BLET News
Autonomous trains: BLET sounds the alarm as railroads move to operate trains without train crews on board and the federal government OKs a pilot project
This month, the Federal Railroad Administration granted a series of waivers to permit the trial run of a “novel, self-propelled, zero-emission, battery-electric rail vehicle” where no workers would be onboard. FRA is allowing a tech company, Parallel Systems, to test...
Organizing Department: After seven organizing victories, BLET looks to continue momentum in 2025
The BLET successfully organized seven short line railroads over the past two years, with more organizing campaigns planned for 2025. The recent string of victories can be linked to a strategic decision made in early 2023 when BLET National Division’s leadership...
Craver reelected to fifth term as Chairman of Virginia State Legislative Board
Brother Tim Craver of BLET Division 532 (Richmond, Va.) was reelected to his fifth term as Chairman of the Virginia State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in late 2024. The Virginia State Legislative Board represents 11 BLET Divisions and nearly 1,100...
Ohio: Governor signs BLET-backed “Stop, Look, and Listen” rail safety bill
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (seated) after signing the “Stop, Look, and Listen” bill, with Rep. Michele Grim and BLET Ohio SLB Chairman John Esterly. ____________________ In mid-January, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an important rail safety bill into law — the...
Rep. Dina Titus, a voice for Rail Labor, to serve as Ranking Member of House Rail Subcommittee
Rep. Titus addressing BLET members at the 2022 National Convention. ____________________ Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-Nevada) will serve as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials in the 119th Congress. The subcommittee,...
Short line department: BLET hits the ground running at Utah Central
Less than a month after securing an organizing win at the Utah Central Railway, the BLET hit the ground running with its newest members. BLET National Vice President James Logan Jr., who now leads the BLET’s Short Line Department, traveled to Utah to help the nation’s...
Decision by PEB 252 sets the clock ticking for a strike date at NJ Transit
NEWARK, N.J., January 21 — A non-binding decision announced this week by Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) 252, assigned to the dispute between the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and New Jersey Transit (NJT), sets the clock ticking for...
BLET thanks FRA Administrator Bose as he steps down
Amit Bose was honored for his dedication to rail safety at a reception in Washington, D.C., on January 14. Bose is stepping down from his role as head of the Federal Railroad Administration, a position he has held since early 2022. Under his leadership, the FRA...
An “outpouring of love” for SEPTA’s first female locomotive engineer who retires after 40 years
On January 10, BLET Division 71 member Jacqueline Y. Pettyjohn operated her last SEPTA train from Philadelphia International Airport to Suburban Station, in center city Philadelphia. Pettyjohn not only completed the run, she also capped her 40-year career, where she...
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Keolis Commuter Services for MBTA locomotive engineers
The BLET has reached a tentative contract with Keolis Commuter Services for locomotive engineers working at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in Boston. The tentative agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 194 members. Ballots...
FRA and OSHA criticize Class I railroads discipline policies that intimidate workers and discourage them from reporting injuries
Class I railroads are failing workers and making railroads less safe due to overly harsh employee discipline policies. That’s according to the December 20 letters from the heads of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Occupational Safety and Health...
Biden signs REEF Act, ending unjust reduction of Railroad Unemployment and Sickness Benefits
Different from other unemployment and sickness benefits, railroad worker benefits are fully funded through payroll deduction and not government taxes. The federal government administers the program, but the government doesn’t fund railroad benefits. Therefore, it is...
In the Line of Duty: BLET Division 212 Member Clay Burt
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 19, to honor the two Union Pacific workers who were killed in last month’s train derailment in Pecos, Texas. The ceremony is open to the public and will be held at the West of the Pecos Museum at 4:00 p.m. (120 E....
Twenty years later: The legacy of the Graniteville rail tragedy and remembering the loss of BLET member Chris Seeling
January 6 marked 20 years since the fatal derailment of a Norfolk Southern train and the related chemical spill in Graniteville, South Carolina that led to nine deaths including a BLET member, Chris Seeling. In addition to those who lost their lives, more than 500...
Wrapping up the 2024 Christmas season
From left: BLET Division 601 member Rich Carl and Division 601 Local Chairman Phil Burgos in the cab of the Conrail Santa Train. ____________________ The BLET National Division wishes every member and their family a happy and healthy 2025. This issue of the Weekly...
James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund: BLET families win big in 2024; Application process now open for 2025
Twenty-five BLET families have been awarded scholarships by the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund for the 2024 school year, including seven $10,000 scholarship winners. The $10,000 awards are the highest honor bestowed by the Hoffa Scholarship Fund. In 2024,...
BLET Education & Training Department: Training classes planned for newly-elected Division officers
To assist new Division officers who will be installed following the conclusion of the 2024 Triennial Election cycle, the BLET Education & Training Department will conduct several basic introductory classes via Zoom in January 2025. Separate classes will be offered...
Update: BLET member Tony Ramos continues to battle brain cancer
BLET members are asked to keep Brother Tony Ramos and his family in their prayers. Brother Ramos, a BNSF locomotive engineer and member of BLET Division 13 (La Crosse, Wis.), suffered an on-duty medical episode in October. Brother Ramos was rushed to a local hospital...
BLET notches seventh short line organizing victory since 2023 as workers at Utah Central Railway say YES to BLET
The BLET scored its seventh short line organizing victory since 2023 as train and engine service workers from the Utah Central Railway voted unanimously to join the BLET in an election certified by the National Mediation Board on December 18. Patriot Rail owns and...
BLET members ratify new contract with Berkshire & Eastern
BLET members unanimously ratified a new contract with the Berkshire & Eastern Railroad (B&E). The agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 32 members. The five-year agreement provides general wage increases of 22.5% over the life of the...
Daily Headlines
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.
Pacific Harbor Line, BLET extend agreement
The extension covers 145 of PHL’s 180 employees. It was ratified July 12 by a record number of eligible BLET members, with more than 91% voting in favor of the deal’s wage and benefit provisions.
NTSB chair says Norfolk Southern interfered with derailment probe after botching vent-and-burn call
The head of the National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that Norfolk Southern repeatedly tried to interfere with the agency’s investigation into the East Palestine derailment and shape its conclusions about the flawed decision to blow open five tank cars and burn the vinyl chloride inside.
Wyoming’s oldest, and still active, railroad union predates statehood by 21 years
Four days after the golden spike was driven for America’s first transcontinental railway linking the nation’s coasts, the Cheyenne Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers received its charter May 14, 1869.
Study: Derailment risk rises with the number of cars in a freight train
The risk of derailment increases with freight train length, according to an academic study published today, which found that a 200-car train is 24% more likely to derail than a 50-car train.
NS to pay $15 million civil penalty, $57.1 million in cleanup costs over East Palestine derailment
Norfolk Southern agreed to pay a $15 million civil penalty and $57.1 million in past government cleanup costs as well as millions in future costs to resolve a U.S. government lawsuit over a 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, court documents show.
Judge signs off on $600 million East Palestine derailment settlement but residents still have questions
A federal judge has signed off on the $600 million class action settlement over last year’s disastrous Norfolk Southern derailment in eastern Ohio, but many people who live near East Palestine are still wondering how much they will end up with out of the deal.
CPKC and Teamsters Canada remain at impasse
Although Wednesday marked the end of a mandatory 21-day cooling off period under Canadian labor law, the Canada Industrial Relations Board continues to review requests to determine what commodities might be deemed essential and must keep moving during a strike.
FRA finalizes certification standards for signalmen, dispatchers
New federal certification rules finalized Monday for train dispatchers and signal repairmen will set minimum standards to counteract the investor pressure on railroads to continually cut costs while making sure those employees have the skills they need to operate all the high-tech systems on today’s trains.
