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FRA wants railroads to bolster winter operation procedures

U.S. railroads should beef up the procedures they use for responding to adverse weather conditions, including seeing how weather-related technologies can be integrated into positive train control and whether the railroads can collaborate on developing best practices, according to a safety advisory from the Federal Railroad Administration.

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BLET News

CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs: “We make it miserable for a lot of people”

CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs recently discussed how poorly Class I railroads treat their employees. Photo: courtesy Eric Williams _____________________ In November, CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs spoke at a conference for investors and other rail industry stakeholders. As reported...

BLET National Legislative Board: Setting the agenda for 2024

National Legislative Board's 2023 annual meeting, from left: Cory Runion, Region 4; Brendan Sullivan, Director of Political Affairs; Herb Harris, Region 1; B.J. Trumble, Region 3; Vince Verna, VP & NLR; Eddie Hall, National President; Mark Wallace, First Vice...

BLET members ratify new collective bargaining agreement with Amtrak

Earlier today, BLET members ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with Amtrak. The new seven-year agreement was approved by a 550-479 vote of the 1,029 (73%) ballots cast. The contract governs locomotive engineers who operate Amtrak’s passenger and commuter...

GA-46000 Lifetime maximum adjusted for 2024

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 $188,000 to $195,100 on January 1, 2024. At the end of 2001, Labor and Management agreed on various...

BLET members ratify agreement with Keolis Rail Services Virginia

The agreement with Keolis governs rates of pay and health care benefits for locomotive engineers who operate trains for Virginia Railway Express. Photo: courtesy of VRE ____________________ On November 29, BLET members ratified a new five-year contract with Keolis...

New Jersey: BLET testifies in favor of rail safety bill at Senate hearing

From left: BLET’s Andrew Arias, NJ State Senator Patrick Diegnan, and BLET’s Ray Vigil at the New Jersey State Senate’s hearing to consider a rail safety bill on November 27, 2023. ____________________ Members of the BLET’s New Jersey State Legislative Board (NJ SLB)...

TTD urges Senate to act on NMB nominees

In a November 21 letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, urged the Senate to “expeditiously” schedule a floor vote on the reappointment of National Mediation Board (NMB) Members Linda Puchala and Deirdre...

BLET members vote unanimously to authorize a strike at SEPTA

BLET members who operate regional rail trains for SEPTA in Philadelphia and the surrounding area have voted to grant BLET National President Eddie Hall the authority to call a strike. Results of the vote count on November 20 show that of engineers eligible to cast...

Amtrak Passenger Engineers: Replacement ballot instructions

As announced on November 10 (https://blet.link/47n02YO), the BLET has reached a tentative agreement for more than 1,400 locomotive engineers who operate Amtrak’s passenger and commuter trains. Ballots were mailed on November 15. Eligible members who have not received...

Rail Labor partners with High-Speed Rail Authority

Artist's rendering of a California high-speed train. Image: courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority ____________________ The California High-Speed Rail Authority and 13 rail labor unions, including BLET, announced on November 17 that they have entered an...

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