CN to hold shareholder vote on climate action plan
Meeting a request from one of its top shareholders, Canadian National announced it will hold an annual advisory vote at its shareholders meeting on its climate action plan, beginning with this April’s meeting. The action plan includes an annual disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions aligned with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Disclosures, a science-based target for emission reductions by 2030, and annual progress updates. The vote, which will be non-binding, comes after TCI Fund Management Ltd., CN’s fifth-largest shareholder, called for CN (and CP, where it is the top shareholder) to include details on efforts to fight climate change in its annual meetings [see “Digest: VIA plans for Western Canada service …,” Trains News Wire Nov. 23, 2020]. In a press release, CEO JJ Ruest said the railroad is “are working to mitigate and adapt to climate risks and opportunities to drive sustainable trade across global supply chains. … As we look to 2030 and beyond, we recognize the need for new locomotive propulsion technology. Achieving net zero for freight locomotives is an industry challenge and we encourage collaboration amongst our industry peers, governments, and supply chain partners.”
Pennsylvania Supreme Court declines to hear Reading & Northern appeal
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has declined to hear the appeal of Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern over the selection of the operator of five short lines owned by a rail authority in the central part of the state. PennLive.com reports Reading & Northern had appealed a lower court decision that found the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority was within its rights to eliminate the company from proposals to operate the five lines. Reading & Northern had the lowest-ranked proposal but contended the process was designed to eliminate it.
Union investigating legality of White Pass & Yukon layoffs
The union representing White Pass & Yukon employees is investigating the legality of layoffs by the tourist railroad last week. KTOO Public Media reports Teamsters Local 959, which represents the 27 workers whose jobs were abolished, is “looking at the legality of the contract obligations,” according to union representative Joe Rintala. The employees, with an average wage of about $44 an hour, lost their senority and benefits when their jobs were abolished by the railroad, which cited the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic [see “Canadian cruise ship ban has White Pass & Yukon summer plans on hold,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 9, 2021].
