INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, January 13 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached tentative contract agreements with two short line railroads: the South Buffalo Railway Company (SBRR) and the Illinois Railway (IR). BLET members on these roads are asked to check their mailboxes for ballots, which the National Division mailed in early January 2023. Ballots for both agreements will be counted on Friday, February 10, 2023.
Members who are eligible and have not received a ratification packet by January 23 should call the BLET National Division at (216) 241-2630, ext. 222, which goes straight to voice mail. When connected, please leave the following:
- Your name, address, and phone number;
- The Division to which you belong;
- The railroad you work for;
- The date you were promoted to locomotive engineer;
- 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 to receive a ratification packet.
The BLET’s IR members belong to Division 682 (Hammond, Indiana), and the SBRR members belong to Division 16 (Independence, Ohio).