Rail News Home Norfolk Southern Railway 11/11/2021 Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway
Guests attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony included Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, NS CEO James Squires (shown holding scissors) and Atlanta civic and business leaders. Photo – Norfolk Southern's Facebook page
Railroad News
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Norfolk Southern Corp. yesterday formally opened its new headquarters in Midtown Atlanta.
Guests who attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony included Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and civic and business leaders from across the city, NS officials said in a press release.
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Rail News Home BNSF Railway 11/11/2021 Rail News: BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway Co. has joined other Class Is that have filed lawsuits against rail unions that are fighting implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, a company spokeswoman confirmed yesterday.BNSF's stance had been that an employee's decision to get the vaccine was personal. But, the railroad implemented a vaccine mandate after the Biden administration required federal contractors to implement a vaccine policy. BNSF is a federal contractor."While we maintain that the decision to be vaccinated for COVID-19 is a personal one — and have encouraged employees to make the decision that is best for them and their families — the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate now obligates BNSF’s employees to be vaccinated and we all must work toward that end," spokeswoman Amy Casas said in an email. "That said, the company has processes in place for reasonable accommodations for employees exempting them from the vaccination requirement."Casas confirmed that BNSF on Sunday joined other Class Is that are suing certain rail unions that are fighting the mandate."It was apparent that there is a Rail Labor Act (RLA) dispute requiring federal court resolution," she said. "BNSF thinks it's logical for all those RLA issues to be resolved in a single, coordinated litigation."Both Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway — which are federal contractors — are involved in legal battles with rail labor unions over the vaccine requirement.CSX and Kansas City Southern have said they are encouraging their employees to get vaccinated, but have not yet required them to do so.
BNSF Railway Co. has joined other Class Is that have filed lawsuits against rail unions that are fighting implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, a company spokeswoman confirmed yesterday.BNSF's stance had been that an employee's decision to get the vaccine was personal. But, the railroad implemented a vaccine mandate after the Biden administration required federal contractors to implement a vaccine policy. BNSF is a federal contractor."While we maintain that the decision to be vaccinated for COVID-19 is a personal one — and have encouraged employees to make the decision that is best for them and their families — the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate now obligates BNSF’s employees to be vaccinated and we all must work toward that end," spokeswoman Amy Casas said in an email. "That said, the company has processes in place for reasonable accommodations for employees exempting them from the vaccination requirement."Casas confirmed that BNSF on Sunday joined other Class Is that are suing certain rail unions that are fighting the mandate."It was apparent that there is a Rail Labor Act (RLA) dispute requiring federal court resolution," she said. "BNSF thinks it's logical for all those RLA issues to be resolved in a single, coordinated litigation."Both Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway — which are federal contractors — are involved in legal battles with rail labor unions over the vaccine requirement.CSX and Kansas City Southern have said they are encouraging their employees to get vaccinated, but have not yet required them to do so.
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Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 11/10/2021 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad is donating the funds to 576 nonprofit organizations. Photo – Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad is donating the funds to 576 nonprofit organizations. Photo – Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad is awarding $5.5 million in grants to 576 nonprofit organizations part of the Class I's Community Ties Giving Program.
Eighty-three percent of the money is going to “local organizations that align with UP’s civersity, equity and inclusion (DEI) values," UP officials said in a press release. An estimated 16 million people across the railroad's 23-state network will benefit from the grants, which were awarded based on the company's three top philanthropic priorities: safety, workforce development and community spaces. The grants range from $2,500 to $25,000 each.