The BLET has reached a tentative agreement with the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYSW). Ballots were mailed in late November.
If ratified, the tentative agreement would provide wage increases and work rule improvements. Additionally, if ratified, NYSW members would be covered by the National Health and Welfare Plan.
The NYS&W members belong to BLET 521 (Hawthorne, N.J.) and are represented by the CP Rail-D&H/PanAm (ST)/SL&A General Committee of Adjustment. The negotiating team consisted of General Chairman Ben Martin, Vice General Chairman Brian Plant, Division 521 Local Chairman Scott Samuel, and assigned National Vice President James Logan.
The NYS&W operates over 400 miles of track in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. It connects with Class I railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern.
Note to NYSW members: Ballots are due by Monday, December 29. Members who are eligible to vote and have not received a ratification packet by Monday, December 8, should call the 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;
- The last four digits of your Social Security number; and
- Your email address.
All replacement ballots will be distributed by email. Any member who requires a replacement ballot must include their email address in the voicemail; otherwise, they will not be able to participate in the ratification vote.
Photo by Cory Rusch, BLET Division 659