BLET News

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with Keolis Commuter Services (Boston) for locomotive engineers. Ballots have been mailed to active members of the BLET employed by Keolis who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.

The application process is now open for the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund””””s 2020 college and vocational scholarship programs for the sons, daughters and financial dependents of Teamsters.

By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and appreciation to all BLET members, officers and staff for their hard work and dedication throughout 2019.

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 $166,400 to $171,100 on January 1, 2020.

BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce has announced that Brian Fransen will begin serving the National Division as Coordinator of the BLET Safety Task Force (STF), effective immediately, following the retirement of long-serving Coordinator Carl W. Fields. President Pierce also announced the appointment of Bryan Aldridge to the position of Assistant Coordinator.

Brother Carl W. Fields, who served the BLET Safety Task Force for more than 25 years, retired effective October 17, 2019. His railroad career spanned more than 41 years with the Norfolk & Western Railroad and the Indiana Harbor Belt.

By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National PresidentOn Veterans Day, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen wants all of our veterans to know how grateful we are for your service to our Nation. We thank you for your contributions and sacrifices, which have made our country free and strong.

Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified two new contracts in recent weeks: one with Transit America Services Inc. (TASI) for Caltrain engineers, and one with the Louisville & Indiana Railroad (LIRC).

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with the Indiana Rail Road (INRD). Ballots were mailed today to active members of the BLET employed by INRD who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.

The BLET National Division is pleased to announce the dates and locations of its 2020 regional meetings: June 22-26 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and August 17-21 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is hosting Rail Hazmat Chemical/Emergency Response and OSHA Awareness Training Programs from November 6-10, 2019, in Albuquerque, N.M. Attendance is only open to railroad employees within 250 miles of Albuquerque and the surrounding Native American community.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is urging all members to contact their Representatives and Senators in Congress to support the union’s two most pressing legislative issues: foreign crews operating trains into the United States at the southern U.S./Mexican border, and two-person train crews.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, along with 14 other unions and union groups representing railroad and airline workers, has filed a joint lawsuit to protect workers covered by the Railway Labor Act from an anti-union rule change recently implemented by the National Mediation Board (NMB).

By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President In past President’s Messages, I have written to BLET’s Membership about the many issues that confront us in our effort to protect the interests of locomotive engineers and trainmen, as well as working class Americans in general. While my past Messages may not have presented those issues as “good news,” I am still convinced that we will prevail if we remain united. Our solidarity as BLET members, and our solidarity with other Unions that share our goals, is the key to that success.

Ronnie E. Rhodes was reelected by acclamation to his third full term as General Chairman at the Union Pacific-Central Regional General Committee of Adjustment’s quadrennial meeting in New Orleans, La., October 8-9, 2019. All other officers of the GCA were also elected by acclamation.

Jeff B. Rich of BLET Division 129 (Nashville, Tenn.) was elected by acclamation to his first full term as Chairman of the Tennessee State Legislative Board at the Board’s quadrennial meeting in Nashville, Tenn., October 4-5, 2019.

Open enrollment for the Health Flexible Spending Account Plan (FSA) 2020 benefit year runs from October 1 through October 31, 2019. Members must enroll in the Health FSA every year — FSA enrollment is not automatic each year so interested members should act soon so they do not miss out on enrollment for the 2020 Plan Year.

If you are a BLET member, retiree, spouse or dependent, and entitled to Medicare Part A and/or enrolled in Medicare Part B, you are eligible for the TEAMStar Retiree Health Program and TEAMStar Part D Prescription Drug Program (PDP). You are eligible for these programs during the open enrollment period regardless of your health history or the drugs you are currently taking.