July 28, 2025 | Mexico, News, Railroad Safety, Top News
BLET National President Mark Wallace joined America’s Work Force Union Podcast last week to discuss problems with crews from Mexico operating trains in the U.S. and why the practice, while currently limited, should be halted. President Wallace said the...
July 27, 2025 | Legislation, News, Top News, Unions
Teamsters Rail Conference affiliates BLET and BMWED have signed on to a labor-led letter asking Congress to swiftly correct a technical error in the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBA) that caused rail workers to be excluded from the bill’s overtime...
July 25, 2025 | DOT, News, Railroad Safety, Top News
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched a “regulatory sprint,” a term that describes eliminating or changing nearly 200 safety regulations that provide safeguards for the rail industry, its workers, and the communities they serve. Under direction from...
July 24, 2025 | Amtrak, FRA, News, Top News
House Appropriations Committee Republicans last week released the draft fiscal year 2026 Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies funding bill. The BLET is keeping a close eye on the proceedings as the proposed legislation...
July 23, 2025 | CSX, GCA Elections, News, Top News
Keith Kerley was reelected by acclamation to his third term as General Chairman of the BLET’s CSXT Western Lines General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting on July 16, 2025. The GCA represents more than 2,800 active and retired members from 25...
July 22, 2025 | News, Tentative Contract, Top News, UP
The BLET has reached a tentative agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad that would provide a general wage increase of 3% to approximately 6,000 BLET members employed at UP, if ratified. The proposed “interim raise” is described in the balloting materials that are...
July 18, 2025 | News, Railroad Retirement, Top News
The Railroad Retirement Act provides disability annuities for railroaders who become totally or occupationally disabled. Medicare coverage before age 65 is also available for totally disabled employees and those suffering from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or...
July 17, 2025 | News, Railroad Safety, Top News
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) asked for feedback on federal safety regulations that could be repealed or modified. Class I railroads through their trade group, the Association of American Railroads (AAR,) jumped at the chance to put...
July 16, 2025 | News, Regional Meetings, Top News
BLET members have until Monday, July 21 to make hotel reservations for the Western Regional Meeting, which will take place the week of August 18 at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way NE, Wash., 98004, telephone (888) 959-9356. Meeting registration and hotel...
July 15, 2025 | Amtrak, News, Top News
Amtrak announced on June 30 that its Mardi Gras service between New Orleans, Louisiana. and Mobile, Alabama, with stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula, Mississippi will resume on August 18. The twice-daily service will provide employment...
