Ballots are in the mail to members of BLET Divisions 72 and 191 to vote on a tentative implementing agreement regarding CSX Transportation’s acquisition of the Springfield Terminal Railway (a Pan Am Railway affiliate). The agreement will govern about 30 BLET members.
The tentative implementing agreement addresses changes in operations and the merging of workforces following the acquisition. Under the proposed implementing agreement, the CSXT/BLET Single System Agreement would become the applicable collective bargaining agreement for locomotive engineers formerly employed by Springfield Terminal. Additional proposed changes are detailed in the ratification packet that was mailed to affected members on December 20, 2023.
Ballots are due on Monday, January 15, 2024. Members who have not received a ballot by January 3, 2024, should request a replacement by calling 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;
- The division to which you belong;
- The railroad you work for;
- Your date of birth; and
- The last four digits of your Social Security number.
The above information is needed in order to verify membership and eligibility before a ratification packet can be sent.
The BLET negotiating team was comprised of General Chairman Kevin Moore (STR-DH-SLR-MMA), Vice General Chairman Matt LaFrenier (STR-DH-SLR-MMA), General Chairman Pat Driscoll (Conrail/CSXT Northern District), General Chairman Brian Farkas (CSXT-Northern Lines), National Vice President Alan Holdcraft, and National Vice President Randy Fannon,
In late 2020, CSXT announced plans to acquire the Pan Am Railways system, which operates throughout New England, for $601 million. The Surface Transportation Board approved the acquisition in April of 2022.