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ARPIN INTERNATIONAL GROUP
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Ed Elkins, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS), announced that strike preparations are currently underway. NS has reached or is finalizing new contracts with 10 of the 12 unions involved in negotiations; however, two of the unions have declined to commit. Consequently, NS has begun to take the following actions to ensure a safe and orderly shutdown of rail operations:
Bulk, Intermodal, and Automotive Service Updates
Norfolk Southern has begun enacting its contingency plans for a controlled shutdown of its network at 00:01 on Friday, September 16. Although negotiations with the two holdout unions continue, NS still does not have a commitment not to strike and must act accordingly. The goal is to ensure that in the event of a work stoppage, crews, equipment, and freight safely reach their destinations with minimal disruption.
Bulk Commodities Moving in Unit Train Service
This week, NS is planning for the orderly lay down of trains in the bulk network to prepare for an efficient restart of normal operations. NS plans to reach out to its customers moving bulk commodities in unit train service with specific operational details involving their shipments.
Intermodal
Effective 12:00 (noon) on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, Norfolk Southern will close all gates to Intermodal traffic.
General Guidelines
- In-gates for loaded or empty Intermodal units for rail movement will close at all NS Intermodal terminals.
- Traffic originating at on-dock port facilities and privately owned Intermodal terminals will not be accepted.
- Customers with eastbound interline shipments should contact the originating rail carrier regarding guidelines for the acceptance of traffic at origin.
- Until further notice, out-gates will remain open at all NS Intermodal terminals during normal business hours for customers to pick up units.
EMP and TMX
Customers using EMP and TMX containers should note the following:
- NS will discontinue filling reservations on equipment effective at 00:01 Tuesday, September 13.
- Any empty units out-gated after 12:00 (noon) Sunday, September 11, and until further notice will be charged according to normal per diem schedules.
- Customers will be able to return empty EMP and TMX containers to NS terminals as normal until further notice. This process may be modified as terminal conditions require.
Automotive
NS will enact an embargo of all automotive traffic, effective 00:01 Wednesday, September 14.
General Guidelines
- All Automotive origin facilities will close to vehicle in-gates for rail movement, effective 17:00 Tuesday, September 13.
- Customers with eastbound interline shipments should contact the originating rail carrier regarding guidelines for the acceptance of traffic at origin.
- Until further notice, out-gates will remain open at all NS Automotive facilities during normal business hours for car haul carriers to pick up vehicles.”
Your Arpin Service team is aware of all shipments that may be impacted and will ensure appropriate parties are kept informed of any potential service disruption.
