BLET News
BLET sharply critical of alarming comments made by UP CEO
The BLET continues to keep a close eye on the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, and whenever necessary, shine a public spotlight on risks associated with the merger. BLET has staunchly opposed the merger as it could harm workers, shippers, and the...
President Wallace highlights rail labor solidarity at BMWED’s Sixth Quadrennial Convention
Members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) concluded their Sixth Quadrennial National Division Convention in Chicago last week. Along with BLET, the BMWED is a member of the Teamsters Rail Conference. Delegates from more than 350 local...
Replacement ballots now available in BLET contract votes at Watco, VRE
BLET members are in the midst of voting on two tentative agreements, one with Watco and the other with Keolis/Virginia Railway Express (VRE). Eligible members who have not yet received a ballot should call the BLET National Division’s dedicated voicemail line to have...
Workers at Northern Ohio & Western Railway say yes to BLET
Operating employees at the Northern Ohio & Western Railway (NOW) voted to join the BLET in an election certified by the National Mediation Board on June 16. It marks the union’s 16th short line organizing win since 2023. NOW is an OmniTRAX-owned short line that...
America 250 and BLET 163: Early corporate greed in the Gilded Age led to economic, rail reforms
The growth and financial success of early railroads in America were a key element of what has become known as the “Gilded Age,” a time of economic change and extreme income inequality. Railroad robber barons like Cornelius Vanderbilt and Jay Gould accumulated massive...
A look back at the Teamsters 31st International Convention
BLET Editor's Note: The stories that follow highlight the contributions of the BLET and Rail Conference during the Teamsters International Convention held last week in Las Vegas. Pictured above are BLET members who were in attendance. All photos courtesy of the...
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Keolis/VRE
BLET has reached a tentative agreement with Keolis for members who work as locomotive engineers for the Virginia Railway Express (VRE). Ballots were mailed June 12. If ratified by the members, the agreement would provide a strong wage package along with meaningful...
Tentative agreement a significant first for BLET members at Watco
The BLET has reached a tentative agreement with Watco, a significant milestone for members who voted to join BLET in February 2025. It would represent the first-ever union agreement for BLET members at the short line operator. If ratified by the members, the tentative...
Safety Task Force investigating after NS derailment causes ethanol spill and fire in Tennessee
The BLET Safety Task Force has received Party Status from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to assist with the investigation into a Norfolk Southern derailment that occurred in Tennessee last week. According to media reports, 23 cars of a mixed freight...
BLET members ratify new contract with NIRCRC for Metra locomotive engineers
BLET members on June 19 ratified a new seven-year agreement with the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (NIRCRC/Metra). The deal covers about 250 BLET members who work as locomotive engineers for Metra and provides compounded general wage...
National Health & Welfare Plan benefits: Play to win during Men’s Health Month
June is commonly recognized as Men’s Health Month. Members covered by the BLET’s National Health & Welfare Plan are encouraged to compete in a quick game about men’s health for a chance to win a free Fitbit watch through the Your Track To Health website. The game...
LIRR Contract ratifies by a 98 percent margin
After a three-day strike and years of ongoing contract negotiations, members of the BLET overwhelmingly ratified a new contract with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) this week. The vote was 98 percent in favor of ratification. The BLET bargained as part of a coalition...
House Republicans proposed transportation appropriations bill would use other rail infrastructure money to fund Amtrak and FRA
Not all news was good news from the House Appropriations Committee last week. By a vote of 34-27, the Committee approved the fiscal year 2027 Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies funding bill. The BLET is keeping a close eye...
After historic strike, BLET members overwhelmingly ratify new contract at LIRR
After a three-day strike and years of ongoing contract negotiations, BLET members have overwhelmingly ratified a new contract with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). Ballots were tabulated today, and the vote was 98 percent in favor of ratification. The BLET bargained...
BLET, Rail Conference continue to spotlight risks of UP-NS merger
The BLET and Teamsters Rail Conference applauded the recent action by the House Appropriations Committee to urge the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to conduct a rigorous review of the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern (UP-NS) merger. BLET and the Rail...
Stop the Rail Merger Coalition today responded to alarming comments made by UP CEO Jim Vena
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Stop the Rail Merger Coalition today responded to alarming comments made by Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena at an investor conference in which he suggested that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) should rush its review of the proposed UP/NS merger,...
America 250 and BLET 163: Abraham Lincoln and the rise of the BLET
“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” So begins the famous Gettysburg Address by President Abraham Lincoln. He gave this speech...
Norfolk Southern: BLET questions manpower shortages and impact on safety at the Class I railroad
In a major story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week with the headline, “Norfolk Southern doesn’t have the crews to keep trains moving, union says,” BLET National President Mark Wallace charged that NS “doesn’t have the needed manpower to keep trains running...
BLET supports bill to penalize assaulting passenger train crew members
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is supporting the bipartisan Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act, H.R. 8894, which would make it a federal crime to assault Amtrak or commuter rail workers, including passenger locomotive engineers. The bill...
Union busting: Employers annually spend $1.7 billion in an effort to deny workers a voice on the job
U.S. employers spend about $1.7 billion per year on union busting efforts, according to a report published by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). Much of the money is spent on consultants and law firms that specialize in preventing workers from organizing and...
Daily Headlines
House bill would block Mexican rail crews from operating trains into U.S.
Mark Wallace, president of the Teamsters Rail Conference and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said the bill addresses “a critically important issue. … In repeated visits to the southern border, I heard one consistent message from BLET members: railroad jobs in America should be done by Americans.”
BNSF reports Q4, full year 2025 results
For full-year 2025, BNSF reported total revenue of $23.4 billion, about the same as the previous year, and net income of $5.5 billion, up 9%.
Second PEB finds for unions in dispute with LIRR
A second Presidential Emergency Board has sided with a coalition of unions in their ongoing contract dispute with the Long Island Rail Road — but the LIRR rejected the board’s recommendation, setting the stage for a strike or lockout in May.
CN announces Q4, full-year 2025 results
CN reported revenues of C$4,464 million and operating income of C$1,733 million.
Norfolk Southern reports Q4, full-year 2025 results
For the fourth quarter of 2025, NS reported revenue of $3.0 billion and income from railway operations of $937 million.
CPKC reports Q4, full-year 2025 results
CPKC announced its fourth-quarter 2025 revenues of $3.9 billion.
Union Pacific reports Q4, full-year 2025 results
UP reported 2025 fourth quarter net income of $1.8 billion
CSX announces Q4, full-year 2025 results
CSX Corp. announced fourth quarter 2025 operating income of $1.11 billion and net earnings of $720 million.
Railroads thwart safety fixes, costing lives
Fatigue-related accidents killed at least nine people and injured over 300 from 2015 through 2024, the Howard Center’s analysis of NTSB investigation reports found.
Associated Press: BLET, BMWED oppose UP-NS merger
“This proposed monopoly will end up costing businesses more and those costs will be passed on to consumers,” BLET National President Mark Wallace said.
