BLET News
Final preparations underway for BLET’s Fifth National Convention
Convention planners are completing final preparations for the opening ceremonies of the BLET’s Fifth National Convention, which will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, October 10, 2022.
A must-watch video for freight rail BLET and SMART-TD members
A must-watch for all involved members of the BLET and SMART-TD, BLET President Dennis Pierce and SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson have published a joint video regarding the tentative national freight agreement. The Presidents describe the challenging political environment surrounding the negotiating process and outline the wages, work rules, and health & welfare benefits secured in the tentative deal.
UP-WL General Chairman Brian Carr reelected by acclamation
Brother Brian P. Carr was reelected by acclamation to his second term as General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Western Lines General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s Third Quadrennial Meeting in San Diego, Calif., September 20-21, 2022.
Falaney reelected Chairman of Illinois State Legislative Board
Brother Chris G. Falaney of BLET Division 683 (Chicago, Ill.) was reelected Chairman of the BLET Illinois State Legislative Board at its 16th quadrennial meeting in Springfield, Ill., August 29-31, 2022.
BLET members ratify BNSF-MRL implementing agreements
On September 30, an overwhelming majority of participating BLET members ratified an implementing agreement and Oregon Short Line Protective Agreement with BNSF regarding its resumption of service on the Montana Rail Link.
Open enrollment for 2023 Health FSA to run from now to October 31, 2022
From now until midnight on October 31, 2022, you can enroll or change your Medical or Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefit selections for the 2023 benefit year. Members must enroll in the Health FSA every year — FSA enrollment is not automatic each year, and interested members should act soon so they do not miss out on enrollment for the 2023 Plan Year.
Elkins elected Chairman of Kentucky State Legislative Board
Mark Elkins of BLET Division 271 (Russell, Ky.) was elected by acclamation as the new Chairman of the Kentucky State Legislative Board at the Board’s Eighth Quadrennial Meeting on July 20, 2022.
Open Letter To The BLET Membership On The Tentative Agreement For Freight Engineers
The BLET National General Chairmen’s Association (NGCA) includes General Chairmen from Class 1 freight, commuter and passenger, and short line railroads. Put briefly, those officers are the designated BLET representatives for our members on their railroad properties. Each one has an affirmative duty to negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements and represent our members in all grievances related to their respective CBAs and disciplinary matters.
Video: President Pierce addresses TCRC National Convention
Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) kicked off its 5th National Convention on Tuesday, September 27, in Halifax.
BLET Advisory Board Resolution on Tentative National Freight Agreement
IT IS NOW HEREBY RESOLVED:
1. The Advisory Board unanimously supports the decision made by the National Wage Committee to send the Tentative Agreement to the membership for their consideration.
2. The Advisory Board further recognizes that our Bylaws require that the membership be given the right to vote on the contract, and fully respects their right to vote in favor of or against the Tentative Agreement. Should the Tentative Agreement fail ratification, every member of the Advisory Board will be on the picket line with the membership when the cooling-off period ends.
Laveing reelected Chairman of Pennsylvania State Legislative Board
Brother Tim M. Laveing was reelected by acclamation to his second term as Chairman of the Pennsylvania State Legislative Board at its fifth quadrennial meeting in Hersey, Pa., September 7-8, 2022.
BLET announces timeline for balloting in Tentative National Agreement
Once the Q&A session is complete, the tentative plan is to distribute ballots to the affected members on or around Friday, October 14, with a tentative count date on or around November 17, 2022.
BLET, SMART-TD reach tentative agreement with railroads
For immediate release, September 15, 2022 Statement by Jeremy Ferguson, President, SMART Transportation Division and Dennis Pierce, President, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen on Tentative Agreement Reached Early This Morning Between Unions...
SMART-TD, BLET Joint Statement on Rail Embargo
The railroads are using shippers, consumers, and the supply chain of our nation as pawns in an effort to get our Unions to cave into their contract demands knowing that our members would never accept them. Our Unions will not cave into these scare tactics, and Congress must not cave into what can only be described as corporate terrorism.
BLET, SMART-TD joint statement on Labor Day 2022
As we approach Labor Day 2022, our Unions stand at a crossroads. While our normal messages heading into one of the most important days for Organized Labor would be about Labor’s proud history of improving the lives of working-class Americans, we are embroiled in the ongoing effort to obtain a National Freight Agreement worthy of our members’ consideration.
Ballots to be mailed in tentative BNSF-MRL implementing agreements
“I encourage all of our MRL members to participate in this important balloting process,” President Pierce said. “Membership ratification is a core principle of our Union.”
Update on PEB 250 recommendations to national agreement negotiations
On Monday, August 22, the SMART TD and BLET, along with the other remaining United Rail Unions, met with the Rail Carriers via Zoom to determine if PEB 250’s recommendations could serve as a basis for a tentative agreement. In-person meetings were then held on Thursday and Friday in Chicago, Illinois. Unfortunately, the meetings did not result in any tentative agreement language that operating crafts would accept, or that could be presented to our members for ratification.
Make your voice heard on FRA’s proposed two-person crew rule
FRA needs to hear from you; we encourage members to post comments from your perspective as a locomotive engineer or conductor.
PEB 250 issues recommendations
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, August 17 — The recommendations of Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) No. 250 were published on Tuesday, August 16. Officers of the BLET National Division, along with legal counsel and the BLET Wage Team, are continuing to analyze the report and...
Runion reelected Wyoming SLB Chairman
The BLET’s Wyoming State Legislative Board (WYSLB) convened its triennial meeting on June 13, 2022, at the Wyoming AFL-CIO Labor Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Daily Headlines
Freight rail execs seeing some “green shoots” for beleaguered sector
Some attendees at a rail conference hosted by Freight Waves were cautiously optimistic that bad years may be behind the industry.
NS train hits CSX train at Atlanta yard, leading to derailment and fire
A collision between Norfolk Southern and CSX trains led to a derailment and fire this morning at CSX’s Howells Yard in northwest Atlanta.
NTSB investigators focus on “design problem” with braking system after Chicago commuter train crash
Federal safety officials investigating a Chicago commuter train crash that injured nearly 40 people when it slammed into snow-removal equipment are focusing on a “design problem” with its braking system.
Truck driver killed in NS rail yard accident on Chicago’s South Side
One person was killed and emergency crews were responding after a freight train struck a semi truck that was stopped on the Norfolk Southern railyard tracks in Chicago, the Chicago Fire Department said.
CPKC in discussions with Mexican government on passenger service, has agreed to fund capacity study
Canadian Pacific Kansas City says it has agreed to study passenger service on part of its freight network in Mexico, and is reviewing a draft decree by the Mexican government regarding passenger train operations.
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.
