BLET News

After almost two and a half years of negotiating, Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition (RLBC) has finalized its tentative agreement with the National Carrier’s Conference Committee (NCCC), and RLBC unions are preparing to mail the document to its members for ratification.

BLET members are encouraged to attend a one-day Radiological Transportation Safety Training class hosted by the National Labor College in Salt Lake City on June 25.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and BNSF Railway Company have agreed in principle on a BNSF-specific contract that would augment the national settlement between BLET and the nation’s major railroads. The agreement is subject to ratification by BLET members on BNSF and is contingent on ratification of the national agreement’s terms.

John Tolman, Vice President and National Legislative Representative of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) testified today in support of the Railroad Safety and Improvement Act of 2007 before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) marks its 144th anniversary today. The union was founded as the Brotherhood of the Footboard on May 8, 1863 in Marshall, Mich.

Metra commuter engineers (former IC-Electric, MILW and Rock Island) represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen ratified a new seven year contract by a two-thirds majority.

The registration deadline for the upcoming International Western Convention (IWC) in Tacoma, Wash., has been extended to May 11.

The standard registration fee for the 2007 SMA ($79) at Walt Disney World is quickly coming to an end. The last day to take advantage of this rate is May 10.

All 11 active judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit have unanimously rejected the request of the rail carriers to rehear the dispute over whether management may require the employees to substitute their paid vacation and personal leave for unpaid FMLA leave.

General Chairman Mike Preister (CP Rail-U.S./ Metra North / Indiana Southern Railroad) was elected Chairman of the BLET’s Western General Chairmen’s Association (WGCA) at meetings in Las Vegas on May 2. He was elected by acclamation.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels recently signed into law a bill that would give local county health and safety departments the authority to inspect so-called railway camp cars. These converted trailers are used to house railroad crews while on location repairing and rebuilding rail tracks and switches.

Transportation labor strongly endorses the Amtrak Day of Action (www.17MAY07.org) being organized by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and urges all transportation unions to participate in the event in Washington, D.C., on May 17.

Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa stressed the importance of electing a labor-friendly White House and the need to “take back America in 2008” during his Unity Conference presentation here yesterday.

Tim Smith was elected Chairman of the BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC) during the Board’s annual meetings held here this week.

Terry Briggs was reelected to another term as Chairman of the Texas State Legislative Board at Quadrennial meetings in Austin on April 24-25.

Wisconsin Central General Chairman John W. Reynolds was elected by acclamation at the General Committee’s Triennial meeting in Green Bay, Wisc., from April 22-25.

David Beech and the members of BLET Division 238 in Tacoma, Wash., are proud to host the 67th annual International Western Convention from May 20-24, 2007. Deadline for hotel registration is May 5, 2007.

Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified a single system agreement with CSX Transportation, according to National Secretary-Treasurer William Walpert, whose office was responsible for the vote count.