January 14, 2026 | News, Organizing, Top News
The BLET secured more organizing victories over the last two years than in the previous seven years combined. Between 2023-2025 the union successfully organized workers at 14 new railroads. BLET’s most recent organizing victory came in December 2025, when workers at...
January 13, 2026 | Education and Training, News, Top News
Under the leadership of National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes, the Education & Training Department expanded its reach in 2025 by continuing to offer hybrid learning options that meet members where they are. While in-person instruction remains the gold standard,...
January 13, 2026 | Health & Welfare, News, Top News
Based on higher than anticipated claim costs in 2024 and 2025, coupled with projected cost increases in 2026, and several other unfavorable factors, health care premiums, and the 15% employee monthly cost-sharing contributions, will increase in 2026 for BLET members...
January 12, 2026 | Legislation, News, Top News
The BLET, working in conjunction with the Teamsters Rail Conference, secured several key political and regulatory victories for the union’s active and retired members throughout 2025. None perhaps were bigger than our successful efforts to protect the Railroad...
January 11, 2026 | News, Top News
From left: Tom Grdina with family at his December 30 retirement luncheon: son James, wife Susan, and son John. James is also a BLET employee, working as Director of the BLET Print Shop and Supply/Shipping Department. ____________________ The BLET National Division...
January 9, 2026 | Contract Agreement, Contract Negotiations, News, Top News
The BLET successfully negotiated and ratified 15 new collective bargaining agreements in 2025, boosting wages and providing substantial contractual improvements for more than 22,000 active members. This achievement is backed by the work of the assigned Vice...
January 6, 2026 | News, Top News, Unions
In a victory for all of organized labor, the state of Utah has repealed a ban on collective bargaining for public sector workers that went into effect on July 1. While the law did not prevent workers such as teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public...
January 5, 2026 | News, Top News
The members of BLET Division 13 in La Crosse, Wisc., are raising awareness for the plight of Brother Josh Bliss. The Vice President of Division 13, Brother Bliss has battled cancer since 2022 but is now at stage four after it has spread from his kidney to his lungs....
January 4, 2026 | News, Top News
2026 is gearing up to be a very busy year for the BLET. Make sure you are staying up-to-date with all of the latest BLET news by following us on our website, various social media pages and YouTube. The BLET’s private members-only Facebook group continues to grow. If...
January 2, 2026 | News, Top News
Jeff Thurman, a member of BLET Division 172 in Fort Worth, Texas), became the newest member of the BLET Advisory Board when he was sworn into office on January 1, 2026. Thurman fills a vacancy on the Advisory Board created by the retirement of Vice President Pete...
