Amalgamated Transit Union

Unifor reaches agreements with CN. Pictured: CN master bargaining committee. (CNW Group/Unifor)

Labor Agreements Ratified at CN, CSX, Metrolink

CN has reached new collective agreements with Unifor, its largest union, covering approximately 3,000 Canadian employees. Also, the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division B&O (SMART-TD B&O) has ratified a

On Feb. 16, a Metrolink train traveled along the new nine-mile, five-station Arrow corridor from San Bernardino to Redlands, Calif. (pictured). It allowed crews to take clearance measurements in preparation for train testing, which kicked off Feb. 22. Revenue service is slated to begin this summer.

Transit Briefs: CTA, LOSSAN, SBCTA

The Chicago Transit Board has approved a new agreement with Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) largest union. Also, Icomera U.S. is improving Wi-Fi service for Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner riders; and San Bernardino County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is starting train testing this month along the nine-mile Arrow passenger rail corridor.

Commentary

Biden Administration Sides With Labor, Throwing California Transit Grants (and Riders) Under the Bus

In what has become a contest between two groups who strongly back Democrats, the Biden Administration has come out for labor by refusing to certify grants that would help California’s transit providers and, eventually, the state’s riders. The decision by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) could eventually affect transit projects in other transit-rich states that are facing financial woes due to the pandemic.

Twists and turns for Hamilton LRT

The Hamilton, Ontario LRT situation took another bizarre twist recently with Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency, agreeing very reluctantly to City Council’s request to have the local municipally owned transit agency, the Hamilton Street Railway, operate the LRT. The crosstown line project was scheduled to begin construction in 2019, and open by 2024.