SMART-TD

Federal judge sides with BNSF, orders unions not to strike

A federal judge in Texas has ruled that union-affiliated employees at BNSF can’t go on strike over objections to BNSF’s new attendance program that goes into effect next Tuesday.

Members of the  Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation (SMART-TD) said on Jan. 13 that they were considering going on strike at BNSF over an attendance program that they called overly...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/federal-judge-sides-with-bnsf-orders-unions-not-to-strike

Labor, railroads tussle over contract negotiation ‘dead end,’ seek mediation

Ten rail unions have declared an impasse with U.S. freight railroads over bargaining for a new labor agreement and have asked the National Mediation Board (NMB) for a federal mediator to assist with negotiations — a move the railroads support.

The Coordinated Bargaining Coalition (CBC), which consists of the unions, said discussions stalled after more than two years of bargaining. Because of the stalemate, the coalition is seeking a mediator, per the Railway Labor Act.

The unions said the National...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/labor-railroads-tussle-over-contract-negotiation-dead-end-seek-mediation

BNSF asks for court intervention in tussle over attendance program

A photograph of a BNSF locomotive.

BNSF is asking a federal court to classify the railroad’s tussle with two rail unions over a new company attendance policy as a “minor dispute,” which would prevent the unions from striking.

By declaring the dispute as a minor dispute under the Railway Labor Act, the two unions — the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) — would be required to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/bnsf-asks-for-court-intervention-in-tussle-over-attendance-program

Union members threaten to strike over BNSF’s new attendance policy

A photograph of two BNSF locomotives parked in a rail yard.

Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation (SMART-TD) are considering going on strike at BNSF over an attendance program that they say is overly restrictive and hints of precision scheduled railroading practices.

According to a Thursday release from the two unions, BNSF’s “Hi-Viz” attendance program, which would go into effect on Feb. 1, “repudiates numerous...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/union-members-threaten-to-strike-over-bnsfs-new-attendance-policy

Rail unions ‘disappointed’ by vaccine mandate ruling but will press on

Efforts to prevent a COVID-19 vaccine mandate from being implemented on Chicago’s commuter rail system were thwarted last week when a federal judge ruled against two rail unions’ requests to stop it.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, ruled against the preliminary injunction filed by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/rail-unions-disappointed-by-vaccine-mandate-ruling-but-will-press-on

Los sindicatos ferroviarios están “decepcionados” por el fallo sobre el mandato de las vacunas, pero seguirán adelante

Los esfuerzos para evitar que se aplique la vacuna COVID-19 en el sistema de trenes de cercanías de Chicago se vieron frustrados la semana pasada cuando un juez federal falló en contra de las peticiones de dos sindicatos ferroviarios para detenerla.

El Tribunal de Distrito de EE.UU. para el Distrito Norte de Illinois, División Este, falló en contra de la orden judicial preliminar presentada por la Hermandad de Maquinistas de Locomotoras y Trenes (BLET) y la División de Transporte de la...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/los-sindicatos-ferroviarios-estan-decepcionados-por-el-fallo-sobre-el-mandato-de-las-vacunas-pero-seguiran-adelante

Michigan lawmakers introduce train crew size legislation

A photograph of a Union Pacific locomotive and a tank car rolling by a railroad crossing.

Two Democratic state lawmakers in Michigan have introduced legislation that would require freight trains to have at least two individuals operating them.

State Rep. Tim Sneller introduced H.B.5596 and Sen. Erika Gross introduced S.B. 767 on Dec. 2. Both bills have been referred to their respective transportation committees.

Both bills call for a railroad to operate a freight train or locomotive engine with no fewer than two crew members.

Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/michigan-lawmakers-introduce-train-crew-size-legislation

Rail unions ask court to force BNSF to negotiate over vaccine mandate

A photograph of a Union Pacific train and a BNSF train in a rail yarrd.

Two rail unions want a federal court to dismiss BNSF’s lawsuit over its ability to implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Instead, they want the court to compel the railroad to negotiate any vaccine requirements.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division (SMART-TD) contend that the company’s vaccine mandate violates the Railway Labor Act (RLA).

The unions are asking...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/rail-unions-ask-court-to-force-bnsf-to-negotiate-over-vaccine-mandate

Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern vaccine lawsuits combined in court

A photograph of a man expecting rail track at a rail yard.

Ongoing lawsuits between railroad unions and two Class I railroads over requiring employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine have been consolidated in federal court.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on Nov. 17 combined two proceedings, one involving Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) and the other involving Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC), according to a Monday update from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). Judge John Z. Lee will oversee the proceeding.

BLET,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/union-pacific-norfolk-southern-vaccine-lawsuits-combined-in-court

BNSF takes unions to court over vaccine mandate

Add BNSF to the list of Class I railroads that are jostling with rail unions in court over implementing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

BNSF (NYSE: BRK.B) filed a lawsuit Sunday with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois asking the court to agree with the railroad’s interpretation of the Railway Labor Act when it comes to complying with federal mandates. It also asked the court to issue a decision that would prevent the unions from striking because of the vaccine mandate.

The...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/bnsf-takes-unions-to-court-over-vaccine-mandate

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