BLET News
Election Supervisor issues first report to BLET
As a result of its merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the BLET will take part in the IBT convention following the BLET National Convention in June 2006. The rules for electing IBT officers and delegates to the IBT convention are significantly different from BLET rules; therefore, the Election Supervisor for the IBT elections has issued its First Report to the BLET to help BLET officers and members familiarize themselves with these new rules and procedures.
Moates new CSX (Western Lines) General Chairman
Don Moates was elected General Chairman of the CSX Transportation-Western Lines General Committee of Adjustment at meetings in Jacksonville, Fla., on August 1. He is a member of Division 782 (Etowah, Tenn.).
Davis elected General Chairman of NS (Northern Lines)
Cole W. Davis, a member of BLET Division 86 in Moberly, Mo., was elected the new General Chairman of the Norfolk Southern-Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment at meetings held in Cleveland from September 12-14.
Finamore new CSXT-North Lines General Chairman
R.A. “Rick” Finamore of BLET Division 757 (New Castle, Pa.) was elected General Chairman of the CSX Transportation-Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment at meetings held in Jacksonville, Fla., from September 26-28.
New Proof of Disability form ready for download
As most BLET members know, an employee who leaves work due to disability must provide proof of that disability in order for benefits to continue.
BNSF General Committee (Santa Fe) elects officers
In meetings now concluded here, the delegates to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe General Committee of Adjustment (former Santa Fe) have re-elected current General Chairman Pat Williams to serve another three-year term. Mark Banton was re-elected as First Vice-Chairman.
Raffle to benefit family of G.Y. Bailey
BLET Divisions in the Houston area are sponsoring a raffle to benefit the family of Brother G.Y. (Greg) Bailey, who lost his life in a head on collision of two Union Pacific trains in Shepard, Texas on September 15.
U.S. Senate considers rail security
The U.S. Senate is currently considering a bill that seeks to improve the security of America’s freight and passenger rail transportation system.
Teamsters accepting disaster relief applications from victims of Hurricane Ophelia
The Teamsters are accepting disaster relief applications from members who live in the state of North Carolina following Hurricane Ophelia, which struck the state on September 11-17.
UnitedHealthcare announces open enrollment under GA-23111
UnitedHealthcare has announced a special open enrollment under policy GA-23111. The open enrollment period will be held during the month of December, 2005.
Important information about UnitedHealthcare coverage
On January 1, 2006, Medicare’s new prescription drug coverage will go into effect. As a result, your current plan, GA-23111 Plan D will no longer provide you with a prescription drug benefit as of that date. Only the prescription drug benefit will be discontinued from your plan; all other health benefits will remain unchanged.
BLET members urged to act on Amtrak bill
BLET members are urged to contact their U.S. Senators and ask them to support S. 1516, a bill that would provide long-term funding for Amtrak.
Arkansas accident raises safety concerns
Hundreds of residents were evacuated from their homes in Texarkana, Ark., after an explosive railroad accident on October 15. A Union Pacific rail car carrying a tank of highly flammable propylene gas exploded after colliding with another train.
D.C. members sponsor Locomotive Engineers Exposition
The BLET’s District of Columbia State Legislative Board is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Locomotive Engineers Exposition at Union Station in Washington, D.C., on October 25.
BLET to conduct last S-T Workshop of 2005
The BLET’s Education and Training Department will conduct a Secretary-Treasurer Compliance Workshop in Cleveland from December 4-7.
Fund established to help son of BLET member
A fund has been established to assist with the medical care for Russell Lala, son of BLET Division 27 (St. Cloud, Minn.) member Roseanne Lala. Russell was mauled by both a lion and a tiger in June.
Officer election advisory for unions in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina
Due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) issues this advisory regarding the union officer election requirements under Title IV of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA).
IBT, Rail Conference support Million Worker March
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, including the members of the Rail Conference, is fully supporting the Million Worker March Movement and their upcoming events in the nation’s Capitol.
BLET gets CF&E shortline organizing victory
BLET National President Don Hahs today welcomed the operating employees of the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern Railroad (CF&E) as the newest members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET).
Red Cross, FEMA forms available
It has come to the attention of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters that many members affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are having difficulty obtaining the proper forms needed to apply for assistance.
Daily Headlines
Rail customers ask Congress to reauthorize STB
Although they welcomed the new tentative agreement between the railroads and labor unions, the industry’s customers are calling on Congress to help resolve other freight-rail problems that continue to harm the U.S. economy and prolong the U.S. supply-chain crisis.
Opinion: Cheap at twice the price
And I think railroad management has to recognize the bargain it gets, and adjust its scheduling, staffing and service requirements to enhance the ability of this bargain resource to do what it has done over the past forty years—deliver the goods.
Incoming CSX CEO talks about improving service, engaging labor
Hinrichs has served as president of Ford Motor Co.’s automotive business, handling its global operations as well as the Ford and Lincoln brands.
No injuries reported as NS train derails in Southern Illinois
Twenty-six cars of a Norfolk Southern train derailed Monday morning between the towns of Albers and New Baden, leading to an extensive response from authorities that included a hazardous-materials team as a precautionary measure. No injuries were reported.
Editorial: Rail workers’ struggle shows the power of organized working class
Top level government officials, even the president himself, were compelled to make the grievances of railroad workers their top priority. This is testament to the huge power that the working class holds when it is organized and willing to fight.
A rail strike averted reminds us that there is power in a union
The short story behind the now-averted railroad strike is this: The largest freight railroad carriers in the country were willing to cripple the transportation infrastructure of the United States rather than allow their workers to take the occasional day off to see a doctor or attend to their families.
Death on a train: A tragedy that helped fuel the railroad showdown
Aaron Hiles, a locomotive engineer, told his wife he “felt different,” though he couldn’t say exactly how. He made an appointment to see a doctor, his family said. But then his employer, BNSF, one of the largest freight rail carriers in the nation, unexpectedly called him into work.
U.S. railroad worker fight for pay, benefits could be model for other deals
While not directly applicable to ongoing negotiations at U.S. West Coast ports and upcoming talks at United Parcel Service, the rail workers’ potential win could embolden other workers who have toiled through the COVID-19 pandemic while watching employers reap record profits, labor experts said.
Farm Bureau says staffing shortages on rail lines continue to hurt Nebraska agriculture
While the tentative agreement means Nebraska’s agriculture sector avoided the worst of the effects, they still see the impacts of the ongoing staffing crisis on rail lines first hand, said Nebraska Farm Bureau’s president Mark McHargue.
Public urged to help Stop Track Tragedies during Rail Safety Week 2022 and beyond
Every year, 2,100 North Americans are killed or seriously injured when they engage in unsafe behavior around tracks and trains. In the U.S. alone, a person or vehicle is hit by a train every 3 hours.
