BLET News
BLET members ratify new contract with Tacoma Rail
The agreement provides retroactive pay from 2017-2025, general wage increases from 2026-2029, establishes an additional paid holiday (Juneteenth), and address other work rule provisions.
BLET members ratify first contract at Utah Central
BLET members ratified a significant new agreement with the Utah Central last week — it is the first union agreement at the formerly non-union railroad. Utah Central workers voted to join BLET in December 2024.
Clock continues to tick at LIRR as deadline for “self-help” is just over a month away
On April 7, leaders of five Long Island Rail Road unions, including BLET, representing more than 3,500 unionized railroaders, held a news conference in New York City to tell New Yorkers that “self-help” where the unions can legally strike or the employer could lock out workers is a little over a month away, and labor is still waiting for management to submit a proposal to settle the dispute.
BLET seeks job protections in light of possible restructuring at Amtrak
BLET National President Mark Wallace and Amtrak General Chairman Pat Darcy recently represented the union at a meeting of Amtrak’s Executive Leadership where a proposed restructuring of the national passenger railroad was discussed.
Teamsters Rail Conference emphasizes protection of positions in meetings with Wall Street investors regarding proposed UP-NS merger
On April 7, leaders of the Teamsters Rail Conference met in New York City with Wall Street analysts and investors who study the Class I railroad industry to discuss potential ramifications of the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger and the Teamsters Rail Conference’s opposition to the merger.
Workshop for short line members a first for BLET Education & Training Dept.
The BLET Education & Training Department hosted its first workshop specifically for Grievance Chairmen representing BLET short line members on Saturday, March 28. A Saturday was selected as it is the day most short line members are off duty.
RRB: Pre-Retirement Seminars are online only in 2026
Due to ongoing budget constraints, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is unable to conduct pre-retirement seminars in-person this year. These critical seminars help promote a better understanding of the sometimes-complicated RRB benefit programs. In the absence of...
BLET pushes Congress to increase funding for the Railroad Retirement Board to better serve railroaders
A lack of funding to support the administrative functions of the Railroad Retirement Board has severely hampered the agency’s ability to operate. As an example of this, the waiting period for some RRB disability claims now extends beyond 400 days. The BLET National...
After helping to save a life, BLET General Chairman Scott Alexander asks others to learn CPR
February was a difficult time for Brother Scott Alexander, General Chairman of the BLET’s Union Pacific-Southern Region General Committee of Adjustment. Alexander had just lost his mother and was at his parents’ house making funeral arrangements with extended family...
Expecting a baby? Get 24/7 virtual health support for you and your family
Expecting a baby? The National Railroad Plans – Health & Welfare Benefits covers unlimited access to Maven, a virtual personal health platform designed to help BLET members and their families navigate maternity and newborn care. It is one of several benefits...
In a letter to The Washington Post, BLET National President slams attack on Vice President J.D. Vance for supporting rail safety
BLET National President Mark Wallace in a letter-to-the-editor challenged a hit piece published as a guest editorial in The Washington Post. The commentary written by an executive at the advocacy group Advancing American Freedom attacks Vice President J.D. Vance for...
Trumble reelected State Legislative Board Chairman
Seated (left to right): Rob Majchszak, Div. 850; Chris Smith, Div. 920; B.J. Trumble, Chairman; Bryan Marenger, Div. 185; and Dominic DeSanto, Div. 1. Standing (left to right): Tim Coppess, Div. 33; Ryan Morris, Div. 2; Jason Carrier, Div. 122; Lee Lovelette, Div. 19;...
Members still have time to request replacement ballots to vote on tentative agreements at Utah Central and Tacoma Rail
BLET members are continuing to vote on two tentative agreements: one with the Utah Central Railway and another with the Tacoma Municipal Belt Railway (Tacoma Rail). Eligible members who have not received a ratification packet by this time should immediately request a...
BLET holds first meeting at newly-organized Austin Western Railroad
The BLET held an inaugural meeting for its newest members at the Austin Western Railroad on March 21, less than a month after securing an organizing win at the Texas-based short line railroad. National Vice President James Logan Jr., BLET’s Director of Organizing, and...
BLET Safety Task Force: Two major Union Pacific derailments under investigation
The BLET Safety Task Force has received Party Status from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to assist with investigations into two Union Pacific derailments that occurred recently: one that resulted in an ethanol leak in Richmond, Texas, on March 18; and...
Keep the momentum going and tell lawmakers that rail workers deserve no tax on overtime
Last week, the BLET and Teamsters Rail Conference launched a petition in support of the No Tax on Overtime for All Workers Act (H.R. 5475) with the goal of securing at least 8,000 signatures. The proposed bill would provide BLET members and all rail workers with the...
Railroad Retirement Board Q&A: The importance of a current connection
A “current connection” is the term the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) uses to describe a railroad employee’s maintenance of a relationship to the railroad industry. Basically, it is demonstrated by an employee having earned 12 months of railroad service in a 30-month...
U.S. DOT calls on Congress to pass Railway Safety Act of 2026
President Donald Trump’s Department of Transportation formally called on members of Congress to pass the Railway Safety Act of 2026, according to a report published by Bloomberg Government on March 12. A DOT spokeswoman is quoted telling Bloomberg, “President Trump...
BLET announces tentative agreements with two short line railroads, including a significant first at Utah Central
The BLET has reached tentative agreements with two short line railroads: the Utah Central Railway and the Tacoma Municipal Belt Railway (Tacoma Rail). Utah Central The Utah Central tentative agreement is significant. If ratified, it would represent a first-ever union...
Members discuss UP-NS merger at 12th annual Kansas City Hub meeting
Front row, from left: Joe Ferris, LC Div. 152; Jeff Jones, LC Div. 609; Kevin Sexton, BLET VP; Chris Mullin, LC Div. 336; Mark Wallace, National President; Dave Estes, National S-T.; Gary Best, First VP; Joey Rice, LC Div. 81; Tim Morgan, Missouri SLB Chairman; and...
Daily Headlines
BNSF reports Q4, full year 2025 results
For full-year 2025, BNSF reported total revenue of $23.4 billion, about the same as the previous year, and net income of $5.5 billion, up 9%.
Second PEB finds for unions in dispute with LIRR
A second Presidential Emergency Board has sided with a coalition of unions in their ongoing contract dispute with the Long Island Rail Road — but the LIRR rejected the board’s recommendation, setting the stage for a strike or lockout in May.
CN announces Q4, full-year 2025 results
CN reported revenues of C$4,464 million and operating income of C$1,733 million.
Norfolk Southern reports Q4, full-year 2025 results
For the fourth quarter of 2025, NS reported revenue of $3.0 billion and income from railway operations of $937 million.
CPKC reports Q4, full-year 2025 results
CPKC announced its fourth-quarter 2025 revenues of $3.9 billion.
Union Pacific reports Q4, full-year 2025 results
UP reported 2025 fourth quarter net income of $1.8 billion
CSX announces Q4, full-year 2025 results
CSX Corp. announced fourth quarter 2025 operating income of $1.11 billion and net earnings of $720 million.
Railroads thwart safety fixes, costing lives
Fatigue-related accidents killed at least nine people and injured over 300 from 2015 through 2024, the Howard Center’s analysis of NTSB investigation reports found.
Associated Press: BLET, BMWED oppose UP-NS merger
“This proposed monopoly will end up costing businesses more and those costs will be passed on to consumers,” BLET National President Mark Wallace said.
UP, NS shareholders support $85 billion merger
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board must still approve it before the deal can be completed.
