January 10, 2025 | News, Teamsters, Top News
Twenty-five BLET families have been awarded scholarships by the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund for the 2024 school year, including seven $10,000 scholarship winners. The $10,000 awards are the highest honor bestowed by the Hoffa Scholarship Fund. In 2024,...
January 6, 2025 | Education and Training, News, Top News
To assist new Division officers who will be installed following the conclusion of the 2024 Triennial Election cycle, the BLET Education & Training Department will conduct several basic introductory classes via Zoom in January 2025. Separate classes will be offered...
January 3, 2025 | News, Top News
BLET members are asked to keep Brother Tony Ramos and his family in their prayers. Brother Ramos, a BNSF locomotive engineer and member of BLET Division 13 (La Crosse, Wis.), suffered an on-duty medical episode in October. Brother Ramos was rushed to a local hospital...
January 2, 2025 | News, Organizing, Top News
The BLET scored its seventh short line organizing victory since 2023 as train and engine service workers from the Utah Central Railway voted unanimously to join the BLET in an election certified by the National Mediation Board on December 18. Patriot Rail owns and...
December 31, 2024 | Contract Agreement, News, Top News
BLET members unanimously ratified a new contract with the Berkshire & Eastern Railroad (B&E). The agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 32 members. The five-year agreement provides general wage increases of 22.5% over the life of the...
December 30, 2024 | News, Top News
The BLET Advisory Board met on December 6 at the National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio. National Vice President Alan Holdcraft will be retiring at the end of this month. Alternate Vice President James Logan will fill the vacancy on the Advisory Board...
December 29, 2024 | News, Top News
“We’ll see you in court.” The contract between NJ Transit and the BLET requires engineers to be paid 10.4 % more than conductors. When conductors at the commuter railroad received a raise, BLET members at NJT should automatically have received a boost in their wages...
December 27, 2024 | Contract Negotiations, National Negotiations 2024, News, Top News
In accordance with Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act, the BLET and the rail carriers exchanged notices last month, and national negotiations with the Class I carriers and other railroads are now in progress. The BLET National Wage Team aims to build on the momentum...
December 26, 2024 | Legislation, News, Teamsters, Top News
On December 18, the U.S. Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 85-14. The authorization bill for national defense includes an amendment for the REEF Act, which will fully restore unemployment and sickness benefits to...
December 23, 2024 | News, Top News
BLET Division 781 member and 2024 CSX Santa Train locomotive engineer Scott Steffey (right) shakes hands with CSX road foreman of engines Wesley Stewart during a stop at Dante, Va. This year’s Santa Train was led by CSX’s Clinchfield Railroad heritage...
