“The Teamsters Rail Conference today is stronger, more unified, and more influential than it has ever been,” said Mark Wallace, President of the Teamsters Rail Conference and BLET National President, in his keynote report to delegates during the Rail Conference’s Sixth Quadrennial Convention on March 12.
The Rail Conference represents more than 70,000 rail employees in the United States and is comprised of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED).
The Rail Conference’s increased strength and solidarity can be attributed to key changes over the past four years since the Fifth Quadrennial Convention. Both BLET and BMWED have new Presidents, with Wallace becoming National President of BLET in May 2025 and Tony Cardwell becoming President of BMWED in September 2022. Sean O’Brien became General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters just five days after the previous Rail Conference convention and appointed Mike Smith to be Director of the Rail Conference in April 2024.
Wallace said that a close working relationship has developed between himself, President Cardwell, General President O’Brien, and Director Smith, which benefits all Rail Conference members. “By working together, we will continue strengthening our voice, protecting our members, and ensuring that railroad workers remain a vital part of the future of the American transportation system,” Wallace said.
The Rail Conference reaffirmed its opposition to the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. The unions have said that job protections promised to workers employed by the merged railroad are insufficient. The unions outlined their reasons for opposing the merger in a December 2025 public statement. Delegates also discussed strategy regarding important rail safety legislation, including the Rail Safety Act of 2026 and the Secure Tracks Act.
Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV), who is the Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Railroad Subcommittee, was the keynote guest speaker. She committed to continue fighting for the Rail Conference’s key priorities, which includes improving rail safety by passing into federal law a two-person crew requirement and the Secure Tracks Act, which she is the lead sponsor of in the House of Representatives. Rep. Titus also spoke to the legislative effort she’s leading to secure long-term resources for the Railroad Retirement Board.
President Wallace was reelected to his second term as Rail Conference President. BMWED National Secretary-Treasurer Dale Bogart was reelected Rail Conference Secretary-Treasurer, and BLET National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes was reelected Rail Conference Vice President.
Presentations were made by: Mike Smith, Director of the Teamsters Rail Conference; Jeff Joines, BMWED’s Director of Government Affairs; and Alex Beckmann, IBT Rail Conference Legislative Director. The delegates paid tribute to Brother Joines for his vision in making the Rail Conference what it is today.
A gallery of photos is available here.