BLET News
BLET to hold strike authorization vote
In a conference call held with all BLET General Chairmen today, National President Dennis R. Pierce announced that preparations are underway to poll members to authorize a strike in the event one becomes necessary to attain the Organization’s national bargaining goals.
BLET members ratify new contract with DM&E; Wages to increase 27%
By a nearly 5-to-1 ratio, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new on-property agreement with the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad (DM&E) on June 13, 2022.
Deadline approaches for BLET’s Baltimore regional meeting
Those planning to attend the BLET’s upcoming regional meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, are reminded that the deadline to make hotel reservations is June 28, 2022. The meeting will be held August 1-5, 2022.
FRA publishes rule on fatigue management
On June 13, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published its long awaited rule on rail worker fatigue management. The fatigue final rule was mandated by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.
United Rail Unions statement on proffer of arbitration, June 15, 2022
The United Rail Unions issued the following statement on June 15, 2022: Following the conclusion of our third week of compulsory mediation conducted by the National Mediation Board (NMB), the Rail Unions who are bargaining as part of the Coordinated Bargaining...
BLET opens Denver regional meeting
More than 370 members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and their families convened in Denver, Colorado, on the morning of June 14 for opening ceremonies of the BLET’s first regional meeting of 2022.
United Rail Unions statement on national bargaining, June 9, 2022
The Rail Unions remain united in their effort to negotiate a fair agreement and stand together in rejecting all proposals that the rail carriers have advanced in our mediation sessions. Our members are the backbone of the rail network and they have earned a contract that recognizes their contributions. None of the Carrier proposals to date come close to that.
Arrangements announced for former BLET VP Paul Wingo
The family will receive friends at the Maple Grove Baptist Church (9525 Birchwood Pike, Harrison, TN 37341) on Thursday, June 9, from 4:00-6:00 p.m., and a service will follow at 6:00 p.m. Brother Wingo will be laid to rest with military honors on Monday, June 13 (10:30 a.m.), at the Chattanooga National Cemetery (1200 Bailey Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404).
Groose reelected Missouri State Legislative Board Chairman
Calvin L. Groose was reelected by acclamation to his second term as Chairman of the Missouri State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, May 15-17, 2022.
Former BLET Vice President Paul Wingo, 1944-2022
Paul L. Wingo Jr., retired International and National Vice President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, passed away on June 6, 2022. He was 78 years old.
BLET hero drowns while rescuing children from riptide
BLET member Zackary T. Stine, age 36, of Division 182 (North Little Rock, Ark.), bravely and selflessly sprang into action after a group of four small children got caught in a riptide out in the river at Soggy Bottom Trails, an ATV park in Oklahoma.
United Rail Unions statement on national bargaining, June 2, 2022
These joint mediated negotiations, under the direction of the NMB Board Members themselves, resulted from the Unions’ request to be released from mediation after more than two years of bargaining with the major U.S. Class I railroads.
BLET-backed two-person crew bill advances in New York state
The BLET-backed two person crew bill — S3953B — has been passed by both the New York State Assembly and Senate, and members who live in New York state are urged to contact Governor Kathy Hochul’s office and ask her to sign the bill into law.
Memorial Day 2022
Statement by BLET National President Dennis Pierce: Each year on Memorial Day, our Brotherhood pays tribute to the men and women who have given their lives serving in our military. It is an important holiday for the BLET and its members as we honor the fallen for defending our country and our way of life.
Timothy T. Price, 1969-2022
Timothy T. Price, Chairman Emeritus of the Ohio State Legislative Board, passed away on May 15, 2022, after a battle with cancer. He was 53 years old.
Coordinated Bargaining Coalition welcomes face-to-face mediation over national contract negotiations
The Coordinated Bargaining Coalition (CBC) Rail Labor Unions are preparing for in-person mediation sessions before the National Mediation Board (NMB) in Washington D.C., May 24-26. The Unions hope this will help to settle their ongoing national contract dispute.
John Esterly elected Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman
John S. Esterly of BLET Division 34 (Columbus, Ohio) was elected to his first full term as Chairman of the Ohio State Legislative Board at its 17th quadrennial meeting held in Columbus, Ohio, April 24-26, 2022.
Statement by BLET National President Dennis Pierce on BNSF’s announced changes to its Hi-Viz punitive attendance policy
BNSF Railway’s newly announced changes to its Hi-Viz attendance policy are little more than fluff. Hi-Viz has been an abject failure.
Ballots to be mailed May 18 in tentative BLET-DM&E agreement
Ballots will be mailed on May 18 to eligible members regarding the BLET’s tentative on-property agreement with the Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern Railroad (DM&E), National President Dennis R. Pierce announced today.
Ryan Snow reelected to third term as Chairman of California SLB
Ryan K. Snow was reelected by acclamation to his third term as Chairman of the California State Legislative Board during its 9th quadrennial session held in San Diego, California April 26-28, 2022.
Daily Headlines
Canadian government announces second phase of new brake rules
The Canadian government has announced new rules regarding rail air brake inspection and maintenance, to take effect Dec. 1, 2025.
FRA proposes amendment to freight car safety standards in support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
This proposed amendment, on which FRA is seeking public comment, aims to further enhance the safety and security of the U.S. freight rail industry by introducing crucial restrictions on newly built freight cars placed into service within the U.S.
Federal grant to upgrade Empire Builder route in Montana
BNSF Railway will receive a federal grant for $14.9 million toward infrastructure improvements in and around Malta, Mont., U.S. Sen. Jon Tester announced Thursday.
Pittsburgh-Harrisburg route improvements to receive $143.6 million federal grant
Infrastructure improvements to accommodate a second daily round trip of Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, Pa., will receive more than $143 million in federal funding, the state’s two U.S. senators have announced.
AAR reports rail traffic for November and the week ending December 2, 2023
For the week ending December 2, 2023, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 509,626 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.9 percent compared with the same week last year.
Now in vogue: Class I railroads buying short lines and regionals
It’s hard to say when a trend becomes a trend. But yesterday’s announcement that Canadian National will acquire the 253-mile Iowa Northern Railway suggests that short lines and regionals getting gobbled up by Class I railroads is now a thing.
NTSB recommends backup cameras for maintenance machinery as a result of fatal accident
The National Transportation Safety Board is calling for backup cameras on maintenance-of-way machinery, as well as other safety recommendations, as a result of a fatal accident involving a Norfolk Southern track gang at Reed, Pa., in December 2021.
Canada, U.S. to form task force to get locomotive emissions to net zero
The U.S. and Canadian governments plan to work together to reduce the railway sector’s greenhouse gas emissions via a task force that will explore accelerating the use of zero-emissions locomotive technologies.
NS installs new computer-aided yard operations system at Norris Yard
Norfolk Southern is installing Wabtec’s Yard Planner system at Norris Yard in Irondale, Ala., as part of an effort to improve the hump yard’s efficiency and make service more consistent.
Q&A: RRB appeals procedures
Persons claiming retirement, disability, or survivor annuities or unemployment or sickness benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) have the right to appeal unfavorable determinations on their claims.
