Ballots were mailed last week to BLET members eligible to vote on a tentative implementing agreement regarding Metra’s takeover of services from the Union Pacific Railroad. Ballots were mailed to 307 members.
UP has provided operating crews to Metra since its purchase of the former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad in the mid-1990s, but UP has sought to hand off the commuter operations for some time now. The new operating entity is known as the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (NIRCRC). The implementing agreement governs BLET members with Engineer seniority in Divisions 96, 176, 404, 405, 683, and 848. The tentative implementing agreement, memorandum of understanding, vacation agreement, flowback agreement, and additional information are detailed in the ratification packet that was mailed earlier this week.
Ballots are due by Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. E.D.T. Members who are eligible and have not received a ratification packet by Monday, September 30, should call the National Division at (216) 241-2630, ext. 222. When connected with the extension, please leave the following information:
- Your name, address and phone number;
- The division to which you belong;
- The railroad you work for;
- Your date of birth;
- The last four digits of your Social Security number; and
- Your email address.
Please note: All replacement ballots will be distributed by email. It’s important that any member who requires a replacement ballot include their email address in the voicemail; otherwise, they will not be able to participate in the ratification vote.
The office of BLET General Chairman Dick Crow, Union Pacific-Northern Region GCA, handled negotiations regarding the implementing agreement. Metra is the primary commuter rail system in the Chicago metropolitan area serving the city of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.
(Photo courtesy of retired BLET Member David Daruszka, Division 131)