BLET News
BLET reaches tentative agreement with NYSW
The BLET has reached a tentative agreement with the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYSW). Ballots were mailed in late November. If ratified, the tentative agreement would provide wage increases and work rule improvements. Additionally, if ratified, NYSW...
BLET members at CN-IC donating bicycles to kids in need this holiday season
From left: Division 827 Local Chairman William Lafferty and Division 914 Local Chairman Allen Templet Jr. selecting bicycles to donate. ____________________ BLET members who work for the Canadian National-Illinois Central (CN-IC) are in the giving spirit this holiday...
Ballots mailed to 12,000+ members as voting begins on tentative national contract
Voting is now underway as BLET members will make their voices heard on the tentative national agreement reached October 30 with 10 freight railroads represented by the National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC). Ballots were mailed today (December 5) to 12,000+...
Virtual Town Hall meetings set for December 9 to review tentative national agreement
The BLET will host two Zoom Town Hall meetings on December 9 to discuss the tentative national agreement. National President Mark Wallace will outline the agreement’s provisions and provide background on the negotiating process.
BLET’s Ray Vigil named to New Jersey governor-elect’s transition team
Ray Vigil (left) will serve on the Transition Action Team of New Jersey Governor-Elect Mikie Sherill (right). ____________________ Ray Vigil, Chairman of the BLET’s New Jersey State Legislative Board, has been appointed by Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill to serve on her...
Governor Shapiro authorizes $219.9 million in one-time capital emergency funding for SEPTA regional rail
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announces the emergency funding to be immediately directed toward SEPTA's safety issues and repairs. SEPTA photo ____________________ Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro ordered that $219.9 million from the state’s transportation...
Secretary-Treasurer refresher courses available via Zoom in December
The BLET National Division Education & Training Department will host an End-of-Year Secretary-Treasurer Refresher Training Class. This session is designed to review year-end reporting requirements, compliance deadlines, and provide a first look at our new...
Attention all CPKC Soo Line and SEPTA members: Replacement ballots are now available
The telephone hotline to request replacement ballots is now open for two separate ratification votes currently underway. The first is for BLET members who work on the CPKC Soo Line territory and the second is for BLET members at SEPTA. Ballots and voting instructions...
National Legislative Board concludes annual meeting
From left: Amit Bose, Brendan Sullivan, Richard Barnett, Ryan Snow, Herbert Harris Jr., Gary Best, Mark Wallace, Vince Verna, Shane Hubbard, Chuck Schulz, David Estes, Alex Beckmann, and Cole Scandaglia. ____________________ The BLET National Legislative Board (NLB)...
Train crews drive resurgence at Amtrak as trains sell out ahead of Thanksgiving holiday rush
Amtrak's recent surge in ticket sales are thanks in large part to the hard work and dedication of the train crews including BLET members. Amtrak photo ____________________ Amtrak trains are selling out from coast to coast thanks in part to surging demand for...
Division 301 in Roanoke marks 140th anniversary
BLET Division 301 in Roanoke was chartered on November 17, 1885. Members celebrated their Division's 140th anniversary at a Division meeting earlier in this month where they wore t-shirts designed by Local Chairman Patrick Jennings. ____________________ In 1885,...
BLET backing efforts to secure funding for Caltrain, other mass transit agencies
The BLET is backing efforts to place a funding measure on the November 2026 ballot that would help keep the trains rolling at Caltrain. Photo courtesy of Caltrain ____________________ Commuter railroad Caltrain and other public transit agencies in the San Francisco...
One year later, Division 13 member Tony Ramos continues battle with brain cancer; Fundraiser set for La Crosse on December 4
Brother Tony Ramos, an Air Force veteran, was invited to attend a Wisconsin Badgers football game in November where he was presented with a game ball in recognition of his year-long battle with brain cancer. ____________________ It’s been one year since BLET member...
LIRR unions in NMB public interest hearing tell labor board that PEB recommendations are a foundation for reaching a settlement
On Monday, November 17, the National Mediation Board (NMB) held a “Public Interest Hearing” at its offices in Washington to assess if either the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) or a coalition of five rail unions that includes BLET would accept the recommendations of...
National Transportation Safety Board issues two safety advisories directed at conductors and other rail workers
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued two safety alerts in November regarding rail operations: the first addressed the risks of shoving moves, and the second concerned the dangers of unexpected equipment moves. The BLET Safety Task Force urges all...
BLET members ratify five-year deal with WNYP
On November 11, BLET members ratified a new five-year agreement with the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad (WNYP), governing rates of pay, benefits, and work rules. The agreement runs through 2030 and provides for a guaranteed 40-hour work week, a signing...
BLET reaches tentative agreement with SEPTA
The BLET has reached a tentative one-year deal with SEPTA for locomotive engineers who operate regional rail trains for the transit agency. Ballots were mailed last week. If ratified by the members, the deal would build upon gains achieved in the previous round of...
BLET reaches tentative agreement for CPKC Soo Line locomotive engineers
Ballots are due back to the National Division by Thursday, December 11. Photo by Cory Rusch, BLET Division 659 ____________________ The BLET has reached a tentative five-year agreement with the CPKC for locomotive engineers who work on the CPKC Soo Line territory....
BLET holds Town Hall meetings in Pennsylvania, more dates added for the upcoming weeks
BLET members turned out in strong numbers and came prepared with thoughtful, detailed questions at our recent Town Hall meetings in Harrisburg, PA, on November 16, and Pittsburgh, PA, on November 17. See photo highlights of the Pennsylvania meetings. The discussions...
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, in a Sunday front page story, highlights safety concerns with the proposed rail merger
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in a Sunday front page story that in the aftermath of the devastating 2023 East Palestine chemical spill and fire, Norfolk Southern invested hundreds of millions of dollars to boost safety through improved training programs,...
Daily Headlines
Trump administration pulls $4 billion in federal funding for California’s bullet train project
Overall, a little less than a quarter of the project’s funding has come from the federal government. The rest has come from the state.
SEPTA board approves budget with 45% service cuts
“This budget will effectively dismantle SEPTA — leaving the City and region without the frequent, reliable transit service that has been an engine of economic growth, mobility, and opportunity,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer.
BLET Auxiliary: Now available: “Taking Charge,” a survival guide for railroad families
Members of the BLET Auxiliary were busy selling raffle tickets at the Daytona Beach Regional. From left: Jodi Wallace, Chris Baldwin, Kat Bisbikis, Rachel Pharris, and Natalie Miller. ____________________ Kat Bisbikis, National President of the BLET Auxiliary,...
General President Sean O’Brien highlights list of Teamster speakers during Eastern Regional Meeting
IBT General President Sean O'Brien: “Our members are changing the game. Setting the standard. Improving the lives of their fellow Teamsters all across the country.” ____________________ Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien addressed BLET members during a rousing...
Rail unions warn DOT rollbacks could jeopardize train safety
Labor concerned about potential new power to fire FRA inspectors
June 2025 RRB Q&A: Unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad employees
A new unemployment and sickness benefit year – the twelve-month period during which the RRB makes benefit payments for days of unemployment and sickness to eligible railroad employees – generally begins each July 1 and ends on June 30 of the next year.
CPKC system cutover triggers service woes in some former KCS locations
Localized congestion, delays, and shipper frustrations follow tech switchover in Louisiana, east Texas, and Mississippi
Smuggling arrest raises questions about Mexican crews moving trains into Texas
Some U.S. workers see Mexican crews bringing trains into South Texas as a threat to American jobs and border security.
Parallel Systems begins testing autonomous cars on G&W short line
The pilot program to evaluate Parallel’s self-propelled container car was launched this week on the Heart of Georgia Railroad
Heartland Flyer service in jeopardy after Texas fails to provide funding
State support for Fort Worth-Oklahoma City not included in $338 billion budget bill
