BLET News
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
Registration open for Legislative Representative training class, June 5-9, 2023
The BLET Education & Training Department, in conjunction with the National Legislative Office, will conduct a class for BLET Division Legislative Representatives in Washington, D.C., from June 5-9, 2023.
BLET members ratify Springfield Terminal implementing agreement
The Implementing Agreement addresses changes in operations resulting from the transaction and applies protective conditions. In addition, the implementing agreement sets forth the process to divide the workforce between Springfield Terminal (ST) and Berkshire and Eastern (B&E) and defines the limits of the railroads after the Change Over Date.
BLET members ratify new contract with CP Rail/Soo Line
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) today ratified a new five-year agreement with the CP Rail/Soo Line Railroad.
Funeral arrangements for fallen Brother Lou Shuster
Services for late BLET member Louis P. Shuster will be held next week.
In The Line of Duty: BLET Division 607 President Louis P. Shuster
Louis P. Shuster, a proud member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), employed as a Norfolk Southern conductor, was struck and killed early Tuesday when a dump truck collided with a train car in Cleveland.
BLET resumes in-person training classes; Will host Legislative Rep training in June
Class is back in session for members and officers of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BLET returned to in-person workshops last week with several days of intensive training for Secretary-Treasurers.
Daily Headlines
NTSB retires “Most Wanted List” of transportation safety improvements
The end of 2023 will mark the end of the National Transportation Safety Board’s Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements, the focus of the agency’s safety advocacy efforts for nearly 35 years.
North American rail volume decline continues through week ending December 9
Through the first 49 weeks of 2023 (ending Dec. 9), total North American carload and intermodal traffic fell 2.8% from the same period last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Dec. 13.
BNSF hit with lawsuit for grizzly bears killed by trains
The lawsuit claims trains on BNSF rail lines have struck and killed at least 63 of the threatened bears in northwestern Montana and northern Idaho since 2008.
Teamsters kick off first round of Presidential Roundtables
The union is scheduling with all campaigns and will announce additional roundtables in the New Year.
FRA’s proposed rule on certifying rail car origins earns kudos from trade groups
A proposed rule to prevent freight rail cars produced by Chinese entities from being used in the U.S. freight rail network is earning praise from the heads of the Rail Security Alliance (RSA) and the Railway Supply Institute (RSI), who view such rail cars as a potential threat to national security.
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.
