rail workers need - and should demand - from their leadership next round of national contract bargaining that starts in November of 2024.)

UPS Workers Rally Ahead of HISTORIC STRIKE: “We’re in Fight of Our Lives”

Independent videojournalist Jon Farina covered a practice picket done by Teamsters and UPS workers ahead of a potential strike on August 1st that would be one of the largest strikes in U.S. history.

(Editor's Note: Hopefully something comes of all this discussion. The main stumbling block to electrification is the initial capital investment. Class Ones would much rather buy back stock than invest in things like expansion of track capacity or electrification. See article three down for a glimpse of what is happening elsewhere in the world on this front.)

Rail Electrification Council, Part 2: RAIL GROUP ON AIR

Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief

July 14th, 2023

In this conclusion of a two-part series, Jim Hoecker and Steve Griffith of the Rail Electrification Council talk about the transition away from fossil fuels, as well the national electrical grid’s need to expand to handle rapidly increasing demand. What are the opportunities for using railroad rights-of-way to support high-voltage transmission lines? How could this be a viable source of revenue for railroads? How do ESG goals figure here? Hoecker and Griffith discuss these and other topics with Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono.

(Editor's Note: For decades Amtrak has maintained that the law clearly states its trains must be handled properly by the rail carrier "hosts" but to no avail. Perhaps this latest chapter will tell a different story, it remains to be seen. If Amtrak can prevail here, it would works wonders to help eliminate other scourges that plague North American railroading - excessively long and heavy trains and PSR).)

STB Announces Investigation on Sunset Limited Timekeeping, Sets Procedure

By David Lassen | July 11, 2023

Two-phase process will investigate cause of delays, then determine penalties, if appropriate

Today’s board decision also outlines the framework for the process — a detailed procedure that will continue well into 2024. Establishment of that framework is necessary since this is the first such investigation under the responsibility granted to the board under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement act of 2008.

(Editor's Note: Just last month another Amtrak train - the Coast Starlight - hit a truck at a grade crossing. And last summer, yet another train - the Southwest Chief - hit a truck in Missouri derailing most of the train, injuring scores and killing 4 passengers. How much longer will we as a society tolerate this carnage and unnecessary tragedy? These crossings need to be protected NOW. Tens of thousands of rail crossings in this country are completely unprotected, and even when they are equipped with gates and/or lights, there are rarely advance warning devices and speed restrictions for highway traffic. Just the little round railroad crossing sign that has been the norm since horse-and-buggy days.)

Silver Star Locomotive Derails After Florida Grade Crossing Collision

Eight said to have suffered non-critical injuries

July 14, 2023

LAKELAND, Fla. — Amtrak’s Silver Star was involved in a derailment this evening (July 14) after a grade-crossing collision with a truck carrying automobiles

(Editor's Note: Great to see the railroad leading the way in renewal energy generation in France. The U.S. rail system is ripe for electrification ... except that its owners - the Class One carriers - have zero interest in electrifying. The rest of the world's railroads are forging ahead.)

SNCF and CNR Sign the Largest Wind Power PPA in France

With the launch of its subsidiary SNCF Renouvelables, dedicated to developing and installing renewable energy capacity on its land reserves, which are among the largest in the country. SNCF Voyageurs also aims to achieve 40 to 50 per cent renewable energy, including 20 per cent from PPA contracts, in its electricity consumption mix for train traction by 2026.

Published on 12-07-2023 at 10:30

(Editor's Note: The equivalent of shop stewards in the railroad workers' world is the Local Chairman - in effect the Chief Steward - and the Vice Local Chairs. While there are differences in the positions, they are very similar. And a local chairman is in the same position as a shop steward, the front line interface between the rank and file worker and the union. As such s/he has the ability to build and grow the union, involve members, and play the role of organizer, as well as handle claims/grievances.)

Steward's Workshop: Thinking Like an Organizer

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Shop stewards are the face of the union for most members - the people members see day to day, and rely on for everything from basic questions about the job to handling complicated grievances.

But stewards are also in a great position to strengthen the union by getting more people involved: by thinking like an organizer. Join activists from different unions across the country learning to be more effective stewards by organizing.

(Editor's Note: If/when this all comes to fruition sometime in the next 4 years, it could be a game changer, as Americans come to realize the great advantages of fast, frequent train travel between major cities outside of the Northeast Corridor. All of these jobs will be good union jobs. We could be looking at the future of rail labor, given how the private freight rail industry has decimated the workforce in recent years, together with its vision of single person crews - then no person crews - ever longer trains, drone technology, contracting out, and all the rest.)

High-speed Rail Receives Key Approval for Link into LA

Trains are planned to run on daily one-hour headways, with a trip between Hesperia and Rancho Cucamonga expected to take 35 minutes. Brightline’s service will be timed with Metrolink in Rancho Cucamonga to allow riders to link into the Los Angeles area. With the environmental approval in place, Brightline is still on track to break ground on the long-talked-about project at the end of the year, with the goal of operations beginning in 2027.

July 14th, 2023