Category Archives: Legislative Outlook

CP Abandons Takeover Plans of NS

Following growing opposition from Capitol Hill and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) announced today that they are ceasing efforts to merge with Norfolk Southern (NS), citing “no clear path to a friendly merger at this time.” This is a major win for workers on both carriers, as well as

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U.S. Army & DOJ Join Chorus of Opposition to CP-NS Merger

The past week has not been kind to fans of a merger between Canadian Pacific (CP) and Norfolk Southern (NS). After House Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster came out in opposition, the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Antitrust Division and the U.S. Army both issued their own calls to pump the brakes. On Thursday,

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T&I Chairman Shuster Opposes CP-NS Merger

In a short statement released this morning, House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) stated his opposition to the prospect of a merger between Canadian Pacific (CP) and Norfolk Southern (NS). CP has been attempting a semi-hostile takeover of NS, vying to apply an unusual voting trust structure and make a direct appeal

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Senate Holds Hearing to Discuss Passenger Rail

On Tuesday, the Senate subcommittee that oversees railroads held a hearing titled, “Passenger Rail: Opportunities and Challengers for the National Network.” Testifying were two people from regional rail commissions, a city manager from Colorado, and Joseph Boardman, the soon-to-retire CEO of Amtrak. The hearing was almost entirely focused on Amtrak, not just passenger rail. Republicans

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Congress tells New Jersey Transit to settle

Yesterday, nine members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation wrote to New Jersey Transit urging them to settle the long-standing contract battle with the large rail labor coalition, which includes TCU. Even though the labor coalition has made major concessions in its negotiations, and two independant federal panels have said that labor’s offer is the

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Senators urge Amtrak Board to hire committed CEO

On February 11th, Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote to Amtrak Board Chairman Anthony Coscia urging him to find the absolute best candidate to replace outgoing Amtrak CEO Joseph Boardman: …With the announcement of Boardman’s retirement, it is important that the Board of Directors makes certain that his successor possesses a deep

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NYTimes endorses Clinton for President

On the eve of the Iowa caucuses, the New York Times’ Editorial Board has endorsed Hillary Clinton for President: Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Nomination By THE EDITORIAL BOARD      JAN. 30, 2016 For the past painful year, the Republican presidential contenders have been bombarding Americans with empty propaganda slogans and competing, bizarrely, to present themselves

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CP balks at merger from near-unified opposition

Activist-investor Bill Ackman (left) and Canadian Pacific CEO Hunter Harrison (right) Canadian Pacific (CP) is officially ceasing efforts to merge with Norfolk Southern (NS) for the moment, citing the growing political pressure and to await a response from the Department of Justice regarding a letter they sent in mid-January. Some believe CP is trying to

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Corporations abuse H-1B visa program for lay-offs, lower wages

As some TCU members might know firsthand, H-1B visas are killing American jobs. What are H-1B visas? Here’s a quick background… H-1B visas are essentially temporary work permits for foreigners. They are intended to allow U.S. companies to bring in workers from other countries if they cannot find American citizens to fill those positions. These

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