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,...
February 3, 2026 | Derailment, East Palestine-NS, News, Railroad Safety, Top News
February 3, 2026, marks three years since the Norfolk Southern derailment, fire, and toxic chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio. During that time, Congress has been unable to advance or pass rail safety legislation. BLET and others in Rail Labor are calling out the...
February 1, 2026 | News, Top News
BLET members remained at the throttle in the face of an immense winter storm last week. Dubbed “Fern” by the Weather Channel, the winter storm spread heavy snow, freezing rain, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures. The National Weather Service issued winter weather...
January 30, 2026 | C3RS, Legislation, News, Railroad Safety, Railroad Security, Top News, Unions
Brothers and Sisters, Since May of 2025, when I was elevated to the position of National President, I have delivered a clear and consistent message wherever I go: this organization moves forward only when it is driven by its members. That belief is shaping every...
January 30, 2026 | News, Scholarships, Top News
BLET members and their dependents seeking academic scholarships are encouraged to explore the 2026 BLET Scholarship Directory, a resource for a variety of financial aid programs. If you or a family member are looking for scholarship opportunities, don’t delay....
January 29, 2026 | News, Top News
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is taking bids to handle transit operations and maintenance at the nation’s fifth-busiest commuter rail system. According to a report from NBC Boston, the list of potential bidders includes Keolis, Alstom Transport USA...
January 28, 2026 | 2-man Crews, News, Railroad Safety, Top News
Outgoing New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a BLET-backed rail safety bill into law last week. The bill mandates a minimum of two crew members on hazardous material trains and requires the proper installation and ongoing maintenance of wayside detector systems....
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...
January 26, 2026 | News, NS, STB, Top News, UP
In a unanimous decision announced on January 16, the Surface Transportation Board rejected the merger application filed by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern as “incomplete.” The STB said the merger application does not contain certain information required by the...
January 23, 2026 | Education and Training, News, Top News
BLET members should act quickly to register for a spot in one of two upcoming rail worker hazardous materials training sessions scheduled for February and March. Spaces are limited and the courses are filling up quickly. These 40-hour, in-person classes will be held...
