Spoon River College (SRC) of Canton, Ill., Carl Sandburg College (CSC) of Galesburg, Ill. and BNSF has partnered together to offer a new Rail Transportation & Power System Technology Certificate. Students enrolled in the program will study circuits, hydraulics, welding, diesel tractor technology, engine systems, safety in the workplace and much more. Students will have [...]
Hackers set up accounts in names of BNSF workers
March 28, 2013
LINCOLN, Neb. — Hackers stole the identity of 18 local people — at least 17 of them current or past BNSF workers — and used their personal information to bilk an online company out of more than $11,000. Twelve Lincoln residents and six more who live in Lancaster County got bills from PayPal for hundreds [...]
Chicago Metra conductor assaulted, injured
October 23, 2012
An on-duty Chicago Metra conductor received medical attention following an assault during a botched robbery attempt at a west side passenger station Oct. 22. According to news reports, the conductor, whose identity was not released, was transported to a hospital with unspecified injuries. The alleged robber, who was said by witnesses to have displayed a [...]
NS: More than a hat trick or golden sombrero
August 10, 2012
In ice hockey, the scoring by one player of three goals is called a “hat trick.” In baseball, a player striking out four times in a single game is said to have earned a “golden sombrero.” Norfolk Southern’s feat is to have earned from OSHA a still unnamed fifth significant sanction in recent months for [...]
BNSF intimidation alleged to extend to witnesses
July 31, 2012
The UTU and the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA), along with two other rail labor organizations, have filed a complaint with the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), alleging BNSF has expanded its harassment and intimidation of injured workers to include the targeting of witnesses. In recent months, OSHA has imposed [...]
Rail fatality in N.D.; amputation in Missouri
May 29, 2012
During the month of May, one UTU member was killed in North Dakota in a rail switching accident, another was murdered on his bus route in Los Angeles, and another lost a foot in Missouri in a yard switching accident. On CP Rail (Soo Line) in Kenmare, N.D., conductor Robert J. Glasgow, 38 (UTU Local 887, [...]
BNSF rescinds rule following UTU, SMWIA complaint
March 31, 2012
After BNSF announced it would demand highly personal information from employees relating to off-duty medical procedures and issues, the UTU and the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA) asked the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to investigate. The proposed new carrier rule, said the UTU and SMWIA, is discriminatory and violates federal law by requiring [...]
UTU, SMWIA ask EEOC to probe BNSF medical policy
March 23, 2012
On behalf of members employed by BNSF, the UTU and the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA) have asked the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to investigate the railroad’s new medical reporting policy, which the organizations say is discriminatory and violates federal law by requiring workers to provide highly personal medical information. BNSF is demanding [...]
UP lone “revenue adequate” railroad for 2010
November 4, 2011
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Surface Transportation Board has determined that only one major railroad – Union Pacific – was “revenue adequate” in calendar year 2010. A railroad is considered “revenue adequate” if it achieves a rate of return on net investment equal to at least the current cost of capital for the railroad industry. Revenue [...]
