BLET News
Replacement ballots now available in BLET-CPKC contract vote
BLET members are currently voting on a tentative agreement with the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railway. Ballots will be tabulated on Thursday, May 21. Eligible members who have not received a ballot by Monday, May 11, should call the BLET National Division’s...
BLET and LIRR rail union coalition to hold Day of Action on May 9
The majority of the unionized workers at the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), approximately 3,500 railroaders, have gone years without a raise. Contract talks were held this past Monday and again on Thursday, with the assistance of the federal National Mediation Board,...
Celebrating our heritage: BLET marks 163rd anniversary
The BLET marks its 163rd anniversary today, May 8. The BLET and its members are proud of our heritage as the oldest labor union in North America. William D. Robinson, the founder of the BLET, was involved in the movement to organize a national union for locomotive...
Members discuss CPKC tentative agreement at Division 599’s 18th annual crawfish boil in Shreveport
In April, the members of BLET Division 599 in Shreveport, La., hosted their 18th annual crawfish boil. Members of Division 632 in nearby Minden, La., were also on hand to help host and participate in the family-friendly event. Members of the two divisions work for...
Bragg reelected Chairman of BLET Oklahoma State Legislative Board
Shane Bragg was reelected Chairman of the Oklahoma State Legislative Board during its quadrennial meeting on April 29. Bragg is a member of BLET Division 578 (Tulsa, Okla.) who has served as Chairman since 2022. The BLET’s Oklahoma State Legislative Board represents...
Robert Tuttle elected Chairman of BLET California State Legislative Board
Robert Tuttle was elected Chairman of the California State Legislative Board (CASLB) during its 10th quadrennial session held in Sacramento on April 28 and 29. Tuttle is a Union Pacific locomotive engineer and member of BLET Division 692 (Tracy, Calif.). The CA SLB...
Tim Morgan reelected Chairman of BLET Missouri State Legislative Board
Tim Morgan was reelected Chairman of the Missouri State Legislative Board (MOSLB) during its quadrennial meeting held in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., on May 5. Morgan is a Norfolk Southern locomotive engineer and member of BLET Division 86 (Moberly, Mo.). The MOSLB...
More access. More input. More for every member at 2026 BLET regional meetings.
Make plans now to attend the BLET Western Regional Meeting, which will be held in New Orleans from July 13-17. This year’s meeting expands beyond the traditional format, with added programming and new opportunities for member participation throughout the week. Hotel...
Tell your member of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 8468, the Protecting American Railroad Workers Jobs Act of 2026
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National Division is asking members, families, and friends to call their Representatives and ask for support of the bipartisan “Protecting American Railroad Workers Jobs Act of 2026” (H.R. 8468), which...
BLET joins coalition urging rejection of UP-NS merger, calling it “a bad deal for America”
The BLET last week joined farmers, railroads, and shippers in opposition to the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, calling it “a bad deal for America.” The groups, representing a broad cross-section of business, labor and consumers, have joined together to form...
Updated BLET merchandise available — check out our new and improved web store
There’s a certain pride that comes from being a part of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), and members can now show their pride through a new line of union-branded merchandise. The BLET National Division is making BLET gear available through...
BLET leader tells MTA Board “the clock is ticking”
During the part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s April 29 board meeting reserved for public remarks, Gil Lang, General Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) at the Long Island Rail Road, speaking on behalf of a coalition...
BLET inspects rail operations at Southern Border following Division 28 meeting
Following a recent meeting with Division 28 in Tucson, BLET National Division officers, joined by BLET leaders from Arizona and California, traveled to the border of Mexico at Nogales to inspect train operations as part of the union’s ongoing initiative to protect...
Stop the Rail Merger Coalition launches to oppose Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger
A new coalition, launched today, unites a broad cross section of the U.S. economy in opposing the proposed merger of Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern rail lines. If allowed to move forward, the deal would create the largest consolidated railroad in U.S. history and give...
Teamsters Railroaders Oppose the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger. Here’s Why
The Teamsters Rail Conference continues to oppose the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. Read why in this joint statement from Rail Conference and BLET President Mark Wallace and BMWED President Tony Cardwell. Read the article here: blet.link/4w6yG6D
Workers Memorial Day 2026: Remembering workers who were killed on the job, including BLET member Daniel Peterson
Each year on April 28, unions including the BLET recognize Workers Memorial Day and remember American workers who have suffered and have been killed on the job. On Workers Memorial Day 2026, the BLET honors Brother Daniel Peterson who was killed in an on-duty...
National General Chairmen’s Association concludes annual meeting
Members of the BLET’s National General Chairmen’s Association (NGCA) engaged in strategic discussions with National Division officers, led by National President Mark Wallace and First Vice President Gary Best, on BLET’s aggressive opposition to the proposed Union...
BLET reaches tentative agreement with CPKC
The BLET has reached a tentative eight-year agreement with the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC). The tentative deal covers 1,200 members who work at former territories that are now a part of the consolidated CPKC, including Kansas City Southern Railway,...
Legislative Update: Advocacy for increased RRB funding, introduction of two major bipartisan bills highlight BLET’s hard work on Capitol Hill this week
The BLET National Division has been busy on Capitol Hill this week. Ongoing advocacy on behalf of its active and retired members has resulted in three major Congressional actions in recent days. These accomplishments are summarized below. First, BLET helped secure the...
America 250: CN unveils two commemorative locomotives
On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Earlier this year, CN unveiled two commemorative locomotives in tribute to the historic anniversary. The railroad said the two...
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.
