BLET News
Former BLET General Chairman Charlie Rightnowar, 1949-2022
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, December 7 — Brother Charles Ray Rightnowar, former General Chairman of the BLET’s Union Pacific-Central Region General Committee of Adjustment, passed away on December 5, 2022. He was 73 years old. Brother Rightnowar proudly served his country in...
GA-46000 Lifetime maximum adjusted for 2023
The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit Plan (also known as ERMA or GA-46000) will increase from $182,700 to $188,000 on January 1, 2023.
Thanksgiving 2022
In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to each and every member of our proud Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. You are indeed what makes the BLET the leading Rail Labor union in the United States, and your dedication makes the American economy the strongest in the world.
Split Decision: Unions for Railroad Engineers and Conductors Take Different Routes in Freight Rail Contract Ratification Vote
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen vote to ratify national rail agreement with the nation’s Class I railroads; operating craft (Train & Engine service) members of the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet...
National contract replacement ballot deadline is November 18
The deadline to request a replacement ballot is November 18, 2022 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Long Island Rail Road
Ballots are being mailed today, November 14, to eligible members regarding BLET’s tentative agreement with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce announced.
BLET, SMART TD Town Hall yields facts about tentative agreement
At a November 9 Town Hall meeting, SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen President Dennis Pierce discussed the tentative National Rail Agreement with dozens of members from both unions. A video recording of the Town Hall (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes) is available on the BLET and SMART TD websites.
Veterans Day 2022
Please join me in honoring America’s veterans with the dignity and respect they so richly
Important Update for all BLET and SMART TD Members Included in National Negotiations
Late last week, members of the Cooperating Railway Labor Organizations (CRLO) and the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) convened to review and renew the payment rates for the nationally negotiated health & welfare Plans including medical, dental, vision, and life/accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) benefits.
Reminder: Contract Ratification Ballots due November 20 in tentative national agreement
Eligible members who have not received a contract ratification ballot by Wednesday, November 9, should request a replacement by calling the BLET National Division at (216) 241-2630, ext. 222.
BLET, SMART-TD to host joint Town Hall meeting on November 9
The BLET and SMART-TD will host a joint Town Hall meeting next week to discuss the tentative national contract. Members of both unions from all involved railroads are welcome to attend.
BLET Convention national anthem video now available online
A copy of the Star-Spangled Banner video that played each morning during the BLET’s Fifth National Convention in Last Vegas last month is now available for viewing in the members’ area of the BLET website.
Dick Crow reelected UP-Northern Region General Chairman
R.E. (Dick) Crow was reelected by acclamation to his third full term as General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Northern Region General Committee of Adjustment during the GCA’s quadrennial meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 5-6, 2022.
President Pierce to attend Dallas-Fort Worth Town Hall November 1
BLET National President Dennis Pierce will attend a Town Hall meeting in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on November 1 to discuss the tentative national agreement. The meeting is open to BLET members from all involved railroads.
President Pierce discusses tentative national agreement in podcast
BLET National President Dennis Pierce discussed details of the tentative national agreement as a guest on America’s Work Force Union Podcast where he was interviewed by program host Ed “Flash” Ferenc. A
BLET members to begin voting November 1 on tentative national agreement
Ballots will be mailed Monday, October 31, to approximately 24,000 BLET members and voting will begin on November 1 regarding the tentative national agreement. Ballots are due on November 20 by 11:59 p.m. ET.
President Pierce to attend Town Hall meetings Oct. 25-28 to discuss tentative national agreement
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, October 20 — The BLET’s Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe General Committees of Adjustment are hosting four Town Hall meetings in Missouri and Nebraska open to BLET members from all involved railroads next week regarding the tentative...
BLET joins in 2022 Houston Solidarity Rally
A large contingent of BLET members and officers participated in a solidarity rally in Houston on October 18. The purpose was to create and show solidarity among members of BLET, SMART-TD, BMWED, along with members of other invited rail labor unions.
Delegates donate to help family of fallen Brother Marvin Lee
BLET delegates showed their generosity at the Fifth National Convention on October 13, donating money to help the family of a fallen Brother. In an additional act of kindness, the BLET donated more than 250 boxed lunches to the Las Vegas Rescue Mission to help feed the homeless.
Retiring Vice Presidents Pruitt, Priester address delegates as Fifth National Convention adjourns
Delegates on October 13 heard farewell addresses from retiring National Division officers Lee Pruitt and Mike Priester as the Fifth National Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) came to a close.
Daily Headlines
AAR: Last month was intermodal’s worst January in a decade
Although the number of carloads rose 2.2% to 923,696, the number of intermodal units plunged 8.1% to 919,928 containers and trailers.
TTD President testifies on state of transportation infrastructure, supply chain challenges
I’m sad to say there are those who continue to try to blame the workers for supply chain problems. Labor unions, the workers they represent, and even this administration – which signed the most consequential infrastructure and domestic manufacturing bills in generations – have all been scapegoated.
After 15-year odyssey, NS gets final OK for massive rail yard expansion near Chicago
The City Council agreed Wednesday to vacate streets and alleys to pave the way for a $150 million expansion of Norfolk Southern Railway’s intermodal yard in Englewood after the local alderperson lifted the legislative brick.
CP “ready to roll” on KCS merger
Canadian Pacific officials are upbeat about what 2023 might bring for the railway, with U.S. regulators poised to move soon on CP’s request to merge with Kansas City Southern.
CP reports new record January for Canadian grain transport
Canadian Pacific moved 2.29 million metric tonnes (MMT) of Canadian grain and grain products in January 2023, setting a new record for the month.
Teamsters honor the lessons of black history
Black history is woven into the history of the American labor movement and the history of our union. Throughout much of our nation’s existence, Black history has been long ignored or outright suppressed. That is why, during Black History Month, we honor the contributions Black Americans have made to this country and to the advancement of working people everywhere.
CP Rail reports Q4, full-year 2022 results
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited today announced its fourth-quarter results, including revenues of $2.46 billion, operating ratio (“OR”) of 59.8 percent, adjusted OR1 of 59.1 percent, diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $1.36 and core adjusted diluted EPS1 of $1.14.
CP Rail says it hired thousands as it awaits regulatory go-ahead for KCS merger
CP said it has added more than 1,600 conductors over the past 12 months.
Biden announces federal funds for Hudson, B&P rail tunnel projects
President Joe Biden today announced the award of $1.2 billion in grants from the new National Infrastructure Project Assistance Program (Mega) for nine projects across the country, including one to fund preparations for the Hudson Tunnel and Gateway projects.
Iowa bill seeks to limit length of freight trains
The bill would prevent railroad companies from running trains that exceed 8,500 feet in length, or about 1.6 miles. If signed into law, the rule could cost companies between $500 and $5,000 per violation.
