BLET News
BLET members ratify new agreement with Great Western Railway of Colorado
On February 10, BLET members ratified a new contract with the Great Western Railway of Colorado (GWR). The new contract provides pay increases, paid sick leave days, and protects the members’ health and welfare benefits. The negotiating team consisted of BNSF (former...
Last Run: Division 848 Secretary-Treasurer Darren Mickelson retires
Congratulations to Brother Darren Mickelson of BLET Division 848 (South Pekin, Ill.) who safely completed his Last Run on November 25, 2025. His retirement became official on December 3. His railroad career began on December 13, 1993 when he hired out as a conductor...
Replacement ballots now available in BLET-Alstom/MARC contract vote
BLET members who work as locomotive engineers for Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC/Alstom) are currently voting on a tentative agreement. Ballots will be tabulated on Thursday, February 26. Eligible members who have not yet received a ballot should call the BLET...
BLET effort helps stop Metro-North expansion, protecting member jobs at Amtrak
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is backing off of a misguided plan to run Metro-North commuter trains on Amtrak territory, a move that would have resulted in job losses for members of the BLET. It was a team effort that led to this reversal and a win for BLET. After...
47 Republican members of Congress tell federal regulators if UP-NS merger doesn’t promote competition it shouldn’t move forward
A February 4 letter co-signed by 47 Republican members of Congress urges the Surface Transportation Board to conduct a “rigorous and comprehensive” review of proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. The Representatives said that if STB cannot ensure that the...
150 years ago, BLET secured a contract providing wage increases, establishing seniority and grievance procedures
In the year 1876, numerous grievances by early members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers nearly led to a strike at the Central Railroad of New Jersey Central. After intervention by Grand Chief Engineer Peter M. Arthur, the engineers and the railroad came to...
Do you have a dependent who is a high school senior planning to attend college or vocational training? Deadlines approaching for two key Teamster financial aid opportunities
Application deadlines are swiftly approaching for two valuable scholarship opportunities that are available to the dependents of BLET members: • March 2 is the deadline for the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awards college scholarships ranging from...
If you’re planning to work after receiving a Railroad Retirement annuity, be aware of rules regarding earnings limitations
Railroad retirement annuitants, and individuals planning retirement, should be aware of the railroad retirement laws and rules pertaining to annuity payments for those who choose to work after retirement. These laws and rules apply to age and service and disability...
Deepest condolences: California State Legislative Board Chairman Ryan Snow, 1964-2026
The BLET National Division extends deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brother Ryan Snow who unexpectedly passed away on February 4. He was 61 years old. Snow’s railroad career began in 1998 when he hired out with the Union Pacific Railroad in...
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Alstom for MARC locomotive engineers
The BLET has reached a tentative contract with Alstom for locomotive engineers who operate Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) trains in the Washington-Baltimore area. The tentative four-year agreement covering the period from Jan. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2027...
VP Fannon assigned to lead Arbitration Dept.; VP Logan looks to keep momentum going as new head of the Organizing Dept.
Following recent retirements and new officers joining the Advisory Board, the assignments and responsibilities of some Advisory Board members have changed. Vice President Randy Fannon now serves as Head of the BLET Arbitration Department, filling a vacancy created by...
On three-year anniversary of East Palestine derailment, BLET and others in rail labor called on Congress to pass rail safety legislation
This year marks three years since the devastating Norfolk Southern train derailment and fire in East Palestine, Ohio. On Tuesday, February 3, leaders of the BLET joined members of Congress, community leaders, and rail labor representatives at a bipartisan press...
Education and Training Department to host officer training at 2026 BLET Regional Meetings
Please make your plans now to attend one or both of the BLET’s Regional Meetings this year. A key component of these events is training for Local Division officers conducted by the BLET Education and Training Department. Training will be offered for...
Initial appropriations for key rail agencies a victory for BLET members
The U.S. House of Representatives in late January released the proposed 2026 federal Fiscal Year (FY) final appropriations bills for agencies important to BLET and its members, including the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), the National Mediation Board (NMB), Amtrak,...
East Palestine: Three Years Later
February 3, 2026, marks three years since the Norfolk Southern derailment, fire, and toxic chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio. During that time, Congress has been unable to advance or pass rail safety legislation. BLET and others in Rail Labor are calling out the...
BLET members answer duty’s call in face of massive winter storm
BLET members remained at the throttle in the face of an immense winter storm last week. Dubbed “Fern” by the Weather Channel, the winter storm spread heavy snow, freezing rain, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures. The National Weather Service issued winter weather...
A message from National President Mark Wallace: Hard work, clear goals, members first
Brothers and Sisters, Since May of 2025, when I was elevated to the position of National President, I have delivered a clear and consistent message wherever I go: this organization moves forward only when it is driven by its members. That belief is shaping every...
2026 BLET SCHOLARSHIP DIRECTORY: Financial aid is available to the dependents of BLET members
BLET members and their dependents seeking academic scholarships are encouraged to explore the 2026 BLET Scholarship Directory, a resource for a variety of financial aid programs. If you or a family member are looking for scholarship opportunities, don’t delay....
MBTA considering bids for new transit operator
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is taking bids to handle transit operations and maintenance at the nation’s fifth-busiest commuter rail system. According to a report from NBC Boston, the list of potential bidders includes Keolis, Alstom Transport USA...
BLET-backed rail safety bill signed into law requiring two-person crews, wayside detectors
Outgoing New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a BLET-backed rail safety bill into law last week. The bill mandates a minimum of two crew members on hazardous material trains and requires the proper installation and ongoing maintenance of wayside detector systems....
Daily Headlines
Trump fires STB Board member Robert Primus
Primus, a Democrat, was appointed by Trump in 2020.
Citing lives at risk, BLET urges UP to allow trail to stunning waterfall in Northern California
(Source: Los Angeles Times, August 5, 2025) About 10 times each day, giant freight trains pass along a narrow section of track along the Sacramento River in far Northern California where engineers on the locomotives regularly tense up with stress. “Every single time,...
BNSF reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Progressive Railroading, August 5, 2025) BNSF Railway Co. recently reported second-quarter revenue of $5.7 billion, which was flat compared with second-quarter 2024’s mark. The Class I’s operating income and net income in the quarter climbed 19%...
OSHA orders UP to reinstate engineer, provide $300K in back pay
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor press release, August 6, 2025) DALLAS – A federal whistleblower investigation found that Union Pacific Railroad Co. violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act by terminating a railroad engineer after the employee reported and sought...
Wheeling & Lake Erie sold for $1.05 billion
(Railfan & Railroad Magazine, August 7, 2025) The Wheeling & Lake Erie, the over 800-mile regional railroad that runs through Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, is being sold to FTAI Infrastructure, Inc., for $1.05 billion. Once approved by...
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern announce plans to create America’s first transcontinental railroad
(Source: Union Pacific press release, July 29, 2025) Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation today announced an agreement to create America’s first transcontinental railroad. These legendary companies will seamlessly connect over 50,000 route miles...
CPKC reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Canadian Pacific Kansas City press release, July 30, 2025) Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) today announced its second-quarter results, including revenues of $3.7 billion, diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.33 and core adjusted diluted EPS1 of $1.12....
CSX reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: CSX press release, July 23, 2025) CSX Corp. announced second quarter 2025 operating income of $1.28 billion compared to $1.45 billion in the prior year period. Net income was $829 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to $963 million, or $0.49 per...
Norfolk Southern reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, July 29, 2025) Norfolk Southern Corporation announced its second quarter 2025 financial results. For the quarter, revenue was $3.1 billion, income from railway operations was $1.2 billion, operating ratio was 62.2%, and diluted...
Union Pacific reports Q2 2025 results
(Source: Union Pacific press release, July 24, 2025) Union Pacific Corporation reported 2025 second quarter net income of $1.9 billion, or $3.15 per diluted share. Results compare to 2024 second quarter net income of $1.7 billion, or $2.74 per diluted share. Second...
