BLET News
BLET members to begin voting November 1 on tentative national agreement
Ballots will be mailed Monday, October 31, to approximately 24,000 BLET members and voting will begin on November 1 regarding the tentative national agreement. Ballots are due on November 20 by 11:59 p.m. ET.
President Pierce to attend Town Hall meetings Oct. 25-28 to discuss tentative national agreement
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, October 20 — The BLET’s Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe General Committees of Adjustment are hosting four Town Hall meetings in Missouri and Nebraska open to BLET members from all involved railroads next week regarding the tentative...
BLET joins in 2022 Houston Solidarity Rally
A large contingent of BLET members and officers participated in a solidarity rally in Houston on October 18. The purpose was to create and show solidarity among members of BLET, SMART-TD, BMWED, along with members of other invited rail labor unions.
Delegates donate to help family of fallen Brother Marvin Lee
BLET delegates showed their generosity at the Fifth National Convention on October 13, donating money to help the family of a fallen Brother. In an additional act of kindness, the BLET donated more than 250 boxed lunches to the Las Vegas Rescue Mission to help feed the homeless.
Retiring Vice Presidents Pruitt, Priester address delegates as Fifth National Convention adjourns
Delegates on October 13 heard farewell addresses from retiring National Division officers Lee Pruitt and Mike Priester as the Fifth National Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) came to a close.
Video: President Pierce delivers State of the Union speech
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce delivered the Report of the National President during the morning session of the BLET’s Fifth National Convention on Monday, October 10.
Video: Labor Secretary Marty Walsh addresses BLET delegates
U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh thanked railroad workers during his speech to delegates attending the BLET’s Fifth National Convention on Tuesday afternoon, October 11. Click here to see a video of his comments: https://youtu.be/Yi_tqOdLM6Q .
Video: IBT General President O’Brien addresses BLET delegates
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien kicked off the BLET’s Fifth National Convention with an address to delegates on Monday morning, October 10.
FRA Administrator Bose talks safety on Day 3 of BLET’s Fifth National Convention
Other guest speakers addressing the BLET convention delegates Wednesday included U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona’s 7th District, Kat Bisbikis, President of the BLET Auxiliary, and Lyndon Isaak, President of Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC). U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vermont) delivered a fiery speech via video and U. S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts) also delivered her remarks to the convention via video.
Labor Secretary Marty Walsh highlights Day 2 of BLET’s Fifth National Convention
U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, during an address at the Fifth National Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) on Tuesday, praised railroad workers for continuing to work in the most difficult of circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretary said that the work of railroaders enabled other essential workers to their jobs to keep the nation moving. “The entire economy depends on the work you do,” Secretary Walsh said. “Clean water, food, power to heat and cool our homes. This nation owes you a debt of gratitude.”
President Pierce addresses delegates at Fifth National Convention
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce delivered the Report of the National President during the morning session of the BLET’s Fifth National Convention on October 10. His report focused on the Tentative National Freight Agreement and a call for unity now and in the days to come.
Addresses by Congressional Leaders and Labor Leaders Highlight BLET National Convention
A lineup of top Congressional and national labor leaders kicked off the first day of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Fifth National Convention being held in Las Vegas.
Setting the record straight on Tentative National Freight Agreement
My message in the last BLET Newsletter was a joint message with SMART TD President Jeremy Ferguson giving a detailed report on the presentations that the United Rail Unions made before Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) 250. Much has happened since that joint message. On August 17, 2022, PEB 250 issued its recommendations; that detailed report is available on the BLET website, and it started a second 30-day cooling off period.
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.
Daily Headlines
CPKC says Q3 2023 income falls 12%
CPKC reported net profit of CA$780 million (US$565 million) in the third quarter of 2023, down 12% year-over-year (y/y) from CA$891 million.
CN posts lower revenue, profit in Q3 2023
CN yesterday reported third-quarter 2023 revenue of CA$4 billion, down 12%, and net income of CA$1.1 billion, down 24%, compared with the same period a year ago.
AAR: North American rail volume down through first 42 weeks of 2023
Through the first 42 weeks of 2023 (ending Oct. 21), total North American carload and intermodal traffic decreased 3.5% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Oct. 25.
CN: Taking market share from trucks will require cross-country rail collaboration
The Class I railroads are striving to collaborate more proactively and create a product that can be competitive against the truck markets, CN executives said during the Canadian railway’s earnings call Tuesday to discuss third-quarter 2023 financial results.
NS takes issue with proposed CPKC-CSX shortcut that would use Meridian Speedway
Norfolk Southern has asked federal regulators to suspend review of the Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CSX Transportation proposal to create a new through route linking the Southeast and Mexico via Myrtlewood, Ala.
TSA revises rail cybersecurity directives
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) yesterday announced updates to three security directives regulating passenger and freight railroads to protect critical rail operations and facilities.
Two more SEPTA unions will vote on a strike as labor talks intensify
Unions representing both Regional Rail locomotive engineers and conductors said Monday they are holding strike votes after months of mediated talks with SEPTA have failed to produce progress toward agreements.
Strike threat looms as 3 SEPTA unions seek new contracts
“The compensation offered on this property is not competitive,” BLET National President Eddie Hall said, in a statement. “The low wages have driven engineers away at a rapid pace, leading to severe manpower shortages.”
Railroad Retirement benefits will increase in 2024
Most railroad retirement annuities, like social security benefits, will increase in January 2024 due to a rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the third quarter of 2022 to the corresponding period of the current year.
Earnings limits increase for railroad retirees in 2024
Railroad retirement annuitants subject to earnings restrictions can earn more in 2024 without having their benefits reduced due to increased limits indexed to average national wage increases.
