BLET News
Mugavero elected General Chairman of CP Rail-U.S. GCA
Brother Nick T. Mugavero Jr. was elected General Chairman of the CP Rail-U.S. General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting in Las Vegas, June 5-6, 2023. A member of BLET Division 790 in Chicago, Brother Mugavero joined the BLET on March 1, 1999, as...
Ohio legislators talk rail safety bill with BLET members
A bipartisan group of political allies from Ohio’s State Senate and House of Representatives were the featured speakers at a special meeting for Cleveland-area BLET members at National Division headquarters on June 12. Sponsored by the BLET’s Ohio State Legislative...
Letter from Rail Conference President Wallace, BLET President Hall and BMWED President Cardwell
This message is to inform you of the ongoing anti-union activities of CSX at the railhead in Annapolis Junction, Md.
Honoring our Founders
As the BLET marks its 160th anniversary this year, we are proud to honor the brave locomotive engineers who founded our Brotherhood so long ago. Without question, the founder and leader of the early Brotherhood was William D. Robinson. A Michigan Central locomotive...
BLET Fact Sheet on new UP paid sick leave agreement
The General Chairmen involved in negotiating a new paid sick leave deal with the Union Pacific Railroad have prepared a Fact Sheet to address potential membership questions.
BLET and Union Pacific reach paid sick leave agreement
Union Pacific Railroad reached an agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) to provide paid sick leave to the approximately 5,600 locomotive engineers employed by the railroad. Under the agreement, BLET members will have up to seven paid days to use in the event of illness.
BLET’s paid sick leave agreement with NS is not tied to attendance policy
No concessions and no punitive attendance policy.” That was the clear message delivered to BLET’s Norfolk Southern members over conference calls and Zoom meetings set up to explain the breakthrough tentative agreement announced on May 18. The new policy will provide up to seven paid sick days per year to BLET members working at NS.
President Hall exposes dangers of long trains in Washington Post interview
President Hall exposes dangers of long trains in Washington Post interview Long trains have been a major safety issue for several years now, especially since the introduction of so-called Precision Scheduled Railroading by Class I railroads throughout the United...
Schulz reelected Chairman of Wisconsin State Legislative Board
Chuck M. Schulz was reelected to his third term as Chairman of the BLET’s Wisconsin State Legislative Board at the Board’s quadrennial meeting in Madison, Wisc., on May 24, 2023.
Driscoll reelected Conrail General Chairman
The Conrail SSA/CSXT-Northern District GCA is comprised of 13 different BLET Local Divisions on two properties, Conrail Shared Assets and CSXT Northern District, and represents approximately 1,400 active and retired members.
BLET to host virtual Secretary-Treasurer training June 12-13
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, May 25 — The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a virtual training class for Division and State Legislative Board Secretary-Treasurers via Zoom on June 12 & 13, 2023. Registration for the class is available on a first come,...
Two-person crew becomes law in Minnesota
Minnesota is known for these numbers — 10,000 lakes and two-person crews. In a victory for railroad safety, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a two-person crew bill into law on May 24.
New STF Investigators complete training at BLET National Division
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, May 24 — Members of the BLET Safety Task Force (STF) met for in-depth training and orientation meetings from May 23-25 at BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio. Several new members were recently appointed to Investigator...
BLET and Union Pacific reach historic agreement to improve work schedules and time off for locomotive engineers
The tentative agreement provides locomotive engineers with an 11 days on, 4 days off schedule.
BLET and Norfolk Southern reach first deal on engineer paid sick leave
The BLET and Norfolk Southern announced Thursday that they have reached an agreement to provide up to seven paid sick days per year to BLET members. The agreement will provide Norfolk Southern engineers with five new days of paid sick leave per year while also offering them the flexibility to use up to two additional days of existing paid time off as sick leave.
NASLBC 2023 meeting kicks off with speech from President Hall
Members of the BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC) opened their 48th annual meeting here earlier today, welcoming speeches from the BLET National Division Executive Committee and the BLET Auxiliary.
BLET members ratify new contract with South Buffalo Railway
On May 5, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the South Buffalo Railway (SBRR).
BLET marks 160th anniversary on May 8
Today, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) marks its 160th anniversary. The BLET and its members are proud of our heritage as the oldest labor union in North America.
Governor Walz talks rail safety at BLET Minnesota legislative board meeting
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz focused on rail safety as the guest of honor at the BLET Minnesota State Legislative Board’s quadrennial meeting in Bloomington, Minn., April 23-26, 2023.
BLET seeks applicants for National Legislative Office position
The deadline for applicants is May 15, 2023.
Daily Headlines
BNSF completes double-tracking project at Sandpoint, Idaho
The final track segments have been put into place to complete BNSF Railway’s 2-mile double-tracking project at the east end of its busy “Funnel” between Spokane, Wash., and Sandpoint.
Iowa landowners sue BNSF over damage from 2018 derailment
Landowners at the site of a 2018 derailment near Doon, Iowa, are suing BNSF Railway, seeking damages for cleanup costs and reduced property values from oil spilled in the incident.
CPKC offering Panama Canal alternative via Lazaro Cardenas into the U.S.
In the face of continued problems with traffic volumes at the Panama Canal, shippers and carriers will likely seek alternatives which is where CPKC believes it can step in.
Contract worker killed in accident at Housatonic RR in Massachusetts
A contract worker hit by a piece of track equipment on the Housatonic Railroad has died. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.
UP derailment ignites grassfires in Eastland County, Texas
First responders say the situation is “stable” after a train incident in Eastland County in which eight to 10 cars derailed and grassfires ignited Saturday afternoon.
Rail shippers urge Biden to renominate STB’s Oberman and Fuchs
The Rail Customer Coalition (RCC) sent a letter to President Joe Biden this week asking him to renominate STB Chairman Marty Oberman and STB member Patrick Fuchs.
Rail congestion continues as Canadian West Coast port workers vote yes to ratify a tentative deal
It will take at least two months for the railroads to clear out the pileup of containers as a result of the 14 days of striking by dock workers.
NS fails to notify local PA fire crews of maintenance work that sparks fires; Fire crews ordered off of railroad property
In some cases, fire units that responded were ordered off the railroad’s property.
Opinion: What I learned from putting out the fires of the East Palestine train derailment
Six months ago, a 151-car Norfolk Southern train with 11 cars of hazardous cargo derailed in my hometown of East Palestine, Ohio. The resulting fire turned night into day and burned for 48 hours.
Q&A: RRB financial reports
As required by law, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) submits annual financial reports to Congress on the financial condition of the railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance systems. These reports must include recommendations for any financing changes that may be advisable to ensure the solvency of the systems. In June, the RRB submitted its financial reports on the railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance systems.
