BLET News
Ballots mailed in BLET tentative agreement with Long Island Rail Road
Ballots were mailed last week to approximately 500 BLET members for voting on the BLET's tentative agreement with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). The tentative deal comes after three years of bargaining, two Presidential Emergency Boards, and a three-day strike that...
STB pauses review of UP-NS merger proposal — again
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board on Thursday announced that it has paused the review of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger application — again. “Several aspects of the revised application... are unclear or underdeveloped and require supplementation at...
Division 98 honors the memory of Local Chairman Vern Gordon
Members and officers of BLET Division 98 (Lincoln, Nebraska) gathered together on May 13 to honor the memory of the late L.D. (Vern) Gordon. Brother Gordon passed away unexpectedly in July 2025. He served Division 98 as Local Chairman for many years, and was also a...
Stop the Rail Merger Coalition Commends STB’s Scrutiny of Bad UP-NS Rail Merger Deal
The Surface Transportation Board today accepted the Union Pacific (UP)–Norfolk Southern (NS) merger application but delayed the review process to collect vital information that is still missing from the railroads’ revised application. The STB has put a hold on the...
BLET state legislative board chairmen conclude 2026 annual meeting at BLET National Division headquarters
Members of the BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC), meeting at National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio, concluded their 51st annual meeting on May 20. The chairmen representing 40 states heard a comprehensive report...
BLET Advisory Board meeting held at National Division headquarters
The BLET Advisory Board met on Thursday, May 21 at National Division Headquarters in Independence, OH. The Advisory Board is composed of the 14 highest-ranking elected officers in the union, and is the chief policy making body of the BLET between conventions. During...
Health & welfare plan benefits: Check in during Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which focuses on raising awareness, sharing resources, and strengthening support for those facing challenges. As part of the National Health & Welfare Plan, BLET members and their families have access to mental health benefits...
Deepest condolences: Alabama State Legislative Board Chairman J.T. (Todd) Sizemore, 1975-2026
The BLET National Division extends deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brother J.T. (Todd) Sizemore, Chairman of the BLET Alabama State Legislative Board, who passed away on May 22. He was 51 years old. “Todd was certainly one of the finest individuals...
Breakthrough on Railway Safety Act of 2026 as Trump announces support and Congress includes the legislation in the Surface Transportation bill
A major step happened this week in the movement to pass once in a generation railroad safety reforms. The House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee on Thursday added the BLET and Teamsters Rail Conference-championed Railway Safety Act of 2026 to...
Registration deadline approaching for BLET’s Western Regional Meeting
The BLET’s Western Regional Meeting will take place in New Orleans, La., from July 13-17. Have you made reservations yet? Guests will stay at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, set along the Mississippi River and near the French Quarter. This year, the BLET is...
Railway Safety Act of 2026 Advances in Congress
The bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2026 passed in the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee today on Capitol Hill. The Railway Safety Act was added to the Committee’s Surface Transportation Reauthorization legislation via a bipartisan amendment...
Railway Labor Act signed into law 100 years ago
The Railway Labor Act, the law governing collective bargaining in the railroad industry, turns 100 years old this month. It was signed into law by President Calvin Coolidge on May 20, 1926, after approval in the House and Senate by a combined vote of 531-26. The...
BLET members overwhelmingly reject tentative contract with CPKC Railway
The proposed agreement was rejected by the membership with 71% turnout and over 65% voting against ratification. The strong participation and vote results reflected the concerns many members voiced regarding the proposed hourly wage structure and demonstrated the...
Limited number of in-person Pre-Retirement Seminars set for next month
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced dates and locations for a limited number of in-person Pre-Retirement Seminars to be held in June 2026. Due to limited budget and staffing resources, the RRB is holding fewer in-person events than in previous years....
Three honored at Ohio SLB’s Founders Day Dinner
The BLET’s Ohio State Legislative Board hosted a Founders Day dinner on May 13 in recognition of the BLET’s 163rd anniversary. Approximately 170 individuals attended, including BLET members, their families, and guests who included elected government officials and...
Strike over as labor coalition reaches tentative agreement with Long Island Rail Road
The coalition of five labor unions, including BLET, today ended their 3-day strike at Long Island Rail Road after coming to terms on a tentative contract. The strike began just after midnight on Saturday, May 16. Terms of the agreement will be sent to the BLET’s 500...
BLET members on strike at Long Island Rail Road
After hours of last-minute negotiations, no agreement on wage increases was reached between a coalition of five unions, including BLET, and the Long Island Rail Road. In accordance with the terms of the Railway Labor Act, the coalition’s 3,500 members went on strike...
“Who do you trust, Wall Street or farmers?” American Farm Bureau warns public about risks of UP-NS merger
In early May, it was announced that BLET had joined the Stop the Rail Merger coalition to oppose the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. Since then, the American Farm Bureau, a member of the coalition, has launched a commercial on broadcast, cable and social media...
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Delaware & Hudson Railway
The BLET has reached a tentative three-year agreement with the Delaware & Hudson Railway. If ratified by the members, the TA would provide general wage increases only — there are no changes to work rules or health & welfare benefits. It would cover the period...
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...
Daily Headlines
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...
Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern discuss merger to create transcontinental railroad, AP source says
To be approved, any major rail merger must show it will enhance competition and serve the public interest.
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency issues warning about end-of-train device vulnerability
The federal government cybersecurity agency has issued a warning that the EOT could be vulnerable to computer hackers, especially those seeking to take control of the train’s air brake system.
Trump administration pulls $4 billion in federal funding for California’s bullet train project
Overall, a little less than a quarter of the project’s funding has come from the federal government. The rest has come from the state.
SEPTA board approves budget with 45% service cuts
“This budget will effectively dismantle SEPTA — leaving the City and region without the frequent, reliable transit service that has been an engine of economic growth, mobility, and opportunity,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer.
BLET Auxiliary: Now available: “Taking Charge,” a survival guide for railroad families
Members of the BLET Auxiliary were busy selling raffle tickets at the Daytona Beach Regional. From left: Jodi Wallace, Chris Baldwin, Kat Bisbikis, Rachel Pharris, and Natalie Miller. ____________________ Kat Bisbikis, National President of the BLET Auxiliary,...
General President Sean O’Brien highlights list of Teamster speakers during Eastern Regional Meeting
IBT General President Sean O'Brien: “Our members are changing the game. Setting the standard. Improving the lives of their fellow Teamsters all across the country.” ____________________ Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien addressed BLET members during a rousing...
Rail unions warn DOT rollbacks could jeopardize train safety
Labor concerned about potential new power to fire FRA inspectors
June 2025 RRB Q&A: Unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad employees
A new unemployment and sickness benefit year – the twelve-month period during which the RRB makes benefit payments for days of unemployment and sickness to eligible railroad employees – generally begins each July 1 and ends on June 30 of the next year.
