The BLET Education & Training Department hosted a hybrid training class for LM-2 filers from February 23-26, with a total of 24 officers participating — both in person at the BLET National Division Training Center and virtually via Zoom. The workshop was designed for BLET affiliates that file the U.S. Department of Labor’s annual LM-2 report on behalf of their General Committee of Adjustment, Local Division, or State Legislative Board.
National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes, who heads the Education & Training Department, said that 29 affiliates are currently required to file the more complex LM-2 report. This year’s class provided training to more than 80 percent of those filers.
National President Mark Wallace delivered opening remarks to the class and answered membership questions. First Vice President Gary Best provided an update on the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger.
Leading the class were Megan Mead, Director of the Record and Compliance Department; Walt Schmidt, Director of the BLET Online Services Department; and NST Estes. Also assisting were Luke Myers, Director of Bylaws Administration; Mike Collier, Director of Accounting and Assistant to the NST; Rich Bartela, Special Representative/Auditor; Kimm Bunch, Government Relations Specialist; and Darlene Zolata, Staff Accountant.
Retired BLET member and former Coordinator of Education & Training Ken Kroeger joined the class during the Wednesday afternoon session and offered brief remarks to participants. He was recognized and thanked for his many years of dedicated service to the BLET.
Participants received a detailed review of best practices for preparing the LM-2 report, along with a comprehensive overview of the BLET’s new web-based payroll application, which launched January 1, 2026. The class also included updates on the new Engage communications application and ongoing efforts to enhance the BLET membership reporting system.
Additional training sessions for the remainder of 2026 will be announced soon.
A collection of photos from this week’s class is available on the National Division website.