ONE UNION, ONE WEBSITE IN THIS WEEK'S NEWS HEADLINES
UTU.ORG PREPARING FOR MOVE TO SMART-UNION.ORG/TD
https://smart-union.org/news/utu-org-preparing-move-smart-union-orgtd/
MEMBER, FORMER MEMBERS, DIED IN JUNE 28 BNSF CRASH
https://smart-union.org/news/member-former-members-died-june-28-bnsf-crash/
Long-Term Disability open enrollment begins August 1
http://utu.org/2016/07/01/long-term-disability-open-enrollment-begins-august-1/
UTU-PAC contributes to qualified state and national political candidates, regardless of party affiliation.
https://smart-union.org/td/washington/utu-pac/
Should the FRA withdraw its proposed rule that calls for two-person crews?
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/poll/details/Should-the-FRA-withdraw-its-proposed-rule-that-calls-for-two-person-crews--48703
U.S. rail traffic rose in Week 26, but data excluded holiday impact
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/US-rail-traffic-rose-in-Week-26-but-data-excluded-holiday-impact--48744?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
U.S. rail traffic fell 6.3 percent in June
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/US-rail-traffic-fell-63-percent-in-June--48734?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Schumer wants oil companies to stabilize volatile crude before shipping
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/article/Schumer-wants-oil-companies-to-stabilize-volatile-crude-before-shipping--48712?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Tragedy in Texas in this week's news headlines
BNSF freight trains collide near Amarillo, Texas
http://utu.org/2016/06/28/bnsf-freight-trains-collide-near-amarillo-texas/
Texas Rail Crash: Remains of 2 Workers Found, 1 Missing
http://abcnews.go.com/US/railroad-employees-presumed-dead-fiery-train-crash-official/story?id=40218261
BNSF Railway provides update on collision in Panhandle, Texas
http://www.bnsfmedia.com/go/doc/7090/2859690/#sthash.M0as1tBO.dpuf
U.S. rail traffic down 3.9 percent in week No. 25
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/US-rail-traffic-down-39-percent-in-week-No-25--48669?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Members make all the difference!
http://utu.org/2016/06/28/members-make-all-the-difference/
HAVE A UNION MADE FOURTH OF JULY
https://smart-union.org/news/union-made-fourth-july/
SMART TD MOBILE APP FOR YEAR-ROUND USE!
https://smart-union.org/news/smart-td-mobile-app-year-round-use/
Two-Person Crews & a Grain Gain in This Week's News Headlines
Contact your Reps. about two-person crew legislation
http://utu.org/2016/06/24/contact-your-reps-about-two-person-crew-legislation/
Grain gain helps offset coal and crude crash
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/freight/class-i/grain-gain-helps-offset-coal-and-crude-crash.html?channel=50
Jason Seidl: A look ahead to the second quarter
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/management/jason-seidl-a-look-ahead-to-the-second-quarter.html?channel=44
U.S. rail traffic decline drags on
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/US-rail-traffic-decline-drags-on--48609?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
STB: Class I employment continued slide in mid-May
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/class_is/article/STB-Class-I-employment-continued-slide-in-midMay--48598?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
The Fight for 2 Person Crews Continues as FRA Comment Period Comes to an End
SMART TD, BLET: Federal regulators must prohibit one-person freight train crews
http://utu.org/2016/06/16/smart-td-blet-press-release-federal-regulators-must-prohibit-one-person-freight-train-crews/
SMART TD, BLET submit joint comments on FRA proposed two-person crew rule
http://utu.org/2016/06/15/smart-td-blet-submit-joint-comments-on-fra-proposed-two-person-crew-rule/
AAR files with FRA in opposition to two-person crews
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/regulatory/aar-files-comments-urging-fra-to-withdraw-proposed-rule-mandating-two-person-train-crews.html?channel=40
AAR and ASLRRA to FRA: Withdraw proposal to mandate two-person crews
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/labor/article/AAR-and-ASLRRA-to-FRA-Withdraw-proposal-to-mandate-twoperson-crews--48551?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
OUR GOVERNMENT MUST CLOSE THE DOOR ON ONE-PERSON FREIGHT TRAIN CREW OPERATIONS
http://ttd.org/news-and-media/press-releases/our-government-must-close-the-door-on-one-person-freight-train-crew-operations/
BNSF Region and Division Consolidation
Last month BNSF executed a plan to eliminate 62 management positions and consolidate its operational organization from three regions down to two. BNSF claims the changes were made in response to “a reduction in coal traffic as well as ‘significant capital investments’ made to increase efficiency and safety.” SMART GO-001 does not endorse these region and division consolidations but wants the members to be informed and aware of any changes that may impact them.
The Transportation Organization will now operate under the North and South regions with each region having 5 divisions. Some divisions are unchanged, while others have been consolidated or realigned based on “natural operational synergies between subdivisions or territories.”
The North Region is now made up of the Heartland, Powder River, Twin Cities, Montana and Northwest divisions. The new Heartland Division, headquartered in Lincoln, Neb, is a result of joining the former Nebraska and Springfield divisions. The Heartland Division will incorporate the trackage rights north of Little Rock and Pine Bluff from the former Gulf Division. The Ottumwa, Sioux City, Ravenna and Hastings subs, previously with the former Nebraska Division, are being consolidated to other divisions.
The Powder River headquarters has moved from Gillette, Wyo to Denver, Colo and is incorporating the Ravenna and Hastings subs from the former Nebraska Division. The Twin Cities Division will incorporate the Sioux City sub from the former Nebraska Division and the Montana and Northwest divisions are unchanged.
The South Region will consist of the Red River, Kansas, Chicago, California and Southwest divisions. The new Red River Division, headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, is a result of joining the former Gulf and Texas divisions. The Red River Division also incorporates the Plainview and Slaton subs from the Kansas Division and the Tulsa Terminal and Avard sub from the former Springfield Division.
The Kansas Division takes Boise City, Dalhart and Twin Peaks subs from the Powder River Division. The new Chicago Division brings in the Beardstown sub from the former Springfield Division and the Ottumwa sub, including the Creston Terminal, from the former Nebraska Division. There are no changes to the California and Southwest divisions.
Keep up with all GO-001 news and updates on the web at www.smartunion001.org.
Comments on 2 Person Crews and UP Oil Train Derailment in This Week's News Headlines
JUNE 15 DEADLINE FOR FRA COMMENTS ON 2-PERSON CREW
https://smart-union.org/news/rail-members-comments-2-person-crews-needed/
UP oil train derails and catches fire in Oregon
http://utu.org/2016/06/03/up-oil-train-derails-and-catches-fire-in-oregon/
Oil train derails near Mosier in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2016/06/oil_train_derails_near_hood_ri.html
Rail fastener may have caused UP train derailment, report says
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/union_pacific/article/Rail-fastener-may-have-caused-UP-train-derailment-report-says--48484?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Tank cars involved in UP derailment met new standards
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/union_pacific/article/Tank-cars-involved-in-UP-derailment-met-new-standards--48448?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Oregon senators call for oil-by-rail reforms after train derailment
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/282522-oregon-senators-call-for-oil-by-rail-safety-reforms-after-train#.V1l14Gylvec.twitter
Oil train rules move to White House review
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/282692-oil-train-rules-move-to-white-house-review
Feds to test railroad workers for drugs, alcohol
http://thehill.com/regulation/transportation/282376-feds-to-test-railroad-workers-for-drugs-alcohol
AAR: U.S. rail traffic drops 17.3 percent in week 22
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/AAR-US-rail-traffic-drops-173-percent-in-week-22--48499?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
A GLIMMER OF HOPE FOR RAIL TRAFFIC IN THIS WEEKS NEWS HEADLINES
U.S. rail traffic up 1.9 percent during week of May 28
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/US-rail-traffic-up-19-percent-during-week-of-May-28--48436?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Democratic insiders to Bernie: Win California or get out
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/democratic-insiders-to-bernie-win-california-or-get-out-223850#ixzz4AXEbZBbW
Sleep apnea focus won’t solve fatigue issue – says SMART TD Assistant Legislative Director
http://utu.org/2016/06/01/sleep-apnea-focus-wont-solve-fatigue-issue-says-smart-td-legislative-director/
Sleep apnea a tough problem for government, transportation industry
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-sleep-apnea-getting-around-20160529-story.html
Needless radio communications are too distracting, union leader says
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/news/Needless-radio-communications-are-too-distracting-union-leader-says--48420
SMART TD contests radio distractions to FRA
http://utu.org/2016/05/27/smart-td-contests-radio-distractions-to-fra/
BNSF trims management, realigns operations
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/bnsf_railway/news/BNSF-trims-management-realigns-operations--48405
Feds require new safeguards for railroad employees
http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/281568-feds-require-new-safeguards-for-railroad-employees
New FRA rules strengthen protections for MOW workers, expands drug & alcohol testing
http://utu.org/2016/05/31/new-fra-rules-strengthen-protections-for-mow-workers-expands-drug-alcohol-testing/
U.S. rail traffic falls 6.8 percent in May
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/article/US-rail-traffic-falls-68-percent-in-May--48423?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter