BLET News
At U.S. House hearing, BLET President Pierce testifies for two-person crews, asks Congress to block Mexican crews from operating in U.S.
Dennis Pierce, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and President of the Teamsters Rail Conference, urged members of Congress to support a national two-person crew law and asked them to block Mexican train crews from operating in the United States during a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives today.
Former BLE First Vice President Jim McCoy, 1937-2019
Former BLE First Vice President and Alternate International President James L. McCoy passed away at the age on 81 at his home in Franklin, Tennessee, on June 17, 2019. He served the Brotherhood for many years as General Chairman of the Illinois Central General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), and was an International Vice President of the BLE from 1996 to 1999, serving as First Vice President — the union’s second highest office — from 1999 until his retirement in 2001.
President Pierce to testify before Congress on “State of the Rail Workforce”
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce will testify before the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials at a hearing titled “The State of the Rail Workforce” at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 20.
Registration continues for BLET’s Clearwater regional meeting, July 22-26, 2019
Registration is continuing for the BLET regional meeting at the Hilton Clearwater Beach hotel in Clearwater, Fla., July 22-26, 2019. The deadline to make hotel reservations and register for the regional meeting is June 23.
When Doing More with Less Poses a Threat
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President In my most recent President’s Message I wrote about the Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) phenomenon in the railroad industry, and how PSR focuses on “asset maximization” in an effort to sharply drive down operating ratio, which is the percentage of railroad revenue spent on operating costs.
Driscoll reelected Conrail SSA/CSXT-ND General Chairman
Brother Patrick T. Driscoll was reelected by acclamation to his second term as General Chairman of the Conrail SSA/CSXT-Northern District General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s quadrennial meeting in Buffalo, N.Y., May 20-21-2019.
BLET member killed in off-duty car collision
BLET Member David V. Sayson of Division 565 (Youngstown, Ohio) was killed in a off-duty automobile collision in Springfield Township, Ohio, on May 30, 2019. He was 48 years old.
John Edgar Thomson Foundation provides financial assistance to daughters of deceased railroaders
The John Edgar Thomson Foundation, a nationally recognized non-profit organization, provides limited financial assistance to daughters of deceased railroad employees.
Scott Palmer reelected Oregon State Legislative Board Chairman
Scott Palmer was reelected by acclamation to his sixth term as Chairman of the Oregon State Legislative Board at its May 22 triennial meeting in Portland, Oregon.
Final days to enroll in the BLET Short Term Disability Enhanced-Plan
Open Enrollment for the BLET’s Short Term Disability Enhanced-Plan (underwritten by Sun Life Financial) ends Friday, May 31, 2019. Those who meet the deadline will have their coverage take effect on June 1, 2019.
FRA just reduced the prospects for a safer railroad industry
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President and John Previsich, SMART TD President On Thursday, May 24, 2019, we were informed that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) had released a notice, withdrawing a 2016 notice of proposed rulemaking establishing a minimum train crew size for most rail freight operations in the United States. This news was not surprising.
Memorial Day 2019
As we observe Memorial Day 2019, I ask all members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen to say a special prayer for the women and men who have given their lives serving in our military and to honor them for defending our country and our way of life.
BLET to host Local Chairman training class, August 11-16, 2019
The BLET Education and Training Department will host a Local Chairman training class from August 11-16, 2019, at the BLET National Division headquarters and Training Center in Independence, Ohio. The class is designed to help Local Chairmen develop and hone the skills necessary to provide the best representation possible to our members.
Open enrollment for the BLET Short Term Disability Enhanced-Plan coverage
There are less than two weeks left in the open enrollment for the BLET’s Short Term Disability Enhanced-Plan underwritten by Sun Life Financial. The open enrollment will end on May 31, 2019 and those who enroll will have their coverage take effect on June 1, 2019.
Fack reelected Oklahoma State Legislative Board Chairman
Brother D. Craig Fack, a member of BLET Division 578 (Tulsa, Okla.), was reelected Chairman of the Oklahoma State Legislative Board during its quadrennial meeting held April 25-26, 2019.
BLET reaches tentative contract with M&NA
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a Tentative Agreement with the Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad (M&NA) governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules for nearly 80 operating employees.
Space remains for June 9-13 Secretary-Treasurer class
Registration is still open for the Secretary-Treasurer training class scheduled for June 9-13, 2019, at the BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio. Registration has been extended through May 31.
Dave Brown reelected Minnesota State Legislative Board Chairman
David K. Brown was reelected by acclamation to his fourth term as Chairman of the Minnesota State Legislative Board at its 28th Quadrennial Meeting in Bloomington, Minn., April 28-May 1, 2019.
Governor signs two-person crew bill in Nevada
On May 15, organized labor secured a major victory for railroad workers and safety when Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak (D) signed a two-person crew bill into law.
BLET announces new appointments to Safety Task Force
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce today announced new appointments to the BLET Safety Task Force (STF), the rail industry’s first and oldest labor-based accident investigation team. National Secretary-Treasurer Stephen J. Bruno will continue serving as Chairman of the STF, while Brother Carl W. Fields (Division 682, Hammond, Ind.) remains STF Coordinator.
Daily Headlines
Union Pacific to announce Q2 2023 results on July 26
Union Pacific Corporation will release second quarter 2023 financial and operating results on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 7:45 a.m. ET.
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending June 17, 2023
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 477,126 carloads and intermodal units, down 3.0 percent compared with the same week last year.
Norfolk Southern’s decisions made after fiery East Palestine train derailment will be examined at NTSB hearing today
Some of the key decisions made in the aftermath of February’s fiery derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in eastern Ohio will be examined at a hearing Thursday.
Opinion: Railway Safety Act will reduce threats to our communities, protect the environment
At a time when the nation’s attention to rail disasters has soared due to continued high-profile derailments, and with the likelihood that many more thousands of rail cars with hazardous materials are coming due to recent rail company mergers, it’s fair to say that not enough has been done in the past decade to prevent rail disasters.
Roundup of DOT efforts to keep communities safe and hold the rail industry accountable
Following the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, USDOT has taken steps to improve rail safety and called on Congress to pass the Railway Safety Act — working to protect communities of all sizes across the country.
AAR: Carloads up, intermodal down for week ending June 17
It’s the fourth consecutive week that U.S. carloads rose while intermodal volumes fell, and total rail traffic continued to lag 2022 levels, according to Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) reports.
2 craft unions press senators to act on rail safety bill
IAM and IBEW estimate that they represent nearly 1.4 million members across the U.S.
Florida mayors celebrate completion of higher-speed rail line connecting state
A 170-mile stretch of rail now connects Miami to Orlando as Brightline is gearing up to run 16 daily round trips between Miami and Orlando starting later this year.
Amtrak completes early construction activities on B&P Tunnel replacement program
Starting last March, Amtrak finished its early construction activities as part of its B&P Tunnel Replacement Program ahead of construction of a new Frederick Douglass Tunnel.
CPKC and Americold team up to locate cold storage facilities along rail network
Anchored by rail transportation service, the intent is to build the first facility in Kansas City, Mo. to bring together cold storage and value-added-services with expedited intermodal transportation solutions connecting key U.S. Midwest and Mexico markets.
