George K. Strickland, the former director of public relations for UTU Canada, died April 14. He was 91.
Strickland served with Royal Canadian Mounted Police before hiring out with Canadian Pacific Railway. He later worked as a UTUIA field supervisor prior to becoming the Canadian director of public relations.
A member of Local 483 at Toronto, Ont., Strickland was a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of the Tunis Temple Shriners and Worl War II veteran.
He is survived by children Jim, Bob and Cathy, and was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen.
Author: paul
Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific reported April 24 first-quarter net income of C$217 million, up from C$142 million in the first quarter of 2012, a 51 percent improvement in earnings per share.
First-quarter revenue of roughly C$1.5 billion was up 9 percent, setting “a quarterly record,” the company said. CP’s operating ratio was 75.8%, a 430 basis point improvement and also a quarterly record, the company said.
“CP delivered the best first quarter results in its history despite challenging winter conditions,” said CP CEO E. Hunter Harrison. “This is a true testament to the determination and perseverance of our outstanding team of railroaders. There remains a lot of work to do as we continue to make significant changes to our operating model. With a very strong start to the year and momentum quickly building, I am now even more confident that we are on pace toward the best year-end financial and operating performance in CP’s history.”
Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern reported a 10 percent improvement in first-quarter profit April 23 as an increase in shipping volume and a land sale offset continued weak coal demand.
The Norfolk, Va.,-based railroad said it generated $450 million net income, or $1.41 per share, on $2.74 billion revenue. That’s up from $410 million, or $1.23 per share, a year ago.
Revenue was relatively flat compared to last year’s $2.79 billion. Intermodal revenue improved by 9 percent and revenue from all other shipments improved 2 percent to nearly offset coal’s decline. The first-quarter railway operating ratio was 74.8 percent.
Operating ratio is a railroad’s operating expenses expressed as a percentage of operating revenue, and is considered by economists to be the basic measure of carrier profitability. The lower the operating ratio, the more efficient the railroad.
“Coal continues to be the wild card in our business outlook, although we do see some signs of stability,” CEO Wick Moorman said.
Norfolk Southern operates about 20,000 miles of track in 22 states and the District of Columbia.
Canadian National
Canadian National Railway Co. earnings declined less than analysts estimated in the first quarter as cargo growth blunted the impact of higher operating costs.
Earnings were curbed by an increase in operating costs such as fuel, labor and snow removal, as the winter brought extreme cold and more precipitation than normal in western Canada.
The results however increased 3 percent from the adjusted earnings of C$1.18 ($1.17) in the year-ago quarter. Revenues increased 5 percent year over year to C$2,466 million (approximately $2,447 million), which was attributed to improved performance across most of Canadian National’s commodity segments.
On a year-over-year basis, revenues increased 17 percent for Petroleum and Chemicals, 7 percent for Intermodal, 3 percent for Metals and Minerals, 2 percent for Forest Products, 2 percent for Automotive and 1 percent for Grain and Fertilizers. Coal business witnessed a drop of 1 percent.
Operating ratio (defined as operating expenses as a percentage of revenue) was 68.4 percent.
Union Pacific
Union Pacific reported a profit of $957 million April 18 for the first quarter, up 11 percent from $863 million a year earlier. It also reported that revenue increased 3.5 percent to $5.29 billion.
Both earnings and revenue were higher for the first quarter, despite weaker shipments of coal and agricultural products. Coal shipments declined 6 percent and agricultural shipments dropped 9 percent. Chemicals and automotive volume rose 14 percent and 13 percent, respectively.
Chief Executive Jack Koraleski said much uncertainty remains in the year ahead, but the company’s “diverse franchise supports our continued focus on profitable growth and business development opportunities.”
The company’s operating ratio of 69.1 percent improved 1.4 points.
UP, which is based in Omaha, Neb., reported a profit of $957 million, or $2.03 a share, up 11% from $863 million, or $1.79 a share, a year earlier. Revenue increased 3.5 percent to $5.29 billion.
Kansas City Southern
Kansas City Southern beat analysts’ expectations with a 39 percent rise in quarterly profit, as strong automotive and cross-border intermodal shipments offset declines in grain volumes.
Intermodal shipment revenue rose about 15 percent to $79.8 million, while revenue from shipment of autos rose 31 percent to $49.1 million. Cross-border intermodal revenue rose 71 percent. Revenue from agriculture and minerals business fell about 28 percent.
KCS reported a first quarter 2013 operating ratio of 70.5 percent, a 0.7 point improvement from first quarter 2012
“We believe that if harvest levels return to normal in the fall, the KCS grain revenues should rebound later in 2013,” Chief Executive Officer David Starling said.
CSX
CSX said coal revenue fell by 13 percent to $726 million in the quarter as it delivered less to utilities. But exports of metallurgical coal, used in steel making, rose to 7 million tons over last year’s 6.3 million tons. The company’s first-quarter profit rose 2 percent.
The Jacksonville, Fla.-based railroad on April 16 reported $459 million net income, or 45 cents per share, on $2.96 billion in revenue, which beat Wall Street’s expectations and topped last year’s $449 million profit.
CSX’s operating ratio improved to 70.4 percent in the first quarter from 71.1 percent a year earlier.
“We are prepared for the economy to accelerate and have great confidence in the long-term outlook for the business,” said CSX chairman, president and CEO Michael J. Ward.
CSX operates some 21,000 route miles in 23 states and the District of Columbia.
Feds delay policy to allow small knives on planes
WASHINGTON – Airline passengers will have to leave their knives at home after all. And their bats and golf clubs.
A policy change scheduled to go into effect this week that would have allowed passengers to carry small knives, bats and other sports equipment onto airliners will be delayed, federal officials said April 22.
Read the full story at the Associated Press.
Canadian police and intelligence agencies said Monday that they’ve thwarted an Al Qaeda-supported plot that aimed to blow up a passenger rail line, with some news accounts suggesting that the target was train service connecting Toronto and New York City.
Amtrak, which operates a train line between the two cities, issued a statement saying it was “aware” of the investigation. Amtrak President & CEO Joe Boardman said later on Facebook that the alleged plot didn’t pose an “imminent threat to Amtrak passengers, employees or the general public.”
Read the full story at Politico.
Yet another packet of right-to-work bills has made an appearance, this time in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania legislators drafted House Bills 50, 51, 52 and 53 to become a “Right-to-Work” state.
Ten different unions marched in downtown Chambersburg, Pa., in protest of the bill over the weekend. If passed, the bills would allow non-union members the same benefits that dues-paying members receive, such as higher wages and benefits and union representation.
House Bill 50, sponsored by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, seeks to end union membership or dues payment by non-members as a condition of employment.
House Bill 51, sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp, seeks to prohibit unions from collecting dues from non-union public school employees.
House Bill 52, sponsored by Rep. Fred Keller, would prohibit unions from collecting dues from non-union state employees.
House Bill 53, sponsored by Rep. Jim Cox, seeks to prohibit unions from collecting dues from non-union local government employees. Rep. Stephen Bloom is also proposing House Bill 250, that would repeal a state law known as “maintenance of membership.” The bill would essentially allow dissatisfied union members to quit their union at any time, as opposed to a current 15-day window toward the end of contracts. Rep. Jerry Knowles also seeks to pass an umbrella bill that would prevent union membership from being a condition of employment in the private sector.
Metcalfe has introduced this union-busting legislation in every session over the past 14 years. This year is viewed as different, because Republicans control both the House and Senate of the Pennsylvania Legislature, as well as the governor’s seat.
Legislators in favor of the bill hope to introduce it to the House speaker soon.
Two ethanol safety seminars are being held in Ohio this week hosted by The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway.
The first safety seminar will be held Wednesday, April 24, at the American Red Cross in Akron, Ohio, and the second is to be held in Canton, Ohio, at the auditorium of the Canton Township Training Center on Thursday, April 25. Both seminars are free and have two sessions. The first session is from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and the second is from 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. on each day. The seminar is free and a meal will be provided at each session due to a grant received from the Federal Railroad Administration.
Attendees will receive information on ethanol safety and what to do in case of an accident involving ethanol. The seminar focuses on transportation and transfer of ethanol-blended fuels, storage and dispensing locations, firefighting foam principles, health and safety considerations for ethanol-blended emergencies and tank farm and bulk storage fire incidents.
The RFA will be co-hosting Ethanol Safety Seminars throughout 2013. Scheduled seminar locations and dates are Troy, Mich., (May 9, 2013); Grand Island, Neb., (June 12, 2013); Columbus, Neb., (June 13, 2013); Salem, Ore., (June 18 & 19, 2013); and a statewide tour of California throughout July.
Those interested in attending a free seminar should register at www.rfa.traincaster.com. More information on ethanol emergency response can be found at www.ethanolresponse.com, or by calling (402) 391-1930.
The SMART Transportation Division (UTU) general committee of adjustment representing conductors and assistant conductors employed by Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has reached a tentative contract with the commuter railroad.
The agreement calls for wage increases totaling 11.5 percent over the five-year life of the contract that are similar to increases the carrier agreed to with the Transport Workers Union in 2009. TWU represents bus and subway operators and mechanics employed by SEPTA.
Approximately 390 conductors and assistant conductors are represented by SMART Transportation Division (UTU) Local 61 in Philadelphia.
Local 61 Treasurer Elliott D. Cintron said contract ballots, which have been mailed to all affected members, will be tabulated after April 24.
The tentative agreement must also be approved by SEPTA board members.
Amtrak employees represented by the SMART Transportation Division (UTU) have ratified a five-year agreement with management of the National Railroad Passenger Corp. (Amtrak).
The new pact covers approximately 2,300 members employed as conductors, assistant conductors, yardmasters and dining car stewards.
The agreement is retroactive to 2010 and the new rates of pay should become effective within 30 to 45 days. Payment of retroactive wages will be made approximately 60 days after the wage rates take effect.
“The membership recognized the value of the proposed contract and in ratifying the agreement have secured the wages and benefits that were hard-fought and hard-won by the negotiating team,” said SMART Transportation Division Assistant President John Previsich.
With the assistance of Previsich, the contract negotiations were conducted by Amtrak General Chairpersons Dirk Sampson (GO 769), Bill Beebe (GO 663) and Robert J. Keeley (GO 342).
“I must thank President Mike Futhey and Assistant President John Previsich, whose efforts made this agreement possible,” Sampson said. “Despite moments of uncertainty that existed, their leadership, patience and confident demeanor kept this very long and difficult round of negotiations moving forward. I would also like to recognize the efforts of General Chairperson Bill Beebe, Vice General Chairperson Charlie Yura and Local 1361 Chairperson Gary J. Hopson for their assistance in bringing these negotiations to a conclusion.”
Chairperson Robert Keeley added, “I would also like to thank the aforementioned, along with General Committee Secretary Charles Fowler, Vice General Chairperson Salvador Ruiz, Local Chairpersons Keenan Lett and James Madden, and Brother Cleophas Brickhouse,” Keeley said. “Solidarity has always been a fragile thing, fraught with complex and difficult commitments. Real solidarity is an easier statement to make than it is to keep and put into practice. We walked into negotiations together, and we found success together. I want to be sure to thank all involved for demonstrating union solidarity at its very best.”
The agreement was passed by nearly 60 percent of eligible train-service members that voted and by 86 percent of eligible yardmasters that voted.
Local 30, Jacksonville, Fla.
Two Amtrak conductors were recognized by the carrier’s Southern Division News after their actions resulted in the arrest of a New York murder suspect, Secretary & Treasurer David K. Lee reports. Bruce Brown and Jeremy Lindstam contacted Amtrak Police Det. Steve Chambers after a passenger reported to them a conversation overheard by the suspect in Spanish in which he supposedly discussed the murder. Brown was able to identify the suspect using his e-ticketing mobile device after the suspect approached him regarding the train’s arrival time. He was later arrested by U.S. marshals. “It was shocking that someone like that was on the train, but I was glad we were able to help apprehend him,” Brown said.
Local 196, Beardstown, Ill.
Local Chairperson Robert C. Taylor reports that Richard Whiteman, 64, is retiring after 10 years of service. “Rich started out kind of late on the railroad, but we all wish him the very best in his retirement,” Taylor said.
Local 199, Creston, Iowa
This BNSF Railway local, in December, held a retirement party for numerous members and former members who retired in 2012, Local Chairperson Billi Vavra reports. In other news, Vavra also noted the deaths of former retired Local President Dale Weeds and retired member Edwin Roberts.
Pictured at the 2012 retirement party, from left, are Dennis C. Gross, Vic Sloan, Bob Culberson,
Roger Jackson, Bruce Brown, Bob “Nummy” Williams (back), Keith Hoepker (front), Mark Bacon,
Rich Springer (back), Keith Moore (front), Butch Penno, Jim Mason, Rick Van Pelt, Randy Goodrich (back),
Mark Hayes (front) and Roger Fry.
Local 498, Allentown, Pa.
This CSX local has established a website at www.utusmart498.org, webmaster and Vice Local Chairperson Joanna Sedler reports. Areas on the site include News & Topics, Penalty & Claim Q&A and Safety Concerns, as well as the local’s monthly meeting schedule. Members should contact a board member to access the site’s password-protected area.
Local 594, Mineola, Texas
At a joint meeting of Locals 439, 594 and 976 March 4 in Longview, Texas, International Vice President Troy Johnson and GO 927 General Chairperson Steve Simpson presented engineer and Local Chairperson Ronnie Burris with a pin commemorating 40 years of active rail service.
Local 607, Thayer, Mo.
Vice Local Chairperson Fred Komm, center, and Local Chairperson Doug Cozort present a check
in the amount of $500 Feb. 13 to radio station KKountry 95 (KAMS) Manager Lynn Hobbs
during the station’s annual radiothon in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.Local President Chris Skaggs said the local has supported the hospital through the radio station for the past five years.
Local 662, Richmond, Va.
Former Secretary & Treasurer Jimmy Galbraith reports that Sam and Steve’s House of Beef, located at 10753 Jefferson Ave. in Newport News, was chosen as the local’s new meeting location during odd-numbered months. A 6 p.m. social hour will precede the 7 p.m. meetings. Meetings during even-numbered months will remain at Carini Italian Restaurant, located at 3718 Williamsburg Rd. in Richmond, at the times above. Following adoption of new bylaws separating the offices of local secretary and treasurer, the local will be holding a special election to fill the local secretary position. In other “good news for our members,” Galbraith said that CSX announced many furloughed trainmen will be called back to work by the end of the second quarter, 2013.
Local 1557, Memphis, Tenn.
Ronald Dunn, 42, lost his foot in a switching accident early Feb. 28 at the Canadian National/Illinois Central’s Johnson Yard in Memphis, Tenn. Dunn, who had a UTU seniority date of less than one year, has been in therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Saint Louis.
Local 1957, Silsbee, Texas
State Legislative Director Connie English presents a plaque to Local Legislative Rep. Roy McLeod
and members of this BNSF Railway local for their outstanding PAC contributions per person.
“Roy and Vice Local Chairperson Jeremy McCart have worked hard signing up the local’s membership in
Beaumont, Lafayette, Conroe and Longview for contributions to our PAC,” said Secretary & Treasurer Steve Soffes. Pictured, from left, are Local Chairperson James “Mike” Wilson, April Blaze, McLeod, English,
Gerald Maze, Sean Gaffney, Mario Gobert Sr. and Soffes (seated).
CSX GO 347
This general committee of adjustment has established a website for CSX yardmasters and for a number of short line railroads that fall under the committee’s jurisdiction, webmaster Steve Cline reports. The site can be found at www.go347.org and contains news, officer contact information, agreements, claim forms and other information.
Long Island Rail Road GO 505
The UTU’s Long Island Rail Road General Committee of Adjustment is hosting its annual golf classic May 13 to benefit families on Long Island affected by autism. The gold classic will tee off at 9:30 a.m. at the Hamlet Wind Watch Golf & Country Club in Hauppauge, N.Y., and GO 505 is seeking both sponsors and participants for the event. The cost for participation in the tournament is $225 per person, which includes breakfast, 18 holes of golf with cart, drinks, snacks, cocktails and buffet dinner with dessert. A registration form for participants and sponsors can be found at www.utulocal645.com by clicking on the Social Events tab. For more information, contact GO 505 Vice General Chairperson Vinnie Tessitore at (631) 661-3500.
WASHINGTON — Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) and ranking member Nick J. Rahall II (D-W. Va.) April 16 announced the members of a special panel tasked with examining the current state of freight transportation in the United States and how improving freight transportation can strengthen the U.S. economy.
The full committee’s Vice Chairman, Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. (R-Tenn.), will chair the “Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation.” Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) will serve as the panel’s ranking member. By the rules of the committee adopted at the beginning of the Congress, the special panel will serve for a period of six months, beginning with its first scheduled hearing on April 24, 2013.
The Republican members of the panel are: John J. Duncan Jr., Tenn., chairman; Gary Miller, Calif.; Rick Crawford, Ark.; Richard Hanna, N.Y.; Daniel Webster, Fla.; and Markwayne Mullin, Okla.
The Democratic members of the panel are: Jerrold Nadler, N.Y., ranking member; Corrine Brown, Fla.; Daniel Lipinski, Ill.; Albio Sires, N.J. and Janice Hahn, Calif.
“Given that freight transportation cuts across many modes, this panel will play a critical role in providing recommendations on how to improve the efficient movement of goods between highways, ports, inland waterways, railroads, air carriers, and pipelines,” said Chairman Shuster. “I am confident Chairman Duncan and the members of the panel will provide the committee with valuable insights for the improvement of freight transportation and our nation’s economy.”
“Almost all manner of goods sold or produced in this country take a ride on our rails, pass through our ports, wind down our waterways, or travel our highways,” said ranking member Rahall. “The smooth movement of cargo across all these modes of transportation is essential in keeping our economy moving which is why this panel’s task of improving the efficiency of our interconnected freight network takes on such importance.”
“In the past, the conversation about freight transportation and goods movement has focused only on one specific mode of transportation or another,” said Rep. Duncan, the new panel’s chairman. “But freight doesn’t move just by ship, or by rail car, or by truck. Chances are the goods you buy at the store got on the shelves thanks to all those methods of transportation. Bottlenecks during any leg of that journey from the manufacturer to the market drive up costs. That’s why improving the flow of freight across all modes of transportation is so critical to a healthy economy.”
“The movement of freight is one of the most critical transportation questions for the 21st century,” said Rep. Nadler. “How we prioritize, invest, and develop freight infrastructure will have considerable bearing on how our economy grows, how we compete on the world stage, and how we create a sustainable and environmentally clean future at home. I look forward to working with Chairman Duncan and my other colleagues on this important panel to give freight movement the attention it deserves.”