BLET News
2022 Hoffa scholarship application process now open
BLET members and their families are advised that the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund has begun accepting applications for the 2022 award year. The Fund awards financial scholarships to the sons, daughters and financial dependents of Teamster members.
Two-person crew bill introduced in Michigan
On December 2, 2021, a railroad safety bill requiring qualified two-person train crews was introduced in the state of Michigan’s House of Representatives and Senate.
BLET to conduct virtual training for Secretary-Treasurers
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct two virtual training classes for Division Secretary-Treasurers via Zoom from the BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio. Classes will be held December 14-16, 2021, and January 4-6, 2022.
BLET, SMART-TD suit seeks immediate halt to BNSF and Metra vaccine mandates
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) have filed motions for preliminary injunctions, seeking to immediately halt unilaterally implemented vaccine mandates imposed by Metra commuter rail and BNSF Railway, and require the carriers to negotiate over the issue.
BLET, SMART-TD suits seek immediate halt to Amtrak vaccine mandate
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) yesterday filed motions for a preliminary injunction, seeking to immediately halt a unilaterally implemented vaccine mandate imposed by Amtrak, and require the carrier to negotiate over the issue.
Unions counter Metra COVID vaccine mandate
CLEVELAND, Ohio, November 24, 2021 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) have responded to the suit Metra filed...
Thanksgiving 2021
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President On behalf of the BLET Advisory Board, I wish you all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
BLET, SMART-TD join to fight Amtrak on COVID mandate
The BLET and SMART-TD are challenging Amtrak over its actions in implementing its COVID-19 vaccine policy without the bargaining mandated by the Railway Labor Act.
Vaccine cases with two Rail Carriers consolidated in Illinois court
On November 17, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois consolidated multiple lawsuits that had been filed in the Illinois federal court, including ones by the BLET and two other rail unions challenging two Class I carriers’ implementation of COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
GA-46000 Lifetime maximum adjusted for 2022
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, November 19 — 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 $175,700 to $182,700 on January 1, 2022. At the end of 2001, Labor and...
Former BLE International President Ronald P. McLaughlin, 1929-2021
Former BLE International President Ronald P. McLaughlin passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 92 on November 12, 2021. He served in the union’s highest office from 1991-1996.
Save these dates for BLET meetings in 2022
BLET members and officers are reminded of the dates for the BLET regional meetings coming up next year.
President Biden signs infrastructure bill that boosts Amtrak funding, addresses freight rail safety
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, November 16 — On November 15, President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) into law. The bill contains significant funding enhancements for Amtrak and addresses key safety issues in the freight industry. The...
Veterans Day 2021
By Dennis R. Pierce BLET National President INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, November 11 — On this Veterans Day, we are proud and humbled to honor our veterans and pay tribute to their sacrifices that have made our country free and strong. Veterans Day is an important day of...
Pierce reelected CRLO Chairman
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce was reelected by acclamation as Chairman of the Cooperating Railway Labor Organizations (CRLO) during October 28’s CRLO business meeting. The CRLO is a group of 12 Rail Labor unions that sit together to oversee the collectively...
Eric Gabaldon, Brendan Sullivan join BLET National Legislative Office
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, November 2 — BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce today announced that he has appointed two BLET members to serve in key roles at the Union’s National Legislative Office in Washington, D.C. Brother Eric A. Gabaldon of Division 400 (Albuquerque,...
Cunningham reelected BNSF (former ATSF) General Chairman
Brother M. Robby Cunningham was reelected by acclamation to his second term as General Chairman of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (former ATSF) General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting in San Diego, California, October 4-7, 2021.
Nevada SLB Chairman Matt Parker reelected to third term
Matthew B. Parker was reelected by acclamation to his third term as Chairman of the Nevada State Legislative Board at the Board’s quadrennial meeting on September 16, 2021.
Unions counter Norfolk Southern COVID vaccine mandate
On October 29, 2021, the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) responded to the suit Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) filed against them on October 21, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Chicago Division.
Unions file for injunctions against NS
The BLET and the SMART–TD escalated their fight against Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) to stop the railroad from forcing locomotive engineers to work as conductors, and for disciplining those who don’t.
Daily Headlines
STB’s Oberman rips into Union Pacific CEO Vena
One who didn’t receive compliments was Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena, who assumed the role in August.
STB Chairman Oberman will not seek reappointment
Oberman, 78, used his position as a bully pulpit to criticize railroads and encourage them to reach their potential by hauling more of the nation’s freight.
Teamsters end tiered health care at Anheuser-Busch, restore retiree benefits
General President O’Brien said: “This tentative agreement is a resounding victory for our rank-and-file members fighting tooth-and-nail for a record contract at Anheuser-Busch. But there is more ground to cover to make sure workers are protected and respected at this company. The fight is not over.”
AAR: Rail traffic above 2022 levels through first 45 weeks of 2023
U.S. Class I railroads hauled 497,348 carloads and intermodal units for the week ending Nov. 11, 2023 (Week 45)—rising 3.4% from the prior-year period, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Nov. 15.
Railroads once again emphasize interline intermodal as way to compete with trucks
Class I railroads, which pruned their interline intermodal service as the Precision Scheduled Railroading operating model spread in the U.S. over the past few years, have rediscovered joint service and say it’s a way to capture freight moving on the highway.
Ohio business owner sues NS for East Palestine derailment that closed his companies
A business owner with companies near where a Norfolk Southern train derailed and caught fire in February has sued the railroad for $500 million, saying most of his eastern Ohio companies have remained closed and he hasn’t been able to reach a financial settlement with the railroad.
“Do your job.” How the railroad industry intimidates employees into putting speed before safety
To squeeze the most money out of every minute, railroad companies are going to dangerous lengths to avoid disruptions — even those for safety repairs.
BNSF and J.B. Hunt shift Mexico cross-border intermodal service to Ferromex via Eagle Pass gateway
BNSF Railway and J.B. Hunt are shifting their Mexico intermodal service to Ferromex via the Eagle Pass gateway, a route they say is a day faster than the current BNSF-Canadian Pacific Kansas City routing via Laredo, Texas.
STB to form passenger rail advisory committee
The committee will provide nonbinding advice and recommendations on passenger-rail service issues, including those impacting intercity- and commuter-rail passengers and operators, government entities, freight-rail carriers and their customers, railway labor and the general public.
TWU Local 234 members ratify new one-year contracts with SEPTA
The agreements include across-the-board wage increases of seven percent and a $3,000 bonus for each represented employee.
