BLET News
In the Line of Duty: Ryan M. Jones
Brother Ryan M. Jones, a member of BLET Division 103 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, passed away while on duty on July 28, 2022. He was 33 years old.
Sean Simon joins BLET National Legislative Office
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce has appointed Brother Sean P. Simon of BLET Division 226 (Newark, New Jersey), to serve the BLET as Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, effective July 25, 2022.
National Division launches 2022 convention website
The BLET National Division has launched a new website to provide key information to delegates, vendors and guests attending the union’s Fifth National Convention, which will be held October 10-13, 2022.
BLET opens Baltimore regional meeting
Guest speakers included: Jimmy Donovan, Director of the Department of Political and Legislative Affairs, International Brotherhood of Teamsters; Amit Bose, Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration; John Bragg, Labor Member, Railroad Retirement Board; and Kat Bisbikis, National President, BLET Auxiliary.
BLET, SMART-TD presidents update members following PEB 250
Presidential Emergency Board (“PEB” or “the Board”) 250 conducted hearings in Washington, D.C. this past week, concluding on July 28th. We both were honored to represent our unions and, by extension, the memberships of the dozen strong United Rail Unions as we presented and testified in support of our unified case to the PEB. We are sharing this joint message to ensure that our members are up to date on all of the bargaining round issues.
In the Line of Duty: Keith W. Bass
Brother Keith W. Bass, a member of BLET Division 48 in St. Louis, Missouri, died on July 27 from injuries sustained in a crew van accident on July 26. He was 46 years old.
Membership update from the United Rail Unions regarding PEB No. 250
Today, July 24, 2022, the United Rail Unions, who are bargaining as part of the Coordinated Bargaining Coalition and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way/SMART Mechanical Coalition, and the Carriers represented by the National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC) began their presentations before the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) appointed by President Biden.
BLET members ratify new contract with Illinois & Midland
The BLET secured General Wage increases of 29 percent over the life of the five-year agreement, which runs through 2026. Members also receive a $5,000 signing bonus.
TTD President: Rail labor welcomes Biden’s announcement of Emergency Board
Editor's Note: The following is a press release from Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) regarding President Biden's appointment of a Presidential Emergency Board to investigate the national rail contract dispute. RAIL LABOR WELCOMES...
President Biden appoints PEB to investigate national rail contract dispute
The United Rail Unions issue the following statement July 15, 2022: The Rail Unions who are bargaining as part of the Coordinated Bargaining Coalition and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way/SMART Mechanical Coalition attended the Public Interest Hearings hosted by...
Carriers continue to stonewall at latest NMB hearings as IBT offers added support
On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce traveled to Washington D.C. to represent the membership of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen at the Public Interest Hearings held by the National Mediation Board (NMB) in a final attempt to assist the involved Rail Unions and Carriers in reaching a contract settlement.
BLET Strike Vote: The rest of the story
Today, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen tallied the ballots cast in its first nationwide strike vote over national contract negotiations since 2011. In a showing of solidarity and unity, 99.5% of the participating members voted to authorize a strike should such action become legal in the coming days, and become necessary to secure a contract worthy of their consideration.
Deadline extended for BLET’s Baltimore regional meeting
For those making last minute plans to attend the BLET’s upcoming regional meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, please be advised that the deadline to make hotel reservations has been extended to July 7, 2022.
Ballots for strike authorization being mailed June 24 to BLET members at Class I railroads
This week, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is mailing ballots to more than 23,000 members seeking authorization for the Union’s leadership to call a strike should one become necessary to settle the current national contract dispute with the nation’s largest rail carriers. This is a mandatory step required by the Brotherhood’s internal law as the Union approaches the point where self-help becomes a legal option to both labor and management.
BLET to hold strike authorization vote
In a conference call held with all BLET General Chairmen today, National President Dennis R. Pierce announced that preparations are underway to poll members to authorize a strike in the event one becomes necessary to attain the Organization’s national bargaining goals.
BLET members ratify new contract with DM&E; Wages to increase 27%
By a nearly 5-to-1 ratio, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new on-property agreement with the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad (DM&E) on June 13, 2022.
Deadline approaches for BLET’s Baltimore regional meeting
Those planning to attend the BLET’s upcoming regional meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, are reminded that the deadline to make hotel reservations is June 28, 2022. The meeting will be held August 1-5, 2022.
FRA publishes rule on fatigue management
On June 13, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published its long awaited rule on rail worker fatigue management. The fatigue final rule was mandated by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.
United Rail Unions statement on proffer of arbitration, June 15, 2022
The United Rail Unions issued the following statement on June 15, 2022: Following the conclusion of our third week of compulsory mediation conducted by the National Mediation Board (NMB), the Rail Unions who are bargaining as part of the Coordinated Bargaining...
BLET opens Denver regional meeting
More than 370 members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and their families convened in Denver, Colorado, on the morning of June 14 for opening ceremonies of the BLET’s first regional meeting of 2022.
Daily Headlines
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.
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.
