February 21, 2025 | News, Obituary, Top News
Robert D. (“Bob”) Broka, who served the BLET National Division as Director of Records, passed away on February 13. He was 77 years old. Broka began working for the Brotherhood in 1970 and retired in 2010. His 40 years of service spanned the administration of 11...
January 14, 2025 | Derailment, Fatality, News, Obituary, Top News
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 19, to honor the two Union Pacific workers who were killed in last month’s train derailment in Pecos, Texas. The ceremony is open to the public and will be held at the West of the Pecos Museum at 4:00 p.m. (120 E....
November 15, 2024 | News, Obituary, Top News
Recently retired BLET General Chairman Mark B. Kenny, who served the Amtrak/KCS/VRE/Caltrain General Committee of Adjustment for over 26 years, passed away on November 12. He was 73 years old. Brother Kenny was elected to seven consecutive terms as General Chairman...
September 17, 2024 | News, Obituary, Top News
Brother Jerry D. Arterberry, a BNSF conductor and member of BLET Division 604, suffered a medical emergency and passed away while working at BNSF’s yard in Madill, Oklahoma, on September 7. He was 54 years old. Brother Arterberry was an active and involved BLET...
June 18, 2024 | News, Obituary
Retired BLET General Chairman Tony Smith, who served the CSXT Eastern Lines GCA for 22 years, passed away on June 15, 2024. He was 71 years old. He is survived by his wife Ann, sons Bryant and Anthony and grandson Sam. Tony and Ann were married for 48 years. Brother...
May 6, 2024 | Legislation, News, Obituary
From left: National President Eddie Hall, Rep. Donald Payne Jr., VP & NLR Vince Verna and National S-T David Estes at a BLET Legislative Rep. training class in 2023. ____________________ Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr. (D-NJ), a staunch advocate for rail safety who...
April 25, 2024 | Headlines, Legislation, Obituary, Railroad Safety
The BLET mourns the passing of Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr. (D-NJ), a staunch advocate for rail safety who served as Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials.He passed away on April 6, 2024. Full story: NBC News
March 22, 2024 | News, Obituary
The BLET and IBT family were shocked and heartbroken by the sudden passing of Carlos Barrett Sr, who was tragically killed on March 15 in a hit-and-run accident in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He has worked as the Administrative Assistant at the BLET National...
February 2, 2024 | Fatality, News, NS, Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) reports that on Wednesday, January 31, locomotive engineer Chris M. Wilson, 55, was killed at the Norfolk Southern yard in Decatur, Alabama. Wilson, a BLET member, was a 30-year...
December 29, 2023 | Obituary
BLET General Chairman Michael K. Ball passed away unexpectedly at his away from home terminal on December 21, 2023. He was 57 years old. At the time of his passing, Brother Ball was serving the BLET as General Chairman of the CPKC/Texas-Mexican Railway (Tex-Mex)...
