BLET News
Bruno tells House “Hands off safety regulations”
BLET National Vice President and Interim Director of Regulatory Affairs Stephen Bruno testified yesterday before the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials at a hearing titled, “Railroad and Hazardous Materials Transportation Programs: Reforms and Improvements to Reduce Regulatory Burdens.”
Memorial fund established for fallen workers in Kelso tragedy
A memorial fund has been established for the three men killed in the tragic BNSF Railway accident in Kelso, Wash., on March 23.
04-04-11: Save the date and get involved
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated while in Memphis supporting the collective bargaining rights of striking sanitation workers. This April 4, the battles across the states may be different, but the war on workers’ rights remains the same as it did 43 years ago.
Urgent: House vote on NMB elections slated for March 31
Anti-worker legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives are trying to make it much more difficult for railroad and airline employees to form unions.
In the Line of Duty: Thomas J. Kenny
Brother Thomas J. Kenny of BLET Division 238 (Tacoma, Wash.) was one of three people killed when an off duty crew transport vehicle was struck by a BNSF freight train near Longview, Wash., on March 23. A fourth crew member is in critical condition.
Rail shipments of damaged hazmat containers more than doubles since 2007
The number of damaged or leaking hazardous materials containers shipped by rail has more than doubled over the past four years, and Rail Labor is demanding to know why.
FRA final rule on cell phones goes into effect March 28
BLET members are advised that the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) new rule regarding restrictions on railroad operating employees’ use of cellular telephones and other electronic devices will become effective on March 28, 2011.
BLET, UTU call for enhancement of locomotive safety standards
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the United Transportation Union (UTU) called on the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to improve locomotive cab security and to establish safety regulations governing the operation of remote control locomotives in joint comments filed on March 14.
BLET members ratify MBCR contract
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR). Votes were tabulated on March 17, and the new four-year contract provides members with general wage increases worth 13.7 percent over the life of the agreement.
National President Pierce testifies at hearing on RSIA
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce testified this morning before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials hearing on “Federal Regulatory Overreach in the Railroad Industry: Implementing the Rail Safety Improvement Act.”
Pierce to testify before House Railroad Subcommittee
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce will testify for improved safety standards for BLET members before the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials at a hearing scheduled for tomorrow.
Hazmat, radiological training offered at National Labor College
The National Labor College has a full slate of hazardous materials training courses and radiological transportation training workshops coming up in the spring and summer of 2011. BLET members are encouraged to attend one or more of the classes to increase their knowledge regarding the transportation of hazardous and/or radioactive materials.
RRB informational conferences for 2011
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board will hold free informational conferences for elected officers of all railroad labor unions throughout 2011.
Sample resolutions available
As BLET National President Dennis Pierce wrote yesterday, the time to get involved is now.
Waiting list established for BLET General Chairman workshop
The BLET Education & Training Department reports that the General Chairman’s workshop scheduled for St. Louis, Mo., the week of April 17 is full. However, a waiting list has been established in case someone drops out.
The time to be involved is now
By Dennis R. Pierce
BLET National President As I have often said, one of the primary objectives of my Administration is to promote increased involvement by BLET officers and members alike. To put it bluntly, trade unionism is not a spectator sport; it is a participation sport where we can ill afford to sit back and let others decide our future. And moving from talk into action was never more urgent than it is today.
BLET members invited to massive labor rally in Indianapolis on March 10
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is one of many unions planning a massive pro-union rally in Indianapolis at 10:30 a.m. on March 10.
BLET supports member, protects FELA before Supreme Court
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and 10 other Rail Labor unions are headed to the U.S. Supreme Court later this month to protect the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA).
BLET mobilizes to protect democratic representation elections
The National Division has activated the BLET’s national mobilization network to fight an effort by the Republican leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives to turn the clock back on how representation elections are conducted under the Railway Labor Act by the National Mediation Board (NMB).
BLET members rally to stop the war on workers
As a follow up to the BLET’s February 25 News Flash, countless members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have remained on the front lines in recent days and engaged in solidarity rallies to oppose the war on workers in Wisconsin, Ohio, and other states.
Daily Headlines
Class action lawsuits filed against NS over East Palestine derailment
A third class action lawsuit has been filed in regards to the East Palestine train derailment.
North American rail volume flat through first five weeks of 2023
For the week ending Feb. 4, 2023, U.S. Class I railroads hauled a total of 449,586 carloads and intermodal units, falling 1.9% from the same week in 2022.
East Palestine residents can return home after crews burned chemicals in derailed tanker cars
Evacuated residents can safely return to the Ohio village where crews burned toxic chemicals after a train derailed five days ago near the Pennsylvania state line, East Palestine Fire Chief Keith Drabick said Wednesday.
Delays persist on Norfolk Southern’s northern network
Norfolk Southern’s lanes linking the Northeast with markets in the Midwest may continue to face disruptions as the railroad seeks to fully restore network fluidity following a train derailment that occurred Friday evening in Ohio near the Pennsylvania border.
Rail unions adopt resolution calling for paid sick leave
Twelve rail labor unions of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, have adopted a resolution that calls for the nation’s freight railroads to give all railroad workers paid sick leave.
In a first, some CSX railroad workers to get paid sick leave
Several thousand workers at CSX will soon get one of the things that pushed the U.S. railroad industry to the brink of a strike last fall: paid sick time. CSX announced a deal Tuesday with two of its 12 unions, becoming the first major railroad to offer that benefit that most U.S. workers take for granted.
NS declares “controlled release” of toxic chemicals in East Palestine a success
Norfolk Southern has declared the controlled release of toxic chemicals into the air in East Palestine a success.
While derailed NS train cars in Ohio are no longer burning toxic chemicals, officials say they need more air quality data to lift evacuations
Residents in the immediate area there and nearby in Pennsylvania were evacuated beforehand because of health risks from the fumes and can’t yet return Wednesday, as the impact of burning vinyl chloride is a concern.
Ohio governor says he expects NS to pay for costs of derailment and fire
“They’re the ones who created the problem,” DeWine said. “It’s their liability. They’re the ones who ought to pay for it.”
Norfolk Southern releases list of chemicals carried on derailed train in Ohio
The fire in East Palestine is still burning as community members figure out what the new week will bring. First responders are still waiting until it’s safe enough to head back to the scene before it can be cleared.
