General Chairman to Retire and New Hampshire Primary in This Week's News Headlines
NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY RESULTS
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/primaries/NH
Outsiders sweep to victory in New Hampshire
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/09/politics/new-hampshire-primary-highlights/
GENERAL CHAIRMAN RANDALL KNUTSON TO RETIRE IN MARCH
http://www.smartunion001.org/news/2016/2/5/general-chairman-randall-knutson-to-retire-in-march
Transportation sector loses 20K jobs in January
http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/268364-transportation-sector-loses-20000-jobs-in-january?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=transportation
The second golden age of American railroads is drawing to a close. Consolidation may follow
http://www.economist.com/news/business/21692867-second-golden-age-american-railroads-drawing-close-consolidation-may
UPS Opposes Rail Merger Between Norfolk Southern and Canadian Pacific
http://www.wsj.com/articles/ups-opposes-rail-merger-between-norfolk-southern-and-canadian-pacific-1455211891
RAILROAD RETIREMENT ANNUITIES NOT TAXABLE BY STATE
https://smart-union.org/news/railroad-retirement-annuities-not-taxable-by-state/
Nominate a Short Line/Regional Railroad of the Year
http://utu.org/2016/02/11/railway-age-nominate-a-short-lineregional-railroad-of-the-year/
Rail strike against NJ Transit gets blessing of union members
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/02/rail_strike_against_nj_transit_authorized_by_union_members.html
General Chairman Randall Knutson to Retire in March
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
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
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
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
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
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