BLET News
Historic milestone: Megan Mead first woman elected to BLET National office
“As we observe Women’s History Month, I salute Sister Mead for this significant accomplishment,” BLET National President Eddie Hall said. “Our union was founded in 1863, and this is the first time we have had a woman elected to serve at the National Division level. She should be proud of this historic milestone.”
Job announcement: Railroad Retirement Board is hiring
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is looking to hire qualified candidates for several open positions across the United States and for remote work positions.
Registration open for BLET’s Milwaukee regional meeting, June 26-30, 2023
Registration is now open for the BLET’s first regional meeting of 2023, which will be held at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, June 26-30, 2023.
President Hall honors 40-year members John Tolman and Tom Pontolillo
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, March 27 — In a surprise ceremony today at BLET National Division headquarters, National President Eddie Hall recognized retired members John P. Tolman and Thomas A. Pontolillo Sr. for their contributions to the BLET and its members throughout...
One-person trains “make no sense” Senator Brown says
With the Norfolk Southern Rail Yard in Cleveland as a backdrop and leaders of the BLET by his side, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) held a news conference Monday calling for passage of the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023.
Welcome aboard, Brother Gomez
Brother Jorge R. Gomez, a BNSF locomotive engineer and member of Division 264 in El Paso, Texas, has joined the BLET National Division staff as a full-time Special Representative. BLET National President Eddie Hall said his appointment became effective March 13, 2023
Registration open for Legislative Representative training class, June 5-9, 2023
The BLET Education & Training Department, in conjunction with the National Legislative Office, will conduct a class for BLET Division Legislative Representatives in Washington, D.C., from June 5-9, 2023.
BLET members ratify Springfield Terminal implementing agreement
The Implementing Agreement addresses changes in operations resulting from the transaction and applies protective conditions. In addition, the implementing agreement sets forth the process to divide the workforce between Springfield Terminal (ST) and Berkshire and Eastern (B&E) and defines the limits of the railroads after the Change Over Date.
BLET members ratify new contract with CP Rail/Soo Line
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) today ratified a new five-year agreement with the CP Rail/Soo Line Railroad.
Funeral arrangements for fallen Brother Lou Shuster
Services for late BLET member Louis P. Shuster will be held next week.
In The Line of Duty: BLET Division 607 President Louis P. Shuster
Louis P. Shuster, a proud member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), employed as a Norfolk Southern conductor, was struck and killed early Tuesday when a dump truck collided with a train car in Cleveland.
BLET resumes in-person training classes; Will host Legislative Rep training in June
Class is back in session for members and officers of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BLET returned to in-person workshops last week with several days of intensive training for Secretary-Treasurers.
BLET members unanimously ratify new contract with Union Railroad
Today, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) unanimously ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Union Railroad of Pittsburgh, Pa.
BLET members ratify DM&E, KCS implementing agreement
The agreement will only become effective should the Surface Transportation Board (STB) decide to allow the merger of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) and KCS Railroads.
Locomotive engineers are onboard for the bipartisan Rail Safety Act of 2023
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, March 3 — A bipartisan bill introduced on March 1 by three Republican and three Democratic senators is designed to toughen safety standards on America’s railroads. “Right now our nation’s railroads largely self-regulate,” said Brotherhood of...
Two-person crew bill advances in New Mexico
The New Mexico House of Representatives passed a two-person crew railroad safety bill earlier this month, thanks in part to cooperative efforts from the BLET’s New Mexico State Legislative Board and the New Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.
Comprehensive resource guide now available for all BLET members covered under the National Health & Welfare Plan
A new comprehensive resource guide outlining benefits under the Railroad National Health & Welfare Plan (GA-23000) is now available.
BLET President Hall statement on NTSB’s preliminary report on the East Palestine derailment
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has been assisting the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation of the recent derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. That work will continue. Our agreement with the NTSB limits some of what we can say today, I don’t want to speculate on the causes of the derailment in East Palestine, but I do want to emphasize a couple of items that were not raised in the preliminary report or discussed in today’s press conference.
BLET President Hall responds to rail safety recommendations proposed today by U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg
The following statement is from BLET National President Eddie Hall in response to recommendations released today by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg:
BLET’s Springfield Terminal members to vote on implementing agreement
The tentative Implementing Agreement addresses changes in operations resulting from the transaction and applies protective conditions.
Daily Headlines
Ag secretary: U.S. rail service “remains inadequate and unreliable”
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently urged STB to follow through with a number of actions to bolster rail service.
Trains blocking railroad crossings a major safety concern for first responders
When seconds matter, any first responder will tell you there’s simply no room for error.
TCRC reaches tentative agreement with Alstom for GO Trains
he Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) and Alstom reached a tentative agreement affecting over 850 workers who operate Toronto’s commuter trains.
“That’s a lot of defects:” BNSF safety record under scrutiny in Minnesota
The section of track in Minnesota where a train carrying ethanol derailed earlier this spring had a history of defects.
Pennsylvania’s Senate Dems seek answers for rail safety in the state
Democrats in the Pennsylvania Senate hosted a policy meeting Friday toward strengthening safety regulations for the rail industry and if the tenor of that meeting is any indication, effective legislation will be hard to enact.
Amtrak, NC by Train to expand service in July
Amtrak and NC by Train plan to add a daily roundtrip on the Piedmont passenger-rail service between Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, beginning July 10.
Palestine, TX, receives a win against Union Pacific
Palestine received a win in its battle against Union Pacific Monday, May 15.
BNSF and J.B. Hunt work on ways to improve service, convert loads off highway
BNSF and J.B. Hunt have tightened their relationship and are acting like one company as they jointly look for ways to increase capacity, improve service, and convert freight off the highway.
BNSF to expand intermodal service in Texas
BNSF is increasing intermodal options in Texas by expanding service at the Port of Houston in response to what BNSF says is growing intermodal demand.
NS strikes deal with BLET for paid sick leave
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, one of the two largest rail unions, reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern for up to seven paid sick days for engineers.
