BLET News
A Victory for Our Brotherhood
Today, our members at the Wheeling & Lake Erie secured an important victory. At noon, they carried out our strike exactly as planned. Confidential preparations were paramount, every picket line was manned, and our members stood together with discipline and unity....
UP-NS merger op-ep roundup: “Show-Me-State” Auditor says UP “has not earned our trust,” while five State Attorneys General say merger not in the public interest
In two recent op-eds of national interest, government officials from six states have joined the growing chorus of voices questioning the transparency and economic risk of the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. Jack Bondon, who serves as the Auditor of...
Strike called today at one of the nation’s largest regional railroads after employer arrogantly violates directive from the federal courts and its union contract
Trains will not run at the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad, which serves Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland. Picket lines have been set up at key locations by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. Engineers and conductors at the Wheeling...
BREAKING NEWS: BLET strikes Wheeling & Lake Erie
BLET members at the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway went on strike at noon today. One of the largest regional railroads in the nation, the W&LE serves Northeast Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Western Maryland. Picket lines have been established by...
2026 Midterms: BLET’s strategy remains the same. We work with anyone who will work with us.
Last week’s election results do not change the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen’s responsibility to its members or its approach to legislative advocacy — it’s a reaffirmation. Throughout this year, BLET has worked to build relationships with elected...
PSR and related railroad policies continue to aid cargo thieves
News organizations nationwide continue to cover cargo theft from freight trains. A CBS News report on October 9 focused on a first-of-its-kind national blitz to crack down on rail thefts. Reporting from the Chicago area, CBS showed how federal agents, railroad police,...
Take Action: Tell FRA to protect cab signals at Norfolk Southern
Brothers and Sisters, We are asking you to take action to protect safety. Norfolk Southern has asked the Federal Railroad Administration for permission to remove cab signals on portions of the following subdivisions: Lancaster, Harrisburg Road, Harrisburg Terminal,...
URGENT REMINDER TO MEMBERS: Document all EMS and PTC failures to the BLET
Railroads, manufacturers, and outside contractors are reporting to federal regulators that Energy Management Systems (EMS) and Positive Train Control (PTC) systems are working flawlessly. BLET members know otherwise. The BLET National Division is collecting its own...
BLET Auxiliary elects new officers at Fifth Quadrennial Convention
The BLET Auxiliary concluded its Fifth Quadrennial Convention in Las Vegas on October 15. Delegates conducted business and elected the following slate of new officers for the next four years: • Jodi Wallace, National President; • Cheryl Lambert, National 1st Vice...
The USA’s railroads and its workers are an “indisputable national security asset”
Without question, railroads have played a critical role in our nation’s military history. As an example, during the Civil War, Atlanta was burned by General Sherman’s army because it was an important rail hub. Sherman targeted railroads, but it’s also important to...
2026 election: Get out and vote on November 3
All BLET members are encouraged to head to the polls on November 3. If you are basing your voting decisions on issues that affect your job, then please visit the Members’ Area of the BLET National Division website to obtain a list of voting recommendations for your...
Senator Roger Marshall doubles down on opposition to UP-NS merger in new op-ed
Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) is continuing his fight against the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. In a new op-ed published on October 30th in the High Plains Journal entitled “Kansas farmers need a fighter. I'm not backing down on this rail merger,”...
BLET begins accepting requests for 2027 Time Books
The BLET National Division is accepting requests for 2027 Time Books. Books will be distributed only to members who opt in. To request a book, log in to the Members’ Area of the BLET National Division website and select the “Time Book Opt-In” link. Then click “Yes,...
Railroad Retirement Board: Monthly annuities and earnings limits to rise in 2027
Most railroad retirement annuities are scheduled to increase in January, with Tier I benefits rising 3.6% and Tier II benefits increasing 1.2%. The Tier I adjustment matches the cost-of-living increase for Social Security benefits. The Tier II increase equals 32.5% of...
BLET ratifies agreement on CPKC DM&E
BLET members have ratified a new five-year agreement with CPKC covering its Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern territory, continuing the Brotherhood’s work to deliver higher wages and a better quality of life for its members. At the recent National Convention, BLET...
Deadline to enroll in 2027 Health FSA program is at midnight on October 31
From now until midnight on October 31, 2026, you can enroll or change your Medical or Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefit selections for the 2027 benefit year. It’s important to note that members must enroll in the Health FSA every year — FSA enrollment is...
Tragedy in Ohio: Long trains and blocked crossings put communities at risk
Long trains can keep railroad crossings blocked longer and leave emergency crews with fewer ways to reach people who need help. Communities should not have to wait for a disaster before railroads take that danger seriously. In Lockland, Ohio, a stopped Norfolk...
BLET delegates donate 460 meals in Las Vegas to help feed the homeless
BLET delegates donated 460 prepared meals to The Salvation Army of Southern Nevada during the union’s Sixth National Convention. Sister Marketa Wells, a member of Division 766 in Las Vegas, organized daily donations of unused boxed lunches. With help from her husband,...
A message to BLET members: Vena’s “gold standard” looks like fool’s gold
By Mark L. Wallace BLET National President and Teamsters Rail Conference President Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena seems perplexed that unions are fighting for their members. During UP’s October 22 earnings call, he questioned BLET’s opposition to the proposed UP-NS...
BLET honors retiring National Vice President Rick Gibbons
BLET National Vice President Rick Gibbons was recognized in an emotional farewell presentation last week during BLET’s Sixth National Convention. Gibbons, the longest serving member of the Advisory Board, announced that he will be retiring at the end of this year. He...
Daily Headlines
UP-NS merger op-ep roundup: “Show-Me-State” Auditor says UP “has not earned our trust,” while five State Attorneys General say merger not in the public interest
In two recent op-eds of national interest, government officials from six states have joined the growing chorus of voices questioning the transparency and economic risk of the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. Jack Bondon, who serves as the Auditor of...
UP CEO Jim Vena threatens retaliation against customers who speak out against the proposed merger with Norfolk Southern
“...I’ll probably increase everybody’s rates that said they didn’t want a seamless railroad by 3 or 4 percent to teach you a lesson.” — Jim Vena On Thursday, under pressure from the Surface Transportation Board, Union Pacific was forced to release a video of its CEO...
Senator Roger Marshall doubles down on opposition to UP-NS merger in new op-ed
Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) is continuing his fight against the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. In a new op-ed published on October 30th in the High Plains Journal entitled “Kansas farmers need a fighter. I'm not backing down on this rail merger,”...
UP-NS Merger: Judge rules speech where UP’s CEO threatened to punish shippers if and when the proposed merger with NS fails must be made public
On October 23, an administrative law judge ruled that Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena’s video remarks about raising rates for customers who don’t support the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger must be made public. The judge’s ruling related to a keynote address...
Tragedy in Ohio: Long trains and blocked crossings put communities at risk
Long trains can keep railroad crossings blocked longer and leave emergency crews with fewer ways to reach people who need help. Communities should not have to wait for a disaster before railroads take that danger seriously. In Lockland, Ohio, a stopped Norfolk...
A message to BLET members: Vena’s “gold standard” looks like fool’s gold
By Mark L. Wallace BLET National President and Teamsters Rail Conference President Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena seems perplexed that unions are fighting for their members. During UP’s October 22 earnings call, he questioned BLET’s opposition to the proposed UP-NS...
Delegates examine UP-NS merger at Town Hall-style meeting
National President Mark Wallace and First Vice President Gary Best closed out the BLET’s Sixth National Convention with a behind closed doors members-only Town Hall-style meeting focused on the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. The two national officers...
BMWED President Cardwell emphasizes job protections in UP-NS merger
Tony Cardwell, President of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED), shared BMWED’s concerns about the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger as he addressed delegates in the Thursday morning session of BLET’s Sixth National Convention....
IBT General President O’Brien tells BLET convention delegates: “The partnership between the Teamsters Rail Conference and the International Union has never been stronger”
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien and General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman energized delegates with spirited speeches during the morning session of BLET’s Sixth National Convention on Wednesday. “Since Fred Zuckerman and I took office in 2022, together...
IBEW joins growing labor opposition to UP-NS merger
More than 70 percent of union railroad workers now oppose the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, after the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) last week became the seventh rail union to oppose the proposed acquisition. The IBEW’s announcement...
