BLET Newsroom
The latest comprehensive, up-to-date features and news releases effecting the BLET.
Union Pacific: BLET members ratify new contract that runs through 2029
BLET members today ratified a new on-property agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad, which covers rates of pay, work rules, and health & welfare benefits for nearly 6,000 members employed at UP. Members voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratification, with 2,467...
Registration extended to October 7 for this month’s rail worker hazmat training class
A few open spots are still available for the 40 Hour Chemical Emergency Response (CER) class being offered by the IBT Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program, which will take place in Houston from October 19-24, 2025. Registration has been extended to...
UP-Western Region GCA arbitrates cases at BLET National Division HQ
From left: First VGC Matt Keene and GC Will Wallace. ____________________ Officers of the Union Pacific-Western Region General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) were at BLET National Division headquarters on September 25 to conduct business on behalf of their members....
Deadline is October 31 to enroll in 2026 Health FSA program
Currently happening until midnight on October 31, 2025, you can enroll or change your Medical or Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefit selections for the 2026 benefit year. Members must enroll in the Health FSA every year — FSA enrollment is not automatic...
A message from BLET President Wallace: Times that may look difficult can also be moments of opportunity
Brothers and Sisters, This past May, I was given the great honor of becoming the National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and with that title, the responsibility of serving all our members from coast to coast. I am now the National...
Local Chairmen from BNSF/MRL GCA complete two-year training workshop
The BNSF/MRL General Committee of Adjustment held a training session September 22-24 in Las Vegas for 45 Local Chairmen and Vice Chairmen. General Chairman Kent Psota said that the GCA’s bylaws mandate Local Chairman receive training once every two years. A wide range...
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Railroads spurn C3RS, a safety system designed to prevent accidents
Class I freight railroads incorrectly assume a punitive approach to safety gets the best results.
NS agrees to give Amtrak highest priority over freight trains and make its delay records for Amtrak trains available to the DOJ
As a result of the settlement, the Justice Department has moved to dismiss its lawsuit against Norfolk Southern.
Trump nominates rail consultant Kloster to STB, re-nominates Schults
The nominations now go to the Senate for confirmation, although a timeline for confirmation is unknown.
Trump fires STB Board member Robert Primus
Primus, a Democrat, was appointed by Trump in 2020.
Citing lives at risk, BLET urges UP to allow trail to stunning waterfall in Northern California
(Source: Los Angeles Times, August 5, 2025) About 10 times each day, giant freight trains pass along a narrow section of track along the Sacramento River in far Northern California where engineers on the locomotives regularly tense up with stress. “Every single time,...
BNSF reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Progressive Railroading, August 5, 2025) BNSF Railway Co. recently reported second-quarter revenue of $5.7 billion, which was flat compared with second-quarter 2024’s mark. The Class I’s operating income and net income in the quarter climbed 19%...
OSHA orders UP to reinstate engineer, provide $300K in back pay
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor press release, August 6, 2025) DALLAS – A federal whistleblower investigation found that Union Pacific Railroad Co. violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act by terminating a railroad engineer after the employee reported and sought...
Wheeling & Lake Erie sold for $1.05 billion
(Railfan & Railroad Magazine, August 7, 2025) The Wheeling & Lake Erie, the over 800-mile regional railroad that runs through Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, is being sold to FTAI Infrastructure, Inc., for $1.05 billion. Once approved by...
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern announce plans to create America’s first transcontinental railroad
(Source: Union Pacific press release, July 29, 2025) Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation today announced an agreement to create America’s first transcontinental railroad. These legendary companies will seamlessly connect over 50,000 route miles...
BLET MEMBERSHIP PUBLICATIONS
October 2025
