NLC offers hazmat training for railroaders

The National Labor College will conduct regional hazardous materials training workshops for railroad workers at various locations throughout the United States in 2013. The first two workshops are five-day Hazardous Materials Chemical/Emergency Response Training Programs, that [...]

2012 safest year in railroad history

Last year was the safest year in the history of the railroad industry, based on performance measures tracked by the Federal Railroad Administration. For the fifth fiscal year in a row, the industry has improved on all six of the FRA’s official safety performance measures, inc [...]

Alternate Vice President Barrilleaux retires

Alternate International Vice President Larry Barrilleaux, 61, has retired, effective Jan. 15. A member of Local 1836 at New Orleans, Barrilleaux began his railroad career in 1973 as a switchman on Texas Pacific/Missouri Pacific Railroad in New Orleans, La. In 1975, he was ele [...]

OSHA, BNSF reach accord over whistleblowers

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has signed an accord with BNSF Railway Co. announcing BNSF’s voluntary revision of several personnel policies that OSHA alleged violated the whistleblower provisions of [...]

Labor Secretary Solis stepping down

The White House has confirmed today that Labor Secretary Hilda Solis will not return for President Barack Obama’s second term. Prior to her confirmation as Secretary of Labor, Solis served as a member of Congress, representing the 32nd Congressional District in Californ [...]

Rail random alcohol, drug test-rate static for 2013

Random alcohol and drug testing rates for railroad workers in safety sensitive positions will remain at the same rate during 2013 as 2012. The Federal Railroad Administration said that because the random alcohol testing violation rate has remained below 0.5 percent for the pa [...]

2012 a banner year for Amtrak

For Amtrak, Santa has been nice all year – if you forget the numerous and vicious attacks on Amtrak by outgoing House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica. As we look back on 2012, Mica’s attacks were primarily theater, for the benefit of his conse [...]