BLET News
BLET establishes new Short Line Department
Following through on actions taken by delegates to the BLET’s Fourth National Convention in 2018, BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce has authorized the creation of a Short Line Department at the National Division level.
RRB asking all railroaders to complete online technology survey
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is asking all active and retired railroaders to complete an online survey to help drive its future strategic plans regarding online offerings.
In the Line of Duty: Bruce A. Dominique Jr.
Brother Bruce A. Dominique Jr., a member of BLET Division 219 in Shreveport, Louisiana, was killed in a railroad accident on September 6, 2019. He was 36 years old.
Nevada AFL-CIO adopts resolution supporting two-person train crews
The Nevada State AFL-CIO adopted a safety resolution in support of Federal legislation mandating two-person train crews at its 63rd Constitution Convention in Las Vegas on August 29, 2019.
Labor Day 2019
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Unions are an important part of the fabric of our nation and their importance is acknowledged each year on Labor Day. Unionized workers built this great country, including members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
Two BLET families win 2019 Union Plus scholarships
Union Plus recently awarded $170,000 in scholarships to 108 students representing 34 unions, including two winners from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
Denson reelected Arkansas State Legislative Board Chairman
Brother D.W. (Wayne) Denson was reelected by acclamation to his second term as Chairman at the Arkansas State Legislative Board’s triennial meeting in North Little Rock, Ark., August 13-14, 2019.
BLET to host Secretary-Treasurer class in December 2019
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a training class for Secretary-Treasurers from December 8-13, 2019, at the BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio.
GTW General Chairman John Karakian elected by acclamation to eighth straight term
General Chairman John M. Karakian was reelected by acclamation to his eighth consecutive term of office at the BLET’s CN-Grand Trunk Western (GTW) General Committee of Adjustment quadrennial meeting in Novi, Mich., on August 14, 2019.
RRB announces fall/winter 2019 Pre-Retirement Seminars
The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced is schedule of Pre-Retirement Seminars for September-December 2019.
Four rail hazmat training classes available in late 2019, early 2020
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is hosting four rail worker training sessions in late 2019 and early 2020. The dates are as follows: October 20-25, 2019; January 12-17, 2020; February 2-7, 2020; and March 15-20, 2020.
Illinois governor signs two-person crew bill
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a two-person crew bill into law on August 9, becoming the third state to pass such a railroad safety bill in 2019.
Overwhelming majority ratifies new contract with SEPTA
By an overwhelming majority of more than 96 percent, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new contract with SEPTA on July 30.
Teamster 2020 survey to identify top issues
Working Americans are facing numerous challenges. Despite top line economic numbers that may look favorable, many workers’ paychecks are not growing. Add to that concerns surrounding pensions and health care benefits, and uncertainty looms for the U.S. middle class.
Psota elected BNSF/MRL General Chairman
Kent J. Psota was elected to the office of General Chairman at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe/Montana Rail Link (BNSF/MRL) General Committee of Adjustment’s 15th triennial meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 8-11, 2019.
Semenek reelected to third full term as CP Rail General Chairman
General Chairman Peter M. Semenek was reelected by acclamation at the CP Rail-U.S./Metra Northern District/Indiana Southern/Dakota Minnesota & Eastern General Committee of Adjustment’s quadrennial meeting in Las Vegas, June 10-11, 2019.
Urgent: Act Now On Two-Person Train Crews, Mexican Cross-Border Issue!
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: two-person train crews and foreign crews operating trains into the United States at the southern U.S./Mexican border.
BLET kicks off Clearwater regional meeting
More than 300 members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and their families convened here this morning for opening ceremonies of the BLET’s second regional meeting of 2019.
Fleischmann elected New York State Legislative Board Chairman
Brother William J. Fleischmann, BLET Division 752 (Rensselaer, N.Y.), was elected by acclamation to serve as Chairman of the New York State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Lake George, N.Y., July 12-13, 2019.
Victory in New Jersey
Rail Labor scored a major victory for railroad workers in New Jersey on June 26 when Governor Phil Murphy signed the “New Jersey Transit Corporation Employee Protection Act” into law. The law prohibits NJ Transit from asserting sovereign immunity to escape rail worker lawsuits under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) and other federal rail statutes.
Daily Headlines
States clamp down on freight train safety, fearing derailments and federal gridlock
Spurred on by train derailments, some states with busy criss-crossing freight railroads are pursuing their own safety remedies rather than wait for federal action amid industry opposition and questions about whether they even have authority to make the changes.
Cleanup continues as MRL, BNSF get creative detouring around collapsed bridge
Nearly a week after a bridge collapsed over the Yellowstone River at Reed Point, Mont., sending rail cars into the water below, the cleanup is well underway.
CSX, CPKC will invest in connecting their networks to increase traffic in Southeast
CSX and CPKC railroads announced a deal Wednesday that will allow them to beef up a little-used connection between their two networks in the southeastern United States to handle a significant amount of freight.
“Really big:” U.S. Supreme Court ruling against NS seen as rebuke to corporate impunity
Opponents of unmitigated corporate power celebrated Tuesday when the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Norfolk Southern’s attempt to limit where companies can be sued.
BNSF accuses health clinic of submitting false asbestos claims
A major U.S. railroad found liable for spreading hazardous asbestos that killed hundreds of people in a Montana town is trying to convince a federal jury that a local clinic submitted hundreds of asbestos claims for people who weren’t sick, earning them lifetime government benefits and bilking taxpayer funds.
Locomotive engineer warned NS about makeup and length of train prior to East Palestine derailment
A Norfolk Southern locomotive engineer who inspected the train before it derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, was rebuffed when he told a supervisor he was concerned about the train’s length and composition, according to new information released Thursday by federal investigators.
Decision to vent and burn chemicals after East Palestine derailment under scrutiny at NTSB hearing
The decision to vent and burn five train cars’ carcinogenic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, in February came under renewed scrutiny Thursday as federal investigators questioned officials in the community still reeling from the aftermath of a toxic train derailment.
Oversight Democrats say NS is stonewalling East Palestine investigation
Democrats on the House Oversight and Reform Committee issued a new request Thursday for documents from Norfolk Southern, alleging the railroad company has failed to produce documents on its derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, earlier this year.
NTSB publishes East Palestine docket
The docket (DCA23HR001) for NTSB’s investigative hearing regarding the February 3, 2023, derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train in East Palestine, Ohio, is now available on the NTSB website.
CPKC, CSX form joint venture for hydrogen locomotives
Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CSX are working together to build and deploy hydrogen locomotive conversion kits that will be used for diesel electric locomotives.
