BLET News
Rail Workers’ Right to Choose Medical Network Upheld
The decision is a major victory for railroad workers covered by national agreement health care plans, as their bargained-for right to choose their own medical network remains intact.
Unions join to fight Union Pacific on COVID orders
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) are jointly taking on Union Pacific Railroad (UP) over a series of unilateral and unlawful actions taken by the carrier recently.
RRB Labor Member update: Field Offices remain closed, FAQs available
The following is a message to Rail Labor from John Bragg, Labor Member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board.
Open enrollment for 2022 Health FSA to run from October 1-31, 2021
From now until midnight on October 31, 2021, you can enroll or change your Medical or Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefit selections for the 2022 benefit year.
Unions join together to thwart Norfolk Southern’s effort to eliminate train service crafts
The BLET) and SMART-TD have joined forces to defeat efforts by Norfolk Southern to supplant the train service crafts of conductors and brakemen by calling locomotive engineers to work their assignments.
Coordinated Bargaining Coalition Update
In January, we said that “the Rail Carriers have not made any proposals worthy of consideration by the membership of the CBC Unions.” No Carrier proposals have beenreceived since our January 2021 update that would change the veracity of that statement.
Donate to Teamsters Disaster Relief to help victims of Hurricane Ida
Through its Disaster Relief Fund, the Teamsters provide needed relief and outreach to our members, and we need your help in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. You can help your fellow members in their time of need by donating needed supplies.
BLET’s Washington D.C. Legislative Board concludes 5th quadrennial meeting
On July 27, 2021, members of the BLET’s District of Columbia State Legislative Board convened their 5th quadrennial meeting at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters headquarters in Washington, D.C. Brother Herbert Harris Jr. was reelected by acclamation to a fifth consecutive term as Chairman.
Special Open Enrollment for the BLET Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
The Benefits of Belonging to the BLET include numerous legal and contractual advantages, as well as certain benefits available only to members of our Brotherhood and their families. Among these is the BLET Critical Illness (CI) and Accident Insurance (ACC) Plan.
Resources for those impacted by current disasters and emergencies
The following health and wellness resources are available to members covered by The Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare (GA-23000) Plan or The National Railway Carriers and United Transportation Union (NRC/UTU) Health and Welfare (GA-690100) Plan, who are currently impacted by declared disasters and emergencies (such as hurricanes, wildfires and floods).
Labor Day 2021
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Labor Day is dedicated to protecting the social and economic achievements of American workers. It is also an annual national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our nation.
Save the date: 2022 BLET regional meetings
The BLET National Division is pleased to announce the dates and locations of its 2022 regional meetings: June 13-17 in Denver, Colorado; and August 1-5 in Baltimore, Maryland.
BLET opens Nashville regional meeting
More than 300 members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and their families convened in Nashville, Tennessee, on the morning of August 3 for opening ceremonies of the BLET’s second regional meeting of 2021.
BLET members ratify new contract with PATH
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH), which governs rates of pay, work rules, and health care for over 175 members.
Kerley reelected General Chairman of CSXT-Western Lines
Keith Kerley was reelected by acclamation to his second term as General Chairman of the BLET’s CSXT Western Lines General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting on July 13-14,2021.
Multi-faceted Coalition to Campaign for Federal High-Speed Rail Investment
A broad coalition of public interest, labor, environmental and business groups announced today that it has launched a major campaign to ask Congress to include $205 billion in funding for high-speed rail in the pending infrastructure bills, as well as robust labor standards, a High-Speed Rail Development Authority, and a Rail Trust Fund.
BLET honors President Hoffa at Austin regional meeting
National President Dennis R. Pierce honored Jim Hoffa, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with an engraved brass bell yesterday during opening ceremonies of the BLET’s regional meeting in Austin, Texas.
BLET member among essential workers honored during NYC ticker tape parade
To thank the essential workers who helped pull the city through the COVID-19 pandemic, New York City hosted a ticker tape parade on July 7, 2021, called “The Hometown Heroes Parade.” Transportation workers were among the honorees at the event, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) was represented by Brother Art Blakey.
BLET applauds passage of INVEST in America Act by U.S. House of Representatives
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen thanks members of Congress for their ongoing support of the INVEST in America Act (H.R. 3684), which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on July 1. The bill would fund critical rail and other infrastructure needs, while mandating important safety improvements for rail workers.
Deadline approaches for BLET’s Nashville regional meeting, August 2-6, 2021
Those planning to attend the BLET’s regional meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, are advised that the deadline to make hotel reservations has been extended to Tuesday, July 6, 2021.
Daily Headlines
Opinion: Let’s make Colorado’s railroads safer
Recent derailments clearly show the dangers that long trains carrying toxic substances pose for the environment. Shipping toxic chemicals through our communities and alongside our rivers and streams is a horrible idea destined for disaster. We need to do better.
California locomotive emissions regulations can be tougher than federal standards, EPA says
The policy change, which goes into effect on Dec. 8, means the California Air Resources Board’s controversial locomotive emissions regulations will not run afoul of federal preemption of state and local regulations.
BNSF and coal producer settle common carrier dispute
BNSF Railway and Navajo Transitional Energy Co. (NTEC) have reached a settlement that will end the coal miner’s common carrier complaint against the railroad.
Amtrak’s unsung rail renaissance
On several rail-friendly corridors — big city pairs less than 300 miles apart — train travel will go from an eccentric travel option to a perfectly logical one.
AAR: North American rail volume down through first 44 weeks of 2023
Through the first 44 weeks of 2023 (ending November 4), total North American carload and intermodal traffic decreased 3.4% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported November 8.
Mexican president wants to force private freight rail companies to schedule passenger service
Mexico’s president announced Wednesday that he will require private rail companies that mostly carry freight to offer passenger service or else have the government schedule its own trains on their tracks.
Railroads and shippers criticize proposed reciprocal switching rule
The Surface Transportation Board received numerous comments on its proposed reciprocal switching rule this week, with predictable results: Railroads say the rule goes too far. Shippers say it doesn’t go far enough. And rail labor says reciprocal switching threatens their seniority rules.
Read rail stakeholders input on reciprocal switching proposal
While STB continues to post comment filings to its website, Railway Age provides highlights on its website at the link below.
Amtrak awarded federal funds for 12 projects of national significance totaling nearly $10 billion across America’s busiest rail corridor
Amtrak has been awarded nearly $10 billion in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding from the Biden-Harris Administration to modernize critical infrastructure, improve stations and support future ridership growth on the Northeast Corridor (NEC).
Cincinnati voters approve sale of city-owned railroad to Norfolk Southern
The city currently receives about $25 million annually from NS. Cincinnati officials announced in November 2022 that they were considering selling the railway to NS for $1.62 billion to help fund city infrastructure improvements.
