BLET News

On January 2, 2019, the U.S. Senate confirmed the nominations of three new members to the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board: Erhard R. Chorle, Chairman; Thomas Jayne, Management Member; and Jonathan Bragg, Labor Member.

On January 1, 2019, a new Advisory Board began its four-year term of office for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). National President Dennis R. Pierce convened the Advisory Board on January 1 while retired National Vice President Gil Gore administered the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Oath of Office to all newly elected Officers. The BLET National Division term of office began on January 1, 2019, and runs through December 31, 2022.

December 28, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) overwhelmingly ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with Canadian National’s Wisconsin Central subsidiary (CN-WC). The two-year agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for over 600 members.

Effective January 1, 2019, Sun Life Financial will be replacing MetLife as the insurance carrier for The BLET’s Short-Term Disability Program (“STD Program”). Sun Life Financial (located at One Sun Life Executive Park, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481) is one of America’s leaders in group insurance plans and holds an A+ (“Superior”) ranking from A.M. Best.

On December 27, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern Railway (CF&E). The agreement governs rates of pay, benefits and work rules for about 40 members.

The 2019 application process for the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund (JRHMSF) is now open. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2019.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached two tentative agreements with the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway (W&LE) — one for the craft of locomotive engineer and one for the craft of trainman. The proposed agreements govern work rules, rates of pay, and health & welfare issues for approximately 75 locomotive engineers and over 130 trainmen.

Brother Tim M. Laveing was elected by acclamation to serve as Chairman of the BLET’s Pennsylvania State Legislative Board at its fourth quadrennial meeting in Hershey, Pa., on September 10, 2018.

Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen proudly worked as crew members aboard the special Union Pacific funeral train for President George H.W. Bush yesterday.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern Railway (CF&E). Ballots were mailed yesterday to active members of the BLET employed by CF&E who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with Canadian National’s Wisconsin Central (CN-WC) subsidiary.

The final open enrollment of 2018 for the BLET’s Short-Term Disability On-The-Job (Part B) insurance ends on November 30, 2018. Those who enroll will have their coverage take effect on December 1, 2018.

United Healthcare is conducting open enrollment throughout November and December 2018 for former railroad employees and their families under the GA-23111 plan. Additionally, there is also an open enrollment period for those covered under plan GA-46000 and are eligible to apply for coverage under GA-23111 Plan E. The effective date for this open enrollment is January 1, 2019.

By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President At Thanksgiving, I ask our membership to join me in a moment of reflection for those who are away from their families at this special time of year. Let us remember our service men and women, who are fighting overseas or are stationed at military bases throughout the world. Let us also remember our own BLET Brothers and Sisters, who are sitting in the cab of a locomotive or in a hotel instead of at the Thanksgiving dinner table with their families.

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 $162,500 to $166,400 on January 1, 2019.

Every BLET member in the State of Ohio and their family members are urged to immediately contact their State Representative regarding House Bill 53. HB 53 is a divisive piece of legislation that would force Ohio’s public sector employees into a right-to-work situation, despite the fact that Ohio residents overwhelmingly opposed similar legislation by referendum vote in 2011.

By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President For more than 155 years, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has proudly welcomed our fighting men and women home, and back to work. And on this Veterans Day, the BLET wants all of our veterans to know how thankful we are for your service to our Nation.