Transportation Trades Department

House hearing witnesses argue rail more relevant to economy than ever

A photograph of a freight train passing through a field while a construction vehicle is in the field.

Against the backdrop of Congress’ plans to push through a major transportation infrastructure bill, witnesses testifying at a U.S. House hearing on Wednesday spoke about the need for public partners to invest in multimodal initiatives as a way to support the freight rail industry and its workers.

An example of public and private support for a multimodal project would be the rehabilitation of the Salmon Bay Bridge in Washington, according to Tom WIlliams, group vice president of consumer products...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/house-hearing-witnesses-argue-rail-more-relevant-to-economy-than-ever

US Circuit Court rejects FRA’s actions on train crew size

A photograph of two people in front of a Union Pacific locomotive.

A federal appeals court on Tuesday vacated the Federal Railroad Administration’s May 2019 order on train crew size because the agency didn’t undergo an adequate public review process prior to issuing the order.

A three-judge panel with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco said FRA didn’t conduct adequate due process prior to declaring that its May 2019 order on train crew size preempted state laws requiring a minimum number of employees working on a freight train crew....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-circuit-court-rejects-fras-actions-on-train-crew-size

Rail Roundup: Groups laud nominee Buttigieg; US rail traffic up

A photograph of a truck passing by a rail yard.

Freight rail stakeholders are offering early congratulations to former presidential candidate and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg for his nomination to President-elect Joe Biden’s Cabinet.

Biden nominated Buttigieg to become secretary of transportation and lead the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

The stakeholders offer support amid hopes that the White House and Congress will agree upon transportation initiatives — including a bipartisan infrastructure bill — that would find...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/rail-roundup-groups-laud-nominee-buttigieg-us-rail-traffic-up

AAR, ASLRRA mourn death of union leader

A photograph of rail track.

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) expressed condolences over the death of Larry Willis, president of the Transportation Trades Department for the AFL-CIO.

WIllis, 53, died Sunday as a result of injuries sustained in a biking accident on Nov. 22. 

Larry Willis, president of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO (Photo: TTD)

“Larry’s passing is a tremendous loss for all who knew this thoughtful, tireless...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/aar-aslrra-mourn-death-of-union-leader

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