BLET News
Rob Cunningham reelected General Chairman of BNSF-ATSF GCA
Rob Cunningham was reelected to his third term as General Chairman of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (former ATSF) General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting in San Diego last week. Cunningham is a member of BLET Division 134 (Winslow,...
Drug smuggling allegations surface against train crews from Mexico entering the U.S.
How much more evidence do federal authorities in the U.S. need to fully understand that allowing Mexican train crews to operate in the United States would be a threat to border security? In late September, it was reported that employees of Mexico’s largest railroad,...
Support for BLET spans generations in contract fight at LIRR
A former member in the 1880s, Fred Wohlenberg was such a strong supporter of the BLE that he had the union's logo engraved on his tombstone. His great-grandson Brad recently contacted the BLET to express his family's continued support for our union....
Union Pacific: BLET members ratify new contract that runs through 2029
BLET members today ratified a new on-property agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad, which covers rates of pay, work rules, and health & welfare benefits for nearly 6,000 members employed at UP. Members voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratification, with 2,467...
Registration extended to October 7 for this month’s rail worker hazmat training class
A few open spots are still available for the 40 Hour Chemical Emergency Response (CER) class being offered by the IBT Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program, which will take place in Houston from October 19-24, 2025. Registration has been extended to...
UP-Western Region GCA arbitrates cases at BLET National Division HQ
From left: First VGC Matt Keene and GC Will Wallace. ____________________ Officers of the Union Pacific-Western Region General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) were at BLET National Division headquarters on September 25 to conduct business on behalf of their members....
Deadline is October 31 to enroll in 2026 Health FSA program
Currently happening until midnight on October 31, 2025, you can enroll or change your Medical or Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefit selections for the 2026 benefit year. Members must enroll in the Health FSA every year — FSA enrollment is not automatic...
A message from BLET President Wallace: Times that may look difficult can also be moments of opportunity
Brothers and Sisters, This past May, I was given the great honor of becoming the National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and with that title, the responsibility of serving all our members from coast to coast. I am now the National...
Local Chairmen from BNSF/MRL GCA complete two-year training workshop
The BNSF/MRL General Committee of Adjustment held a training session September 22-24 in Las Vegas for 45 Local Chairmen and Vice Chairmen. General Chairman Kent Psota said that the GCA’s bylaws mandate Local Chairman receive training once every two years. A wide range...
Attention all members at Metra: Replacement ballots now available
BLET members who work for Metra-UP Line should have received a mailing from the National Division with voting instructions on a tentative agreement with the commuter agency. Members who are eligible and have not received a ballot by today, October 1, should visit the...
Open enrollment now underway for Health FSA
From October 1 until midnight on October 31, 2025, you can enroll or change your Medical or Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefit selections for the 2026 benefit year. Members must enroll in the Health FSA every year — FSA enrollment is not automatic each...
BLET continues work to advance “no tax on overtime for all” legislation
The BLET, in conjunction with the Teamsters Rail Conference, is working the halls of Congress to garner additional bipartisan support for H.R. 5475, the “No Tax on Overtime for All Workers Act,” which would provide rail workers with tax exemptions on their overtime...
Potential government shutdown would affect FRA, NMB, STB, RRB
A government shutdown looms and Congress must enact a continuing appropriations act, or Continuing Resolution (CR), by September 30 to prevent a government shutdown that would begin on October 1. At this point, it is unclear if Congress will reach an agreement to...
Arizona Eastern members enjoy improved pay, benefits, and morale thanks to first BLET contract
BLET members working for AZER have reaped the benefits of a union job since voting to join the Brotherhood in 2024. Photo by Cory Rusch, BLET Division 659 ___________________ BLET members at the Arizona Eastern Railway (AZER) are enjoying the benefits of belonging to...
Hybrid training expands opportunities for Division Secretary-Treasurers
In-person and virtual participants in this week's class for Division Secretary-Treasurers, hosted at BLET National Division headquarters. ____________________ The BLET Education & Training Department recently completed another successful hybrid training class for...
BLET’s LIRR members vote to authorize a strike at the right time and if needed; BLET-led coalition of rail unions, in an unusual move, call on the White House to establish a PEB
BLET National Vice President Jim Louis addresses the news conference regarding the ongoing LIRR contract dispute. ____________________ On Monday, September 15, after three years without a raise during a period of high inflation, Long Island Rail Road engineers...
Attention all Union Pacific locomotive engineers: Replacement ballots now available
BLET members who work for the Union Pacific Railroad should have received a mailing from the National Division containing a contract synopsis and a ballot for voting on the tentative agreement. Members who are eligible and have not received a ballot by today,...
Chicago: BLET announces tentative agreement for Metra-UP Line locomotive engineers
The BLET has reached a tentative agreement with Metra that would provide 93 BLET members with 3.5 percent general wage increases. The agreement covers BLET members employed by Metra who operate on the Metra-UP Lines and are represented by the Union Pacific Northern...
Capitol Hill: BLET takes members’ top issues to Congress during Teamsters annual Political Coordinators Meeting
BLET representatives included, from left: Eric Sroik, Chuck Schulz, Pete Baldwin, Ross Grooters, Vince Verna, and Brendan Sullivan. ____________________ Last week, representatives from BLET and BMWED were among 200 Teamsters who gathered in Washington, D.C. for the...
SAVE THE DATE: 2026 BLET regional meetings will be held in New Orleans and Chicago
The BLET’s 2026 Western Regional Meeting will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, the week of July 13. The 2026 Eastern Regional Meeting will take place in Chicago, Illinois, the week of August 24. As many BLET members are getting ready to schedule their vacations for...
Daily Headlines
Union Pacific reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Union Pacific press release, July 24, 2025) Union Pacific Corporation reported 2025 second quarter net income of $1.9 billion, or $3.15 per diluted share. Results compare to 2024 second quarter net income of $1.7 billion, or $2.74 per diluted share. Second...
Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern discuss merger to create transcontinental railroad, AP source says
To be approved, any major rail merger must show it will enhance competition and serve the public interest.
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency issues warning about end-of-train device vulnerability
The federal government cybersecurity agency has issued a warning that the EOT could be vulnerable to computer hackers, especially those seeking to take control of the train’s air brake system.
Trump administration pulls $4 billion in federal funding for California’s bullet train project
Overall, a little less than a quarter of the project’s funding has come from the federal government. The rest has come from the state.
SEPTA board approves budget with 45% service cuts
“This budget will effectively dismantle SEPTA — leaving the City and region without the frequent, reliable transit service that has been an engine of economic growth, mobility, and opportunity,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer.
BLET Auxiliary: Now available: “Taking Charge,” a survival guide for railroad families
Members of the BLET Auxiliary were busy selling raffle tickets at the Daytona Beach Regional. From left: Jodi Wallace, Chris Baldwin, Kat Bisbikis, Rachel Pharris, and Natalie Miller. ____________________ Kat Bisbikis, National President of the BLET Auxiliary,...
General President Sean O’Brien highlights list of Teamster speakers during Eastern Regional Meeting
IBT General President Sean O'Brien: “Our members are changing the game. Setting the standard. Improving the lives of their fellow Teamsters all across the country.” ____________________ Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien addressed BLET members during a rousing...
Rail unions warn DOT rollbacks could jeopardize train safety
Labor concerned about potential new power to fire FRA inspectors
June 2025 RRB Q&A: Unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad employees
A new unemployment and sickness benefit year – the twelve-month period during which the RRB makes benefit payments for days of unemployment and sickness to eligible railroad employees – generally begins each July 1 and ends on June 30 of the next year.
CPKC system cutover triggers service woes in some former KCS locations
Localized congestion, delays, and shipper frustrations follow tech switchover in Louisiana, east Texas, and Mississippi
