INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, August 6 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with Pacific Harbor Line (PHL). Ballots have been mailed to active members of the BLET employed by PHL who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Ballots are due by 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, September 3, 2020. The tentative agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for more than 150 members. Included in the tentative agreement are meaningful wage increases, a substantial signing bonus, and no increases in employee health and welfare contributions for the life of the contract.
In an effort to ensure that all affected BLET members have the ability to participate in the ratification process and have their voices heard during the COVID-19 pandemic, the BLET National Division has agreed to utilize secure electronic and telephonic balloting conducted by TrueBallot, Inc.
Members who are eligible and have not received a ratification packet by Monday, August 10 should call the National Division at (216) 241-2630, extension 222. When connected with the extension, please leave the following information:
• Your name, address and phone number;
• Your date of birth; and
• The last four digits of 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.
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce urged all eligible members to cast their ballots in the ratification process. “Making your voice heard regarding your contract is one of the most important rights you have as a union member,” President Pierce said. “I encourage all of our Pacific Harbor Line members to exercise that right by casting their vote in the current ratification process.”
Pacific Harbor Line, Inc. provides rail transportation, maintenance and dispatching services to the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, which together form the largest container port in the United States. In addition to switching over 40,000 units of carload freight annually, PHL provides rail switching services for nine on-dock intermodal terminals and provides dispatching services for about 140 intermodal or unit trains per day. PHL connects with BNSF and UP. PHL is a subsidiary of Anacostia Rail Holdings, a firm that operates local and regional freight railroads.