TThe ballots for the five-year tentative contract with the Huron and Eastern Railway are due back to the National Division by December 5. Photo: courtesy of Thomas Kurecka
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he BLET has reached a tentative contract with the Huron and Eastern Railway (H&E). Ballots were mailed last week to eligible members to vote on a tentative on-property agreement governing rates of pay, benefits, and work rules for 24 BLET operating employees.
The tentative five-year deal would run through the end of 2029 and would provide general wage increases of 19.5% (21.06% compounded) over the life of the contract (5% in 2025; 4.0% in 2026; 4.0% in 2027; 4.0% in 2028; and 2.5% in 2029). Other proposed changes would include the addition of two extra days of vacation for those obtaining 20 years of service with the company and the ability for senior qualified employees to bid on temporary vacancies and every subsequent vacancy arising from them being filled.
Ballots are due by Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. E.S.T. Members who are eligible and have not received a ratification packet by Tuesday, November 26, 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.
Please note: All replacement ballots will be distributed by email. It’s important that any member who requires a replacement ballot include their email address in the voicemail; otherwise, they will not be able to participate in the ratification vote.
The BLET negotiating team consisted of National Vice President Randy Fannon and General Chairman Zachary Stieler. The members belong to BLET Division 327 (Richville, Mich.)
The BLET first organized the H&E in May of 2006. A Genesee & Wyoming property, the H&E operates over 303 miles of track in the Great Lakes Bay Region area of Michigan known as the “Thumb.”