BLET News
What the AFL-CIO forgot to mention
As the victim of raiding at the hands of the United Transportation Union for the better part of the last decade, it is an understatement to say that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen takes exception to the AFL-CIO’s August 8 statement.
GTW General Chairman John Karakian reelected by acclamation
The Grand Trunk Western (GTW) General Committee reelected General Chairman John Karakian by acclamation for a fifth consecutive four-year term at meetings in Troy, Mich., on August 2.
BLET engineers OK tentative agreement at NS
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has reached a tentative contract agreement with Norfolk Southern that would run through 2014.
BLET-backed bill would create rail expansion in New Hampshire
The governor of New Hampshire signed a BLET-backed measure on July 27 that will help create railroad jobs and revitalize freight and passenger rail service in the state.
Teamsters announce essay contest for scholarships
The Essay Contest is geared toward the student who can demonstrate a thorough understanding of labor principles and the impact of the labor movement in their life. The award is payable exclusively as a one time, $1,000 disbursement. The deadline for receiving entries for the 2007 Essay Contest is September 30.
Members should make EUMA hotel reservations ASAP
With the BLET’s Eastern Union Meeting Association (EUMA) quickly approaching, members are reminded to make hotel reservations as soon as possible. The 69th annual EUMA is taking place August 20-24 in Traverse City, Mich.
Amtrak, BLET reach tentative agreement
Amtrak and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have reached tentative agreement on a labor contract covering Amtrak’s 1,300 locomotive engineers who operate the national passenger railroad’s trains throughout its 21,000-mile, 46-state route system.
BLET Job Bank: Amtrak
Amtrak is recruiting to fill Locomotive Engineers to work in the following areas: Jacksonville, Fla.; Raleigh, N.C.; Florence, S.C.; Miami, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Lorton, Va. (Auto Train).
New agreement reached at NYS&W
BLET members ratified a new agreement with the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYS&W) yesterday, governing wages and working conditions for their train and engine service employees.
General Chairman Pierce reelected by acclamation at BNSF/MRL
Chairman Dennis Pierce was reelected by acclamation to a third term as General Chairman at the 11th Triennial General Committee Meeting of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe/Montana Rail Link (BNSF/MRL) General Committee.
Limited space remains for General Chairman workshop in September
The BLET Education & Training and Arbitration Departments are offering a second General Chairman’s workshop in St. Louis, Mo., the week of September 10, 2007, due to the overwhelming interest in the first General Chairman’s workshop held in early 2007.
National Labor College announces 2008 workshops
The National Labor College is now accepting applications for two Radiological Transportation “Train-the-Trainer” courses that will be held next year, April 12-16, 2008, and May 12-14, 2008.
Tragedy strikes BLET National Division employee
In the early morning hours of Saturday, July 1, 2007, BLET employee Tonya Marrhoubi received the worst news a young mother could possibly learn — her four and a half month old baby girl, Amanda, died suddenly and unexpectedly.
DOL announces revised LM-30 reporting requirements
On July 2, the Department of Labor announced revisions to the LM-30 reporting requirements for union officers and employees.
Priester reelected General Chairman at CP Rail System/U.S.
Michael D. Priester was reelected to his third term as General Chairman of the CP Rail System/U.S. General Committee of Adjustment at meetings held in Las Vegas this week.
Palmer reelected by acclamation in Oregon
Scott Palmer was reelected by acclamation to a second term as Oregon State Legislative Board Chairman at the Boards June 5 meeting in Wilsonville, Ore.
RLBC unions ratify agreements with NCCC
Six of the seven rail unions that make up the Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition (RLBC) have ratified their contracts with the National Carrier’s Conference Committee (NCCC).
BLET Members Vote YES for New Contracts
By a majority of 2-1, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen members nationwide voted in favor of the new freight rail contract negotiated by the Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition.
EUMA scholarship deadline is July 5
The deadline for the BLET’s Eastern Union Meeting Association (EUMA) scholarship program is coming up on July 5.
GC Pierce clarifies tentative national contract
The following is a copy of a letter sent from BNSF-MRL General Chairman Dennis Pierce to all BLET Advisory Board members and to all BLET General Chairmen involved in National Handling. In it, Brother Pierce clarifies some points of confusion regarding the tentative national contract.
Daily Headlines
Illinois voters approve collective bargaining amendment
Illinois voters have approved an amendment to their state constitution guaranteeing the right to bargain collectively.
Carloads, intermodal volume down for week ending November 12, 2022
Total U.S. weekly rail traffic came in at 490,350 carloads and intermodal units, comprising 235,474 carloads, down 0.2%, and 254,876 containers and trailers, down 4.5%, compared with 2021.
DOT announces $13.1 million in grant awards to help communities plan for transit-oriented development
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced 19 awards totaling approximately $13.1 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help boost local economies, fight climate change, and provide more transportation options through development near new or expanded transit project corridors.
Watch video: Presidents of the two largest rail unions discuss the proposed contract and take questions from engineers and conductors
On November 9, BLET President Dennis Pierce was joined by Jeremy Ferguson, the president of the SMART Transportation Division, at a town hall meeting held near Cleveland, Ohio.
FRA publishes Northeast Corridor project inventory, laying out priorities for intercity passenger rail development on the NEC
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a list of priority projects in the Northeast Corridor, a railroad line that spans from Boston to Washington, D.C.
Chemicals industry warns that rail strike will shut plants, harm economy
The U.S. chemical manufacturing industry is one of the largest users of freight rail, shipping more than 33,000 carloads per week, and it is forecasting billions of dollars in economic damage if a labor deal isn’t reached between rail companies and unions before a potential strike in December.
Montana Rail Link: End of the line
In some ways, the story of 20th century railroading was the story of mergers and bankruptcies, of ends more than beginnings, even though the overall industry itself, over the same period, slowly grew stronger and more powerful than ever before.
CP CEO: KCS merger opens up Lazaro port as Pacific alternative
With the merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern awaiting final U.S. government approval in 2023, the CEOs of both companies presented their case about the benefits of the deal Tuesday to an audience of rail executives.
CP’s hydrogen-powered locomotive makes first revenue run
Canadian Pacific’s experimental hydrogen-powered locomotive made its maiden revenue run last month in Calgary, Alberta, taking the first step in determining whether the technology could one day replace diesel-electric locomotives.
Labor unions push for “stress test” to determine whether railroad employment levels are adequate
A rail labor union coalition has proposed that Congress require federal regulators to conduct an annual “stress test” that would determine whether the Class I railroads have enough people, equipment, and infrastructure capacity to meet freight demand.
