Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Rep. Eric Burlison introduces bill to overturn federal train crew staffing rule

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · 29d

A two person crew would have avoided the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster that vaporized 47 humans in 2013.
It is surprising how little it takes to buy a politician. Between 2024, Class 1s spent 24K on this dudes campaigns. At least that is what was reported.

Congressman Eric Burlison, who represents Missouri’s 7th district in the U.S. Congress, has introduced new legislation aimed at reversing a recent Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rule.

springfieldstandard.com

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · 29d

Rather than spending money to help clean up the toxins in East Palestine, the government surveilled the citizens asking for help.
Shameful.

Watchdog Group: EPA surveilled social media

EAST PALESTINE — Instead of looking out for the residents impacted by the 2023 train derailment, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) used resources to look into the social media movement...

www.vindy.com

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Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · 29d

#strikesolidarity
The engineers have not received a raise since April 16, 2022, BLET officials said. A contract dispute has been in National Mediation Board (NMB)-sponsored mediation since February 2024.

Rail News - BLET strike authorization vote underway at LIRR. For Railroad Career Professionals

Federal government to markedly increase number of inspectors trained to spot rail bridge concerns

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · 29d

USDOT will train 163 new inspectors.
There are only seven Federal Railroad Administration employees trained to assess bridges, although their primary responsibility is to review each railroad’s inspection plan to make sure they have a good plan in place and that won’t change.

The Transportation Department is going to train 163 track inspectors to dramatically increase the number of people who know how to spot critical problems with railroad bridges, but the railroads thems...

apnews.com

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · 29d

NTSB called on railroads to equip roadway maintenance machines with collision avoidance technology that can detect people or objects before a crash.
The Carriers will fight it- betcha a beer.

Rail News - NTSB calls for collision avoidance tech on rail maintenance vehicles. For Railroad Career Professionals

Take Action | Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · 29d

Even the lobbying arm of the rail industry supports RRB's request of $176.6million. The money comes from payroll taxes paid by the employers and employees, so why is Congress being stingy?
ble-t.org/take-action/...

ble-t.org

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · 29d

222.8km high-speed line from Shanghai to Hangzhou...foamers be foaming.
This is what happens when you spend money on infrastructure and not military.

More new lines approved in China

China's National Development and Reform Commission has approved the project to build a 222.8km high-speed line from Shanghai to Hangzhou.

www.railjournal.com

2

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · 29d

Chronic fatigue is an issue US railroaders face, too. Showing up in solidarity for our union brothers and sisters is the way forward for the working class struggle and our rights.
#workersolidarity

Hundreds expected to rally for train driver 'sacked without reason'

HUNDREDS are expected to rally today at a mass-picket for a train driver “sacked without reason,” after no less than 30 trade union general secretaries wrote to Hull Trains backing his union Aslef’s s...

morningstaronline.co.uk

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Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · Sep 6

"For Chicago-based state-supported routes, the load factor for the nine months ending in June 2025 rose to 48.3%, up from 42.9% over the same period the year prior."
Please send more train cars asap.

Chicago-based Amtrak trains are running out of seats | High Speed Rail Alliance

www.hsrail.org

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · Sep 2

"Neofascism (or “postfascism”) has emerged as an outgrowth of loosely entwined right-wing populist movements. In some cases, neofascism arose through a revolt against the impact of neoliberalism, and in other cases as revolt against the welfare state."

The Labor Movement Is in a Fight for Its Existence Against a Neofascist Threat

For unions to survive, they must embrace antifascism.

inthesetimes.com

The Fifth Circuit Ruled That the NLRB Is Unconstitutional

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · Sep 2

NLRB is unconstitutional??? Nothing like siding with multibillionaires....

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with SpaceX earlier this week, ruling that the National Labor Relations Board’s current structure is unconstitutional. The decision will keep the agency hamstr...

jacobin.com

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · Sep 2

Unionization varies widely by state—ranging from 3.0% in South Carolina to 25.5% in Hawaii. The report finds a range of benefits in the 17 states with the highest union density, including higher incomes, greater access to insurance, education, sick leave and fewer voting restrictions.

New report details the benefits of unions to workers, communities, and democracy

A new Economic Policy Institute report documents the strong correlation between higher levels of unionization and a range of economic, personal, and democratic well-being measures. In the same way uni...

www.epi.org

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · Sep 2

Labor unions are losing members left and right, but now we are getting contracts ripped out of workers hands. What can we do to stop the carnage on unions?

Opinion | Trump Is Wiping Out Unions. Why Are They So Quiet?

www.nytimes.com

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Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · Sep 2

Will see if he holds to it in a year or two after the others merge.

Buffett: Berkshire will not bid for CSX or Norfolk Southern - Trains

OMAHA, Neb. — BNSF Railway wants to date CSX — but has no interest in getting married. Five days after Union Pacific announced its $85 billion deal to acquire Norfolk Southern, Berkshire Hathaway Chai...

www.trains.com

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · Sep 2

Once upon a time, healthcare was covered by the carriers. Now some of us pay remarkable contributions to third party vendors for healthcare options. I wish we only paid $277- that is a steal.
I guess count our blessings we still have access to healthcare?
www.railwayage.com/freight/clas...

NCCC, BRS Reach Tentative National Agreement

The National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC) on Aug. 26 reported reaching a tentative national agreement with the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS).

www.railwayage.com

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · Sep 2

I guess we will see how this turns out.

thehill.com

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · Sep 2

A federal appeals court on Thursday revived a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit accusing BNSF Railway of allowing a severe and pervasive hostile work environment toward women in a western Nebraska railyard.

BNSF must face US EEOC lawsuit alleging hostility toward women at Nebraska railyard

A federal appeals court on Thursday revived a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit accusing BNSF Railway of allowing a severe and pervasive hostile work environment toward women in a western Nebraska railyard.

www.reuters.com

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · Sep 2

a new poll finds that 62% of registered voters in the state — and 80% of Democrats — support continuing to build the project, according to the U.S. High Speed Rail coalition.

Rail News - Coalition: Survey shows support for California high-speed rail. For Railroad Career Professionals

Transportation Department Quietly Disbands Advisory Committees

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · Sep 2

Transportation Trades Division, AFL-CIO (TTD), the largest transportation labor federation in the U.S., contends this blame is misplaced.

“You need to actually have meetings,” TTD president Greg Regan told the Prospect. “The agency has to set the agenda, call the meetings, and ask for input.”

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · Sep 2

"a DOT spokesperson claimed the panels 'are long overdue for a refresh,' adding they 'have lost sight of the mission' and are overrun with individuals whose sole focus is their radical DEI and climate agenda.”
#laughable
Transportation Trades Division, AFL-CIO (TTD),

Labor groups representing railroaders worry the move could muzzle frontline worker voices and make it easier for industry to shape regulation.

prospect.org

Rail News - Industry reacts to Trump's ouster of STB member Primus. For Railroad Career Professionals

Public Rail Now @publicrailnow.bsky.social · Sep 2

“This move will hinder the board’s ability to carry out its duties in a dispassionate and apolitical fashion—a task made all the more critical given the proposed mega-merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern," Mathews said.