BLET News
Rail safety bills introduced in Virginia, Colorado
As we advance into 2024, the BLET is advancing rail safety legislation in multiple state legislatures throughout the United States. Previously, we reported on a bill in Nebraska. Last week, we added Virginia and Colorado to the list. In Virginia, BLET State...
New York Times: Train robberies see a 21st-Century revival
The New York Times Magazine published a lengthy story on January 23 examining modern day train robberies. The story quotes BLET National President Eddie Hall, who has 28 years of seniority as a locomotive engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad out of El Paso, Texas,...
Norfolk Southern, BLET, and SMART-TD partner with FRA to launch groundbreaking C3RS pilot program
Joint safety initiative provides employees confidential forum to report safety issues Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC), the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation...
Long Beach: BLET secures up to $18,000 in bonus payments for Pacific Harbor Line members
A new agreement between the BLET and the Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) illustrates the importance of locomotive engineers to a railroad’s success. The PHL Employee Retention Program, signed by BLET General Chairman Brian Carr on January 17, 2024, rewards BLET members with...
Amtrak: FRA approves new Avelia Liberty trains for on-track testing
Amtrak is one step closer to bringing its new Avelia Liberty trains to the Northeast Corridor. Amtrak said on January 12 that the new trains had passed an extended series of computer modeling tests and have now been cleared by the Federal Railroad Administration to...
Nebraska: Two-person crew bill moving along
From left: BLET Nebraska SLB Chairman Pat Pfeifer meets with FRA Administrator Amit Bose. Photo from the North Platte Bulletin ____________________ BLET Nebraska State Legislative Board Chairman Pat Pfeifer reports that a rail safety bill is currently making its way...
New England: BLET members ratify CSXT-Springfield Terminal implementing agreement
On January 15, a majority of members from BLET Divisions 72 and 191 ratified an implementing agreement regarding CSX Transportation’s acquisition of the Springfield Terminal Railway (a Pan Am Railway affiliate). The agreement covers approximately 30 BLET members and...
Capitol Hill: Update on the bipartisan Railway Safety Act
Senator Sherrod Brown: “It’s long past time Congress stood up to the rail lobbyists and passed the bipartisan Railway Safety Act, to ensure a disaster like what happened in East Palestine does not happen again.” ____________________ News organizations are reporting...
2024 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 2024 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....
Two-person crews: FRA’s proposed regulation moves forward
Although exact wording hasn’t been made public, it’s been reported that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has submitted its final rule on train crew size to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. According to transportation industry...
BLET to hold S-T training class for LM-2 filers
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, January 16, 2024 — The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a workshop for all Secretary-Treasurers who file LM-2 reports for their General Committee of Adjustment, Local Division or State Legislative Board. This workshop will be...
St. Lawrence & Atlantic replacement ballots are available
There is still time for BLET members who work for the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad (SL&A) to make their voices heard regarding the BLET’s tentative contract agreement that is currently out for ratification. Ballots were mailed on December 29, 2023, and...
Members ratify new contract with Portland & Western
PNW BLET members will get a general wage increase of 21.5% (23.4% compounded) over the life of the new contract as well as a number of other contractual improvements. Photo courtesy: Cory Rusch, BLET Division 659 ____________________ On January 11, BLET members...
Last call for BLET Time Books
Throughout the final two weeks of 2023, the BLET National Division mailed Time Books to all members who completed the opt-in process. While more Time Books are available and can still be mailed to members upon request, this will serve as the final reminder.To receive...
Mark your calendars: Important dates and BLET meetings in 2024
The year 2024 is shaping up to be a busy one for the BLET and its members. The National Division will host two regional meetings, while the BLET Education & Training Department will offer numerous opportunities for officer training. Members will have a chance to...
2023 BLET Year in Review
Happy New Year! As we move forward into 2024, let's examine the biggest achievements of the BLET's five major departments in 2023: Protective, Legislative, Education & Training, Organizing, and Public Relations. Please enjoy our Year in Review!...
Our History: BLET marked 160th anniversary in 2023
Founded on May 8, 1863, the BLET this year celebrated its 160th anniversary as the oldest labor union in North America. The BLET highlighted this significant milestone with a commemorative issue of the Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen Journal (PDF), and a series of...
Best wishes for a healthy and happy new year in 2024!
FROMThe BLET Advisory Board
Ballots mailed to BLET members in tentative agreement with St. Lawrence & Atlantic
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative six-year agreement with the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad (SL&A), which would govern 16 active members. Ballots were mailed on December 29. The tentative agreement would...
Merry Christmas & Season’s Greetings from the BLET National Division
May your holidays be filled with happiness and good cheer. Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2024. In solidarity, The BLET Executive Committee Eddie Hall National President Mark Wallace First Vice President David Estes National...
Daily Headlines
Buttigieg and labor leaders urge Congress to pass railroad safety legislation
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the leaders of all 13 railroad labor unions today urged Congress to tighten rail safety regulations as the one-year anniversary of the disastrous derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, approaches.
New videos show towers of fire from vent and burn procedure in East Palestine
Residents of eastern Ohio can now get an up-close view in newly released videos of the twin toxic towers of fire that forced them from their homes last February after officials decided to blow open five tank cars filled with vinyl chloride they worried might explode days after a Norfolk Southern train derailed.
President Biden accepts mayor’s invitation to visit East Palestine
President Joe Biden will visit the eastern Ohio community that was devastated by a fiery train derailment almost one year ago.
Norfolk Southern first big freight railway to let workers use anonymous federal safety hotline
About 1,000 engineers and conductors who work for Norfolk Southern will soon be able to report safety concerns anonymously through a federal system without any fear of discipline.
Video: Norfolk Southern employees in Roanoke to join C3RS safety pilot program
“It’s a good deal. And it’s a big deal,” said Scott Bunten, General Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET).
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.
