NCCC Proposes ‘Advance Payments,’ Unions Say It’s Not Enough (UPDATED, 3 p.m. ET)

The National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) on April 22 proposed “to enter interim agreements with all rail labor organizations in national handling providing for advance payments of up to $600 per month, representing amounts that are expected to be due under future national collective bargaining agreements.” While most unions had declined as of April 25, NCCC said it would “hold open the proposal” for their further consideration.

CSX Recognizes 6 Customers for ‘Environmental Excellence’

CSX has awarded six customers for their “contributions to reducing carbon emissions through truck-to-rail conversions,” the Class I railroad reported on April 22.

CSX 1Q22 Earnings Soar on Lower Volume

CSX’s first-quarter 2022 financials included whopping increases of 21% in net earnings and 26% in diluted earnings per share, despite a drop in volume.

Round 6: The Port Raises a Statutory Issue

At this writing, Amtrak is preparing to present its case to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) disputing the amount of new infrastructure that potential host railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern claim must

SMART-TD Agrees to ‘Advance Payments’ From CSX

CSX on April 19 reached what it’s calling a “tentative agreement” with the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, Transportation Division (SMART-TD) to provide SMART-TD Trainmen and Yardmasters with “monthly advance payments on future wage adjustments anticipated in settlement of the 2020 round of national bargaining between rail labor and the Class I railroads.” CSX also said it “notified its other labor organization representatives that it intends to reach agreements to provide identical payments to all unionized employees.”

Round 5: A Skirmish Over a Model

The “Second Battle of Mobile” is in full swing. Prospective host railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern, along with the Port of Mobile, are in a hearted dispute with Amtrak at the Surface Transportation Board (STB) about how much infrastructure must be built between New Orleans and Mobile before Amtrak will be allowed to run two daily round trips between those cities.

CSX, NS, UP Ranked as Best Companies for Women

CSX, Norfolk Southern (NS) and Union Pacific (UP) were among the more than 270 companies named as best places to work in 2022 by the Women’s Choice Award.

STB Approves CSX-Pan Am Combination

All five Surface Transportation Board members on April 14 signed off on CSX’s proposal to acquire Pan Am Systems, Inc., and its short line railroad subsidiaries, effective May 14.

Nucor’s new micro mill will produce rebar, which is used primarily in concrete reinforcement for the construction of roads, buildings, bridges and other structures. The manufacturer’s steel bar products are said to contain 97% recycled content. Photo Credit: Nucor

For Nucor, New N.C. Micro Mill

Industrial steel manufacturer Nucor Corporation plans to build a $350 million rebar micro mill in Lexington, N.C., to be served by Winston-Salem Southbound Railway, which is jointly owned by Norfolk Southern (NS) and CSX.

Round 4: A Battle Within a Battle

The battle between Amtrak and potential host railroads CSX and NS, joined by the Port of Mobile, entered a new stage April 4, as the first witnesses began their appearances before the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in the first case that will decide how and on what conditions Amtrak will be allowed to initiate new passenger service. The entire afternoon and the start of proceedings on April 5 featured a single witness. There was only one more during that day’s 8½-hour session, and only one other on April 6. April 5’s morning’s events featured a skirmish within the principal battle: a mini-slug-out in which both sides can claim victory, but CSX may have been the bigger winner.

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