BLET News
Veterans Day 2024: Recognizing BLET veterans
Veterans Day is an important day of remembrance for our union and our members. The BLET has always been proud to support America’s soldiers and their families. Since our union was founded in 1863, our members have embraced the honorable tradition of service to...
Amtrak: Ridership on new Borealis service reaches major milestone
At the inaugural run of Amtrak's Borealis service on May 21, from left: Joel Mueller, BLET Minnesota SLB Chairman, Riley Richmond, BLET Division 27, and Chad Roehrich, BLET Midwest Regional Chairman-Amtrak GCA. _____________________ Strong public interest in Amtrak’s...
BLET welcomes Carrollton Railroad workers as union scores sixth organizing win since 2023
National Vice President Randy Fannon (front row, second from left) with workers from the Carrolton Railroad. ____________________ The BLET scored another short line organizing victory this month, marking the union’s sixth organizing win since mid-2023. Workers from...
Race to watch: Nebraska Senate candidate Dan Osborn backs rail workers, two-person train crews
Rail labor supporter Dan Osborn launched his campaign out of the back of his pickup truck and is now polling almost even with the heavily-favored incumbent. Photo: courtesy Osborn for Senate ____________________ Dan Osborn, an independent candidate for U.S. Senate in...
2024 election: Get out and vote on November 5; Support the candidates who support rail worker issues
November 5 will determine one of the most consequential elections in our lifetimes and all BLET members are encouraged to head to the polls. Control of the White House, the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives will be decided. All BLET members are encouraged...
Attention veterans — share your stories and photos with BLET
Veterans Day 2024 is approaching. Are you a veteran? Do you have a family member, friend or coworker who is a veteran? Do you have a story of camaraderie or sacrifice that you’d like to share in honor of veterans? The BLET National Division would like to hear from...
Cost-of-living adjustment will boost railroad retirement benefits; Retirees can earn more in 2025
Most railroad retirement annuities, like social security benefits, will increase in January 2025 based on a rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the third quarter of 2023 to the corresponding period of the current year. Cost-of-living increases are calculated...
Chronic underfunding continues to plague Railroad Retirement Board
Like other federal agencies, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has been operating under a continuing resolution since October 1, 2024, the start of fiscal year (FY) 2025. The temporary funding measure provides the agency with continuing appropriations of $27.9...
Non-union workers across the U.S. are turning to unions — including BLET. Do you know any railroaders seeking representation?
The Associated Press reported recently that the number of union representation petitions more than doubled in fiscal 2024. The National Labor Relations Board received 3,286 union petitions in the 12 months ending Sept. 30, up from 1,638 in 2021. By contrast, AP...
Deadline is October 31 to enroll in 2025 Health FSA program
Currently happening until midnight on October 31, 2024, you can enroll or change your Medical or Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefit selections for the 2025 benefit year. Members must enroll in the Health FSA every year — FSA enrollment is not automatic...
2024 Election: Sherrod Brown strengthens pro-labor record as he fights to protect CSX jobs in Northeast Ohio
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) at a news conference in 2023 calling for passage of the bipartisan Railway Safety Act. ____________________ U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has a long history of supporting rail unions and the rights of workers. His commitment to...
Autonomous technology a factor as BLET secures short line organizing victory at Georgia Central Railway
The specter of job loss to autonomous train technology played a role as the BLET scored a significant short line organizing victory on October 22. A majority of train and engine service employees at the Georgia Central Railway voted to join BLET in a representation...
AI, automation, robotics pose a threat to non-union workers, says Time Magazine
In March of this year, BLET National Vice President Vince Verna testified that autonomous rail equipment is "not ready for prime time". (BLET photo taken during 2022 demonstration in Culver City, Calif.) ____________________ Over the past two years, BLET has publicly...
BLET members attend annual rail labor solidarity rally in Houston
BLET members and their families from across the Lonestar State participated in the annual Houston Solidarity Rally on October 15, joining with several hundred other Texas railroad workers from other operating and shop crafts. See photo gallery of the event here.
2024 Election: Tim Walz has a record of supporting rail labor
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (center, blue tie) at the BLET Minnesota State Legislative Board meeting in April of 2023. ____________________ During campaign season, politicians will make promises — but can they deliver? Can they be believed? In Tim Walz’s case, the...
Georgia: OSHA orders back pay, punitive damages and legal fees for two BLET members after CSXT violates whistleblower law
An administrative law judge at the U.S. Department of Labor has ordered CSX Transportation to pay a total of $453,510 to two BLET members who were wrongfully terminated for exercising their federally protected rights to report workplace safety concerns. The decision...
Project 2025 would eliminate two-person train crew regulation, cut rail safety inspections
Project 2025 is a 920-page document that spells out what Republicans plan to do if they were to gain the presidency in the 2024 election. While candidate Trump has denied knowledge of the document, it was written by at least 140 Trump advisers and former (and likely...
Chicago: BLET members ratify Metra-UP implementing agreement
The ratified implementing agreement with Metra governs 307 BLET members. Photo courtesy of Cory Rusch, BLET Division 659 ____________________ BLET members last week ratified an implementing agreement related to Metra’s takeover of services from the Union Pacific...
Order now: Request your 2025 Time Book
The BLET National Division is now taking requests from members who wish to receive a new Time Book for 2025. These books will only be distributed to members upon request. To receive a Time Book, members must first log in to the Members’ Area of the BLET National...
National negotiations: BLET Advisory Board, National Wage Team and General Chairmen continue preparations
The BLET Advisory Board met on October 7 at the National Division to discuss many pressing issues crucial to the Brotherhood. Bargaining strategies for this next round of contract talks with the largest carriers were the main topic of discussion when the BLET...
Daily Headlines
T&E headcount up from a year ago, but below 2019
Three of the big four U.S. railroads now employ more engineers and conductors than they did a year ago, but headcount is still mostly below pre-pandemic 2019.
BNSF deals with derailments in Kansas, Minnesota
The first was reported at approximately 12:46 a.m. near Ottawa, Kan., while the second was reported at approximately 3:16 a.m. at Big Lake, Minn.
NTSB has pushed for railroad safety for decades. Making the changes can take just as long.
The NTSB, an independent investigative agency, can’t force railroads to put their safety recommendations into place. As a result, unfulfilled safety recommendations can linger for decades, while the same problems contribute to incident after incident.
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending July 13, 2024
Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 483,806 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.3 percent compared with the same week last year.
Heat disrupts rail service along Northeast Corridor
Extreme heat is taking its toll on rail transportation along the Northeast Corridor, with transit agencies and Amtrak all feeling the impact and taking operational measures.
House T&I Committee to host July 23 hearing on rail safety
An in-depth examination of nationwide freight rail policy is on a House committee’s agenda before lawmakers leave Washington for the August recess.
EPA watchdog investigating delays in how the agency used sensor plane after fiery Ohio derailment
The EPA’s Inspector General is investigating why the agency didn’t get its specialized plane loaded with advanced sensors into the air over East Palestine until four days after the disastrous Norfolk Southern derailment last year.
FRA encourages railroads to make better use of hot bearing detector data
The safety agency has updated an advisory issued last year in the wake of the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment
New STB chair orders rail CEOs to attend forum on declining volumes
Robert Primus, the new chairman of the US Surface Transportation Board (STB), has set a two-day hearing for September 16 and 17 at STB HQ in Washington, D.C.
House bill would enhance safety requirements for hazmat trains
H.R. 8996 would incorporate aspects of freight-rail safety legislation introduced last year by U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), but also would set federal limits on freight-train lengths.
