BLET News
FRA cracks down on the cross-border train operations thanks to outreach from BLET
On Friday, December 19, on an issue of great importance to BLET members and following direct outreach from BLET National President Mark Wallace, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is cracking down on...
BLET members in Jackson, Miss. and Memphis, Tenn. combine to donate over 270 bicycles to their communities this holiday season
BLET member Daniel Palin, who belongs to the Marine Corps League, accepts the Toys for Tots trophy on behalf of BLET Division 203 members in Jackson, Miss. ____________________ Congratulations to the Brothers and Sisters of BLET Division 203 (Jackson, Miss.) and...
New Jersey: Merry Christmas from BLET Division 601
In the cab of Conrail’s 2025 Santa Train, from left: Chris Barany, his children Cordelia and Christopher, Phil Burgos, and conductor Gene Zebrowski. _____________________ The members of Division 601 helped spread holiday cheer throughout North Jersey on December 20....
BLET Education & Training Dept.: Refresher courses via Zoom help Secretary-Treasurers with end-of-year requirements and new payroll application launching January 1, 2026
The BLET Education & Training Department conducted two Zoom-based Secretary-Treasurer refresher training sessions December 16-18 to help subordinate officers prepare for end-of-year requirements and to provide instruction for a new payroll application that will...
It’s on to the governor’s desk as New Jersey state legislature passes BLET-backed rail safety bill
From left: Brother Arias and Brother Vigil ____________________ A BLET-backed rail safety bill is now headed to the governor’s desk in New Jersey after an overwhelming majority of the state’s Senate and Assembly Members voted to approve the measure on the evening of...
Replacement ballots now available for BLET-NYSW contract vote
BLET members who work at the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYSW) are currently voting on a tentative agreement. Ballots will be counted on Monday, December 29. Eligible members who have not yet received a ballot should call the National Division to have...
Tentative National Agreement: Telephone hotline to request a replacement ballot opens on December 22
The dedicated voicemail line to request replacement ballots for voting on the tentative national agreement will open Monday morning, December 22. Eligible BLET members who have not received a ballot by Monday should request a replacement by calling the BLET National...
Division 269 honors retirees, presents Engineer of the Year award to Eric Ramos, at its 58th annual Dinner Dance
From left: LIRR General Chairman Gil Lang, Superintendent of Engine Service Kevin Flynn, Engineer of the Year Eric Ramos, and Division 269 President Karl Bischoff. ____________________ BLET Division 269 and the Long Island Rail Road General Committee of Adjustment...
Regulatory Win: The U.S. government cracks down on the cross-border operations of UP and CPKC
Today, on an issue of importance to BLET members and following direct outreach from BLET National President Mark Wallace, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the Federal Railroad Administration is cracking down on the cross-border train operations of both Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited. The FRA has determined that a lack of basic English language proficiency exhibited by Mexican train crews operating trains into the United States for the two railroads poses a serious safety risk.
RRB announces Tier I and Tier II tax adjustments for 2026; Also, Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles will increase
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) announced this month that the amounts of compensation subject to Railroad Retirement Tier I and Tier II payroll taxes will increase in 2026, while the tax rates on employers and employees will stay the same. The Tier I tax rate on...
New law better protects railroad workers from assault
From left: BLET New England Legislative Board Chairman Daniel Cadogan with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey at the signing ceremony. ____________________ Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed a bill into law in December that better protects the safety and...
Vice President Pete Semenek to retire, concluding his 34-year railroad career
From left: BLET President Mark Wallace congratulated Vice President Pete Semenek on his upcoming retirement during the December BLET Advisory Board meeting. Photo by Bonnie Brihan ____________________ The BLET Advisory Board held its final meeting of 2025 on December...
BLET, BMWED to oppose the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger
Today, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division representing 53 percent of the unionized workforce at the Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Corporation, announced their opposition to the...
Voting continues as BLET members consider tentative national agreement
Voting continues on the BLET’s tentative national agreement. Ballots were mailed December 5 to 12,000+ BLET members. The vote count and the announcement of the results is scheduled for Tuesday, December 30. Earlier this month the BLET wrapped up its series of nine...
James Rasnick continues proud CSX Santa Train tradition for members of BLET Division 781
Every November since the 1940s, Santa Claus trades his sleigh and reindeer for a CSX train ride through Appalachia with a member of BLET Division 781 (Erwin, Tennessee) at the controls. This year it was James Rasnick’s turn. The 26-year member of Division 781 operated...
Workers at Dakota & Iowa short line vote to join BLET
The BLET notched its 14th organizing victory since 2023 this month as a majority of workers at the Dakota and Iowa Railroad (D&I) voted to join the BLET. The National Mediation Board certified the election results on December 4. The D&I is a short line that...
GA-4600 lifetime maximum adjusted for 2026
The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit Plan (also known as ERMA or GA-46000) will increase from $202,900 to $212,800 on January 1, 2026. At the end of 2001, Labor and Management agreed on various...
ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS: Teamsters Scholarship Fund is now accepting applications for 2026
High school seniors from the Class of 2026 who are the financial dependent of a Teamster in good standing (which includes BLET and BMWED members) are encouraged to apply for financial aid from the Teamsters Scholarship Fund by April 1, 2026. Scholarships are available...
Senate Commerce Committee holds hearing for STB, NTSB nominees
Congress returned from a holiday recess last week. Prior to Thanksgiving, the Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing to consider three nominees to positions at federal agencies that have oversight of the rail industry. Richard Kloster was nominated to be a member of...
BLET members ratify new contract with SEPTA
BLET locomotive engineers who operate regional rail trains for SEPTA have ratified a new one-year contract with the transit agency. Ballots were counted on December 11. The new agreement builds upon gains achieved in the previous round of negotiations and provides a...
Daily Headlines
CSX announces Q1 2025 results
CSX Corp. announced first quarter 2025 operating income of $1.04 billion compared to $1.34 billion in the prior year period.
First phase of NJ entrance to new Gateway project rail tunnel should be done by fall
The new two-track tunnel between North Jersey and Manhattan is meant to provide more reliable service along the Northeast Corridor for NJ Transit and Amtrak riders entering and leaving Manhattan’s Penn Station.
DOT cuts planning grant for Texas high-speed rail between Dallas and Houston
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said if the private sector wants the rail line, it should cover planning costs.
SEPTA prepares for major service cuts
Facing $213 million deficit, agency releases budget calling for 45% reduction in service, 21.5% fare increase
TCRC statement on arbitration decision at CN
The new three-year contract closely resembles the status quo and includes annual 3% wage increases. The company failed to secure any concessions related to scheduling, rest, or fatigue protections.
April 2025 Q&A: Railroad Retirement Survivor Benefits
The following questions and answers describe railroad retirement survivor benefit eligibility requirements and provide benefit-related information.
Amtrak considering staff cuts, other cost-saving moves
Company says it is being ‘proactive’ in addressing outside pressures
Amtrak sidelines Horizon car fleet, leading to widespread cancellations
Corrosion issues lead to cars’ removal; Cascades, Borealis, Hiawatha operations hardest hit
Analysis: CEO’s dismissal the beginning of the end for Amtrak?
No names have yet been floated about a potential replacement for Gardner.
Amtrak CEO abruptly resigns
Gardner’s departure also arrives just weeks after billionaire Elon Musk floated the idea of privatizing Amtrak, as well as the U.S. Postal Service, at a Morgan Stanley tech conference earlier this month.
