BLET News

Open enrollment for the Health Flexible Spending Account Plan (FSA) 2018 benefit year runs from October 1 through October 31, 2017. Members must enroll in the Health FSA every year — FSA enrollment is not automatic each year so interested members should act soon so they do not miss out on enrollment for the 2018 Plan Year.

On September 14, BLET member Shane T. McDonald of Division 46 (Albany, N.Y.) was severely injured in a CSX yard accident near Syracuse, N.Y., and a GoFundMe account has been established to help him and his family with medical and living expenses.

If you are a union member who participates in certain Union Plus programs and have been affected by Hurricane Irma, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant program.

The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is hosting four rail worker training sessions in the coming months. The dates are as follows: November 12-17, 2017; January 7-12, 2018; February 11-16, 2018; and March 18-23, 2018.

By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President The story of the growth of our Nation — the expansion of 13 Eastern Seaboard states from sea to shining sea — is the story of infrastructure. It is the story of inland waterways, like the Erie Canal, and the Transcontinental Railroad. It is the story of the federal highway system of nearly a century ago, and the interstate highway system created during the 1950s. And it is the story of the Hoover Dam and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

BLET today announced the availability of three new, optional, member-owned benefits available to all active BLET members. These benefits include Universal Life Insurance with Long-Term Care (LTC) benefits underwritten by Trustmark Insurance Company as well as Group Accident Insurance and Group Critical Illness Insurance underwritten by Aflac. These new insurance offerings are intended to help members build financial protection for their families through affordable voluntary benefits.

If you are a union member who participates in certain Union Plus programs and have been affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant program1.

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is reminding rail employees out of work due to Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath that they may qualify for unemployment benefits. To determine eligibility or file claims for benefits, affected railroaders should call the RRB’s toll-free telephone number (1-877-772-5772) or visit its website at www.rrb.gov.

By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President With the Labor Day holiday upon us, it is an appropriate time to recognize unions for all they do for American workers and the nation’s economy.

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa has directed international union staff to provide all necessary support to members impacted by Hurricane Harvey and the resulting floods.

The BLET National Division is pleased to announce the dates and locations of its 2018 regional meetings: June 18-22 in Monterey, California; and August 13-17 in Washington, D.C.

More than 360 members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and their families convened here this morning for opening ceremonies of the BLET’s second regional meeting of 2017.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules for nearly 500 locomotive engineers.