BLET News
Do you have a dependent who is a high school senior planning to attend college or vocational training? Deadlines approaching for two key Teamster financial aid opportunities
Application deadlines are swiftly approaching for two valuable scholarship opportunities that are available to the dependents of BLET members: • March 2 is the deadline for the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awards college scholarships ranging from...
If you’re planning to work after receiving a Railroad Retirement annuity, be aware of rules regarding earnings limitations
Railroad retirement annuitants, and individuals planning retirement, should be aware of the railroad retirement laws and rules pertaining to annuity payments for those who choose to work after retirement. These laws and rules apply to age and service and disability...
Deepest condolences: California State Legislative Board Chairman Ryan Snow, 1964-2026
The BLET National Division extends deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brother Ryan Snow who unexpectedly passed away on February 4. He was 61 years old. Snow’s railroad career began in 1998 when he hired out with the Union Pacific Railroad in...
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Alstom for MARC locomotive engineers
The BLET has reached a tentative contract with Alstom for locomotive engineers who operate Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) trains in the Washington-Baltimore area. The tentative four-year agreement covering the period from Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2027...
VP Fannon assigned to lead Arbitration Dept.; VP Logan looks to keep momentum going as new head of the Organizing Dept.
Following recent retirements and new officers joining the Advisory Board, the assignments and responsibilities of some Advisory Board members have changed. Vice President Randy Fannon now serves as Head of the BLET Arbitration Department, filling a vacancy created by...
On three-year anniversary of East Palestine derailment, BLET and others in rail labor called on Congress to pass rail safety legislation
This year marks three years since the devastating Norfolk Southern train derailment and fire in East Palestine, Ohio. On Tuesday, February 3, leaders of the BLET joined members of Congress, community leaders, and rail labor representatives at a bipartisan press...
Education and Training Department to host officer training at 2026 BLET Regional Meetings
Please make your plans now to attend one or both of the BLET’s Regional Meetings this year. A key component of these events is training for Local Division officers conducted by the BLET Education and Training Department. Training will be offered for...
Initial appropriations for key rail agencies a victory for BLET members
The U.S. House of Representatives in late January released the proposed 2026 federal Fiscal Year (FY) final appropriations bills for agencies important to BLET and its members, including the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), the National Mediation Board (NMB), Amtrak,...
East Palestine: Three Years Later
February 3, 2026, marks three years since the Norfolk Southern derailment, fire, and toxic chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio. During that time, Congress has been unable to advance or pass rail safety legislation. BLET and others in Rail Labor are calling out the...
BLET members answer duty’s call in face of massive winter storm
BLET members remained at the throttle in the face of an immense winter storm last week. Dubbed “Fern” by the Weather Channel, the winter storm spread heavy snow, freezing rain, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures. The National Weather Service issued winter weather...
A message from National President Mark Wallace: Hard work, clear goals, members first
Brothers and Sisters, Since May of 2025, when I was elevated to the position of National President, I have delivered a clear and consistent message wherever I go: this organization moves forward only when it is driven by its members. That belief is shaping every...
2026 BLET SCHOLARSHIP DIRECTORY: Financial aid is available to the dependents of BLET members
BLET members and their dependents seeking academic scholarships are encouraged to explore the 2026 BLET Scholarship Directory, a resource for a variety of financial aid programs. If you or a family member are looking for scholarship opportunities, don’t delay....
MBTA considering bids for new transit operator
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is taking bids to handle transit operations and maintenance at the nation’s fifth-busiest commuter rail system. According to a report from NBC Boston, the list of potential bidders includes Keolis, Alstom Transport USA...
BLET-backed rail safety bill signed into law requiring two-person crews, wayside detectors
Outgoing New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a BLET-backed rail safety bill into law last week. The bill mandates a minimum of two crew members on hazardous material trains and requires the proper installation and ongoing maintenance of wayside detector systems....
FRA moves to reestablish RSAC safety program
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has announced that it will reestablish the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), an important venue for labor, management, shippers and federal regulators to collaboratively discuss and develop rules to improve safety in...
UP-NS merger: Mark it “return to sender.” STB rejects merger application.
In a unanimous decision announced on January 16, the Surface Transportation Board rejected the merger application filed by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern as “incomplete.” The STB said the merger application does not contain certain information required by the...
Register soon for rail worker hazmat training
BLET members should act quickly to register for a spot in one of two upcoming rail worker hazardous materials training sessions scheduled for February and March. Spaces are limited and the courses are filling up quickly. These 40-hour, in-person classes will be held...
Rail worker fatigue: Railroads thwart safety fixes, costing lives
A widely circulated analysis by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism has found that too little is being done to counter safety lapses related to fatigue in the railroad industry, leading to preventable accidents and death. Behind the lax oversight is the...
Education & Training: Training to assist with U.S. Department of Labor reporting announced for February
The BLET National Division Education & Training Department will offer a full slate of training opportunities throughout 2026. Two Secretary-Treasurer classes are confirmed for February: LM-3 / LM-4 Refresher Class (Zoom) Dates: Feb. 17–19, 2026 • Class One: Tue.,...
Still time to apply for a Union Plus scholarship: Deadline is January 31
Rising education costs are making it difficult for many union families to afford the cost of tuition. That’s one reason Union Plus, which provides important consumer benefits to union members and retirees, offers a unique scholarship program. It has distributed more...
Daily Headlines
CPCK reports Q3 2025 results
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) announced its third-quarter results, including revenues of $3.7 billion.
BNSF reports Q3 2025 results
The railway’s operating ratio was 64.1%, a 1-point improvement over a year ago.
Union Pacific reports Q3 2025 results
Union Pacific Corporation reported 2025 third quarter net income of $1.8 billion, or $3.01 per diluted share. Results include merger costs of $41 million, or $0.07 per diluted share.
Norfolk Southern reports Q3 2025 results
For the quarter, revenue was $3.1 billion, income from railway operations was $1.1 billion, operating ratio was 64.6%, and diluted earnings per share were $3.16.
CSX reports Q3 2025 results
CSX Corp. announced third quarter operating income of $1.09 billion and net earnings of $694 million, or $0.37 per share. In the third quarter of 2024, the company reported operating income of $1.35 billion and net earnings of $894 million, or $0.46 per share.
Railroads spurn C3RS, a safety system designed to prevent accidents
Class I freight railroads incorrectly assume a punitive approach to safety gets the best results.
NS agrees to give Amtrak highest priority over freight trains and make its delay records for Amtrak trains available to the DOJ
As a result of the settlement, the Justice Department has moved to dismiss its lawsuit against Norfolk Southern.
Trump nominates rail consultant Kloster to STB, re-nominates Schults
The nominations now go to the Senate for confirmation, although a timeline for confirmation is unknown.
Trump fires STB Board member Robert Primus
Primus, a Democrat, was appointed by Trump in 2020.
Citing lives at risk, BLET urges UP to allow trail to stunning waterfall in Northern California
(Source: Los Angeles Times, August 5, 2025) About 10 times each day, giant freight trains pass along a narrow section of track along the Sacramento River in far Northern California where engineers on the locomotives regularly tense up with stress. “Every single time,...
