BLET News
In depth ProPublica article exposes rail worker harassment and intimidation
A major investigative report published by ProPublica on November 15 exposes how America’s railroad corporations are intimidating workers by putting speed ahead of safety. According to the ProPublica team of investigative reporters, as railroads strive to move their...
Proclamation honors BLET’s 160th anniversary
From left: BLET member Alex Bing, Commissioner Lisa Sobecki, Commissioner Pete Gerken, BLET member John Esterly, and Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak. _________________________ The BLET received a proclamation from the Lucas County (Ohio) Board of Commissioners in...
Biden announces $16.4 billion for Northeast Corridor improvements
Major investment in passenger rail: President Biden announced $16.4 billion in funding for passenger and commuter rail at a November 6 press conference. (Image from White House YouTube video) __________________________ The Biden administration announced on November 6...
Veterans Day 2023: Thank you to our veterans and their families
On Veterans Day, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen thanks all of our veterans for your service to our Nation. We salute you for your contributions and sacrifices, which have made our country free and strong. Veterans Day is an important day of...
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Amtrak: Ballots will be mailed on November 15
The BLET has reached a tentative contract agreement for more than 1,400 locomotive engineers who operate Amtrak’s passenger and commuter trains over its 21,000-mile, 46-state route system.The seven-year tentative agreement includes full retroactive payments dating to...
2022 BLET Bylaws available online
Delegates consider changes to the BLET Bylaws while in session during the Fifth National Convention in 2022. _______________________ An electronic copy of the 2022 edition of the BLET Bylaws is now available in the Members’ Area of the Brotherhood’s website. The...
Railroad Retirement: Monthly annuities, earnings limits will increase in 2024
Most railroad retirement annuities, like social security benefits, will increase in January 2024. Cost-of-living increases are calculated in both the tier I and tier II portions of a railroad retirement annuity. The tier I portion, like social security benefits, will...
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Keolis Rail Services
A contract ratification vote is underway for BLET members who work for Keolis Rail Services Virginia. Ballots were mailed this week to members to vote on a tentative on-property agreement governing rates of pay and health care benefits for 11 locomotive engineers who...
REMINDER: Get out and vote on Tuesday, November 7
Tuesday, November 7, is election day in most states. BLET members and their families are encouraged to get to the polls and make Election Day count for working families. Many of the rail safety improvements Rail Labor has secured in recent years have been on the state...
SEPTA strike vote: Request replacement ballots by November 9
Two weeks ago, the BLET National Division mailed ballots and voting instructions to members working at SEPTA regarding a strike authorization vote. The deadline for receipt of ballots is at noon Eastern time on Monday, November 20, 2023. Members who are eligible and...
BLET members take fight for a fair contract at NJ Transit to the State Senate and Assembly
Using new technology that makes it easy for BLET members and their families to send letters to government leaders, engineers in New Jersey are reaching out to their legislative representatives with messages about NJ Transit’s misplaced priorities, wasteful spending,...
Regulatory victory: BLET blocks Mexican train crews at the border
The BLET’s National Legislative Office in Washington, D.C., scored a regulatory win for BLET members last week by blocking Union Pacific’s attempt to move trains across the border into the U.S. at Laredo, Texas without stopping under certain conditions. UP...
Devita retires as Fireman & Oilers president, Pistone elevated to top office
Brother Dean Devita, President of the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers, 32BJ, SEIU, announced on October 19 that he is retiring effective December 31, 2023. Brother Devita became President of the NCFO on October 1, 2020. He was one of the featured speakers...
LAST CALL: Deadline to enroll in 2024 Health FSA program is at midnight on 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...
Education & Training: Local Chairmen complete workshop
This week, the BLET National Division hosted 26 Local Chairmen for a training class at National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio. The in-depth training helped those attending to develop and enhance the skills necessary to provide the best representation...
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...
Daily Headlines
One crew member hurt as UP train derails after grade crossing collision near Fort Worth
One crew member suffered what were reported to be minor injuries after a Union Pacific train derailed after hitting a truck hauling an oversized load at a grade crossing west of Fort Worth, Texas, on December 17.
BNSF tells regulators that UP aims to block interchange access to proposed Utah short line
BNSF Railway this week asked federal regulators to ensure that it can use its trackage rights over Union Pacific to interchange with a proposed new short line railway in Utah.
EPA begins formal review of vinyl chloride, toxic chemical that burned in East Palestine
The Biden administration has initiated a formal evaluation of risks posed by vinyl chloride, the cancer-causing chemical that burned in a towering plume of toxic black smoke following a fiery train derailment earlier this year in eastern Ohio.
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.
