BLET News
ATTENTION FLORIDA, GULF & ATLANTIC MEMBERS: If you haven’t received your ballot you can still request a replacement
Ballots have been mailed to Florida, Gulf & Atlantic Railway members who are voting on a tentative contract with the short line railroad. If ratified, this will be the first union contract for operating employees at the formerly non-union company. Ballots are due...
Save the date for 2025 BLET regional meetings in Daytona Beach and Bellevue/Seattle
PLANNING YOUR CALENDAR AND DAYS OFF FOR NEXT YEAR? The BLET’s 2025 Eastern Regional Meeting will be held in Daytona Beach, Florida, the week of June 16. The 2025 Western Regional Meeting will take place in Bellevue/Seattle Eastside, Wash., the week of August 18....
Florida: National Mediation Board formally recognizes Brightline as a rail carrier
The National Mediation Board rejected Brightline's anti-union stance and directed a representation election to take place in the coming months. ____________________ The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) secured a victory for Rail Labor on November 12 when the...
In Memoriam: Former Amtrak General Chairman Mark B. Kenny, 1951-2024
Recently retired BLET General Chairman Mark B. Kenny, who served the Amtrak/KCS/VRE/Caltrain General Committee of Adjustment for over 26 years, passed away on November 12. He was 73 years old. Brother Kenny was elected to seven consecutive terms as General Chairman...
New Mexico: State Legislative Board members lobby for rail safety legislation, conclude quadrennial meeting
Left to right: Steve Seale, Gil Tafoya, Gilbert Montiel, Christy Smith, Ryan Snow, Clem Harris, Charlie Jeffcoat, Vince Verna, Mike Willis. ____________________ Members of the BLET New Mexico State Legislative Board are fighting for passage of legislation that would...
Illinois: Two-person crew, one life saved
Conductor Tim McMakin and Locomotive Engineer Antonio Ramos have known each other for a long time. Both are members of the BLET Division 13 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and have worked together countless times out of BNSF Railway’s Barstow Yard on the Barstow Subdivision...
Florida Gulf & Atlanic: Members begin voting on first-ever BLET contract
BLET Vice President Randy Fannon (far left) and BLET Special Representative Jorge Gomez (far right) with newly organized members from Florida Gulf & Atlantic in 2023. ____________________ In a significant milestone, the BLET has reached a tentative contract for...
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...
Daily Headlines
U.S. Senate extends Homendy’s term as Chair of NTSB
The U.S. Senate last night confirmed a three-year extension of Jennifer Homendy’s term as chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Senator Baldwin pushes railroads to address staffing shortages that compromise safety and service for Americans
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called on the six Class I railroads to address severe staffing shortages that are endangering workers, increasing the risk of derailments and accidents, and raising costs for Wisconsin farmers, businesses, and consumers.
EPA calls East Palestine whistleblower reports false
The Region 5 Environmental Protection Agency pushed back at a recent Associated Press report that accuses the agency of not fully utilizing an advanced aircraft that could have collected crucial air monitoring and data during the vent-and-burn of vinyl chloride following last year’s derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train.
President Biden designates Robert E. Primus as STB Chairman
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has designated Robert E. Primus Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board effective May 11, 2024.
FRA makes more than $2 billion in new funding available to Northeast Corridor
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that makes available over $2 billion in Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program funding for projects located on the Northeast Corridor.
Federal lawsuit claims CSX violated FMLA anti-retaliation provisions
More than 100 employees have been terminated or suspended since 2017, according to the complaint.
Whistleblower questions delays and mistakes in way EPA used sensor plane after East Palestine derailment
The U.S. government has a specialized plane loaded with advanced sensors that officials brag is always ready to deploy within an hour of any kind of chemical disaster. But the plane didn’t fly over eastern Ohio until four days after the disastrous Norfolk Southern derailment there last year.
President Biden to nominate Primus as next STB Chairman
President Joe Biden intends to nominate STB member Robert Primus as chairman, following the May 10 retirement of Martin Oberman.
NTSB: Improperly lined switch contributed to CSX collision in Folkston, Ga.
Three crew members were sent to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending May 4, 2024
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 463,106 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.0 percent compared with the same week last year.
