Rail: Page 6

  • In an aerial view, a freight rail car (C) passes near shipping containers on November 22, 2022 in Wilmington, California.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Top disruptions that shook supply chains in 2022

    Geopolitical conflicts, strike threats and weather-related disasters forced businesses to yet again adjust operations.

    By • Dec. 21, 2022
  • A silver train carrying stacks of containers is seen at sunrise.
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    Luke Sharrett via Getty Images
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    Rail regulators streamline process for shippers to challenge unreasonable rates

    The Surface Transportation Board will decide a final rate in small disputes unless all seven Class I carriers agree to opt into a voluntary arbitration program.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 20, 2022
  • Shipping containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles on February 7, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Explore the Trendlineâž”
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Supply Chain Dive

    Here’s how companies are navigating rising costs, network changes and logistics disruptions across global supply chain networks.

    By Supply Chain Dive staff
  • A man in a hardhat drives in a small utility vehicle with a yellow train with American flag in the background
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    Getty Images
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    Rail labor negotiations

    Biden signs legislation preventing rail strike, lockout

    The president said the law avoids “what, without a doubt, would have been an economic catastrophe at a very bad time in the calendar.”

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 2, 2022
  • Freight rail cars carrying lumber sit on rail tracks
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Rail labor negotiations

    Senate sends bill avoiding rail shutdown to Biden’s desk

    The divided chamber shot down an amendment to give workers seven days paid sick leave.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 1, 2022
  • Signs with messages such as "Yes to Rail Unions! No to capitalist politicians!" is seen in front of the U.S. Capitol
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Rail labor negotiations

    House passes bills to avert US rail shutdown, add paid sick leave

    The vote comes just two days after President Joe Biden urged congressional intervention, warning “a rail shutdown would devastate our economy.”

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 30, 2022
  • Grey and yellow freight rail cars sit in a rail yard with a line of railroad tracks between them.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Rail labor negotiations

    Biden calls on Congress to prevent rail shutdown

    The president said he’s been advised that “there is no path to resolve the dispute at the bargaining table” before the Dec. 9 deadline.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 28, 2022
  • Schneider, truck
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    Courtesy of Schneider National
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    Schneider expects 2023 intermodal boost from move to Union Pacific

    Executives say the partnership with the railroad will boost transcontinental service and give the trucking carrier more access to trains.

    By • Nov. 21, 2022
  • A freight train is blurred as it's seen speeding down the track
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Rail labor negotiations

    Potential for rail shutdown rises as largest union rejects labor deal

    An impasse over guaranteed sick leave is likely headed to a congressional showdown.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 21, 2022
  • The Marco Polo, the largest cargo ship to call at an East Coast port, arrives under the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and into New York Harbor on May 20, 2021
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive // West Coast port labor talks

    Amid strike fears, cargo diversion a key fixture in 2022’s supply chain playbook

    The shadow of negotiations clouds U.S. railroads and West Coast ports. Shippers have leaned on less-risky alternatives, despite some drawbacks.

    By • Nov. 16, 2022
  • A train moves through a desert landscape
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Third rail union rejects contract as deadline for agreement looms

    The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, which represents approximately 300 workers, has agreed to a “cooling off” period until Dec. 9.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 14, 2022
  • Green train cars sit on rail tracks
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Deadline to avoid rail strike or lockout extended to December

    The country’s third-largest rail union agreed to a longer “cooling off” period in an attempt to avoid congressional intervention and service disruptions.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 9, 2022
  • Kansas City Southern SD70ACes 4183 and 4045 lead westbound CP train 575 along the upper Mississippi at Maple Springs, Minn. KCS power is becoming common on trains coming up from Kansas City.
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    "Elevation is everything" by Jerry Huddleston is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Major railroads mandated to keep reporting service restoration progress

    Regulators will continue to monitor BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific after noting they are unlikely to reach their improvement targets before the end of the current reporting period. 

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 9, 2022
  • Workers are seen standing on criss-crossing rail tracks
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Tracker

    Rail labor negotiations: Tracking the path to ratification

    A strike or lockout was avoided after Congress intervened to impose an agreement. Here’s how we got there.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Updated Dec. 2, 2022
  • The front of a train is visible as it sits on rail tracks
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Rail labor negotiations

    Shippers urge Biden to prevent potential rail shutdown

    Over 300 trade associations signed a letter asking the president to prevent a strike or lockout.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 28, 2022
  • Railroad crossing sign at night
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    Luke Sharrett via Getty Images
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    Rail labor negotiations

    A second rail union rejects labor deal over paid sick leave

    The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen and their employers agreed to avoid service disruptions until December as part of a "status quo" period.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 27, 2022
  • A silver train carrying stacks of containers is seen at sunrise.
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    Luke Sharrett via Getty Images
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    Rail labor negotiations

    Railroads reject union’s sick leave demands, fueling strike concerns

    Shippers are warily eyeing the negotiations process in case of an economically damaging rail shutdown.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 25, 2022
  • Shipping containers are offloaded from a container ship in the Port of Los Angeles on June 10, 2022 .
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Port of LA cargo volumes drop as ongoing labor talks deter some shippers

    The port handled 21.5% fewer containers last month compared to September 2021, and the ship backlog has receded.

    By • Oct. 20, 2022
  • Workers service the tracks at the Metra/BNSF railroad yard outside of downtown on September 13, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Railroads should give workers the benefits they seek

    It's time to get freight rail back on track with a stable workforce and improved service, writes the National Association of Chemical Distributors.

    By Eric R. Byer • Oct. 17, 2022
  • Boxes on a train zoom past a railroad crossroad
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    Rail labor negotiations

    Railroads back to bargaining table after large union rejects labor agreement

    The National Railway Labor Conference, which is representing railroads in negotiations, said that "failed ratification does not present risk of an immediate service disruption.”

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 11, 2022
  • A BNSF Railroad locomotive sits on the tracks November 3, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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    (Tom Pennington/Getty) via Getty Images
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    BNSF plans $1.5B inland intermodal hub to ease port congestion

    Instead of letting cargo crowd the docks in Los Angeles and Long Beach, the goal is to move goods further inland.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 3, 2022
  • Vehicles float in water as a person mans a boat in the distance assessing damage from Hurricane Ian
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    Sean Rayford via Getty Images
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    Ian prompts port, rail closures as it barrels toward the Carolinas

    Terminals closed as hurricane-force winds are expected to batter the Southeast coast.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 30, 2022
  • J.B. Hunt Intermodal freight transport shipping container train cars in Flagstaff, Arizona.
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    "J.B. Hunt Intermodal Freight Shipping Containers" by Tony Webster is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    Rail labor negotiations

    Rail strike averted as employers, unions reach tentative deal

    The deal is welcome relief for shippers who had warned that a shutdown of the nation's rail system would carry catastrophic impacts.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Updated Sept. 15, 2022
  • Railroad crossing sign at night
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    Luke Sharrett via Getty Images
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    Rail labor negotiations

    Railroads cut service in preparation for potential strike

    Shippers are calling on Congress to intervene if railroads cannot reach an agreement with two of the largest unions by the end of the week.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 12, 2022
  • 1538 is the local run from Grand Junction to Montrose, Colorado weekley. Taken May 19, 2020.
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    "Union Pacific 1538" by Chuckcars is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    Union Pacific reports service improvements after months of congestion

    The railroad is still asking shippers to limit the number of private cars on its network to build on positive momentum.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 31, 2022
  • A line of shipping containers labeled J.B. Hunt sit atop a train sitting idly on rail tracks.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    BNSF to end embargo on westbound shipments Sept. 4

    The railroad will still work with individual shippers to manage traffic flows, noting limitations on shipments within its network helped reduce congestion.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 19, 2022