BLET News
Florida Gulf and Atlantic Railroad workers vote to join BLET
Train and engine service employees of the Florida Gulf and Atlantic Railroad (FG&A) have voted to join the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), becoming the newest members of the 160-year-old union. The election was certified on July 12 by the...
BLET 160th Anniversary: Insurance Association answers a genuine need in 1867
A most important milestone in BLE history occurred on December 3, 1867, when the Locomotive Engineers Mutual Life Insurance Association was established at Port Jervis, New York. It was patterned after the Insurance Association of the Metropolitan Police of New York...
Get involved: Join us in Myrtle Beach August 14-18, 2023
Brothers and Sisters, I want to express my gratitude following last week’s Western Regional Meeting in Milwaukee and thank those who attended. You are the Union, and I was pleased to host your meeting. I invite everyone to our Eastern Regional Meeting at the Hilton...
90% majority of BLET Divisions ratify quality of life agreement with UP
The six BLET General Chairmen reported today that 90% of BLET Divisions representing locomotive engineers on Union Pacific ratified a momentous agreement that enhances the quality of life for those locomotive engineers and their families by making it possible for them to have more predictable schedules.
BLET members ratify paid sick leave deal with Norfolk Southern
Nearly 95% of BLET Divisions representing locomotive engineers on Norfolk Southern ratified a new paid sick leave agreement with Norfolk Southern on June 19. The new deal provides NS engineers with five new days of paid sick leave per year and the flexibility to use...
New study examines effect of fatigue on train crew commutes to and from work
While fatigue in the railroad workplace is a widely acknowledged issue, a new study released by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on June 15 examines the impact of fatigue on train crews as they commute to and from work. The 72-page fatigue study is titled...
BLET-backed Safe Rail Bill advances in New Jersey General Assembly
The BLET is working hard to secure passage of an important rail safety bill in the state of New Jersey. On June 15, New Jersey State Legislative Board Chairman Ray Vigil testified before the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee in support of Bill A5605, the...
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...
Daily Headlines
Report: Activist investor group eyes Norfolk Southern
An activist investor group has taken a $1 billion stake in Norfolk Southern and aims to wrest control of the company’s board and oust CEO Alan Shaw, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
AAR: Carloads up, intermodal down for week ending January 27, 2024
Total carloads came in at 208,131, down 9.0% from 2023, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 259,091 containers and trailers, up 10.1% from 2023.
STB extends reporting of railroad employment data for BNSF, CSX, NS and UP
The Surface Transportation Board today issued a decision that extends the temporary reporting of employment data through the end of the year.
FRA issues Final Rule requiring emergency escape breathing apparatuses in trains carrying hazmat
The rule requires railroads to provide emergency escape breathing apparatuses (EEBAs) for train crew members and other employees who could be exposed to an inhalation hazard in the event of a hazardous material, or hazmat, release.
Union Pacific: uncertainty clouds freight outlook as carrier reports Q4, full-year 2023 results
For the quarter, operating income was flat, at $2.4 billion, on flat revenues of $6.1 billion. Earnings per share grew 1% to $2.71.
Norfolk Southerns’ Q4 2023 profit falls 33% as East Palestine derailment costs continue to grow
The railroad delivered 3% more shipments during the quarter, but even without the costs related to that toxic crash, its profits still would have been down 14%.
Buttigieg calls on Congress to pass rail safety bill
Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently pressed Congress to pass legislation that would strengthen rail safety policies. Ideally, he emphasized, congressional action on the measure would occur before the anniversary of the derailment of a freight train in East Palestine, Ohio.
Norfolk Southern cutting 7% of management positions
Norfolk Southern told employees today that it will eliminate 7% of its management and staff positions as a cost-cutting move.
Railroads seek to head off Mexican bridge closures as cross-border traffic grows
Railroad executives will meet with U.S. and Mexican customs officials next month to discuss how they can work together to keep vital rail border crossings open amid the surge in migrants crossing the Rio Grande.
Senate confirms three Amtrak board members
The U.S. Senate has confirmed attorney Anthony Coscia, Aviation Strategies President Joel Szabat, and Normal, Illinois, Mayor Christopher Koos as members of Amtrak’s board.
