July 22, 2026 | FRA, News, Top News
Brothers and Sisters, One of the National Division’s responsibilities is identifying issues that could affect our members before they become widespread. Recently, we have become aware of several cases involving alleged personal electronic device violations where...
July 13, 2026 | FRA, News, NS, Top News
The BLET is opposing a Norfolk Southern request to waive safety standards governing refresher training for its transportation employees. BLET National President Mark Wallace filed formal comments in a June 29 letter to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). As...
June 19, 2026 | Amtrak, FRA, Legislation, News, Top News
Not all news was good news from the House Appropriations Committee last week. By a vote of 34-27, the Committee approved the fiscal year 2027 Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies funding bill. The BLET is keeping a close eye...
April 15, 2026 | Amtrak, FRA, News, Top News
BLET National President Mark Wallace and Amtrak General Chairman Pat Darcy recently represented the union at a meeting of Amtrak’s Executive Leadership where a proposed restructuring of the national passenger railroad was discussed. In February, the Rail Passengers...
February 4, 2026 | Amtrak, FRA, National Mediation Board, News, Railroad Retirement, Top News
The U.S. House of Representatives in late January released the proposed 2026 federal Fiscal Year (FY) final appropriations bills for agencies important to BLET and its members, including the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), the National Mediation Board (NMB), Amtrak,...
January 27, 2026 | FRA, News, Railroad Safety, RSAC, Top News
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has announced that it will reestablish the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), an important venue for labor, management, shippers and federal regulators to collaboratively discuss and develop rules to improve safety in...
December 28, 2025 | FRA, News, Railroad Safety, Top News
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a safety advisory (SA 2025-02) on December 10 to emphasize the importance of determining that the “track is clear” prior to shoving or pushing movements across highway-rail grade crossings equipped only with flashing...
October 21, 2025 | FRA, News, NTSB, Railroad Safety, Top News
As the Federal government shutdown that began on October 1 continues, it is beginning to affect government agencies that serve the rail industry and BLET members. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been...
October 14, 2025 | FRA, News, Top News
The U.S. Senate has confirmed David Fink, the former CEO of Pan Am Railways, as the 16th Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). He was part of a block of 107 nominees who were confirmed in a 51-47 party-line vote on October 7. During his Senate...
October 9, 2025 | FRA, Furloughs, News, Railroad Retirement, STB, Top News
A Federal government shutdown began on October 1 after the U.S. Senate failed to pass a proposal to keep government programs and services running. As of publication, it is not clear how long this shutdown will last and no progress has been made toward a deal that...
