BLET News
BLET to conduct LM-2 GCofA S-T Workshop
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a workshop for all Secretary-Treasurers who file an LM-2. The workshop will be held at the School for Workers, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Pyle Center, Madison, Wisc., February 19–22. The class will start at 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, and conclude at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22.
Resolutions to change bylaws due February 17
The deadline is quickly approaching for BLET Divisions planning to submit resolutions to change the Bylaws of the BLET National Division.
BLET to conduct 2006 Local Chairman Workshop
The BLET Education & Training Department will conduct a Local Chairman Workshop on the campus of the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill., from March 19-23.
Rail Labor secures positive Family and Medical Leave Act ruling
Rail Labor secured a major court victory for its members in a decision released by the U.S. District Court in Chicago on January 3 regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
One year after Graniteville tragedy, rails still unsafe
Today marks the first year since the tragic rail crash in Graniteville, S.C., that claimed nine lives. Despite this horrific rail accident, in which deadly chlorine gas was emitted into the community, rail corporations have done little to address the numerous security and safety gaps along our nation’s railroads.
NMB to NCCC: Return to bargaining
The National Mediation Board (NMB) rejected the National Carrier Conference Committee’s (NCCC) request for a release from mediation and ordered the NCCC to return to the bargaining table with the Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition (RLBC).
Bush bypasses Congress and re-appoints Amtrak board members
President George W. Bush has again showed the American people that who you know is much more important than what you know in reappointing Enrique Sosa and Floyd Hall to the Amtrak board. The administration has shown its contempt for qualified individuals and its preference for rewarding donors by circumventing the traditional appointment process again, while at the same time doing a disservice to the hardworking employees of Amtrak and its riders.
New Year 2006
The year 2005 was marked by many gains and positive achievements by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and its membership. As the year draws to a close, let us look back on those accomplishments so that they may inspire us to even greater things in 2006.
BLET members OK 5-year deal with CN/IC
CN and the Brotherhood of Locomotive En-gineers and Trainmen (BLET) announced today that 400 locomotive engineers working on CN’s former Illinois Central (IC) properties in the United States have ratified a five-year collective agreement with the company.
2006 Time Books in the mail
Time Books for 2006 have been mailed to individual BLET members as of December 22.
BLET to conduct two S-T Workshops in 2006
The BLET’s Education and Training Department will conduct two three-day Secretary-Treasurer Compliance Workshops next year to assist STs prior to the major federal tax reporting deadline.
UnitedHealthcare to send confirmation letters to employees who opt-out of benefits
Each year employees have the opportunity to change benefits during the Open Enrollment period. This is held each October for next year’s benefits. As a general rule your benefits will not change from one year to the next unless you return the enrollment form making a change.
Engineers to receive a cost of living adjustment on January 1
Locomotive Engineers covered by the December 16, 2003 National Agreement will notice an increase in their pay checks on January 1.
Rail carriers cut-off negotiations
On December 14, the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) refused to set new dates for bargaining with the Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition (RLBC). The RLBC represents seven rail labor unions whose contracts cover nearly 85,000 rail workers or 65 percent of the carriers’ employees. The NCCC represents the Class One carriers (Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Norfolk Southern, CSX, etc.) that transport most the rail freight in the country.
Rail security bill introduced by Representative Lynch
Representative Stephen Lynch (D-MA) has introduced a bill, H.R. 4372, that would mandate security training for railroad workers. Also known as the Rail Worker Emergency Training Act of 2005, the bill would address many of the concerns expressed by BLET members in the Safe Rails, Secure America surveys conducted by the Teamsters Rail Conference.
Credit cards now accepted at BLET online store
Online shopping for BLET merchandise just got a whole lot easier.
Graniteville report highlights vulnerability of nation’s railways
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) yesterday recommended that rail companies make important operational changes, including reducing speeds in populated areas, to avoid another catastrophic accident like the crash in Graniteville, S.C., in January that killed nine people.
BLET’s Kinsman begins 2006 campaign
Getting an early start and building momentum for the 2006 elections, Brother James Kinsman — Chairman of the BLET’s Wisconsin State Legislative Board — has announced that he is running for political office in his home state.
Passenger rail safety to get national TV spotlight
ABC’s PrimeTime is scheduled to air a major story on commuter railroad safety on Thursday, December 1.
FRA amends Emergency Order No. 24
Generally, the revisions incorporate the information provided in Questions and Answers published by FRA on November 4th. However, FRA also addressed the three specific items contained in the Petition for Amendment that the BLET filed on November 7th, and tightened the original requirement with respect to switch point indicators.
Daily Headlines
At STB hearing, Quad Cities mayor testifies against CP-KCS merger
The Surface Transportation Board is holding hearings where, on Wednesday, former Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba spoke out against the CP-KCS merger.
Machinists union strikes improved tentative deal with U.S. railroads
The agreement, that covers 4,900 members, will now be put for a vote by members, a division of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) said in a statement.
IBEW members approve new railroad labor contract
Rail workers with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) have voted to ratify the union’s labor contract with U.S. freight railroads. IBEW joins two other unions, the Transportation Communications Union/IAM and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen, that voted to ratify their contracts. IBEW has nearly 4,000 members working for member carriers of the National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC), the group representing the railroads in labor negotiations.
Man who assaulted locomotive engineer charged with attempted hijacking
A man from Sauk Rapids is charged with attempted hijacking of a BNSF train and assaulting the engineer.
CSX, NS stocks sink to near two-year lows after analysts cite “deteriorating outlook”
Shares of CSX Corp. and Norfolk Southern Corp. both sank toward the lowest levels in nearly two years Tuesday, after UBS analyst Thomas Wadewitz backed away from his long-time bullish stances on the railroad operators, citing a “deteriorating” economic outlook.
Senator Baldwin introduces bill to address common-carrier rules
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced a bill this week seeking to better define railroads’ common-carrier rules and establishing criteria for the Surface Transportation Board to consider when assessing complaints about service issues, as well as a timeline to do so.
To avoid next crew crisis, railroads need to broaden their appeal to younger workers
In order to attract, hire, and retain conductors – and avoid crew shortages that snarl operations and hurt service – Class I railroads need to make the job more appealing to today’s workers.
Police say man jumped on freight train, attacked locomotive engineer with knife in Minnesota
A man is facing felony charges for allegedly attacking a train engineer with a knife, causing the victim to flee by jumping from a moving locomotive Tuesday near Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.
AAR: Carloads up, intermodal down for week ending September 17
While U.S. carloads rose for Week 37 (ending Sept. 17, 2022), intermodal volume fell, bringing total traffic down compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported on Sept. 21.
BNSF says it can’t be sued by Amtrak crash victims
BNSF Railway has asked a federal court to rule that those who have sued over the June derailment of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief must settle matters through arbitration rather than lawsuits, and asked that state suits be placed on hold while the arbitration question is decided at the federal level.
