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

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

Explore the 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

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

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

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 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 Larry Avila • Nov. 21, 2022

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

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 Max Garland • Nov. 16, 2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Alejandra Carranza • Oct. 20, 2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As East Coast delays rise, Port of LA director appeals to shippers: ‘Come to Los Angeles’

The 109-ship queue to enter the U.S.'s largest container port had dropped 88% as of July.

By Colin Campbell • Aug. 18, 2022