CLEVELAND, May 4 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with Canadian National’s former Illinois Central property. Ballots were mailed earlier this week to active members of the BLET employed by CN-IC who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Ballots are due by Wednesday, May 30. The tentative agreement governs rates of pay and work rules for approximately 600 BLET members who work in the locomotive engineers’ craft.
Members who are eligible and have not received a ratification packet by Monday, May 14 should call the National Division (216) 241-2630, extension 222. When connected with the extension, please leave the following information:
• your name, address and phone number;
• the division to which you belong;
• the date you were promoted to locomotive engineer;
• your date of birth; and
• your Social Security number.
E-mail requests for ballots will not be accepted because personal information is required to verify eligibility before a ballot can be issued.
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce encouraged all eligible members to study the contract proposal and also urged them to cast their ballots in this important ratification process.
“Voting on your contract is not just a right we enjoy but also an essential responsibility that all BLET members share in keeping our Brotherhood strong,” President Pierce said.
In 1998, the Canadian National Railway absorbed the Illinois Central Railroad in a $2.4 billion merger. CN-IC’s major north-south route connects Chicago with Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans, La.