CLEVELAND, May 18 — A tentative agreement has been reached between the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and Montana Rail Link, Inc. (MRL). Ballots are being mailed today to active members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen employed by MRL who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Voting will be conducted until Thursday, June 21. The tentative agreement governs rates of pay and work rules for over 300 locomotive engineers, assistant engineers and switchmen.
Members who are eligible and have not received a ratification packet by Friday, May 25 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.
National President Dennis R. Pierce urged all eligible members to participate in the ratification process. “The BLET is a participatory democracy and membership is not a spectator sport,” he said. “Every member who is eligible to vote has a responsibility to become educated on the issues and a duty to cast their vote.”