BLET News
Davis elected General Chairman of NS (Northern Lines)
Cole W. Davis, a member of BLET Division 86 in Moberly, Mo., was elected the new General Chairman of the Norfolk Southern-Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment at meetings held in Cleveland from September 12-14.
Finamore new CSXT-North Lines General Chairman
R.A. “Rick” Finamore of BLET Division 757 (New Castle, Pa.) was elected General Chairman of the CSX Transportation-Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment at meetings held in Jacksonville, Fla., from September 26-28.
New Proof of Disability form ready for download
As most BLET members know, an employee who leaves work due to disability must provide proof of that disability in order for benefits to continue.
BNSF General Committee (Santa Fe) elects officers
In meetings now concluded here, the delegates to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe General Committee of Adjustment (former Santa Fe) have re-elected current General Chairman Pat Williams to serve another three-year term. Mark Banton was re-elected as First Vice-Chairman.
Raffle to benefit family of G.Y. Bailey
BLET Divisions in the Houston area are sponsoring a raffle to benefit the family of Brother G.Y. (Greg) Bailey, who lost his life in a head on collision of two Union Pacific trains in Shepard, Texas on September 15.
U.S. Senate considers rail security
The U.S. Senate is currently considering a bill that seeks to improve the security of America’s freight and passenger rail transportation system.
Teamsters accepting disaster relief applications from victims of Hurricane Ophelia
The Teamsters are accepting disaster relief applications from members who live in the state of North Carolina following Hurricane Ophelia, which struck the state on September 11-17.
UnitedHealthcare announces open enrollment under GA-23111
UnitedHealthcare has announced a special open enrollment under policy GA-23111. The open enrollment period will be held during the month of December, 2005.
Important information about UnitedHealthcare coverage
On January 1, 2006, Medicare’s new prescription drug coverage will go into effect. As a result, your current plan, GA-23111 Plan D will no longer provide you with a prescription drug benefit as of that date. Only the prescription drug benefit will be discontinued from your plan; all other health benefits will remain unchanged.
BLET members urged to act on Amtrak bill
BLET members are urged to contact their U.S. Senators and ask them to support S. 1516, a bill that would provide long-term funding for Amtrak.
Arkansas accident raises safety concerns
Hundreds of residents were evacuated from their homes in Texarkana, Ark., after an explosive railroad accident on October 15. A Union Pacific rail car carrying a tank of highly flammable propylene gas exploded after colliding with another train.
D.C. members sponsor Locomotive Engineers Exposition
The BLET’s District of Columbia State Legislative Board is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Locomotive Engineers Exposition at Union Station in Washington, D.C., on October 25.
BLET to conduct last S-T Workshop of 2005
The BLET’s Education and Training Department will conduct a Secretary-Treasurer Compliance Workshop in Cleveland from December 4-7.
Fund established to help son of BLET member
A fund has been established to assist with the medical care for Russell Lala, son of BLET Division 27 (St. Cloud, Minn.) member Roseanne Lala. Russell was mauled by both a lion and a tiger in June.
Officer election advisory for unions in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina
Due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) issues this advisory regarding the union officer election requirements under Title IV of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA).
IBT, Rail Conference support Million Worker March
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, including the members of the Rail Conference, is fully supporting the Million Worker March Movement and their upcoming events in the nation’s Capitol.
BLET gets CF&E shortline organizing victory
BLET National President Don Hahs today welcomed the operating employees of the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern Railroad (CF&E) as the newest members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET).
Red Cross, FEMA forms available
It has come to the attention of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters that many members affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are having difficulty obtaining the proper forms needed to apply for assistance.
New BLET Directories available online
New BLET Directories for 2005 are now available in the password protected area of the BLET website.
BLET President Hahs on the founding of the Change to Win Coalition
The following is a statement by BLET President Don M. Hahs on the founding convention of the Change to Win Coalition on September 27 in St. Louis, Mo.
Daily Headlines
NS trains repeatedly block crossings in Ohio, one for 14 hours
Police alerted Norfolk Southern Railway at 10:12 a.m. Aug. 26 a train was blocking several railroad track crossings. Police reported another stopped train at 9:23 a.m. Aug. 25 blocking four railroad crossings.
CSX, NS trains block first responders at crossings in South Carolina
Leaders in Chester County say trains regularly blocking roads are causing public safety concerns. Now, they’re looking for ways to raise awareness, saying it’s not just an inconvenience.
U.S. rail traffic uptick continues
This is the third time in five weeks that a gain in total rail traffic has been reported.
Ridership on Amtrak’s Virginia routes reaches all-time high
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) and Amtrak announced yesterday that ridership on state-supported trains reached 110,256 passengers in July, a 28.9% increase from June’s level and a 19.8% increase compared with pre-pandemic ridership in July 2019.
DOT: $1.4 billion in rail infrastructure grants now available
The U.S. Department of Transportation today issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcing the availability of over $1.4 billion in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Grant funding.
FTA to MBTA: Additional safety changes needed
The new Special Directives announced today require MBTA to address personnel, deficiencies and inadequate operating conditions, policies, procedures and training that compromised a culture of safety at the agency.
Is STB’s Primus in rail industry’s crosshairs?
The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a confirmation hearing Sept. 7 on President Biden’s nomination of Democrat Robert E. Primus to a second term on the Surface Transportation Board (STB). This is a preliminary step, requiring a subsequent vote among committee members whether to send the nomination forward to the entire Senate for consideration. The latter could be problematic, as will be explained.
UP conductor killed as train derails in El Paso
A train conductor was killed in a train derailment in El Paso, Texas, late Monday night, officials said. Two train cars derailed, damaging a backyard shed, a fence, and a gas meter and leading to the evacuation of about 50 people from nearby homes, according to the El Paso Fire Department. The victim was identified as 49-year-old Mario Aurelio Navarro, a conductor for Union Pacific, according to a news release from the El Paso Police Department.
Trouble on the Transcon
Earlier this month, Trains drove alongside BNSF Railway’s Southern Transcon from Barstow, Calif., to Belen, N.M., to see how North America’s busiest freight railroad and intermodal corridor is faring amid the crew shortages that have affected operations. BNSF’s California and Southwest divisions have been among the hardest hit in the country as the big four U.S. Class I railroads aim to replenish train crew staffing levels.
A U.S. freight rail crisis threatens more supply chain chaos
Federal regulators and the White House have been scrambling to prevent poor service and a possible strike from jamming up a vital but often overlooked network.
