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 President, but I am also one of you — a locomotive engineer.
For me, serving the members of this union is not only professional, it’s personal. From a young age, I watched my father, a locomotive engineer and proud BLE/BLET member, devote his time and energy to serving members, first as a Local Chairman and later as a General Chairman. I learned what it meant to represent railroaders with strong conviction, strength and fairness. I also learned that decisions made by union representatives have real consequences for members and their families. This point was driven home to me then and has stayed with me throughout my life.
I do not take my responsibilities lightly.
This is a pivotal time for our members. Change is coming rapidly and not always in ways that respect our craft. Carriers continue to push Remote Control Operations in places they do not belong. They speak openly about reducing crew sizes. And far too often, they treat technology as a way to cut costs instead of as a tool to improve safety. Government regulators are being pushed to eliminate rules and regulations that protect railroaders and the communities our trains travel across, including numerous issues at Amtrak and the fiscal challenges facing our Commuter properties. And now, we face the unprecedented challenges brought on by the potential merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. History tells us that mergers of similar size are often followed by cost-cutting and job reductions. We would be naïve to think this one will be any different. The roadblocks ahead will increase, not decrease.
But I want you to know this: times that may look difficult can also be moments of opportunity. We are not afraid, and we are ready to engage. We will utilize every tool available through negotiations, legislation, the courts, mobilization and public outreach to defend our members and protect our agreements. We’re the oldest labor union in the United States of America and throughout our proud 162-year history we’ve taken on some of the nation’s most powerful interests and we not only prevailed, we thrived.
I believe deeply that our members are eager for strong leadership with direction. Members tell me that they want to see a union that is not just reacting, but leading. I understand this and accept the challenge. I am committed to delivering clear goals and decisive, winning strategies, and to standing up to the carriers when necessary.
We won’t all agree on every issue or every decision, and that’s healthy. But when it matters most, let’s come together as one, as we have done so many times throughout this union’s century and a half of history. Unity does not mean uniformity. It means dialogue, respect, and solidarity. Debate makes us sharper, but solidarity gives us the power to act. Our shared commitment to protecting the craft, defending each other and building a stronger future keeps us strong and unified.
Our strength also comes from being part of the Teamsters, where we are backed by one of the most powerful and respected labor organizations in the world. That connection gives us greater influence in Washington, stronger alliances in labor, and a louder voice whenever we stand up for our members.
Locomotive engineers and trainmen move the economy of this nation. We are responsible for lives, for communities, and for keeping freight and passengers moving safely across America. That responsibility is a source of pride, and it is why our profession must never be reduced to a line on a corporate spreadsheet.
The BLET is more than an organization. It is a movement. It’s family. Our future will not be written by the railroads alone. It will be written by us, through unity, determination, and vision. Together, we will not only endure in this new era, but we will also shape it.
We were the first. We are the strongest. And we are here to stay.
In Solidarity,
Mark L. Wallace
National President, BLET