BLET Newsroom
The latest comprehensive, up-to-date features and news releases effecting the BLET.
Registration open for upcoming rail hazmat training classes
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is hosting four in-person rail worker training sessions in late 2023 and early 2024. The dates are as follows: October 15-20, 2023; January 14-19, 2024; February 4-9, 2024; and March 3-8, 2024. The following...
BLET, TCU call for safety examination of remote control operations after death of CSX carman
The death of a CSX carman, Fred Anderson, 56, who was struck and killed by a remote controlled train on September 17 in Wallbridge Yard, near Toledo, has renewed calls for stricter rules on the use of remote operations. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and...
BLET backs new rail safety bill introduced in Congress
Rail labor turned out in full force on September 19 for the introduction of a new railroad safety bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. Introduced by U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (D-N.Y.), the Rail Worker and Community Safety...
Iowa: Working hard to grow the BLET PAC Fund
State Chairman Mike Walker and members of the Iowa State Legislative Board have been hard at work this year signing up new members to voluntarily contribute to the Brotherhood’s Political Action Committee Fund (BLET PAC Fund). Last week, Brother Walker presented a...
Gallup poll: More in U.S. see unions strengthening and want it that way
On the heels of Labor Day, a new Gallup poll shows that labor unions continue to enjoy high support in the U.S., with 67% of Americans approving of them. The poll shows Americans wanting union influence to strengthen, because they believe unions are a benefit to...
Obituary: Retired BLET General Chairman Dennis Penning
Retired BLET General Chairman Dennis “Denny” E. Penning, who served the Union Pacific-Central Region GCA for many years, passed away on September 7, 2023. He was 75 years old. Brother Penning hired out on the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1967 and earned promotion to...
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Railroads resist joining confidential safety program because they want to be able to discipline workers
“This is really old-school, tired rhetoric that blames the worker for the failures that are inherent in all complicated systems. Blaming the worker is exactly what leads workers to not report unsafe conditions in the workplace,” said Vince Verna, BLET Vice President and National Legislative Representative.
Unions urge Class Is to enroll in close call safety reporting system
The system enables rail workers to confidentially report “close call” safety incidents to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) without fear of retaliation by their employers.
Union Pacific furloughs shop and intermodal terminal workers
Union Pacific furloughed 94 mechanical employees at shops across the system this week.
Teamsters Canada accuses CN of secretly tracking employee’s location
The union says they have reason to be concerned that a large number of CN Rail employees may have also had their location tracked by the company during their own personal time after work.
CPKC says Union Pacific aims to stifle competition for Gulf Coast grain
Union Pacific’s contention that Kansas City Southern can’t haul grain from the Upper Midwest to the Gulf Coast using trackage rights south of Beaumont, Texas, is “revisionist history,” Canadian Pacific Kansas City has told federal regulators.
Tropical storm hits UP line in Texas; repair work continues in California
Union Pacific is now dealing with flooding along Texas’ Gulf Coast as a result of Tropical Storm Harold, adding to the issues it continues to address in Southern California from Tropical Storm Hilary.
Appeals court returns construction plan for Utah oil train route back to STB
The decision puts the project into timeline limbo.
Wildfires keep railroads busy out west
As wildfires continue to burn across the West, a number of railroads are deploying a unique and rarely-seen tool: the fire train. This week, BNSF Railway, Montana Rail Link and Canadian Pacific all have fire trains at the ready to help contain fires currently burning in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
STB denies BNSF request for partial stay of recent Emergency Service Order
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is requiring the BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) to transport coal from Navajo Transitional Energy Company LLC’s (NTEC) Montana mine to Canada for export after NTEC alleged BNSF has breached its common carrier obligation. In turn, BNSF filed a lawsuit, asking the courts to set aside STB’s order.
BLET MEMBERSHIP PUBLICATIONS
January - March 2023
