BLET Newsroom
The latest comprehensive, up-to-date features and news releases effecting the BLET.
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.
Teamsters Rail Conference emphasizes protection of positions in meetings with Wall Street investors regarding proposed UP-NS merger
On April 7, leaders of the Teamsters Rail Conference met in New York City with Wall Street analysts and investors who study the Class I railroad industry to discuss potential ramifications of the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger and the Teamsters Rail Conference’s opposition to the merger.
Workshop for short line members a first for BLET Education & Training Dept.
The BLET Education & Training Department hosted its first workshop specifically for Grievance Chairmen representing BLET short line members on Saturday, March 28. A Saturday was selected as it is the day most short line members are off duty.
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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
