BLET News
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.
BNSF-ATSF General Committee of Adjustment holds two training classes
At the request of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (former AT&SF) General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), the BLET National Division assisted with training classes in Fort Worth, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona last week. The training event was organized by BNSF-ATSF...
Ben Wright elected Chairman of Texas State Legislative Board
With nearly 40 delegates in attendance, on Monday, April 17, 2023, Benjamin L. Wright of Division 189 (Saginaw, Texas) was elected as the new Chairman of the BLET’s Texas State Legislative Board (TX SLB) during the Board’s 16th quadrennial meeting in Austin, Texas. In addition, Brother Scott Piekarski of Division 620 (Fort Worth) was reelected by acclamation to his fourth term as Secretary-Treasurer.
BLET Auxiliary Raffle
The National BLET Auxiliary is selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a Solo Stove Bonfire. It is a stainless steel smokeless fire pit built for the backyard and beyond. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased by going to www.bletauxiliary.net. The drawing will be...
National General Chairmen’s Association concludes annual meeting
Paid sick leave and rail safety were among the topics of discussion as members of the BLET’s National General Chairmen’s Association (NGCA) concluded their annual meeting, which was held at the BLET National Division headquarters on April 12.
Ballots mailed in tentative agreement with South Buffalo Railway
Ballots were mailed on April 10 and will be counted on May 5, 2023. The three-year tentative agreement would provide a $1,000.00 signing bonus and general wage increases of 5.5% in 2023, 4.5% in 2024 and 4.0% in 2025.
Ohio governor signs two-person crew bill
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the state’s $13.5 billion transportation budget into law on Friday, March 31. The bill includes a mandate for two-person train crews and other important rail safety measures in response to Norfolk Southern’s February 3 derailment and toxic chemical spill in East Palestine.
Teamsters Rail Conference holds first meeting of 2023
The Teamsters Rail Conference held its first Policy Committee meeting of 2023 on March 29 with the new leadership of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWED).
Historic milestone: Megan Mead first woman elected to BLET National office
“As we observe Women’s History Month, I salute Sister Mead for this significant accomplishment,” BLET National President Eddie Hall said. “Our union was founded in 1863, and this is the first time we have had a woman elected to serve at the National Division level. She should be proud of this historic milestone.”
Job announcement: Railroad Retirement Board is hiring
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is looking to hire qualified candidates for several open positions across the United States and for remote work positions.
Registration open for BLET’s Milwaukee regional meeting, June 26-30, 2023
Registration is now open for the BLET’s first regional meeting of 2023, which will be held at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, June 26-30, 2023.
President Hall honors 40-year members John Tolman and Tom Pontolillo
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, March 27 — In a surprise ceremony today at BLET National Division headquarters, National President Eddie Hall recognized retired members John P. Tolman and Thomas A. Pontolillo Sr. for their contributions to the BLET and its members throughout...
One-person trains “make no sense” Senator Brown says
With the Norfolk Southern Rail Yard in Cleveland as a backdrop and leaders of the BLET by his side, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) held a news conference Monday calling for passage of the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023.
Welcome aboard, Brother Gomez
Brother Jorge R. Gomez, a BNSF locomotive engineer and member of Division 264 in El Paso, Texas, has joined the BLET National Division staff as a full-time Special Representative. BLET National President Eddie Hall said his appointment became effective March 13, 2023
Daily Headlines
CSX reports Q4 2023 profit decline despite volume growth
The railroad’s operating income declined 10%, to $1.3 billion, as revenue declined 1%, to $3.6 billion.
CN posts Q4 2023 financial, operating results
The Class I posted Q4 revenue of C$4.5 billion, down 2%; net income of C$2.1 billion, up 50%; and C$3.29 diluted earnings per share (EPS), up 57%, compared with Q4 2022 results.
President Biden announces nearly $5 billion for major transportation projects nationwide
Funding announced today will support 37 projects across the country, including $28 million for the Elko Nevada Rail Corridor Enhancement project in Nevada. The project will make improvements on the Union Pacific Railroad at the Elko Yard. Track improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and enhanced signal infrastructure will reduce an average of 2.5 hours of delay per freight train using the corridor.
AAR: North American rail volume down through first three weeks for 2024
Through the first three weeks of 2024 (ending Jan. 20), total North American carload and intermodal traffic dipped 5.6% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported.
Amtrak Virginia reports ridership record for 2023
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) announced that more than 1.32 million passengers traveled on its state-supported Amtrak Virginia rail service in 2023, up 29.8% year over year.
BNSF announces 2024 capital investment plan
The largest component of this year’s capital plan, $2.88 billion, is devoted to maintaining BNSF’s core network and related assets.
A strange 21st-Century revival: The train robbery
Edward A. Hall, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, has 28 years of seniority as a locomotive engineer for Union Pacific, first in El Paso, Texas, but mostly out of Tucson, Ariz. He described what it was like to be inside a train during a heist.
Railroad safety bill introduced in the wake of multiple derailments in Colorado
A new train safety bill in the Colorado legislature, if passed, would require railroads to be equipped with more safety features, limit the length and weight of trains carrying hazardous materials and will also limit the time that trains can block major intersections while passing.
Podcast: Remembering East Palestine’s train derailment and rail safety updates
President of the Transportation Trades Department, Greg Regan, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the first anniversary of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and what political leaders are doing to create change in the industry.
DOT approves $2.5 billion in private activity bonds allocation for Brightline West project
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced the approval of $2.5 billion in private activity bonds authority allocated for the Brightline West High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail project connecting Las Vegas, Nevada, and Southern California. The 218-mile, high-speed rail line will primarily run along the I-15 median with trains capable of reaching 186 mph or more, cutting the trip to two hours – half the time to travel by car.
