BLET News
Video: IBT General President O’Brien addresses BLET delegates
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien kicked off the BLET’s Fifth National Convention with an address to delegates on Monday morning, October 10.
FRA Administrator Bose talks safety on Day 3 of BLET’s Fifth National Convention
Other guest speakers addressing the BLET convention delegates Wednesday included U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona’s 7th District, Kat Bisbikis, President of the BLET Auxiliary, and Lyndon Isaak, President of Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC). U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vermont) delivered a fiery speech via video and U. S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts) also delivered her remarks to the convention via video.
Labor Secretary Marty Walsh highlights Day 2 of BLET’s Fifth National Convention
U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, during an address at the Fifth National Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) on Tuesday, praised railroad workers for continuing to work in the most difficult of circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretary said that the work of railroaders enabled other essential workers to their jobs to keep the nation moving. “The entire economy depends on the work you do,” Secretary Walsh said. “Clean water, food, power to heat and cool our homes. This nation owes you a debt of gratitude.”
President Pierce addresses delegates at Fifth National Convention
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce delivered the Report of the National President during the morning session of the BLET’s Fifth National Convention on October 10. His report focused on the Tentative National Freight Agreement and a call for unity now and in the days to come.
Addresses by Congressional Leaders and Labor Leaders Highlight BLET National Convention
A lineup of top Congressional and national labor leaders kicked off the first day of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Fifth National Convention being held in Las Vegas.
Setting the record straight on Tentative National Freight Agreement
My message in the last BLET Newsletter was a joint message with SMART TD President Jeremy Ferguson giving a detailed report on the presentations that the United Rail Unions made before Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) 250. Much has happened since that joint message. On August 17, 2022, PEB 250 issued its recommendations; that detailed report is available on the BLET website, and it started a second 30-day cooling off period.
Final preparations underway for BLET’s Fifth National Convention
Convention planners are completing final preparations for the opening ceremonies of the BLET’s Fifth National Convention, which will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, October 10, 2022.
A must-watch video for freight rail BLET and SMART-TD members
A must-watch for all involved members of the BLET and SMART-TD, BLET President Dennis Pierce and SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson have published a joint video regarding the tentative national freight agreement. The Presidents describe the challenging political environment surrounding the negotiating process and outline the wages, work rules, and health & welfare benefits secured in the tentative deal.
UP-WL General Chairman Brian Carr reelected by acclamation
Brother Brian P. Carr was reelected by acclamation to his second term as General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Western Lines General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s Third Quadrennial Meeting in San Diego, Calif., September 20-21, 2022.
Falaney reelected Chairman of Illinois State Legislative Board
Brother Chris G. Falaney of BLET Division 683 (Chicago, Ill.) was reelected Chairman of the BLET Illinois State Legislative Board at its 16th quadrennial meeting in Springfield, Ill., August 29-31, 2022.
BLET members ratify BNSF-MRL implementing agreements
On September 30, an overwhelming majority of participating BLET members ratified an implementing agreement and Oregon Short Line Protective Agreement with BNSF regarding its resumption of service on the Montana Rail Link.
Open enrollment for 2023 Health FSA to run from now to October 31, 2022
From now until midnight on October 31, 2022, you can enroll or change your Medical or Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefit selections for the 2023 benefit year. Members must enroll in the Health FSA every year — FSA enrollment is not automatic each year, and interested members should act soon so they do not miss out on enrollment for the 2023 Plan Year.
Elkins elected Chairman of Kentucky State Legislative Board
Mark Elkins of BLET Division 271 (Russell, Ky.) was elected by acclamation as the new Chairman of the Kentucky State Legislative Board at the Board’s Eighth Quadrennial Meeting on July 20, 2022.
Open Letter To The BLET Membership On The Tentative Agreement For Freight Engineers
The BLET National General Chairmen’s Association (NGCA) includes General Chairmen from Class 1 freight, commuter and passenger, and short line railroads. Put briefly, those officers are the designated BLET representatives for our members on their railroad properties. Each one has an affirmative duty to negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements and represent our members in all grievances related to their respective CBAs and disciplinary matters.
Video: President Pierce addresses TCRC National Convention
Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) kicked off its 5th National Convention on Tuesday, September 27, in Halifax.
BLET Advisory Board Resolution on Tentative National Freight Agreement
IT IS NOW HEREBY RESOLVED:
1. The Advisory Board unanimously supports the decision made by the National Wage Committee to send the Tentative Agreement to the membership for their consideration.
2. The Advisory Board further recognizes that our Bylaws require that the membership be given the right to vote on the contract, and fully respects their right to vote in favor of or against the Tentative Agreement. Should the Tentative Agreement fail ratification, every member of the Advisory Board will be on the picket line with the membership when the cooling-off period ends.
Laveing reelected Chairman of Pennsylvania State Legislative Board
Brother Tim M. Laveing was reelected by acclamation to his second term as Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Legislative Board at its fifth quadrennial meeting in Hersey, Pa., September 7-8, 2022.
BLET announces timeline for balloting in Tentative National Agreement
Once the Q&A session is complete, the tentative plan is to distribute ballots to the affected members on or around Friday, October 14, with a tentative count date on or around November 17, 2022.
BLET, SMART-TD reach tentative agreement with railroads
For immediate release, September 15, 2022 Statement by Jeremy Ferguson, President, SMART Transportation Division and Dennis Pierce, President, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen on Tentative Agreement Reached Early This Morning Between Unions...
SMART-TD, BLET Joint Statement on Rail Embargo
The railroads are using shippers, consumers, and the supply chain of our nation as pawns in an effort to get our Unions to cave into their contract demands knowing that our members would never accept them. Our Unions will not cave into these scare tactics, and Congress must not cave into what can only be described as corporate terrorism.
Daily Headlines
AAR reports rail traffic for December and the week ending December 20, 2023
Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 52 weeks of 2023 was 24,369,229 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 2.3 percent compared to last year.
RRB Q&A: Reporting events and activities that can affect payment of Railroad Retirement annuities
The RRB has prepared a thorough list of questions and answers regarding the events and activities that can affect payment of railroad retirement annuities. The Q&A also describes how these events and activities can affect annuities and explains how to prevent annuity overpayments under these circumstances.
East Palestine, safety among rail’s big issues in 2023
The February derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio, brought an unanticipated and sometimes harsh spotlight on rail safety.
Railroad operations resume after 5-day closure in two Texas border towns
The federal government on Friday reopened two cross-border railroad crossings in Texas, five days after the shuttering of rail operations there disrupted trade and sparked outrage from U.S. and Mexican businesses.
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending December 23, 2023
Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 51 weeks of 2023 was 23,998,429 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 2.4 percent compared to last year.
Opinion: California is building its bullet train, so let’s make it work
But let’s get real: This project is going to be constructed one way or another, whether at reasonable speed or in pokey chug-chug fashion. It’s time we acknowledge that and focus on making it work the best for everyone. And sooner the better.
CPKC 2023 Holiday Train raises record $1.8 million for food charities
Completing its 25th year, the CPKC Holiday Train has raised more than $24.3 million and collected approximately 5.3 million pounds of food for community food banks in Canada and the United States since its inaugural journey in 1999, CPKC officials said in a press release.
High-speed rail gains momentum as Hyperloop falters
The closure of Hyperloop One signifies a shift in focus towards high-speed rail initiatives, reflecting a growing momentum in the advancement of public transportation infrastructure.
Ski commuter trains get another look as Colorado’s mountain roads are overwhelmed
Commuter rail is emerging as a travel alternative as mountain highways in Colorado and other Western states have become clogged with cars and semis, often shutting down for hours on end in winter weather and deeply impacting ski-town economies.
ProPublica: When railroad workers get hurt on the job, some supervisors go to extremes to keep it quiet
Railroad management culture blames workers when they get hurt and motivates supervisors to go to extreme, and sometimes dangerous, lengths to keep injuries off the books.
