BLET News
BLET Education & Training Department: Training classes planned for newly-elected Division officers
To assist new Division officers who will be installed following the conclusion of the 2024 Triennial Election cycle, the BLET Education & Training Department will conduct several basic introductory classes via Zoom in January 2025. Separate classes will be offered...
Update: BLET member Tony Ramos continues to battle brain cancer
BLET members are asked to keep Brother Tony Ramos and his family in their prayers. Brother Ramos, a BNSF locomotive engineer and member of BLET Division 13 (La Crosse, Wis.), suffered an on-duty medical episode in October. Brother Ramos was rushed to a local hospital...
BLET notches seventh short line organizing victory since 2023 as workers at Utah Central Railway say YES to BLET
The BLET scored its seventh short line organizing victory since 2023 as train and engine service workers from the Utah Central Railway voted unanimously to join the BLET in an election certified by the National Mediation Board on December 18. Patriot Rail owns and...
BLET members ratify new contract with Berkshire & Eastern
BLET members unanimously ratified a new contract with the Berkshire & Eastern Railroad (B&E). The agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 32 members. The five-year agreement provides general wage increases of 22.5% over the life of the...
BLET Advisory Board: VP Alan Holdcraft to retire; James Logan to become VP on January 1
The BLET Advisory Board met on December 6 at the National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio. National Vice President Alan Holdcraft will be retiring at the end of this month. Alternate Vice President James Logan will fill the vacancy on the Advisory Board...
BLET heads to arbitration to force NJ Transit to live up to contract; Employer seeks injunction to block arbitration from happening
“We’ll see you in court.” The contract between NJ Transit and the BLET requires engineers to be paid 10.4 % more than conductors. When conductors at the commuter railroad received a raise, BLET members at NJT should automatically have received a boost in their wages...
National Freight Negotiations: Contract talks underway
In accordance with Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act, the BLET and the rail carriers exchanged notices last month, and national negotiations with the Class I carriers and other railroads are now in progress. The BLET National Wage Team aims to build on the momentum...
BLET, Teamsters celebrate passage of REEF Act by Congress, paving the way for an end to sequestration of Railroad Retirement unemployment and sickness benefits
On December 18, the U.S. Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 85-14. The authorization bill for national defense includes an amendment for the REEF Act, which will fully restore unemployment and sickness benefits to...
CSXT Santa Train: Brother Scott Steffey finishes 30-year-career by spreading Christmas cheer
BLET Division 781 member and 2024 CSX Santa Train locomotive engineer Scott Steffey (right) shakes hands with CSX road foreman of engines Wesley Stewart during a stop at Dante, Va. This year's Santa Train was led by CSX's Clinchfield Railroad heritage locomotive No....
Remembering the railroaders killed in Pecos tragedy
A joint GoFundMe has been established to help raise money for the families of the two Union Pacific train crew members that were killed in the tragic grade crossing collision in Pecos, Texas, on December 18. Locomotive engineer Clay Burt, a member of BLET Division 212...
Tragedy in Texas: Two UP crew members killed, including BLET member, in grade crossing collision
Locomotive engineer Clay Burt, a member of BLET Division 212 in Sweetwater, Texas, was severely injured and passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital. Images: courtesy of Reeves County Texas ____________________ Two Union Pacific train crew members were...
Refresher sessions via Zoom help S-Ts with end-of-year requirements and Triennial Election reporting
More than 80 members participated in the BLET Education & Training Department's S-T refresher course. ____________________ The BLET Education & Training Department conducted three Zoom S-T refresher training sessions last week. Over 80 BLET Local Division, General...
BLET supports Teamsters in historic strike against Amazon
Today, the BLET is proud to support our Teamster Brothers and Sisters at Amazon as they fight for higher wages, better benefits, and safer conditions at work. BLET members, officers, and staff are among the thousands standing on Teamster picket lines today as a part...
New England: Ballots mailed as BLET reaches tentative contract with Berkshire & Eastern
The BLET has reached a tentative contract with the Berkshire & Eastern Railroad (B&E). The tentative agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 32 members. Ballots were mailed this week. Ballots are due by Friday, December 27, 2024, at noon...
NJ Transit: CEO Kevin Corbett resigns as BLET continues to fight for its members
BLET members at NJT have protested publicly numerous times against management's misplaced priorities. They have been seeking a new labor agreement since October 2019. ____________________ On December 9, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced the resignation of NJ...
Bill to eliminate unfair cuts to Railroad Retirement unemployment and sickness benefits moves to the Senate after ratification by the U.S. House of Representatives
On December 11, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an authorization bill for national defense, which included an amendment for the REEF Act. This provision would fully restore unemployment and...
Two Teamster scholarship funds now accepting applications
BLET members and their families are advised that the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund has begun accepting applications for the 2025 award year. The Fund awards financial scholarships to the sons, daughters and financial dependents of Teamster members...
New York: Retirees honored at 57th annual Division 269/LIRR Dinner Dance
Brother James Daddino (holding plaque) is presented with the “Engineer of the Year” award by (from left to right) Karl Bischoff, Bret Becker and Kevin Sexton. ____________________ BLET Division 269 and the Long Island Rail Road General Committee of Adjustment honored...
Washington, D.C.: President-elect Trump announces cabinet picks to lead DOT, DOL
President-elect Trump has announced his intention to fill two cabinet-level positions of particular interest for the BLET and its members: the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Labor. Former Wisconsin Representative Sean Duffy has been nominated by...
Indiana: BLET members ratify new contract with Indiana Southern Railroad
Members of the BLET on December 5 ratified a new contract with the Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR). The on-property agreement governs rates of pay, benefits, and work rules for 13 BLET locomotive engineers and conductors. The five-year deal runs through the end of...
Daily Headlines
NS adds PSR veterans to management staff
Norfolk Southern Railway yesterday announced it has appointed three industry veterans with precision scheduled railroading (PSR) experience to help lead its transportation team.
ATDA, NS join FRA’s confidential close call reporting system
In January, Norfolk Southern announced the first pilot program under the FRA’s supervision in the industry, in conjunction with the BLET.
CSX reports Q2 2024 results
CSX said Monday that it earned $963 million, or 49 cents per share, in the second quarter. That’s down from last year’s $984 million, or 49 cents per share.
Fiery North Dakota derailment was the latest to involve weak tank cars the NTSB wants replaced
The NTSB highlighted the fact that some of the 17 tank cars carrying hazardous materials that derailed were DOT-111 tank cars that have demonstrated time and again that they are prone to rupturing in a train crash.
BNSF reports Q2 2024 results
The railway on Saturday, Aug. 3, said its operating income increased 1%, to $1.8 billion, as revenue declined 2%, to $5.7 billion.
Senator Bob Casey introduces Rail Bridge Safety and Transparency Act
This legislation seeks to establish standards for DOT rail bridge oversight and empower local communities to report unsafe conditions.
CPKC reports Q2 2024 results
CPKC’s quarterly operating income — adjusted to reflect the April 14, 2023, CP-KCS merger as if it occurred on Jan. 1 — increased 17%, to $1.37 billion, as adjusted revenue grew 8%, to $3.6 billion.
Justice Dept. sues Norfolk Southern over chronic delays for Amtrak
The Justice Department took the rare step of filing a lawsuit because it says Norfolk Southern is consistently violating the federal law that requires Amtrak’s trains to get priority when they cross a freight railroad’s tracks.
New Jersey members of Congress seek US DOT action on Northeast Corridor problems
Eight members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation have again written Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, asking for federal intervention in the ongoing service issues on the Northeast Corridor.
Union Pacific interfered in federal safety audit
Senator Maria Cantwell said she was opening a probe into Union Pacific’s actions after the Federal Railroad Administration told the committee this month it was forced to discontinue its assessment “due to Union Pacific’s actions to undermine the integrity of the assessment process.”
