BLET Newsroom
The latest comprehensive, up-to-date features and news releases effecting the BLET.
Bill to expand overtime tax breaks to rail workers introduced in U.S. Senate
The Teamsters Rail Conference, comprised of BLET and BMWED, is supporting the No Tax on Overtime For All Workers Act (S. 4310). The legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate last week by Sens. Jim Justice (R-WV) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA). The bipartisan bill would...
Fire claims the life of a retired BLET member and his three granddaughters
A tragic house fire has claimed the life of retired BLET member Walter Palmer and his three granddaughters, ages 16, 10 and 8. Palmer was their primary caregiver after their mother died of cancer. The 71-year-old Palmer was a retired member of BLET Division 582 in...
BLET members ratify new contract with Tacoma Rail
The agreement provides retroactive pay from 2017-2025, general wage increases from 2026-2029, establishes an additional paid holiday (Juneteenth), and address other work rule provisions.
BLET members ratify first contract at Utah Central
BLET members ratified a significant new agreement with the Utah Central last week — it is the first union agreement at the formerly non-union railroad. Utah Central workers voted to join BLET in December 2024.
Clock continues to tick at LIRR as deadline for “self-help” is just over a month away
On April 7, leaders of five Long Island Rail Road unions, including BLET, representing more than 3,500 unionized railroaders, held a news conference in New York City to tell New Yorkers that “self-help” where the unions can legally strike or the employer could lock out workers is a little over a month away, and labor is still waiting for management to submit a proposal to settle the dispute.
BLET seeks job protections in light of possible restructuring at Amtrak
BLET National President Mark Wallace and Amtrak General Chairman Pat Darcy recently represented the union at a meeting of Amtrak’s Executive Leadership where a proposed restructuring of the national passenger railroad was discussed.
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BNSF reports Q4, full year 2025 results
For full-year 2025, BNSF reported total revenue of $23.4 billion, about the same as the previous year, and net income of $5.5 billion, up 9%.
Second PEB finds for unions in dispute with LIRR
A second Presidential Emergency Board has sided with a coalition of unions in their ongoing contract dispute with the Long Island Rail Road — but the LIRR rejected the board’s recommendation, setting the stage for a strike or lockout in May.
CN announces Q4, full-year 2025 results
CN reported revenues of C$4,464 million and operating income of C$1,733 million.
Norfolk Southern reports Q4, full-year 2025 results
For the fourth quarter of 2025, NS reported revenue of $3.0 billion and income from railway operations of $937 million.
CPKC reports Q4, full-year 2025 results
CPKC announced its fourth-quarter 2025 revenues of $3.9 billion.
Union Pacific reports Q4, full-year 2025 results
UP reported 2025 fourth quarter net income of $1.8 billion
CSX announces Q4, full-year 2025 results
CSX Corp. announced fourth quarter 2025 operating income of $1.11 billion and net earnings of $720 million.
Railroads thwart safety fixes, costing lives
Fatigue-related accidents killed at least nine people and injured over 300 from 2015 through 2024, the Howard Center’s analysis of NTSB investigation reports found.
Associated Press: BLET, BMWED oppose UP-NS merger
“This proposed monopoly will end up costing businesses more and those costs will be passed on to consumers,” BLET National President Mark Wallace said.
BLET MEMBERSHIP PUBLICATIONS
October 2025
