FRA Certification Helpline: (216) 694-0240

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, March 9 — The BLET Education & Training Department, in conjunction with the BLET Arbitration Department, is offering a General Chairman’s training class from June 2-4, 2020, at the BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio.

This class will focus on the preparation of submissions for arbitration and general business correspondence. Additionally, in response to numerous requests, the class has been expanded by one day to include a deeper study of the Railway Labor Act.

The class begins on Tuesday, June 2, starting at 8:30 a.m. and runs through Thursday, June 4, with check-out and travel back home on Friday, June 5.

The Education & Training Department asks that you bring your portable computer to class. Ideally, you should bring whatever portable technology you typically use to perform your duties, whether it be a laptop, Mac, tablet, iPad, or whatever your machine of choice. Before your arrival, find out if your machine has Wi-Fi capabilities. If your machine is not Wi-Fi compatible, then please contact Jason Wright, Director of the BLET Education & Training Department, in advance so he can make arrangements.

Prior to your arrival you will receive the first class assignment via U.S. mail. This assignment will include a discipline case with supporting documentation for which you have the task of writing a submission for arbitration. It is highly recommended that you take time to study the material prior to your arrival in Independence due to the fast pace of this class. The Education & Training Department asks that you bring a copy of your CBA for reference.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to the first 12 registrants. Interested parties must register through the BLET website at https://www.ble-t.org/registration.

Upon successful completion, attendees will qualify for a $96 per day stipend from the North American Railway Foundation (http://www.narfoundation.org). The stipends will be paid directly to the General Committee Secretary-Treasurer.

The North American Railway Foundation (NARF) is a non-profit foundation formed by the Brotherhood’s Relief and Compensation Fund (BR&CF) to support rail history, education, safety and technology in the United States and Canada. With initial funding and continued Board of Directors stewardship coming from the BR&CF, NARF has supported many non-political projects throughout the United States and Canada. The primary focus of these efforts has been in support of organized rail labor — giving back to all of the men and women of the railroad community across North America.

Attendees must register no later than May 15, 2020. If you are not a General Chairman, then you must have your General Chairman’s permission to attend the workshop. It is expected that the class will fill quickly.

After registering online, attendees will receive an e-mail confirmation that will include hotel registration information. The BLET National Division pays the costs of books and equipment, while General Chairman who attend are responsible for their own transportation costs as well as their room and board.

For more information, please contact Jason Wright, Special Representative and Director of the BLET Education & Training Department, at (216) 241-2630, ext. 247, or email wright@ble-t.org.