Rail Strike Possible
One major railroad union ratified a tentative labor agreement with the Class I railroads and other rejected it. Out of the dozen rail unions, eight are in favor of the contract and four are not. A strike could happen as…
Articles tagged under: rail
Rail Unions to Announce Ratification Vote
An announcement is expected today from two on the largest railroad unions in the United States. These unions could agree to accept a tentative contract that was brokered in September or reject it and call for a strike. Three other…
Rail Strike Would be Costly
The Association of American Railroads is estimating a national rail strike would have a $2 billion daily economic impact. Five unions have reached an agreement with the major railroads, but another eight unions are still negotiating. If a deal is…
New Surface Transportation Board Legislation Introduced
House Agriculture and Transportation Committee leadership introduced legislation to reauthorize the Surface Transportation Board. The bill requires rail contracts to include service delivery standards and remedies. The bill also provides the Surface Transportation Board with clear direction to resolve common…
Rail Shipments Fall Behind ’21 Pace
The Association of American Railroads says in mid-May, intermodal rail volume was down 5.5 percent and freight volume were down 5.2 percent from one year ago. In its weekly report, association said total rail volume was down 4.2 percent marking…
MN Rail Projects Funded
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has funded eight freight rail projects, totaling $6.5 million. The projects include $1.87 million for a new loadout building and a new track connect at the ADM plant in Marshall, $1.2 million to modernize the…
Rail Disruptions Have Significant Implications for Agriculture
At the Surface Transportation Board hearing on Tuesday, USDA Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh referenced the Union Pacific delays in moving fertilizer, saying fertilizer and ag commodities should be a priority in the spring. "Especially as we now enter the growing…
What’s Included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
The $1.2 trillion infrastructure package designates $110 billion for roads and bridges with $66 billion for rail improvements. There’s $65 billion included for high-speed internet investments. For agriculture, there's funding included for a biobased pilot program and updates to the…
Executive Order Includes Rail Sector
The White House executive order calls for increased competition on rail routes. Competitive switching would allow shippers to request bids from a competing railroad. This rule change would also give shippers a new option to challenge rail rates.
Logistical Challenges Moving Crop to the PNW
Due to strong domestic and export demand, grain shippers are facing railroad delays to the Pacific Northwest. National Grain and Feed Association President and CEO Randall Gordon says railroad companies idled crews and locomotive power during the height of the…
