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PASSENGER RAIL:
As the U.S. threatens to privatize Amtrak, the UK begins to renationalize passenger rail after 30 years of a failed experiment with privatization
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While the Trump Administration and billionaire advisor Elon Musk are talking about privatizing passenger rail here in the USA, in the UK, they’re going in the opposite direction. Next month, on May 25, the British will begin nationalizing passenger rail after decades of failed privatization, which began in 1994 (see write-up from the British House of Commons). Amtrak referenced the UK’s experiment with privatization in a March 2025 analysis explaining why privatization is a bad idea (see Amtrak FAQ here).
On this side of the Atlantic, Amtrak had its best year ever for ridership and revenue. Some of its ridership growth is due to an increasing number of long-haul commuters, especially commuters from Philadelphia to New York City.
Despite Amtrak’s success, the Trump administration is talking about quickly privatizing the passenger service and along with it, the United States Postal Service and possibly mortgage lender Fannie Mae.
 Jim Mathews, President & CEO of the Rail Passengers Association, outlined five reasons why privatizing Amtrak won't work. Click here to watch the video. Another reason opponents of privatization oppose the model is corruption. For example, rapid privatization in Russia led to the rise of oligarchs and rampant corruption.
Rail unions in the UK have hailed the renationalization of that country’s passenger rail as a return to public service. Mick Whelan, the general secretary of UK’s locomotive engineers’ union, ASLEF, said railways would now be “run as a public service, not for private profit.”
The House of Commons reported that among other cost-saving measures, renationalization would save the public about £680 million ($868 million) per year by removing shareholder dividend payments.
Amtrak photo: Cory Rusch, BLET Division 659
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BLET EDUCATION AND TRAINING DEPT.:
25 GCAs represented at well-attended Local Chairman class
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This week's Local Chairman training class had over 70 participants in-person and via Zoom.
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The BLET Education and Training Department conducted a three-day Local Chairman training class earlier this week, with over 70 Local Chairmen and Vice Local Chairmen from 25 General Committees of Adjustment (GCAs) participating both in-person and via Zoom.
This comprehensive and well-attended training class focused on representation of members at disciplinary hearings, developing union leadership skills, time claim and grievance handling among other topics.
“In addition to lecture, discussion and classroom instruction, participants conducted simulated investigations to prepare union leaders for what they may face when they return home by putting them in the roles of company officers, witnesses, and claimants,” said BLET National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes, who heads the BLET Education and Training Department.
Leading the class was Vice President Randy Fannon. Among the classroom presenters was Brother Dan Lucansky, the BLET’s new Director of Arbitration. It marked his first presentation to a Local Chairman class since he was hired full-time by the BLET National Division on March 24, 2025. BLET First Vice President Mark Wallace addressed the class via Zoom and answered questions from both in person and online participants. In addition, recently retired Director of Arbitration Doug Davidson participated via Zoom, and was recognized by the class for his decades of invaluable service to the BLET membership.
For information about future BLET Education and Training Department classes, please see the Upcoming Events area of the National Division website.
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NEVADA:
Members urged to make their voices heard as new rail safety bill advances
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BLET Nevada State Legislative Board Chairman Matt Parker testifying in favor of Nevada Assembly Bill 466
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As a major railroad safety bill makes its way through the state legislature in Nevada, the BLET’s Nevada State Legislative Board is asking members to speak out and share their support of the bill with legislators. BLET Nevada State Legislative Board Chairman Matt Parker said Assembly Bill 446 was advanced by the Assembly’s Committee on Growth and Infrastructure on April 10.
Among other items, Assembly Bill 446 would:
- Establish a maximum length of 7,500 feet for freight trains.
- Set a maximum distance of 20 miles between hot box detectors and require that they be inspected at least every 30 days for proper operation.
- Establish penalties for railroads that block crossings and delay emergency responders.
- Add safety requirements regarding drivers and contracted vehicles used to transport train crews.
- Grant union representatives access to railroad property for safety inspections.
 Nevada Assemblymember Max Carter, sponsor of the rail safety bill, said: “AB 446 is a critical safety and infrastructure bill that protects railway workers and the communities trains operate in. Whether it is East Palestine or Elko, we know what happens when industry runs roughshod over the expertise and warnings of workers — derailments that threaten the lives and livelihoods of communities across the country. AB 446 will put safety as the number one priority for trains in Nevada.”
Chairman Parker said he and his fellow Nevada SLB members have pledges of support from a majority of Democrats in the State Assembly. He is asking BLET’s Republican members in Nevada to contact their Assembly members and ask for their support of this common sense rail safety bill.
The Nevada SLB is also asking all Nevada members to go online and express their support for the bill. Members should use this link and scroll down to “Share Your Opinion on a Bill or Resolution.” Click the drop-down box and scroll to AB 446. Select this bill, then click “Share Opinion.” Members should complete the form and enter any comments they wish to include in the comments box, then click submit. This will both generate a record of BLET member opinions on the bill and automatically send an email to their State Senator or Assemblymember.
Click here to watch a video of Chairman Parker's testimony.
Parker image: Nevada State Legislature
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APRIL 2025 RRB Q&A:
Railroad Retirement survivor benefits
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Each month, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) publishes a list of questions and answers (Q&A) to highlight and explain the various benefits available to railroad workers and their families. This month’s Q&A examines railroad retirement survivor benefit eligibility requirements.
Under the Railroad Retirement Act, monthly survivor annuities may be payable to a railroad employee’s widow(er), children, and select other dependents. Lump-sum death benefits may also be payable to qualified survivors.
Please visit the RRB website for the full Q&A.
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REGISTER TODAY:
Hotel reservations for Daytona Beach regional meeting must be made by May 14
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“Start your engines…” Daytona Beach, Florida — famous for wide beaches and auto racing — is the site of the union’s 2025 Eastern Regional Meeting. BLET members are encouraged to make their reservations as soon as possible for the meeting, which is scheduled for the week of June 16 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort, 100 North Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL, 32118, telephone (386) 254-8200. Meeting registration and hotel reservations can be made at bletregionals.org. Room rates are $209.00 per night (plus tax). Hotel reservations must be made by May 14.
In addition to an impressive list of guest speakers for the opening ceremony on June 17, members will have the chance to catch up on union business in the closed members-only meeting later that afternoon. Training workshops, including a special session on retirement insurance benefits, will be held on June 19. The annual golf outing will take place on June 18 at the LPGA International, the premier golf club of Daytona Beach.
Click here for more information about the Daytona Beach regional meeting. In addition, all members are invited to Bellevue, Wash., across Lake Washington from Seattle, for the Western Regional Meeting, scheduled for the week of August 18. Registration will open soon. Those with questions or anyone needing assistance should email: regionalmeeting@ble-t.org.
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