BLET News
Plan ahead for BLET’s Washington D.C. regional meeting
The deadline for room reservations is less than three months away, but BLET members and guests are encouraged to register now for the BLET’s regional meeting at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., August 13-17, 2018. Also, registration is continuing for the BLET’s Monterey regional meeting, June 18-22, 2018.
Teamster rail unions join with Mexican union to endorse NAFTA improvements
The Teamsters’ rail conferences in the U.S. and Canada today joined with unionized Mexican freight rail workers in calling for the inclusion of language in a revamped North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that would ensure that all industry workers on the continent are treated fairly and equitably.
BLET reaches tentative contract with New England Central
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a Tentative Agreement with the New England Central Railroad (NECR) governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 35 operating employees.
Reminder: May 17 is the deadline for hotel reservations at BLET’s Monterey regional meeting
BLET members and guests attending the BLET’s regional meeting in Monterey, Calif., have just over a month to make their hotel reservations. The meeting will take place from June 18-22, 2018, and hotel reservations must be made by May 17.
BLET members ratify Amtrak contract
By better than a 9-to-1 margin, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with Amtrak on April 2, 2018.
Elections Have Consequences – the Wheeling & Lake Erie Saga
By Dennis R. Pierce, National President My last article detailed an attack by the Indiana legislature on the rights provided by the Federal Employers’ Liability Act to railroad workers who are injured or killed as a result of negligence by their railroad employer. This article is to update you on a years-old struggle being waged by 180 active BLET locomotive engineers and trainmen who work for the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway (W&LE).
Registration open for BLET’s Washington D.C. regional meeting; Monterey registration continues
Registration is now open for the BLET regional meeting at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., August 13-17, 2018, and registration continues for the BLET’s Monterey regional meeting, June 18-22, 2018.
Registration continues for BLET’s Monterey regional meeting
Registration continues for those planning to attend the BLET’s regional meeting at the Hyatt Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, Calif., June 18-22, 2018.
BLET General Committees sue to halt BNSF abrogation of contracts
Three BLET General Committees of Adjustment (GCAs) on BNSF Railway filed suit yesterday in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado to stop BNSF’s unilateral consolidation of road freight service between Denver and Cheyenne, La Junta, Pueblo, Sterling, and Trinidad; and between Trinidad and Denver/Texline.
FRA Administrator Ron Batory addresses BLET Advisory Board, State Legislative Board Chairmen
The BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC) kicked off its 43rd annual meeting in New Orleans on March 12, 2018. Ron Batory, the newly-confirmed Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), delivered remarks to the group, with the BLET’s Executive Committee and Advisory Board also in attendance.
Potential fraud alert: United Healthcare members receiving scam calls
It has been brought to our attention that some United Healthcare members have received unsolicited phone calls from Tennessee and Georgia area codes from individuals posing as United Healthcare representatives. These calls have been identified as a scam.
Registration open for BLET’s Washington D.C. regional meeting
Registration is now open for the BLET regional meeting at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., August 13-17, 2018.
Alan Holdcraft reelected BNSF (former ATSF) General Chairman
J. Alan Holdcraft was reelected by acclamation to his third term as General Chairman of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (former ATSF) General Committee of Adjustment at the GCA’s triennial meeting in San Diego, Calif.
Registration continues for BLET Legislative Representatives training class in July
Classroom slots are still available for the BLET Education & Training Department’s training class for BLET Division Legislative Representatives, which will be held in Washington, D.C. from July 10-12, 2018.
BLET reaches tentative contract with Connecticut Southern
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a Tentative Agreement with the Connecticut Southern Railroad (CSOR) governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules for operating employees.
California HSR: Successful economies demand effective transportation systems
The following is a statement by Dennis Pierce, President of the Teamsters Rail Conference, regarding the California High Speed Rail Authority’s 2018 Business Plan.
Rail hazmat training for Arizona, Western New Mexico and SE California workers
The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is hosting a training session from April 9-13, 2018. Attendance is only open to railroad employees in Arizona, Western New Mexico, and Southeastern California. Training will be held in Winslow, Ariz.
BLET reaches tentative contract with Amtrak
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a Tentative Agreement with Amtrak governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules for approximately 1,400 locomotive engineers.
Registration open for BLET’s Monterey regional meeting
Registration is now open for the BLET regional meeting at the Hyatt Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, Calif., June 18-22, 2018.
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.
Daily Headlines
Frustrations boil, tempers flare at East Palestine public health session
The hot topic of the session centered around independent testing that residents insist prove ongoing exposure to vinyl chloride and benzene.
Arson likely in fire that damaged short line bridge in Washington state
Arson is now suspected in a fire that damaged a wood trestle on the Puget Sound & Pacific Railroad last weekend, KLFD Radio reports.
FRA to conduct safety review of all major railroads
The Federal Railroad Administration will conduct safety assessments of all major U.S. railroads following the Feb. 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern operated train in Ohio, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Tuesday.
Teamsters Rail Conference wins gains, protections for members
The Teamsters Rail Conference recently notched victories in the ongoing fight to improve the lives of its members.
BLET, Union Pacific reach paid sick leave agreement
Union Pacific and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have reached a paid sick time agreement, the railroad and union announced today.
Most unionized U.S. rail workers now have new paid sick leave
Norfolk Southern became the first major North American freight railroad with deals to provide paid sick time to all of its workers Monday, but the other railroads are making progress, with nearly 65% of all rail workers securing this basic benefit since the start of the year.
House Science Committee seeks info on federal research of hazmat-by-rail safety
House Science, Space and Technology Committee members have asked the U.S. Department of Transportation for details on the research, development and technology (RD&T) efforts underway to improve the transportation of hazardous materials by rail in the aftermath of the Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Pennsylvania House passes rail safety bill
Four months after the train disaster in East Palestine, Ohio – less than a mile from the Pennsylvania border – the Pa. House on Monday voted in favor of final passage of a bill creating new state-level rail regulations.
CPKC employees will select railway’s new locomotive livery
CPKC employees will select the railway’s new locomotive livery through an online survey, a company spokesman says. The SurveyMonkey poll asks the railway’s 20,345 employees to choose one of five proposed paint schemes for CPKC locomotives.
Amtrak applies for FRA grants to fund projects on Northeast Corridor, long-distance, state-supported lines
Amtrak has submitted applications for nearly $7.3 billion in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding for 14 proposed Northeast Corridor (NEC) projects and $716 million in funding for 16 proposed projects that would improve reliability, reduce travel times and expand service on its long-distance and state-supported lines.
