Contradicting national leader, three local union groups support CN-KCS voting trust; another union also expresses support
Three local committees of the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Union Transportation Division(SMART-TD) representing Canadian National workers have filed letters of support for the CN-Kansas City Southern voting trust proposal, CN says in a press release. The union’s national leadership has previously announced opposition to the trust. The three local committees filing their letter with the Surface Transportation Board represent more than 200 employees on the Grand Trunk Western; more than 800 employees on the Illinois Central and Chicago, Central & Pacific; and about 800 conductors on the Wisconsin Central. Their STB filing contends an earlier filing by the chairman of another local committee also supports the voting trust, despite “misrepresentation” by Canadian Pacific. A previous filing by SMART-TD president Jeremy R. Ferguson, which called the merger “anti-competitive” and said consequences for union members would “uncertain, adverse, and certainly contrary to the public interest,” calling for the STB to reject the voting trust [see “Digest: Union asks regulators to block CN-KCS voting trust,” Trains News Wire, June 14, 2021]. In a subsequent Wednesday press release, CN has also announced the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers has filed a letter of support for the voting trust with the STB.
Trinity Rail Express conductor stabbed by passenger; full recovery expected
A conductor stabbed by a passenger on a Texas commuter train last week is expected to make a full recovery after being hospitalized in serious condition. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports the Trinity Rail Express conductor was stabbed last Friday at the Texas & Pacific station in Fort Worth. Police say the man was stabbed in the back of the neck and along the ribcage after an argument with the passenger, and was transported to the hospital about 7:45 p.m. Police say they have arrested a suspect and are continuing to investigate.
German railway operator to reopen line segments to help address climate change
Germany national railway operator, Deutsche Bahn, is planning to reopen 20 long-closed sections of rail line around the country for passenger and freight service as part of an effort to address climate change. The Associated Press reports the segments total 245 kilometers (152 miles), and were selected from more than 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) of dormant routes considered. A board member of Deutsche Bahn’s infrastructure division said more routes will be revived in the future, because “every kilometer of track is active climate protection.” Planning and some construction work is already in progress on some routes.
— Updated at 11:50 a.m. CDT to include International Brotherhood of Boilermakers filing on CN-KCS voting trust.
The merger wouldn’t affect those on the IC/CCP, WC and GTW portions of CN, but it will have adverse impacts on those union members working for KCS…of course they’d support the Voting Trust.