BLET News
BLET to mark 156th anniversary on May 8, 2019
On May 8, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) will proudly marked its 156th anniversary. The union was founded as the Brotherhood of the Footboard on May 8, 1863 in Marshall, Mich. In 1864, the union changed its name to Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE), the name it retained for 140 years until merging with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Jan. 1, 2004, when it became the BLET. The BLET is the oldest labor union in the Western Hemisphere.
Hotel reservation deadline is May 22 for BLET regional meeting in St. Louis
As a reminder, the deadline to make hotel reservations is May 22 for the BLET regional meeting at the Hilton at the Ballpark in St. Louis, Mo. The regional meeting will be held June 24-28, 2019, and the last day to register for the meeting is May 22.
Workers Memorial Day 2019
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Each year on April 28, unions including the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) recognize Workers Memorial Day and remember American workers who were injured or killed in on-the-job accidents. We commemorate and honor these workers and renew the fight for safe workplaces.
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.
Gary Pedigo re-elected Texas State Legislative Board Chairman
The BLET’s Texas State Legislative Board held its 15th quadrennial meeting from April 7-11, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Brother Gary R. Pedigo, BLET Division 177 (Denison, Texas), was reelected to his second term as Chairman.
Former General Chairman Bill Hausleiter, 1947-2019
Former BLE General Chairman William G. (“Bill”) Hausleiter, Jr. passed away at the age of 72 on April 16. He was the inaugural General Chairman of the Amtrak General Committee of Adjustment when it was first established in the mid 1980s.
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.
Minimum crew size bill awaits vote in Washington State Senate
The BLET Washington State Legislative Board, in conjunction with the SMART-TD Washington Legislative Board, has been lobbying the Washington State Legislature in support of legislation that would require two qualified crew members on trains operating in the state of Washington. Recently, this legislation (HB 1841) passed the State Assembly and will soon be voted on by the State Senate.
BLET member killed in off-duty accident
BLET member Rene Ramos, President of Division 350 in Kingsville, Texas, was killed in an automobile accident while on his way home from work on April 7, 2019. He was 50 years old.
Train crew bill A.B. 337 brings back what Nevada already had
All day, every day, through cities, rural areas and everywhere in between, in Nevada as well as around our country, freight trains are rolling. In many cases, they’re the only practical way to safely transport hazardous chemicals, oil, hazardous waste, consumer goods, and vehicles to their intended destinations. That hasn’t changed for years.
Two-person crew bill introduced in Ohio House
A comprehensive railroad safety bill that would require two employees to work on freight trains was introduced in the State of Ohio’s House of Representatives in early April.
Deadlines approaching for BLET regional meeting in St. Louis
As a reminder, registration is ongoing for the BLET regional meeting at the Hilton at the Ballpark in St. Louis, Mo., June 24-28, 2019. The deadline to make hotel reservations is May 2, and the last day to register for the regional meeting is May 22.
Former BLET District Chairman Sonny Kertesz, 1940-2019
Former BLET District Chairman John W. “Sonny” Kertesz passed away on February 18, 2019, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 79 years old.
BLET legislative chairmen conclude 44th annual meeting
Members of the BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC) concluded their 44th annual meeting on March 27, 2019, in San Diego, Calif.
Former BLET General Chairman Danny Knorek, 1947-2019
Daniel M. (Danny) Knorek, former General Chairman of the CSX Northern Railroad Lines General Committee of Adjustment, passed away on April 1, 2019 with Cheryl, his wife of 49 years, by his side. He was 71 years old.
Precision Scheduled Railroading: Short Term Gains at What Cost?
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Much is being made in the railroad industry and other transportation media about the Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) wildfire sweeping from coast to coast. Proponents of PSR will tell you that it will prove to be the industry’s savior. But it also begs the following question; just what does the industry need to be saved from?
2018 BLET Bylaws available online
An electronic copy of the 2018 edition of the BLET Bylaws is now available in the Members Area of the Brotherhood’s website.
BLET reaches tentative agreement with Louisville & Indiana
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with the Louisville & Indiana Railroad (LIRC). Ballots were mailed today to active members of the BLET employed by LIRC who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.
Large U.S. rail unions announce national two-person crew legislation
Two large railroad unions in the United States have pledged their joint support for the Safe Freight Act legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska).
Two-person crew bill becomes law in Colorado
Colorado Governor Jared S. Polis signed a two-person crew bill into law on March 21, signifying a significant boost to railroad safety in the state.
Daily Headlines
New rule would make all railroads alert first responders within 10 miles of derailed train cargo
The Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposed a new rule Wednesday that would require all railroads to immediately send the details of everything aboard their trains to every emergency responder within 10 miles, as soon as the railroad becomes aware of an accident.
The unfinished business of East Palestine
Four months after a Norfolk Southern train carrying a toxic cocktail of hazardous materials derailed there, East Palestine, Ohio, is back in the news.
Investigation begins after autonomous ore train derails in Australia
Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has begun an investigation after 30 cars of one of its autonomous iron ore trains derailed Saturday.
BNSF preps for intermodal growth via West Coast ports
BNSF Railway Co. is prepared for increasing intermodal volume through U.S. West Coast ports now that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) have reached a tentative labor agreement, the railroad announced late last week.
Norfolk Southern fights federal, state penalties over East Palestine derailment
Norfolk Southern Railroad is opposing efforts by the federal government and the State of Ohio to recoup the costs of cleaning up hazardous materials left following the derailment of one of their trains in East Palestine on February 3, 2023.
Second body found in locomotive at UP’s Bailey Yard in North Platte
Deputies located a badly decomposing male body in a small compartment used to house a fire extinguisher, on the rear of the engine. Investigators saw no signs of foul play.
STB’s Oberman responds to AAR complaints about RETAC meeting
Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin Oberman late last week responded to concerns raised by the Association of American Railroads about subjects discussed at the spring 2023 meeting of the board’s Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC).
NS trains blocked intersection in South Carolina 50 times in two months, each time for hours or days at a time
One intersection in Greenville was blocked 50 times in April and May, with some trains blocking traffic for hours or days at a time.
Carmen’s union, BNSF seek expansion of test program for brake monitoring
The Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Division has joined with BNSF Railway to support an effort to further use of technology analyzing the health of railcar brake systems.
Amtrak, BNSF seek closure of Seattle street for yard expansion
Amtrak and BNSF Railway are asking the city of Seattle to close a section of a street near the Seattle Mariners’ ballpark in the city’s Sodo neighborhood to expand the passenger carrier’s maintenance facility and eliminate a busy grade crossing.
