BLET News
BLET members unanimously ratify new contract with Union Railroad
Today, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) unanimously ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Union Railroad of Pittsburgh, Pa.
BLET members ratify DM&E, KCS implementing agreement
The agreement will only become effective should the Surface Transportation Board (STB) decide to allow the merger of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) and KCS Railroads.
Locomotive engineers are onboard for the bipartisan Rail Safety Act of 2023
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, March 3 — A bipartisan bill introduced on March 1 by three Republican and three Democratic senators is designed to toughen safety standards on America’s railroads. “Right now our nation’s railroads largely self-regulate,” said Brotherhood of...
Two-person crew bill advances in New Mexico
The New Mexico House of Representatives passed a two-person crew railroad safety bill earlier this month, thanks in part to cooperative efforts from the BLET’s New Mexico State Legislative Board and the New Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.
Comprehensive resource guide now available for all BLET members covered under the National Health & Welfare Plan
A new comprehensive resource guide outlining benefits under the Railroad National Health & Welfare Plan (GA-23000) is now available.
BLET President Hall statement on NTSB’s preliminary report on the East Palestine derailment
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has been assisting the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation of the recent derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. That work will continue. Our agreement with the NTSB limits some of what we can say today, I don’t want to speculate on the causes of the derailment in East Palestine, but I do want to emphasize a couple of items that were not raised in the preliminary report or discussed in today’s press conference.
BLET President Hall responds to rail safety recommendations proposed today by U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg
The following statement is from BLET National President Eddie Hall in response to recommendations released today by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg:
BLET’s Springfield Terminal members to vote on implementing agreement
The tentative Implementing Agreement addresses changes in operations resulting from the transaction and applies protective conditions.
RRB announces Spring 2023 Pre-Retirement Seminars
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced its schedule of Pre-Retirement Seminars for Spring 2023.
BLET members ratify new contract with Illinois Railway
Today, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) unanimously ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Illinois Railway.
Rail Labor joins Senators Sanders and Braun to demand paid sick leave
Rail Labor representatives joined Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Senator Mike Braun (R-Indiana) at a press conference in Washington D.C. on February 9 to demand that rail companies provide workers with at least seven paid sick days.
Ballots mailed in tentative BLET, CP Rail/SOO Line tentative agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with the CP Rail/SOO Line Railroad. Ballots were mailed today, February 9.
Ballots mailed to BLET members in tentative DM&E, KCS implementing agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative implementing agreement with the Kansas City Southern (KCS) and Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (DM&E) Railroads. Ballots were mailed earlier today, February 8, to locomotive engineers employed by the DM&E, active members in Division 527 employed by the KCS, and Gateway Western Railroad members who are eligible to participate.
Ballots mailed in tentative BLET, Union Railroad agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Union Railroad in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
BLET calls on Congress to fix FMLA flaw that harms rail workers
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 3 — This month marks the 30th anniversary of the enactment of The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993. BLET has had a long history of fighting to protect members’ rights under FMLA. In...
Last call to register for upcoming LM-2 ST training class
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, February 2 — It is last call to register for the BLET Education & Training Department’s class for Secretary-Treasurers who file LM-2 reports for their General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), Division, or State Legislative Board (SLB). Interested...
BLET members encouraged to sign up for BLET website
As a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, one of the best ways to stay in touch with the National Division is through the BLET website.
Hall announces National Vice President assignments
BLET National President Eddie Hall handed out assignments earlier this month to the National Vice Presidents. Eddie said the Vice Presidents have hit the ground running and are working with the General Chairmen through negotiations to create a better quality of life for the membership.
Save the date: 2023 BLET regional meetings
The BLET National Division is pleased to announce the dates and locations of this year’s regional meetings: June 26-30 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and August 14-18 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
2023 BLET Scholarship Directory
Each year, the BLET National Division compiles a list of scholarship opportunities available to the children of BLET members. Numerous financial aid opportunities are published below in the 2023 BLET Scholarship Directory.
Daily Headlines
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.
President Biden announces $8.2 Billion in new grants for high-speed rail and pipeline of projects nationwide
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced that it has awarded $8.2 billion for 10 passenger rail projects across the country while announcing corridor planning activities that will impact every region nationwide.
Labor unions urge STB to press big U.S. railroads on employment and service levels
A coalition of rail labor unions has criticized the U.S. Class I railroads’ hiring efforts, their pace of service improvements, and the industry’s safety record in a filing with the Surface Transportation Board.
Biden administration pledges $6 billion to a pair of high-speed electric rail routes in U.S. West
U.S. senators from California and Nevada said the federal government will give $3 billion for a planned privately-owned route between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area plus another $3.1 billion for an initial segment of California’s publicly-funded effort to eventually connect Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Legislators announce selection of eight more passenger routes for FRA Corridor ID program
Selection provides funding for studies that are a prelude to new or expanded Amtrak service.
Senator Brown: Washington selects 4 routes for expansion priorities
The Federal Railroad Administration has selected four routes serving Ohio and other states as priorities for Amtrak expansion, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio said Tuesday.
