BLET News
BLET National President Hall meets with IBT General President O’Brien
BLET National President Eddie Hall traveled to Washington D.C. last week to represent BLET members in meetings with IBT General President Sean O’Brien.
BLET to hold S-T training class for LM-2 filers
This workshop will be held at the Horseshoe Hotel (formerly Bally’s Hotel and Casino) in Las Vegas, Nevada, the week of February 27.
Fresh start begins in Kansas City
New Officers of the BLET National Division attended their first meeting with members on January 11, fulfilling President Eddie Hall’s commitment to engage more with the membership.
BLET announces tentative agreements with two short line railroads
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached tentative contract agreements with two short line railroads: the South Buffalo Railway Company (SBRR) and the Illinois Railway (IR).
New year, new team, a fresh start for BLET
This is truly a new year for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. On January 1, a new team of officers took the oath of office and the union embarked on a new era.
Funeral information announced for former VP Moates
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 29, 2022 at St. Therese of Lisieux (900 Clingan Ridge Dr., NW, Cleveland, TN 37312) with Father Michael Nolan officiating.
Former BLET Vice President Don L. Moates, 1946-2022
Former BLET National Vice President Don L. Moates passed away on December 23, 2022. He was 76 years old. He served the Brotherhood in numerous roles throughout his 51 years of continuous membership.
Hubbard reelected Chairman of Indiana State Legislative Board
Shane Hubbard of BLET Division 343 (Princeton, Ind.) was reelected by acclamation to his second term as Chairman of the Indiana State Legislative Board at its 15th quadrennial meeting. Terms of office for Brother Hubbard and all newly elected officers became effective November 1, 2022.
Announcement of results of BLET National Division Officers election
As prescribed by the Election Rules for the 2022 BLET National Division Officers Election, National Secretary-Treasurer Stephen J. Bruno has announced the election results of the National Division Officers election.
BLET to announce verified Officer Election results on December 19
Pursuant to the 2022 Rules for the BLET National Officers Election, the announcement of the verified results of the election will be made on Monday, December 19, 2022.
Three rail hazmat training classes available in early 2023
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is hosting three in-person rail worker training sessions in early 2023. The dates are as follows: January 15-20, 2023; February 5-10, 2023; and March 5-10, 2023.
BLET members ratify new contract with Long Island Rail Road
Today, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) by an 84.97% supermajority.
Former BLET General Chairman Charlie Rightnowar, 1949-2022
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, December 7 — Brother Charles Ray Rightnowar, former General Chairman of the BLET’s Union Pacific-Central Region General Committee of Adjustment, passed away on December 5, 2022. He was 73 years old. Brother Rightnowar proudly served his country in...
GA-46000 Lifetime maximum adjusted for 2023
The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit Plan (also known as ERMA or GA-46000) will increase from $182,700 to $188,000 on January 1, 2023.
Thanksgiving 2022
In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to each and every member of our proud Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. You are indeed what makes the BLET the leading Rail Labor union in the United States, and your dedication makes the American economy the strongest in the world.
Split Decision: Unions for Railroad Engineers and Conductors Take Different Routes in Freight Rail Contract Ratification Vote
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen vote to ratify national rail agreement with the nation’s Class I railroads; operating craft (Train & Engine service) members of the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet...
National contract replacement ballot deadline is November 18
The deadline to request a replacement ballot is November 18, 2022 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Long Island Rail Road
Ballots are being mailed today, November 14, to eligible members regarding BLET’s tentative agreement with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce announced.
BLET, SMART TD Town Hall yields facts about tentative agreement
At a November 9 Town Hall meeting, SMART Transportation Division President Jeremy Ferguson and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen President Dennis Pierce discussed the tentative National Rail Agreement with dozens of members from both unions. A video recording of the Town Hall (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes) is available on the BLET and SMART TD websites.
Veterans Day 2022
Please join me in honoring America’s veterans with the dignity and respect they so richly
Daily Headlines
NS to end relocation aid right after one-year anniversary of East Palestine derailment
Norfolk Southern railroad plans to stop paying relocation aid to people displaced by last February’s fiery derailment in eastern Ohio right after the one-year anniversary of the crash.
BMWED, Union Pacific tussle over furloughs
Debate about furloughs at Union Pacific and how many employees could be affected continue to play out in the public arena following a recent industry conference where Surface Transportation Board Chairman Marty Oberman called out Union Pacific leadership.
FRA wants railroads to bolster winter operation procedures
U.S. railroads should beef up the procedures they use for responding to adverse weather conditions, including seeing how weather-related technologies can be integrated into positive train control and whether the railroads can collaborate on developing best practices, according to a safety advisory from the Federal Railroad Administration.
Railyard explosion, inspections raise safety questions about Union Pacific’s hazmat shipping
Federal inspectors have twice found hundreds of defects in the locomotives and railcars Union Pacific uses at the world’s largest railyard in Nebraska, but none of those seem to explain why a shipping container filled with toxic acid exploded there this fall.
Failed wheel bearing caused Kentucky derailment, CSX says
CSX says a failed wheel bearing caused the Nov. 22 derailment that led to an evacuation of residents in Livingston, Ky., on Thanksgiving.
AAR: North American rail volume down through 46 weeks
Through the first 46 weeks of 2023 (ending Nov. 18), total North American carload and intermodal traffic decreased 3.1% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Nov. 22.
New Jersey lawmakers look to limit high hazard freight trains
Ray Vigil, Chairman of the BLET New Jersey State Legislative Board, testified on behalf of BLET.
CSX CEO Hinrichs encourages railroads to work together and set higher service standards
Regarding the way Class I railroads treat their employees, Hinrichs said: “In a decade we changed… from being one of the most desired jobs to have, to people not recommending their sons, daughters, and nieces and nephews to even consider it.”
Engineers for SEPTA Regional Rail vote to authorize strike
BLET Vice President James P. Louis told SEPTA board members last week that the agency’s engineers and trainmen are the lowest paid in the industry.
Unions are the strongest in decades, nearly a million Americans got double digit raises in 2023 as a result
Nearly 900,000 Americans sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner this week will have unions – and the double-digit pay increases they won – to thank.
