General Chairman Randall Knutson to Retire in March

February 5, 2016 GO-001

Brothers & Sisters,

It is with mixed emotion that I wish to advise you of my decision to accept the current BNSF "buyout" offer and enter retirement. While I initially intended to complete the full term of office that I was fortunate enough to be elected to last year, recent events have influenced me otherwise. With that said, my last day as General Chairperson of this Committee will be March 11, 2016, after which First Associate Chairperson Mike Lapresta will assume those duties pending an election.

I consider it a privilege and an honor to be the first General Chairperson of the consolidated GO-001. Thank you for your foresight and support in assembling the largest General Committee this Organization has ever known, and I greatly appreciate all the support you have afforded our office since the merger. You remain in competent hands and I wish all of you the best.

Sincerely,
Randy K

BNSF Employee Buyout, Iowa Caucuses, and Rail Traffic Still Down in this Week's News Headlines

February 5, 2016 GO-001

GENERAL CHAIRMAN'S UPDATE ON NEWEST BUYOUT OFFER FROM BNSF
http://www.smartunion001.org/news/2016/2/2/general-chairmans-update-on-newest-buyout-offer-from-bnsf

Pa. committee to hold hearing on crew consist bill
http://utu.org/2016/02/01/pa-committee-to-hold-public-hearing-on-crew-consist-bill/

NTSB Opens the Accident Docket on the Philadelphia Amtrak Derailment
http://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/PR20160201.aspx

Cruz topples Trump; Clinton, Sanders await final tally
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/2016/02/02/cruz-topples-trump-clinton-sanders-await-final-tally/79685690/

Warm weather, low prices hit energy rail traffic in 2016
http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/companies/2016/02/02/Warm-weather-low-prices-hit-energy-rail-traffic-in-2016-coal-oil-shale/stories/201601280002

Anaheim bus drivers, mechanics, ticket agents to vote on union this week
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/drivers-702536-anaheim-bus.html

Where Does Bernie Sanders Stand on Transportation and Cities?
http://usa.streetsblog.org/2016/02/02/where-does-bernie-sanders-stand-on-transportation-and-cities/#.VrI-ud2xd4k.twitter

Illinois rep tapped for House transportation committee
http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/268302-illinois-rep-tapped-for-house-transportation-committee?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=transportation

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Smith promotes grade crossing project in Moorhead
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/safety/article/Minnesota-Lt-Gov-Smith-promotes-grade-crossing-project-in-Moorhead--47209?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

GENERAL CHAIRMAN'S UPDATE ON NEWEST BUYOUT OFFER FROM BNSF

February 2, 2016 GO-001

February 2, 2016

Brothers & Sisters,

Attached is a copy of the most recent communication BNSF Labor Relations will issue regarding their new selective offer for voluntary separation. You may also follow the link below for a downloadable and printable version. While BNSF will be mailing a copy to each eligible employee, every member should be aware of these details.

BUYOUT OFFER

As we have advised from the start, if you have questions regarding your decision to accept this offer, please personally contact both the RRB and United Health Care to review your personal scenario.

Fraternally,
Randy K

Rail Traffic Down, Trains Sit Idle, and Rail Merger Hearings in This Week's News Headlines

January 29, 2016 GO-001

Hundreds of train cars sitting idle near Gillette
http://www.wyomingbusinessreport.com/hundreds-of-train-cars-sitting-idle-near-gillette/?refresh=1

Norfolk Southern 4Q profit falls 29 percent, 2,000 jobs to be cut
http://wsls.com/2016/01/27/norfolk-southern-4q-profit-falls-29-percent-2000-jobs-to-be-cut/

U.S. rail traffic continues slide in Week No. 3
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/US-rail-traffic-continues-slide-in-Week-No-3--47128?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

SMART TD supports FRA’s efforts to clarify vision standards
http://utu.org/2016/01/25/smart-transportation-division-supports-fras-efforts-to-clarify-vision-standards-testing/

Dem wants Senate hearing on freight rail merger
http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/267057-dem-senator-wants-hearing-on-wall-street-freight-rail-merger?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=transportation

The Wreck of Amtrak 188: What caused the worst American rail disaster in decades?http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/magazine/the-wreck-of-amtrak-188.html?_r=0

BNSF 2016 capex: $4.3 billion
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/freight/class-i/bnsf-announces-2016-capital-plan.html?channel=50

SMART News: GP SELLERS: “NOTHING WE CAN’T ACCOMPLISH”
https://smart-union.org/news/gp-sellers-nothing-we-cant-accomplish/

Hillary Clinton, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and CP Rail in This Week's News Headlines

January 22, 2016 GO-001

SMART ENDORSES CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT
https://smart-union.org/news/smart-endorses-clinton-for-president/

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
http://utu.org/2016/01/15/in-honor-of-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/

PEB 249 REPORT – A WIN FOR SMART MEMBERS AND RAIL LABOR COALITION
https://smart-union.org/news/peb-249-report-a-win-for-smart-members-and-rail-labor-coalition/

Register now for SMART – TD Treasurers’ Workshop
http://utu.org/2016/01/18/register-now-for-smart-td-treasurers-workshop/

FRA: rail mergers would impact safety; SMART TD opposed to CP takeover of NS
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/article/FRA-rail-mergers-would-impact-safety-SMART-TD-opposed-to-CP-takeover-of-NS--47025?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

'Excessive fatigue' at CP an 'immediate threat' to rail safety: Transport Canada
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/cp-rail-safety-fatigue-1.3406045

Coal is losing political power. So why is Hillary Clinton proposing $30 billion to help coal communities?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/01/18/coal-is-losing-political-power-so-why-is-hillary-clinton-proposing-30-billion-to-help-coal-communities/?tid=sm_tw

SMART TD Takes Action and Rail Traffic Down in this Week's News Headlines

January 15, 2016 GO-001

SMART Transportation President John Previsich

SMART TD sends letter to STB opposing CP/NS merger
http://utu.org/2016/01/15/smart-td-sends-letter-to-stb-opposing-cpns-merger/

Rail unions petition FRA for uniform speed signs
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/labor/article/Rail-unions-petition-FRA-for-uniform-speed-signs--46988?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

NTSB unveils 2016 most wanted list
http://utu.org/2016/01/15/ntsb-unveils-2016-most-wanted-list/

Transportation chief backs Clinton
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/265378-transportation-chief-backs-clinton?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=transportation

Major coal mining company files for bankruptcy
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/265395-major-coal-mining-company-files-for-bankruptcy

Bank of America: Rail Traffic Is Saying Something Worrying About the U.S. Economy
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-11/bank-of-america-rail-traffic-is-saying-something-worrying-about-the-u-s-economy

Coal used to account for 20% of freight rail revenue. Now down to 13%
http://www.wsj.com/articles/csx-to-report-earnings-as-railroads-face-rough-ride-this-year-1452421983

Rail carloads down, intermodal business up in 2016's first week
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/Rail-carloads-down-intermodal-business-up-in-2016s-first-week--47005?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

This Weeks News Headlines

January 9, 2016 GO-001

SMART TD weighs in on CP’s NS takeover bid

http://utu.org/2016/01/08/smart-td-weighs-in-on-cps-ns-takeover-bid/

House Democrats urge rejection of CP bid for Norfolk Southern

http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKBN0UK29V20160106

Total U.S. rail traffic falls in 2015, but intermodal sets a record high

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/Total-US-rail-traffic-falls-in-2015-but-intermodal-sets-a-record-high--46904?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

BNSF Railway furloughs workers in Minnesota and North Dakota

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2015/12/31/bnsf-railway-layoffs-minnesota-north-dakota.html

WA State rep talks GPT, rail issues

http://www.thenorthernlight.com/2015/12/30/state-rep-talks-gpt-rail-issues/

Wisconsin DOT allocates $31 million for freight-rail projects

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/short_lines_regionals/article/Wisconsin-DOT-allocates-31-million-for-freightrail-projects--46883?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Wisconsin railroad commissioner abruptly resigns

http://www.channel3000.com/news/politics/wisconsin-railroad-commissioner-abruptly-resigns/37272734

News Headlines: December 30

December 30, 2015 GO-001

BUYOUT OFFER

As Flooding Continues, Missouri Asks Residents to Move to Safety

BNSF Transports Cargo from Largest Ship to Reach U.S. Coasts

Pataki Confirms End of Presidential Campaign

On New Year’s, 14 States Will #RaiseTheWage