June 25, 2024 | Contract Negotiations, News, Short Line, Tentative Contract
The BLET has reached a tentative contract with the Pacific Harbor Line (PHL). Ballots for a vote on a tentative agreement governing rates of pay for approximately 150 members were mailed on Friday, June 21. If ratified by the membership, the agreement would run...
May 10, 2024 | CN, News, Short Line, Tentative Contract
Ballots were mailed last week to BLET members to vote on a tentative implementing agreement regarding Canadian National-Illinois Central Railway’s (CN-IC) acquisition of the Iowa Northern Railway. Ballots were mailed to about 550 members. The tentative implementing...
April 1, 2024 | News, Organizing, Short Line
On March 26, the BLET filed an application with the National Mediation Board (NMB) to secure union representation for 21 workers at the short line Arizona Eastern Railway (AZER), a Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary. During a recent organizing drive, the BLET obtained...
March 27, 2024 | Contract Agreement, News, Short Line
On March 20, a majority of BLET members ratified a new contract with the Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad (M&NA) by a vote of 42-10. The on-property agreement governs rates of pay, benefits, and work rules for approximately 57 operating employees. The...
March 26, 2024 | Contract Agreement, News, Short Line
BLET members ratified a new five-year contract with the Utah Railway on March 20. The agreement was ratified by a vote of 30-6. It governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for approximately 42 operating employees. General wage increases will total 41% (46.7%...
March 12, 2024 | Contract Agreement, CSX, News, Short Line
On March 7, BLET members ratified a new contract with the Berkshire & Eastern Railroad (B&E). The agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 32 members. It was ratified by a vote of 26 in favor, one against. Some of the contractual...
February 15, 2024 | News, Short Line, Tentative Contract
A contract ratification vote is underway for BLET members at the Utah Railway. Ballots were mailed this week to members to vote on a tentative on-property agreement governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules for approximately 42 operating employees. The five-year...
February 15, 2024 | Contract Negotiations, News, Short Line, Tentative Contract
A contract ratification vote is underway for BLET members at the Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad (M&NA). Ballots were mailed this week to members to vote on a tentative on-property agreement governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules for...
February 15, 2024 | Contract Negotiations, News, Short Line, Tentative Contract
The BLET has reached a tentative contract with the Berkshire & Eastern Railroad (B&E). The tentative agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for approximately 30 members. Ballots were mailed this week. Some of the proposed contractual...
February 8, 2024 | FRA, Headlines, Railroad Safety, Short Line
(Source: Railfan & Railroad Magazine, February 6, 2024) The Federal Railroad Administration issued a rare emergency order shutting down an Oklahoma short line following the discovery of multiple derailments and safety violations. In an emergency order posted this...