The BLET has reached a tentative five-year agreement with the Arizona Eastern Railway (AZER). If ratified by the members, it would become the first union contract for the formerly non-union workers who voted to join BLET in June 2024.
The tentative agreement would establish many basic rights that BLET members working at other railroads already enjoy: a seniority roster with prior rights protections; grievance procedures and union protection from discipline; guaranteed work weeks with rest days; a process to promote engineers; a formal training process; paid personal time off; and other work rule and safety improvements. Additionally, the contract provides general wage increases and a signing bonus.
Members covered by this tentative agreement belong to BLET Division 16, the union’s short line division. The negotiating team consisted of current Grievance Chairman Elijah DeLaGarza, former Grievance Chair Matt Kihlthau, and National Vice President James Logan.
The AZER is a Class III railroad that operates 206 miles between Clifton and Miami, Ariz. It is owned by Genesee & Wyoming Inc.
Note to AZER members: Ballots are due by Tuesday, August 12. Members who are eligible and have not received a ratification packet by Thursday, July 31, should call the National Division at (216) 241-2630, ext. 222. When connected with the extension, please leave the following information:
- Your name, address and phone number;
- The division to which you belong;
- The railroad you work for;
- Your date of birth;
- The last four digits of your Social Security number; and
- Your email address.
All replacement ballots will be distributed by email. Any member who requires a replacement ballot must include their email address in the voicemail; otherwise, they will not be able to participate in the ratification vote.