BLET News
RRB field offices will stay open after Teamsters Rail Conference and BLET campaign
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) was recently informed that the decision to close upwards of 40 field offices has been reversed and that the nine RRB field offices that had their leases scheduled to be terminated will stay open. This news follows a meeting that...
April 2025 RRB Q&A: Railroad Retirement survivor benefits
Each month, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) publishes a list of questions and answers (Q&A) to highlight and explain the various benefits available to railroad workers and their families. This month’s Q&A examines railroad retirement survivor benefit...
Locomotive engineers at NJ Transit overwhelmingly reject tentative contract setting in motion a possible strike next month at the nation’s third largest commuter railroad
Unless NJ Transit offers its engineers wage improvements that close the gap with engineers at other commuter railroads, “self-help” where union members can strike or NJ Transit can call a lockout could begin on May 16. NEWARK — Locomotive engineers at NJ Transit,...
BLET Education and Training Dept.: 25 GCAs represented at well-attended Local Chairman class
The BLET Education and Training Department conducted a three-day Local Chairman training class April 8-10, with over 70 Local Chairmen and Vice Local Chairmen from 25 General Committees of Adjustment (GCAs) participating both in-person and via Zoom. This comprehensive...
As the U.S. threatens to privatize Amtrak, the UK begins to renationalize passenger rail after 30 years of a failed experiment with privatization
While the Trump Administration and billionaire advisor Elon Musk are talking about privatizing passenger rail here in the USA, in the UK, they’re going in the opposite direction. Next month, on May 25, the British will begin nationalizing passenger rail after decades...
Goodbye railroad, hello retirement: Metra and Union Pacific honor BLET’s Doug Davidson
Then and now: Davidson in the cab of a C&NW locomotive in the late 1980s (left) and Metra's C&NW heritage locomotive on March 31, 2025 (right). ____________________ Both Metra and Union Pacific gave the BLET’s Director of Arbitration Doug Davidson a nice send...
BLET UP-Southern Region GCA conducts training for new Local Chairmen
The BLET Union Pacific-Southern Region General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) held a training session on March 25-26 in Burleson, Texas, for recently elected or newly appointed Local Chairmen. The session was specifically designed for those taking office for the first...
Reminder: Deadline to apply for Teamsters Scholarship Fund is May 1
BLET members are reminded that the Teamsters Scholarship Fund (TSF) will award 600 one-time $2,000 awards for the upcoming school year. To apply, please visit the TSF website (aim.applyists.net/TSF) and create an account. The deadline is May 1. For more information,...
BLET members ratify quality of life agreement with Belt Railway of Chicago
For the first time, BLET members will have paid sick days and access to the company’s 401k program under the new quality of life agreement.BLET members ratified a new quality of life agreement with the Belt Railway of Chicago (BRC) in late March. ____________________...
Arizona: Excessive train length a factor in recent train heists, President Hall says in television interview
In a recent television interview, BLET National President Eddie Hall said excessive train length is a factor in the ongoing problem of train robberies in the American southwest. In an interview with television station Fox 10 News in Phoenix, President Hall said that...
Texas: BLET delivers expert testimony on grade crossing separation bill
BLET Texas SLB Chairman Ben Wright prepares to deliver testimony in favor of Texas Senate Bill 1555. ____________________ The BLET is working with a bipartisan group of lawmakers in Texas to make railroad grade crossings safer following the death of a Houston high...
Nevada: BLET State Legislative Board Chairmen wrap up 50th annual meeting
Members of the BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC), meeting in Las Vegas, concluded their 50th annual meeting On April 3rd. The NASLBC has met each year since 1975 to hear from each State Chairman about railroad-related safety and...
Wisconsin: BLET and Teamster-backed judge Susan Crawford wins election
Susan Crawford, center, speaking at an election night event. ____________________ On April 1, pro-union candidate Susan Crawford won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, securing a 3-2 pro-worker majority. A proven labor advocate, Crawford is committed to protecting...
Two injured in CSXT remote control collision in Baltimore
A remote control incident in July 2024 caused a CSXT locomotive to crash into a residential neighborhood in Niagara Falls, N.Y. ____________________ Baltimore television station WBAL reports that a collision between two CSXT trains at the Curtis Bay Yard in Baltimore...
Follow-up on CSXT’S zero-to-zero plan: Field reports from BLET members document safety flaws with Trip Optimizer
As documented by a BLET member, Trip Optimizer’s handling of a train caused excessive slack action, which resulted in a violent separation that ripped out this drawbar and initiated an emergency brake application. ___________________ As reported in March, the BLET...
In a unanimous vote, BLET-backed grade crossing bill is passed by NM House of Representatives
The New Mexico House of Representatives unanimously passed a rail safety bill in March designed to address the ongoing problem of blocked grade crossings in the state. Members of the BLET’s New Mexico State Legislative Board (NM SLB) spent significant time and effort...
Cleveland: Doug Davidson retires after 50+ years; Dan Lucansky new Director of Arbitration for the BLET National Division
A Rail Labor institution on the National Railroad Adjustment Board retired effective Monday, March 31. BLET Director of Arbitration Doug Davidson, who also serves as the NRAB's Vice Chairman, is pulling the pin after a railroad career that spanned 51 years. His...
Philadelphia: BLET member and SEPTA locomotive engineer found murdered; GoFundMe created to assist his three children
In a shocking development for the close-knit members of BLET Division 71 who operate regional rail trains for SEPTA, locomotive engineer Jordan Baxter was found dead in his driveway on March 19. Jordan Baxter had been a member of Division 71 in Philadelphia for 10...
NJ Transit: Members can request replacement ballots beginning April 1
BLET members are currently voting on the union’s tentative agreement with New Jersey Transit. Ballots were mailed earlier this month and are due by Tuesday, April 15. Members who are eligible and have not received a ratification packet can request one beginning...
Wisconsin: BLET and Teamsters rally to support Judge Susan Crawford
From left: BLET Division 174 member Eric Stroik with a fellow Wisconsin Teamster at the rally in Oshkosh. ___________________ The race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court is one of the most important in the country, and the BLET and Teamsters are pulling out all the...
Daily Headlines
Back-to-work order issued at CN, CPKC; TCRC will comply, but lawsuit planned
The Canadian arbitrator appointed to resolve a messy railroad labor dispute to protect the North American economy has ordered employees at the country’s two major railroads back to work so both can resume operating.
Canada forces arbitration in freight train labor dispute; Union cries foul
The union representing 10,000 engineers, conductors and dispatchers responded angrily to the order, accusing the railroads of intentionally creating a crisis to force the government to intervene. It also said it would keep its picket lines in place while reviewing the decision.
CN and CPKC begin lockout in Canada
Despite months of good faith negotiations on the part of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, parties remain far apart, and both CN and CPKC have began their lockout of 00:01 today.
Canada’s Labor Minister to meet with rail companies, union to avoid massive shutdown
Without a last-minute agreement or binding arbitration, the bulk of Canada’s freight rail traffic could grind to a halt this week.
TCRC receives lockout notice from CN
Work stoppage still set for 00:01 on Thursday, August 22, unless parties reach last-minute agreement.
Participants line up to bend STB’s ear at rail growth hearing
Regulators will hear from railroad execs, shippers, suppliers, trade groups, rail labor, and analysts at next month’s hearing on the long-term decline in carload volume
Canadian government rejects CN request to intervene in labor dispute ahead of potential lockout, strike
Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon has rejected the Canadian National Railway Company’s request to intervene in the ongoing labour dispute between the company and the union representing railway employees.
Hidden report reveals how workers got sick while cleaning up East Palestine derailment site
Workers who reported headaches and nausea — while shooting compressed air into the creek bed, which releases chemicals from the sediment and water — were sent back to their hotels to rest, according to a report obtained by The Associated Press about their illnesses.
CPKC, CN embargoes intensify ahead of potential strike/lockout in Canada
The latest action by CN impacts U.S. originating intermodal railcars destined for Canada, while CPKC will discontinue domestic reefer shipments.
Union Pacific hasn’t yet lived up to deal to give all its engineers predictable schedules
Union Pacific is holding back on its promises to make schedules more predictable for train crews to address the quality of life concerns that nearly caused a nationwide rail strike two years ago, according to the union that represents engineers.
