CLEVELAND, September 20 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Missouri & Northern Arkansas (M&NA) Railroad, BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce announced. Ballots are being mailed today to active members of the BLET employed by M&NA who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Ballots are due by Monday, October 22. The tentative agreement governs rates of pay and work rules for 90 members in the various crafts (locomotive engineers, conductors and trainees in train and engine service).
Members who are eligible and have not received a ratification packet by Friday, September 28 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.
M&NA is a RailAmerica subsidiary headquartered in Carthage, Mo., operating approximately 594 miles of line in Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri. It interchanges with Class I carriers Union Pacific, BNSF Railway, and Kansas City Southern.
President Pierce urged all eligible members to participate in the ratification process. “I have said before that union membership is not a spectator sport,” he said. “Every member who is eligible to vote has a responsibility to study the contract proposal and become educated on the issues, and a duty to cast their vote.”