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...
January 22, 2026 | News, Railroad Safety, Top News
A widely circulated analysis by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism has found that too little is being done to counter safety lapses related to fatigue in the railroad industry, leading to preventable accidents and death. Behind the lax oversight is the...
January 21, 2026 | Education and Training, News, Top News
The BLET National Division Education & Training Department will offer a full slate of training opportunities throughout 2026. Two Secretary-Treasurer classes are confirmed for February: LM-3 / LM-4 Refresher Class (Zoom) Dates: Feb. 17–19, 2026 • Class One: Tue.,...
January 20, 2026 | News, Scholarships, Top News
Rising education costs are making it difficult for many union families to afford the cost of tuition. That’s one reason Union Plus, which provides important consumer benefits to union members and retirees, offers a unique scholarship program. It has distributed more...
January 20, 2026 | Contract Negotiations, News, Top News
Last week a coalition of five rail unions that includes BLET, representing the majority of unionized workers at the Long Island Rail Road, wrote to the White House to formally request that a second Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) be appointed to resolve a nearly...
January 16, 2026 | News, Top News
From left: daughter Kathy, daughter Betty, Jack’s great grandson, daughter Debbie, Jack’s granddaughter, and Jack McDermott. Photo courtesy: Tayler S. Calder/Idaho State Journal ____________________ The BLET National Division extends happy birthday wishes to retied...
January 15, 2026 | Contract Agreement, News, Top News
BLET members have ratified a new agreement with the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYSW). Ballots were tabulated on December 29. The agreement provides wage increases and work rule improvements. Additionally, NYSW members are now covered by the...
