BLET News
James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund begins accepting applications from sons and daughters of Teamsters for 2018
The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund is now accepting applications for 2018. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2018.
Registration continues for February’s LM-2 class
Space remains for the BLET Education and Training Department’s upcoming class for Secretary-Treasurers who file LM-2 reports for their General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), Division or State Legislative Board. The class will be held in San Diego, California, from February 13-15, 2018.
Space remains for S-T training class in January
A limited number of spaces remain for the BLET Education and Training Department’s upcoming training class for Secretary-Treasurers. The class will be held at the BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio, from January 22-25, 2018.
BLET distributes gifts from Perrien Fund in Hurricane Harvey relief effort
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the BLET’s National Division Advisory Board approved an expansion of its Gary Perrien Fund to provide financial assistance to members living in Texas and Louisiana who had suffered losses from the storm. Thanks to the generosity of BLET members and officers, the Perrien Fund raised more than $91,000, which was distributed to impacted members in the days before Christmas.
“Be Strong:” International rail organizations extend solidarity, condolences following Amtrak crash in Washington State
Three international rail worker Organizations have sent letters of solidarity, support and sympathy to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National Division, its members and the victims of the fatal December 18 Amtrak derailment near Tacoma, Wash.
BLET to hold ST workshop for LM-2 filers
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a workshop for all Secretary-Treasurers who file LM-2 reports for their General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), Division or State Legislative Board. This workshop will be held in San Diego, California, from February 13-15, 2018.
BLET President’s statement regarding Dec. 18 Amtrak derailment in Washington State
The following is a statement by Dennis R. Pierce, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), regarding the fatal Amtrak derailment in Washington State on December 18, 2017
BLET Action Alert: Republican tax bill on track to put Railroad Retirement Unemployment & Sickness benefits in the siding
The Republican tax bill currently working its way through the House and the Senate could have a devastating impact on Railroad Retirement Unemployment and Sickness Benefits, according to analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the General Counsel of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). All active and retired BLET members and their families are urged to contact their Senators and Representatives immediately and urge them to vote “No.” A vote is expected to take place next week.
NCFO members ratify new collective bargaining agreement
The National Conference of Firemen & Oilers, SEIU (NCFO), a partner union of the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG), announced on December 13 that its members have ratified the new national agreement with the nation’s major freight railroads. The NCFO is one of five CBG unions to ratify the pact.
43 BLET families win Hoffa scholarships in 2017, including nine $10,000 winners
Forty-three BLET families were winners of scholarships from the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2017, including nine $10,000 scholarship winners. The $10,000 awards are the highest honor bestowed by the Hoffa scholarship fund.
Open enrollment ends December 14 at midnight for Aflac Critical Illness and Accident benefits
As a reminder, Open Enrollment for the new BLET Aflac Critical Illness and Accident benefits — first announced on September 6, 2017 — will conclude at midnight tomorrow, Thursday, December 14, 2017. All active members are eligible for the new benefits.
BLET to host S-T training class in January 2018
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a training class for Secretary-Treasurers from January 22-25, 2018, at the BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio.
SMART TD ratifies new collective bargaining agreement
Members of the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART TD), a partner union of the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG), announced on December 1 that its members have ratified the new national agreement by a nearly 4-to-1 margin.
BLET members ratify national contract
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC).
Signalmen become second CBG union to ratify new national agreement
Yesterday, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), a partner union of the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG), announced that the union’s members had ratified the new national agreement.
ATDA ratifies the national mediated collective bargaining agreement
The American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA), a partner union of the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG), announced on November 27, 2017, that nearly two-thirds of its members voted for ratification of the national mediated collective bargaining agreement.
CP Rail members urged to vote YES on Tentative National Agreement
The following is a letter from General Chairman Pete Semenek, CP Rail-US/Metra North/Indiana Southern RR/DM&E GCA, to his Local Chairmen, urging them and all GCA members to vote in favor of the Tentative National Contract.
Thanksgiving 2017
By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President As we approach Thanksgiving, I ask our membership to join me in thanking those who are away from their families at this special time of year.
Can you spare less than two minutes to vote?
The following is a statement from BLET Missouri State Legislative Board Chairman Brian Kelley in support of the Tentative National Agreement.
Duplicate ratification ballot schedule for Thanksgiving weekend
Voting continues on the question of approving the Tentative National Agreement until 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, November 30th. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the National Division Office will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th.
Daily Headlines
AAR: North American rail volume down through 21 weeks
For the week ending May 27, 2023, U.S. Class I railroads hauled a total of 480,998 carloads and intermodal units, falling 4.8% compared with the same week last year.
NTSB: Critical hot box detector warning wasn’t heard before May 10 NS derailment
The 164th car of a Norfolk Southern train triggered a critical hot box detector alert before a May wreck in Pennsylvania, but the train continued on its journey for 15.34 miles before derailing because neither the crew nor the railroad’s network operations center received the warning that would have required the train to stop immediately, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report released today.
CEO Shaw says NS is “going to be the gold standard in safety”
“I’m taking it personal. We’re going to be the gold standard in safety in the rail industry,” Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw said at the North American Rail Shippers annual conference in Chicago last week.
STB issues draft environmental assessment for UP’s proposed new rail line in Mesa, Arizona
The Surface Transportation Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) today issued a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed construction of a new rail line in Mesa, Arizona by Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP).
A look back at the first transcontinental railroad
The Pacific Railway Act of 1862 was enacted by President Abraham Lincoln to garner federal support for construction of the transcontinental railroad. While B&O Railroad was the first commercial transportation by rail in 1827, connecting Chicago to the East Coast, there still was not a direct connection completely west.
Q&A: Unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad employees
The RRB has prepared a list of questions and answers to describe these benefits, their eligibility requirements, and how to apply for and claim them.
FRA proposes rules for certifying train dispatchers, signal employees
The Federal Railroad Administration is proposing rules to formalize the certification process for two groups of craft employees working on U.S. freight railroads.
DOT Secretary says rail safety is still a big concern
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is ramping up pressure on the country’s largest freight railroads to improve safety after a series of high-profile derailments.
GAO Blog: Freight rail safety and the potential impact of long trains
Some recent derailments and other rail incidents have had something in common: they involved longer freight trains.
Editorial: State legislation an engine for safer rails
Pennsylvania’s House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee gave 19-2 approval to House Bill 1028.
