June 28, 2026 | Contract Negotiations, News, Tentative Contract, Top News
BLET members are in the midst of voting on two tentative agreements, one with Watco and the other with Keolis/Virginia Railway Express (VRE). Eligible members who have not yet received a ballot should call the BLET National Division’s dedicated voicemail line to have...
June 24, 2026 | Contract Negotiations, News, Tentative Contract, Top News
BLET has reached a tentative agreement with Keolis for members who work as locomotive engineers for the Virginia Railway Express (VRE). Ballots were mailed June 12. If ratified by the members, the agreement would provide a strong wage package along with meaningful...
June 24, 2026 | Contract Negotiations, News, Tentative Contract, Top News
The BLET has reached a tentative agreement with Watco, a significant milestone for members who voted to join BLET in February 2025. It would represent the first-ever union agreement for BLET members at the short line operator. If ratified by the members, the tentative...
May 21, 2026 | Contract Negotiations, News, Top News
The proposed agreement was rejected by the membership with 71% turnout and over 65% voting against ratification. The strong participation and vote results reflected the concerns many members voiced regarding the proposed hourly wage structure and demonstrated the...
May 18, 2026 | Contract Negotiations, News, Tentative Contract, Top News
The coalition of five labor unions, including BLET, today ended their 3-day strike at Long Island Rail Road after coming to terms on a tentative contract. The strike began just after midnight on Saturday, May 16. Terms of the agreement will be sent to the BLET’s 500...
May 16, 2026 | Contract Negotiations, News, Top News
After hours of last-minute negotiations, no agreement on wage increases was reached between a coalition of five unions, including BLET, and the Long Island Rail Road. In accordance with the terms of the Railway Labor Act, the coalition’s 3,500 members went on strike...
May 14, 2026 | Contract Negotiations, News, Tentative Contract, Top News
The BLET has reached a tentative three-year agreement with the Delaware & Hudson Railway. If ratified by the members, the TA would provide general wage increases only — there are no changes to work rules or health & welfare benefits. It would cover the period...
May 11, 2026 | Contract Negotiations, News, Tentative Contract, Top News
BLET members are currently voting on a tentative agreement with the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railway. Ballots will be tabulated on Thursday, May 21. Eligible members who have not received a ballot by Monday, May 11, should call the BLET National Division’s...
May 8, 2026 | Contract Negotiations, LIRR, News, Top News
The majority of the unionized workers at the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), approximately 3,500 railroaders, have gone years without a raise. Contract talks were held this past Monday and again on Thursday, with the assistance of the federal National Mediation Board,...
May 1, 2026 | Contract Negotiations, LIRR, News, Top News
During the part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s April 29 board meeting reserved for public remarks, Gil Lang, General Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) at the Long Island Rail Road, speaking on behalf of a coalition...
