INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, June 11 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Illinois & Midland Railroad. Ballots were mailed on June 8 to active members of the BLET employed by Illinois & Midland who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Ballots are due by Friday, July 6. The tentative agreement governs rates of pay and work rules for approximately 30 BLET members who work in all operating employee crafts.
Members who are eligible and have not received a ratification packet by Tuesday, June 19, should call the BLET National Division at (216) 241-2630, ext. 222. When connected with the extension, please leave the following information:
• your name, address and phone number;
• 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 urged all eligible members to review the proposed contract and to participate in the ratification process.
“Union membership is not a spectator sport,” President Pierce said. “Voting on your union contract is an integral part of your membership in the BLET and I urge all of our Brothers and Sisters at the Illinois & Midland to do their part in keeping our Brotherhood strong.”
The Illinois & Midland is a 154-mile Genesee & Wyoming property that operates primarily in Peoria, Springfield and Taylorville, Illinois. It interchanges with the BNSF Railway, Canadian National Railway, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, Tazewell & Peoria Railroad, and the Union Pacific.