BLET News
BLET uses locomotive simulator to strengthen relationships and help train emergency responders
Members of BLET’s Wisconsin State Legislative Board (WISLB) used a locomotive simulator to help conduct rail safety training last week for 35 firefighters and EMTs in Rudolph, Wisc. The Rudolph Fire Department protects 250 square miles in central Wisconsin, operating...
BLET endorses New Mexico Congressman Gabe Vasquez for re-election, citing his support on cross-border and other key issues
BLET National President Mark Wallace has announced BLET’s national endorsement of Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-New Mexico), who represents New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, for re-election, in recognition of his support for BLET members, including his co-sponsorship of...
Railroads “have a long way to go” to prove merger is in the public interest
In a decision announced recently, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) made clear that it has “reached no conclusions on the merits” of the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, while acknowledging significant questions remain around competition, service,...
BLET reaches five-year tentative agreement with CPKC DM&E
The BLET has reached a tentative five-year agreement with CPKC for members who work on the CPKC Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (DM&E) territory. BLET General Chairman Nick Mugavero said the wage package is paramount to the tentative agreement (TA). If ratified by...
General Chairman Brian Carr reelected to a third term at UP-WL GCA
Brian Carr was reelected to his third term as General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Western Lines General Committee of Adjustment (UP-WL GCA) during quadrennial meetings held September 15-16 in San Diego, Calif. The BLET’s UP-WL GCA is comprised of 15 different BLET...
BLET launches online portal: Tell the STB you are opposed to the UP-NS merger
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is seeking public comments on the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. We believe our union members’ voices should be part of that record. BLET, BMWED, and TCU are collecting comments from workers, communities,...
Replacement ballots available in tentative agreement with IMRR
BLET members at the Illinois & Midland Railroad (IMRR) are currently voting on a tentative agreement. Ballots were mailed earlier this month and will be tabulated on October 1. Eligible members who have not yet received a ballot should call the BLET National...
WORKER PROTECTIONS AT AMTRAK: The work our members do not always see
By Mark Wallace, BLET National President On September 3, 2026, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy put the Trump Administration’s commitments to rail labor in writing. That letter was important. But it also represented something our members do not always get to...
Georgia Central members reach milestone with first tentative agreement
BLET has reached a tentative agreement with Georgia Central Railway, marking another important milestone for workers who voted to join the Brotherhood in October 2024. If ratified, the agreement will be the first union contract for workers at Georgia Central and would...
Spread the word: BLET, National League of Cities team up to teach local governments how to participate in the UP-NS merger review
Jess Conard, who recently joined the BLET National Division staff as Community Coordinator, received an invitation to speak on a webinar hosted by the National League of Cities (NLC) to provide a brief tutorial on how local governments can sign up to participate in...
Long-term impact of the UP-NS merger on jobs in the industry
Rail industry trade publication Railway Age published an article last week that reinforces the job-loss concerns BLET and the Teamsters Rail Conference have raised since Day 1. BLET has taken the position that the “Jobs for Life” promise made by UP CEO Jim Vena is...
BLET takes a strong bipartisan approach to educate Democrats and Republicans about harmful aspects of the proposed merger
Left, right, Democrat or Republican, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) continues to work across party lines to best represent its members and build opposition to the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. This month, representatives...
BLET asks for member input on EMS, PTC failures
The BLET National Division is seeking member reports on failures and other issues involving Energy Management Systems (EMS) and Positive Train Control (PTC). The information collected through this initiative will be a critical resource in advancing the BLET’s efforts...
BLET hosts dedication ceremonies for SPC Louis P. Shuster Memorial Interchange
It’s official. The highway overpass between I-480 and 150th Street in Cleveland is now known as the SPC Louis P. Shuster Memorial Interchange. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill enacting House Bill 360 into law on June 24, 2026. The highway marker was installed...
Mark Elkins reelected Chairman of Kentucky State Legislative Board
Mark Elkins was reelected to his second term as Chairman of the Kentucky State Legislative Board at its ninth quadrennial meeting held on September 2. Elkins is a CSX locomotive engineer and a member of BLET Division 271 in Russell, Ky. The BLET’s Kentucky State...
Favorable view of labor: Record-high 47% of Americans want unions to have more influence
On the heels of Labor Day, a new Gallup poll shows Americans are giving labor unions a big thumbs up. The poll shows that 71% of Americans approve of labor unions, while 47% want unions to have more influence. Americans’ strong desire for unions to gain influence...
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Illinois & Midland
The BLET has reached a tentative five-year agreement with the Illinois & Midland Railroad (IMRR). Ballots were mailed on September 10. If ratified by the membership, the tentative agreement would provide general wage increases each year of the contract...
Adam Kaufman elected Chairman of Pennsylvania State Legislative Board
Adam Kaufman was elected Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Legislative Board at its sixth quadrennial meeting in Hershey, Pa., held September 2-3. It is his first term in the role. A third-generation railroader, Kaufman is a Norfolk Southern locomotive engineer and a...
BLET members ratify new five-year agreement with Indiana & Ohio Railway
BLET members have ratified a new five-year agreement with the Indiana & Ohio Railway (IORY). The agreement covers 2026-2030 and provides general wage increases, a signing bonus, and various work rule enhancements. The negotiating team consisted of General...
BLET pride on display at annual Labor Day parade in Toledo
Locomotive engineers from throughout Ohio, along with their families, proudly represented the BLET at the annual Labor Day Parade in Toledo, Ohio, on Monday, September 7. The delegation consisted primarily of BLET members from Division 4 (Toledo, Ohio) and...
Daily Headlines
Railroads “have a long way to go” to prove merger is in the public interest
In a decision announced recently, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) made clear that it has “reached no conclusions on the merits” of the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, while acknowledging significant questions remain around competition, service,...
BLET launches online portal: Tell the STB you are opposed to the UP-NS merger
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is seeking public comments on the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. We believe our union members’ voices should be part of that record. BLET, BMWED, and TCU are collecting comments from workers, communities,...
BLET holds its first meeting at newly-organized Temple & Central Texas Railway
BLET recently held an inaugural meeting for its newest members at the Temple & Central Texas Railway (TC), a month after securing an organizing win at the Texas-based short line railroad. National Vice President James Logan Jr. and BLET Special...
Spread the word: BLET, National League of Cities team up to teach local governments how to participate in the UP-NS merger review
Jess Conard, who recently joined the BLET National Division staff as Community Coordinator, received an invitation to speak on a webinar hosted by the National League of Cities (NLC) to provide a brief tutorial on how local governments can sign up to participate in...
Long-term impact of the UP-NS merger on jobs in the industry
Rail industry trade publication Railway Age published an article last week that reinforces the job-loss concerns BLET and the Teamsters Rail Conference have raised since Day 1. BLET has taken the position that the “Jobs for Life” promise made by UP CEO Jim Vena is...
Newest STB member criticizes UP-NS merger application
(Source: Trains.com, September 22, 2026) When the Surface Transportation Board shot down requests to summarily dismiss the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger application on September 18, the board’s newest member also fired a warning shot across the railroads’ bow....
BLET takes a strong bipartisan approach to educate Democrats and Republicans about harmful aspects of the proposed merger
Left, right, Democrat or Republican, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) continues to work across party lines to best represent its members and build opposition to the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. This month, representatives...
Rail labor opposition to UP-NS merger grows as TCU/IAM and IAM District 19 join Stop the Rail Merger Coalition
More opposition to the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger emerged recently, with additional rail unions joining the Stop the Rail Merger Coalition. The Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) and IAM District 19, both part of the IAM Rail Division, announced...
More than 100 members of Congress demand that the STB ensure rail worker jobs are protected if UP-NS merger is approved
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are circulating a signed letter urging the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) to consider the consequences of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Rail merger for workers. Representative Val Hoyle (D-OR) led the...
Stop the Rail Merger Coalition writes letter to White House opposing UP-NS merger
On August 24, the Stop the Rail Merger Coalition wrote a letter to President Trump outlining why it opposes the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. The letter warns that the merger would reduce railroad competition, raise costs for American farmers,...
