BLET News
NASLBC announces 2009 annual meeting
The National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC) will convene their 2009 annual meeting in Philadelphia, Pa., at the Hyatt Regency-Penn””s Landing from June 30-July 3.
Christmas greetings from BLET Executive Committee
May the spirit of the season warm your heart, and may the Lord’s bright blessing be with you and your family during this holiday season.
Reminder: Open enrollment continues under United Healthcare GA-23111
Following up on News Flashes issued October 13 and November 24, BLET members are reminded that UnitedHealthcare is holding an open enrollment under GA-23111 during the months of November and December.
A gift that comes straight from the heart
He’s not Santa Claus, but Brother K.C. Kyer, a BNSF locomotive engineer and Local Chairman of BLET Division 647 (Phoenix, Ariz.), has spent the last nine years helping to make wishes come true for hundreds of children.
Freight railroads name new chief labor negotiator
The nation’s major freight railroads today announced the appointment of A. Kenneth Gradia as chairman of the National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC). He will succeed Robert F. Allen, who is stepping down after 15 years as the railroads’ chief negotiator and will remain as a senior advisor until his retirement next July.
Increased risk for switching fatalities around the holidays
Winter weather brings risk to switching operations, and all BLET members who work in yard operations are reminded to recognize special switching hazards during winter months.
Funeral arrangements for Cooksey Humphrey
Funeral arrangements for the late Cooksey Humphrey, former Chairman of the Louisiana State Legislative Board, are as follows: Visitation, December 14, 2008, 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Airline Baptist Church, 4007 Airline Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111
Phone: 318-746-3495: Funeral, December 15, 2008, 10:00 a.m., Rose – Neath Funeral Home, 2175 N. Airline Drive
Bossier City, LA 71111, Phone: 318-746-2543.
Former La. SLBC Cooksey Humphrey, 1923-2008
Former Louisiana State Legislative Board Chairman C.M. “Cooksey” Humphrey, a retired member of BLE Division 326 (Bossier City, La.), passed away last night.
BLET, labor win big in FMLA arbitration
In a decision received this afternoon, a panel of three arbitrators has ruled that the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policies of the four largest Class I railroads (BNSF, CSXT, NS and UP) violate the industry’s national vacation and personal leave agreements. Among the victors are BLET members working for these railroads.
BLET helps Santa spread good cheer
Spreading good will and holiday cheer, Santa Claus made his annual visit to Appalachia the weekend of November 22. But he swapped his sleigh and reindeer for a ride on a CSX train.
Teamsters Rail Conference will fight proposed rule weakening regulation of toxic chemicals
The Teamsters Rail Conference pledged to fight a new Labor Department rule proposed by the Bush administration that would make it much harder for the government to regulate toxic substances and hazardous chemicals that workers get exposed to on the job.
Lifetime maximum increases under GA-46000
Effective January 1, 2009, the lifetime maximum will increase from $107,700 to $113,000 under the Railroad Employees Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit Plan (ERMA or GA-46000).
Q&A: BLET Short Term Disability program
What follows are answers to frequently asked questions regarding changes to the BLET’s Short Term Disability Plan, which will become effective January 1, 2009.
Meany Center offers 2009 hazardous materials awareness training
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program will conduct several hazardous materials transportation/chemical emergency response training programs on the George Meany Campus in Silver Spring, Md., during 2009.
Amtrak names FRA’s Joseph Boardman President & CEO
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation Board of Directors announced today that it has chosen Joseph Boardman, a nationally recognized transportation industry professional, to become president and chief executive officer of the company, effective November 26.
Reminder: United Healthcare open enrollment continues
Following up on a News Flash issued October 13, BLET members are reminded that UnitedHealthcare is holding an open enrollment under GA-23111 during the months of November and December.
WNY&P shortline workers say YES to BLET
Train and engine service employees at the Western New York & Pennsylvania (WNY&P) Railroad have voted overwhelmingly to join the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
Hours of Service Q&A now available
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is making available a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding changes to the Hours of Service Act that are going into effect following passage of the 2008 Rail Safety Bill.
Update — BLET Short Term Disability plan
The BLET National Division has secured more time to implement the changes to the Short Term Disability program.
BLET names Steve Bruno director of regulatory affairs
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has named Stephen J. Bruno to the position of Director of Regulatory Affairs.
Daily Headlines
Missing Amtrak switch keys could pose public safety risk, watchdog reports
Amtrak first came under investigation for its key-management protocol after a conductor in Sanford, Fla., and his wife were accused of trying to sell stolen switch keys on Facebook Marketplace.
NS conductor trainee killed in accident in Bessemer, Ala.
One person was killed this morning in a railway accident in Bessemer according to officials. Bessemer police say a train conductor trainee was killed.
Unions, railroads clash over hiring data as UP faces regulatory heat at STB hearing
The strike was averted, but tensions between unions and class I freight railroads continue to run high.
Shippers decry “notoriously difficult” railroads at STB hearing
Shippers urged the US railroad regulator to create more competition in the industry during hearings in which Union Pacific Corp. was called to explain a spike in service restrictions.
Rail industry must overcome strained labor relations in order to survive
But the battle scars still remain and those scars must be healed in order for the rail industry not only to fully restore service levels but also to thrive and assume the role as a vital and necessary freight transportation mode.
CSX tweaks attendance policy as railroad unions push back on sick time
Rail operator CSX Corp is changing its attendance policy for unexpected, short-term medical absences next year after U.S. railroads’ sick-time policies became a flashpoint in national labor talks. Under the new policy effective Jan.
Following outcry, Class Is revise attendance policies
Although it has yet to be seen if the changes will appease railroaders whose morale is at an all-time low, according to some observers.
Congress intervened but Galesburg rail workers still have concerns over work conditions
Members and supporters of local chapters of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union (SMART) gathered in the rain Tuesday afternoon for a rally in Galesburg’s central park.
NS Director James Squires sells $5.2 million in company stock
Norfolk Southern Co. Director James A. Squires sold 21,272 shares of Norfolk Southern stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 8.
Amtrak asks STB to investigate UP’s impact on Sunset Limited on time performance
Amtrak is asking the Surface Transportation Board to investigate why host railroad practices — primarily at Union Pacific Railroad — are contributing to substandard on-time performance (OTP) of its Sunset Limited trains in the southwestern United States.
