BLET News
Denson reelected Arkansas State Legislative Board Chairman
Members and guests at the Arkansas SLB's quadrennial meeting on October 11-12, 2023. Brother D.W. Denson (front row, center) thanked the numerous National Division, GCA, and SLB officers who were in attendance. ____________________________ Brother D.W. (Wayne)...
Sizemore reelected Alabama State Legislative Board Chairman
Brother Todd Sizemore, a member of BLET Division 423 (Tuscumbia, Ala.), was reelected by acclamation to his second term as Chairman of the Alabama State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting on September 13, 2023. The Alabama State Legislative Board represents...
McCann retires, Dowell elected president as Train Dispatchers conclude 34th General Assembly
Ed Dowell (center) was elected President of the ATDA during its 34th General Assembly on October 17, 2023. He is pictured here along with ATDA's Executive Board and General Counsel. _____________________ The BLET sends congratulations to Brother Ed Dowell, who was...
BLET launches strike vote for locomotive engineers at SEPTA
This morning, National President Eddie Hall announced that BLET members will conduct a strike vote at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA).
Mid-Term Meeting for NS-Northern Lines GCA
The Norfolk Southern-Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment held its Mid-Term Meeting at BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio, on October 17-18, 2023. The GCA represents about 3,500 active and retired members. Officers from approximately...
Fatal BNSF derailment leads lawmakers to call for more rail safety measures
A truck driver was killed in this October 16 BNSF derailment in Pueblo, Colorado.Photo: Pueblo County Sheriff's Office _______________________ Rail safety laws are receiving renewed attention after a truck driver was killed in a BNSF derailment near Pueblo, Colorado,...
Tennessee: Garland reelected State Legislative Board Chairman
Brother Gregg S. Garland (pictured, left), a member of BLET Division 41 (Nashville, Tenn.), was reelected to his second term as Chairman of the Tennessee State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Nashville, Tenn., October 3-5, 2023. The Tennessee State...
Troy Martin reelected General Chairman of BNSF (former C&S, CRIP/JTD, FWD) GCA
Troy R. Martin was elected to the office of General Chairman at the BNSF (former C&S, CRIP/JTD, FWD) General Committee of Adjustment’s quadrennial meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 10, 2023. The GCA represents approximately 600 active and retired members...
BLET presses FRA for Emergency Order on excessive train length
Citing numerous recent accidents caused in part by excessively long trains, the BLET has urged the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to issue an Emergency Order establishing a maximum train length of 7,500 feet on the nation’s Class I railroads. BLET National...
BLET Safety Task Force members complete hazmat training
Front row, from left: Roberto Grajeda, BNSF (Colorado); Dan Cadogen, Keolis (Massachusetts); Ken Abell, BNSF (California); Howie Allington, BNSF (Washington); Nick Silva, BMWED; and Dewayne Dehart, Norfolk Southern (Indiana). Back row, from left: D.B. Kenner, BNSF...
Michigan: Rail safety bills gaining steam
Brother B.J. Trumble (pictured above), Chairman of the BLET’s Michigan State Legislative Board, reports that three important rail safety bills are advancing in the Michigan House of Representatives. The three bills (No. 4915, No. 4917 and No. 4918) would establish the...
Kansas becomes 10th state with two-person crew law
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly implemented an administrative rule on October 11, which mandates two-person train crews. Gov. Kelly told the Associated Press that two-person crews “will protect workers from the effects of fatigue, prevent train derailments, and reduce...
Party crashers: BLET demands new contract in the midst of NJ Transit’s birthday celebration
Members of Teamsters Joint Council 73 joined the BLET's NJ Transit rally on September 30. ________________________________ The BLET is continuing to use every legal means necessary to secure a new contract at NJ Transit. On September 30, about 150 BLET members and...
20 BLET families win Hoffa scholarships for 2023-24 school year, including five $10,000 winners
Since 2000, the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund (JRHMSF) has been awarding college scholarships to the sons and daughters of Teamsters. The Fund relies on the generosity and support of Teamsters local unions, Joint Councils and friends. In 2023, the JRHMSF...
Ronnie Rhodes reelected UP-Central General Chairman
Ronnie Rhodes (right) pictured here with his wife Lisa at the 2023 Milwaukee regional meeting, was reelected to his fourth full term as General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Central Region GCA. ___________________ Ronnie E. Rhodes was reelected to his fourth full term...
BLET members ratify quality of life agreement with BNSF
The four BLET General Chairmen reported on October 3 that a majority of BLET Divisions representing locomotive engineers on BNSF Railway ratified a system-wide agreement that improves the quality of work-life balance for approximately 8,000 locomotive engineers.
Open enrollment for 2024 Health FSA to run from now to October 31, 2023
From now until midnight on October 31, 2023, you can enroll or change your Medical or Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefit selections for the 2024 benefit year. Members must enroll in the Health FSA every year — FSA enrollment is not automatic each year, and...
Shutdown Scenerios: Government shutdown would impact FRA, STB, RRB
This week, Congress must enact a continuing appropriations act, or Continuing Resolution (CR), to prevent a government shutdown beginning Sunday, October 1. At this point, it is unclear if Congress will reach an agreement to prevent a shutdown. There are also question...
Generation Z: Future is bright for organized labor, thanks to America’s most pro-union generation
The future is looking bright for organized labor, with strong support across all generations and highest among Generation Z. According to recent reports, members of Gen Z have been on the frontlines leading the renewed push for labor unions. A new analysis from the...
Deepest Condolences: Illinois State Legislative Board Chairman Chris Falaney, 1968-2023
The BLET National Division sends deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brother Chris G. Falaney who unexpectedly passed away on September 20, 2023. He was 55 years old. A member of BLET Division 683 (Chicago, Ill.), Brother Falaney served the BLET as...
Daily Headlines
North American rail volume down through Week 2 of 2024
Through the first two weeks of 2024 (ending Jan. 13), total North American carload and intermodal traffic was down 1.5% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Jan. 17.
FRA seeks public comment on proposed autonomous railcar test program
The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking public comments on Genesee & Wyoming short lines’ request to test Parallel Systems autonomous, self-propelled battery-electric freight cars.
Podcast: STB’s Oberman takes railroads to task on service
Appropriate staffing levels will be critical for the railroad industry to make further progress at improving service levels, especially as volumes appear poised for growth this year.
How the CP-KCS merger has shaken up the industry
Last year’s merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern, the two smallest Class I systems, has turned out to be the little spark that has ignited a lot of railroad competition.
Tense moments, but no disaster, after train stalls on CPKC’s Rutledge Hill in Iowa
After a few tense minutes, the BNSF train cleared the diamond and the CPKC crew was able to bring Kansas City-St. Paul train 251 to a stop just 20 feet from the diamond.
NS trains delaying first responders in Albers, Illinois
Albers Mayor Steve Schomaker and Police Chief Brian Vielweber said that trains now take 15, 20, even 25 minutes to pass through town. First responders have to wait for them like everyone else, with potentially tragic consequences. Such a situation arose last Thursday afternoon.
Shop craft unions urge FRA, STB to improve Class I railroad safety and service
A coalition of labor unions representing railroad shop workers has asked the Federal Railroad Administration and Surface Transportation Board to take five steps to improve safety and service on the Class I railroads.
U.S. rail traffic boost continues in first week of 2024
Total rail traffic for the week ending Jan. 6, 2024, comprised 208,176 carloads, up 0.9% from 2023, and 209,081 containers and trailers, up 3.7% from the same week last year, according to AAR.
Rail bosses stress cooperation at shipper conference
The theme may not be new, but the emphasis seems to be increasing. The idea that railroads need to work together — and that doing so can be beneficial to all parties, not just the railroads involved, but their customers as well — was a recurring topic during the first day of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers Winter Meeting.
Mexican antitrust authority investigates freight rail
Mexico’s rail sector, which moves a quarter of the total merchandise transported by land, is dominated by Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Grupo Mexico’s transport unit.
