BLET News
Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry turns his back on railroad workers, co-sponsors legislation to nullify new two-person crew regulation
Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District has been rated as one of the most competitive in the nation during this election year, but the incumbent seeking reelection, U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), must not care about the votes of union railroaders. Perry, along with...
Capitol Hill: BLET mourns passing of Rep. Payne
From left: National President Eddie Hall, Rep. Donald Payne Jr., VP & NLR Vince Verna and National S-T David Estes at a BLET Legislative Rep. training class in 2023. ____________________ Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr. (D-NJ), a staunch advocate for rail safety who...
North Dakota: Forschen reelected State Legislative Board Chairman
From left: Darin Hamre, Vince Verna, Sean Forschen, Dave Harness, and Tim Presler. ____________________ Brother Sean M. Forschen was elected to his second term as Chairman of the BLET’s North Dakota State Legislative Board during its quadrennial meeting in Bismarck,...
BLET Legislative Alert: Calling all Colorado and Minnesota members to Take Action!
BLET members in Colorado and Minnesota are urged to get involved and help advance rail safety legislation in their respective states. In Colorado, members should immediately contact their State Senators to request their support of railroad safety bill HB24-1030. The...
GCA news: Chris Hyde reelected CSXT Eastern Lines General Chairman
General Chairman Chris R. Hyde was reelected at the quadrennial meeting of the CSXT Eastern Lines General Committee of Adjustment, which was held via Zoom on April 21, 2024. Brother Hyde began serving as General Chairman on January 1, 2023, following the election of...
GCA news: Hau reelected to second term as CN-WC General Chairman
Brother Eric A. Hau was reelected General Chairman at the Canadian National-Wisconsin Central General Committee of Adjustment’s quadrennial meeting on April 16 in Appleton, Wisc. He was first elected General Chairman of the CN-WC GCA at its quadrennial meeting in...
Arizona: Division 28 hosts National Division officers for Division meeting, Old Timers Picnic
It was a week for union conversations and also camaraderie for members and officers of BLET Division 28 in Tucson, Arizona. On April 18, the Division hosted National President Eddie A. Hall, First Vice President Mark L. Wallace, National Vice President Gary D. Best,...
Get involved: Join us in Kansas City June 3-7
Brothers and Sisters, I am writing to personally invite you and your family to attend this year’s Western Regional Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri. The meeting will take place the week of June 3 at the Marriott, Kansas City Downtown. Our Education and Training...
Brightline West groundbreaking: “Full speed ahead” with Rail Labor on board
On April 22, Brightline West officially broke ground on its Las Vegas to Southern California high-speed rail system. The 218-mile route will be constructed within the median of the I-15 highway with zero grade crossings, and is based on Brightline’s business model of...
Nevada BLET member encourages Colorado lawmakers to support rail safety bill
Drawing on his experience in lobbying for a rail safety bill in Nevada, BLET Division 766 (Las Vegas) member Jason Doering is using the media to urge legislators in Colorado to support a rail safety bill. Brother Doering’s opinion column was published in the Colorado...
FRA two-person crew regulation: Teamsters say regulators should resist industry push for single pilot cockpits
As rail labor unions celebrated the Federal Railroad Administration’s new regulation requiring two-person crews on freight trains, airline pilot unions raised the question: Can the same policy continue for aircrafts? While current U.S. regulations require two pilots...
Register today! Hotel reservations must be made by May 3 for BLET’s Kansas City regional meeting
BLET members are encouraged to make their reservations as soon as possible for the Western Regional Meeting, which will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, the week of June 3, 2024. Hotel room reservations must be made by May 3, 2024. The meeting will be held at the...
BLET announces creation of the New England Legislative Board
New England Legislative Board Chairman Dan Cadogan _____________________ The BLET is proud to announce the formation of the New England Legislative Board (NELB). It was established earlier this year to acknowledge the regionalization and expansion of the former...
Colorado: Thanks to BLET effort and testimony, rail safety bill advances in state legislature
Colorado State Legislative Board Chairman Paul Pearson ___________________ Colorado BLET members are working hard to secure passage of a major rail safety bill in the state’s legislature. BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative Vince Verna, BLET...
Social media: Get connected with the BLET
The BLET National Division is investing more time and resources into its various social media outlets. It is the best place to go to get the latest news. Click the link below to get connected! In 2023, the BLET launched this Weekly News Recap, a quick-hitting list of...
Register now for BLET’s Kansas City regional meeting
Registration is now open for the BLET’s Western Regional Meeting, which will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, the week of June 3, 2024. Guests will stay at the Marriott Kansas City Downtown (200 West 12th St., Kansas City, MO, 65105, telephone: (816) 421-6800)....
Have you registered? Join us this summer for BLET regional meetings in Kansas City and Washington, D.C.
Registration is now open for the BLET’s Western Regional Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, and the Eastern Regional Meeting in Washington, D.C. Please make your plans now to attend one or both meetings. The Western Regional Meeting will take place the week of June 3...
Autonomous rail technology: BLET petitions FRA to deny safety waiver for Parallel Systems test
The BLET has filed formal comments with the Federal Railroad Administration opposing a safety waiver that would allow the introduction of autonomous train technology in the United States. BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative Vince Verna said...
Two-person crew regulation: BLET keeps it in notch 8, continues to pursue rail safety reforms as railroads sue to block new safety rule
The Federal Railroad Administration’s two-person crew rule announced earlier this month — which requires railroads to “staff every train operation with a minimum of two crewmembers (including a locomotive engineer and an additional crewmember who will typically be a...
Solar eclipse 2024: Hello darkness, my old friend
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse moved across North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. As you can see in the photo...
Daily Headlines
STB extends reporting of railroad employment data for BNSF, CSX, NS and UP
The Surface Transportation Board today issued a decision that extends the temporary reporting of employment data through the end of the year.
FRA issues Final Rule requiring emergency escape breathing apparatuses in trains carrying hazmat
The rule requires railroads to provide emergency escape breathing apparatuses (EEBAs) for train crew members and other employees who could be exposed to an inhalation hazard in the event of a hazardous material, or hazmat, release.
Union Pacific: uncertainty clouds freight outlook as carrier reports Q4, full-year 2023 results
For the quarter, operating income was flat, at $2.4 billion, on flat revenues of $6.1 billion. Earnings per share grew 1% to $2.71.
Norfolk Southerns’ Q4 2023 profit falls 33% as East Palestine derailment costs continue to grow
The railroad delivered 3% more shipments during the quarter, but even without the costs related to that toxic crash, its profits still would have been down 14%.
Buttigieg calls on Congress to pass rail safety bill
Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently pressed Congress to pass legislation that would strengthen rail safety policies. Ideally, he emphasized, congressional action on the measure would occur before the anniversary of the derailment of a freight train in East Palestine, Ohio.
Norfolk Southern cutting 7% of management positions
Norfolk Southern told employees today that it will eliminate 7% of its management and staff positions as a cost-cutting move.
Railroads seek to head off Mexican bridge closures as cross-border traffic grows
Railroad executives will meet with U.S. and Mexican customs officials next month to discuss how they can work together to keep vital rail border crossings open amid the surge in migrants crossing the Rio Grande.
Senate confirms three Amtrak board members
The U.S. Senate has confirmed attorney Anthony Coscia, Aviation Strategies President Joel Szabat, and Normal, Illinois, Mayor Christopher Koos as members of Amtrak’s board.
CSX reports Q4 2023 profit decline despite volume growth
The railroad’s operating income declined 10%, to $1.3 billion, as revenue declined 1%, to $3.6 billion.
CN posts Q4 2023 financial, operating results
The Class I posted Q4 revenue of C$4.5 billion, down 2%; net income of C$2.1 billion, up 50%; and C$3.29 diluted earnings per share (EPS), up 57%, compared with Q4 2022 results.
