SMART-TD union asks Congress to let negotiations play out as strike deadline looms (updated)

Man climbing on front steps of orange locomotive

WASHINGTON – Congress should let rail labor contract negotiations play out until a deal acceptable to the rank and file is reached, the SMART-TD union told congressional leaders today. If a contract based solely on the recommendations of the Presidential Emergency Board were presented to union members, it would fail by more than a 3-to-1 […]

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Shippers ratchet up warnings about impact of potential rail strike

Man throwing switch as train with blue and yellow locomotive waits

WASHINGTON – The National Industrial Transportation League, the largest and oldest group of rail shippers, has asked congressional leaders to prevent a railroad strike or lockout that could begin as early as 12:01 a.m. on Friday. Meanwhile, the Class I railroads today reached a tentative agreement with the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers, SEIU, […]

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Chicago suburbs focus on safety in attacking CP-KCS environmental report

Man speaking at microphone next to graphic on easel

ITASCA, Ill. — Given the location of the event —in the heart of the cluster of Chicago suburbs who have organized to fight the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger — it is little surprise that Monday’s public meeting on the merger’s draft Environmental Impact Statement was a prolonged attack on that report, and on the […]

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KCS, CP launch ‘Monarch Express’ campaign in Ontario

Dark green boxcar with picture of butterfly near one end

WINDSOR, Ontario – Hundreds gathered here in a festive atmosphere for the ceremonial start of the Monarch Express, a joint initiative by Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific to help save the Monarch butterfly. A gleaming new dark green boxcar, with a colorful Monarch painted on one side and the slogan “Save the Monarch, Join […]

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Opponents’ group set to testify at Chicago-area meeting on CP-KCS merger

Commuter train passes though town with multistory apartment building next to tracks

ITASCA, Ill. — A group of Chicago suburbs seeking more than $9 billion to mitigate impacts of the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger says it will present new testimony showing potential adverse effects at a public meeting tonight on the Surface Transportation Board’s Draft Environmental Impact Study on the merger. The meeting, the first of […]

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Railroads begin embargoes on hazardous materials in preparation for possible work stoppage (updated)

Black locomotives pulling tank cars

Railroads have begun preparations to secure what they call “hazardous and security-sensitive materials” to make sure no such cargo is left on a train left unattended or unsecured in the event of a work stoppage, the Association of American Railroads, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, and BNSF Railway all said in news releases or messages to […]

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CP reaches agreement with another Iowa town on funding to address merger impacts

Train with red locomotives passes through small town

LeCLAIRE, Iowa — Another eastern Iowa community has approved an agreement with Canadian Pacific over the railroad’s planned merger with Kansas City Southern, while a city which rejected an earlier offer is now on record opposing the merger. KWQC-TV reports that LeClaire, Iowa, will receive $750,000 to address impacts of the merger under an agreement […]

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Federal regulators say five of seven Class I railroads were ‘revenue adequate’ last year

Surface Transportation Board logo

WASHINGTON — Five of the seven Class I railroads operating in the U.S. were revenue adequate in 2021, the Surface Transportation Board said on Tuesday. Being revenue adequate means a railroads achieved a rate of return equal to or greater than the board’s calculation of the average cost of capital to the freight rail industry. […]

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STB extends deadline for environmental comments on CP-KCS merger

Red locomotive leads train past passenger station

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has extended the deadline for environmental comments on the proposed Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger. The comment period now will run through Oct. 14 instead of Sept. 26, the STB announced on Tuesday. The STB said no further extensions would be permitted. The board granted the extension to allow […]

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Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express returns to operation in 2022

Flatcar decorated to look like steam locomotive, covered with holiday lights

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After being sidelined for two years by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas City Southern’s six-car Holiday Express train will run again this year, making stops in 20 communities in eight states in a tour beginning Nov. 23. At each stop, families have the chance to board the train, tour the interior of […]

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Effort in Iowa attempts to mobilize opponents to CP-KCS merger

Train of tank cars curves under bridge in rainstorm

DAVENPORT, Iowa — While three of the affected cities have already reached agreement with the railroad, an Iowa group is trying to organize opposition to Canadian Pacific’s merger with Kansas City Southern over the projected impact on community’s along the CP route following the Mississippi River. KWQC-TV reports a Tuesday press conference organized by the […]

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And the survey says: Rail workers overwhelmingly unhappy with contract recommendations and support a strike

RENO, Nev. – Rank-and-file members of railroad labor unions are disappointed with the Presidential Emergency Board’s contract recommendations and overwhelmingly support a strike, according to an online survey conducted by Railroad Workers United. Nearly 83% of those surveyed said the PEB’s recommendations fell short of their expectations. Nearly 8% expressed neutral sentiments, while the remaining […]

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