BLET Newsroom
The latest comprehensive, up-to-date features and news releases effecting the BLET.
U.S. union membership reached 16-year high in 2025
It’s not just railroaders at short lines joining unions. The number of workers covered under union contracts jumped to a 16-year high in 2025, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). About 16.5 million workers were covered by a union contract...
Education & Training: Annual LM-2 workshop
The BLET Education & Training Department hosted a hybrid training class for LM-2 filers from February 23-26, with a total of 24 officers participating — both in person at the BLET National Division Training Center and virtually via Zoom. The workshop was designed...
Replacement ballots now available in BLET-Indiana Rail Road contract vote
BLET members are currently voting on a tentative agreement with the Indiana Rail Road. Ballots will be tabulated on Friday, March 13. Eligible members who have not yet received a ballot should call the BLET National Division’s dedicated voicemail line to have one...
BLET members ratify new four-year contract with Alstom/MARC
On February 26, BLET members voted unanimously to ratify a new four-year contract with Alstom. The contract cover locomotive engineers who operate Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) trains in the Washington-Baltimore area. The agreement covers the period from Jan. 1,...
BLET hails introduction of Railway Safety Act of 2026 in U.S. House of Representatives
On March 2, Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), along with co-leads Nick LaLota (R-NY), Michael Rulli (R-OH), John Garamendi (D-CA), introduced a companion bill to the Railway Safety Act of 2026 in the U.S. House Representatives. It matches the Senate measure that was...
BLET chalks up another organizing win as Austin Western workers say yes to union representation
Train and engine service employees at the Austin Western Railroad (AWRR) overwhelmingly voted to join the BLET in an election certified by the National Mediation Board in late February. Including this victory, BLET has won 15 representation elections in the past three...
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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.
UP, NS shareholders support $85 billion merger
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board must still approve it before the deal can be completed.
NTSB releases preliminary report on fatal accident involving BLET member working as a BNSF conductor
The worker killed was identified as 52-year-old Daniel Peterson of Billings, Mont., a member of BLET Division 232 (Laurel, Montana).
BLET MEMBERSHIP PUBLICATIONS
October 2025
