BLET Newsroom
The latest comprehensive, up-to-date features and news releases effecting the BLET.
Washington, D.C.: President-elect Trump announces cabinet picks to lead DOT, DOL
President-elect Trump has announced his intention to fill two cabinet-level positions of particular interest for the BLET and its members: the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Labor. Former Wisconsin Representative Sean Duffy has been nominated by...
Indiana: BLET members ratify new contract with Indiana Southern Railroad
Members of the BLET on December 5 ratified a new contract with the Indiana Southern Railroad (ISRR). The on-property agreement governs rates of pay, benefits, and work rules for 13 BLET locomotive engineers and conductors. The five-year deal runs through the end of...
This holiday season a BLET family needs your generosity as a locomotive engineer recovers from brain surgery
Two BLET members were reunited in a hospital on November 26 for the first time since one came to the other’s rescue during a harrowing ordeal on the job in October. The quick-thinking and decisive actions of conductor Tim McMakin on October 27 likely saved the life of...
Michigan: BLET members ratify new contract with Huron and Eastern Railway
BLET members this week ratified a new contract with the Huron and Eastern Railway (HESR). The on-property agreement governs rates of pay, benefits, and work rules for 24 BLET operating employees. The five-year deal runs through the end of 2029 and provides general...
Railroad safety: BLET participates in FRA’s Rail Share meeting
FRA Administrator Amit Bose (center) with BLET members, officers, and staff at the FRA's Rail Share meeting. ____________________ Representatives from the BLET’s National Legislative Office, along with a large contingent of BLET State Legislative Board Chairmen,...
Health & Welfare: GA-46000 lifetime maximum adjusted for 2025
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 $195,100 to $202,900 on January 1, 2025. At the end of 2001, Labor and Management agreed on various...
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Railroads ramp up the use of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is weaving itself into the daily operations of big U.S. railroads, helping managers make data-backed decisions about operating plans and identify trends among virtually any t process.
Supreme Court to hear argument on new U.S. rail line
The 88-mile Uinta Basin Railway would connect Utah oil fields to the national rail network, enabling up to 350,000 barrels of crude oil per day to travel on trains as long as two miles.
The decline of North America’s hump yards
Only 36 left, hump yards remain enormously important to the carload network
CSX’s appeal to Supreme Court tests reach of antitrust law
Freight rail giant CSX has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive its lawsuit accusing rival Norfolk Southern of denying access to a key East Coast terminal, costing CSX hundreds of millions of dollars in lost profits.
More people are riding Amtrak than ever before, and improvements are on the way
Amtrak said its goal is to double its ridership to 66 million passengers a year by 2040.
Amtrak notches ridership and revenue record for FY 2024
A 24% gain in ticket revenue from long-distance trains compared to 2019, in spite of constricted coach and sleeping car capacity, generated a 6% rise in total revenue.
BNSF wraps up Kansas double-tracking project, reaching milestone on Southern Transcon
The Kansas double-tracking project began in 2019 and continued the legacy of the Santa Fe, which in 1992 committed to adding a second main all the way from Los Angeles to Chicago.
STB scolds Union Pacific for lack of cooperation
The strongest words, however, come in a concurrence to the unanimous decision by Board Chairman Robert Primus.
NS makes deal with Ancora to prevent another fight for control of the railroad
Under the deal, Norfolk Southern will add another independent director to its board and work to further improve its operations.
BLET MEMBERSHIP PUBLICATIONS
October 2024
