BLET News
Deadline for AFL-CIO scholarships in Mass. is February 7
Two $250 scholarships are available to children of BLET members who belong to Division 57 in Boston, Mass.
Scholarship reminder for NS members: Jan. 31 deadline looms
A deadline of January 31 has been set for the children of Norfolk Southern employees seeking to participate in the 2008 Norfolk Southern Scholarship Program.
BLET responds to NTSB report on 2005 Metra accident
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is continuing to defend Metra Locomotive Engineer and BLET Member Michael Smith in light of a post-accident report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
A look back at 2006
The year 2006 was an eventful and successful year for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
BLET to conduct three S-T Workshops in 2007
The workshops will take place in Chicago (Feb. 18-21), Kansas City (March 12-15) and Denver (April 9-12).
Holiday 2006
On the behalf of the officers and staff of the BLET, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all BLET members and their families a safe and happy holiday season.
Division 34 adopts a family for the holidays
Members of BLET Division 34 (Columbus, Ohio) got to play Santa Claus to a family in need last year and they enjoyed it so much they’re planning to do the same thing again this year.
BLET, GTW/CN reach five year tentative contract
The BLET’s Grand Trunk Western General Committee of Adjustment has reached a tentative five year contract with CN.
Teamsters say proposed rail security rules ignore employees’ safety role
Proposed rules by the Transportation Security Administration ignore necessary employee training and protections against employer retaliation. The Teamsters Union is still reviewing the rules, issued Friday, but so far has determined that the proposals are inadequate.
BLET to conduct LM-2 GCA Secretary Treasurers Workshop
On February 25-28, 2007, the BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a workshop for all Secretary-Treasurers who file an LM-2 Report for their General Committee of Adjustment.
BLET Triennial election results available online
The BLET’s National Division has made it easy for General Committees of Adjustment and State Legislative Boards to find results of the recent Triennial elections at www.ble-t.org.
2007 General Chairman workshop full; Waiting list established for a second
Due to overwhelming demand, the BLET Education & Training Department announced that a waiting list has been created for a second General Chairman workshop in 2007.
Court to hear carriers’ appeal of Family Leave decision
The Rail Carriers appeal of a U.S. District Court ruling made last year regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act has been set for oral argument on January 3, 2007, at 9:30 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the case may be heard, at the U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. The District Court decision was filed last December 28.
Railroad Retirement disability bill passes Senate
In response to the unity and solidarity of Rail Labor, the U.S. Senate passed the Railroad Retirement Disability Earnings Act, H.R. 5483, by voice vote on December 9.
General Chairman Workshop set for week of January 22, 2007
The BLET is pleased to announce that its Education & Training and Arbitration Departments are offering a General Chairman””s workshop in St. Louis, Mo., the week of January 22, 2007.
FRA: Train crew work schedules contribute to accidents
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today released a study which provides a strong scientific rationale for evaluating railroad employee work schedules to address worker fatigue.
Election reminder: STs must file results online
As BLET Divisions nationwide conclude their Triennial Election of officers, the BLET National Division reminds incumbent Division Secretary-Treasurers of their duty to report election results electronically.
2007-2008 James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund
The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund awards scholarships annually to outstanding high school seniors, and 100 scholarships will be awarded during for the upcoming 2007-2008 school year.
Thanksgiving 2006
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all BLET members and their families a happy and joyous Thanksgiving.
BLET Job Bank: Allegheny Ludlum Steel Co.
The Allegheny Ludlum Steel Company, which operates an intra-plant railroad, is seeking to hire locomotive engineers to work at its Brackenridge, Pa., steel mill.
Daily Headlines
Canada TSB releases Watchlist 2022
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) on Oct. 26 released its Watchlist 2022, putting a “spotlight on key safety issues and actions needed to make Canada’s transportation system even safer.”
Rail strike worry prompts businesses to seek White House intervention
Businesses are increasingly worried about the renewed threat of a railroad strike after two unions rejected their deals, and they want the Biden administration and Congress to be ready to intervene.
Canadian Pacific anticipates growth opportunities post-merger
Canadian Pacific is eager to secure new business and expand existing opportunities as it gears up for a potential merger with Kansas City Southern in 2023, according to its executives during an earnings call to discuss the railway’s third-quarter 2022 financial results.
Norfolk Southern expects improved service to support railroad during down cycle
Although economic indicators hint at a softening market in the coming months, Norfolk Southern expects continuing improved service to support the railroad through the down cycle.
AAR reports rail traffic down for week ending October 22, 2022
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 505,322 carloads and intermodal units, down 1.1 percent compared with the same week last year.
New York extends its lead over California as home to nation’s new No. 1 port
The East Coast continues to dominate in the movement of trade, with the Port of New York and New Jersey taking the top spot as the nation’s busiest seaport for a second-consecutive month.
The elusive deal to restore Amtrak service to the Gulf Coast
But while freight trains have long since returned to service, the people of the Gulf Coast will have to wait at least a little bit longer for passenger trains to start running again.
North American rail volume down from 2021 through first 42 weeks of 2022
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) now has 42 weeks of traffic data for 2022 (ending Oct. 22). Total North American carload and intermodal traffic dipped 2.1% from the same point last year — with decreases in the U.S. and Canada, and an increase in Mexico.
Amtrak making changes after no heat, power on Michigan-Chicago train fiasco
Amtrak is revising its policies after customers were stuck on a delayed train from Michigan to Chicago without heat, electricity or working toilets earlier this month.
NS reports Q3 2022 financial results
Third quarter railway operating revenue was $3.3 billion, income from railway operations was $1.3 billion, net income was $958 million, and diluted earnings per share were $4.10.
