BLET News

As we observe Memorial Day 2017, I ask all members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen to say a special prayer for the women and men who have given their lives serving in our military and to honor them for defending our country and our way of life.

The Teamsters Rail Conference is urging the White House to re-nominate Walter A. Barrows to a third term as Labor Member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board.

Registration continues for the BLET regional meeting at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, August 14-18, 2017. The meeting will offer numerous training classes for members and will provide them with the opportunity to hear reports from the Brotherhood’s top National Division officers.

Mark B. Kenny was reelected by acclamation to his sixth term as General Chairman at the Amtrak General Committee of Adjustment’s fourth quadrennial meeting held in San Diego, CA from May 9-12, 2017.

William P. Lyons was reelected by acclamation to the office of General Chairman of the CSX-Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment at its quadrennial meeting in Pittsburgh, Pa., that began on May 9, 2017.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract with the Indiana and Ohio Railway (I&O), governing rates of pay and work rules for approximately 50 engineers, conductors, and trainees.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) proudly marks its 154th anniversary today. 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.

By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President I believe in the union movement, and honestly believe that we are at our strongest when we convince more and more members to get involved in their union by taking an interest in our shared future.

Suddenly and tragically, a member of the BLET has passed away and left behind a wife and two young children. Brian J. Cadore, age 32, was member of BLET Division 32 (Aurora, Ill.), and the members of his Division are asking BLET members to make a charitable donation to help support his family.

By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Every year, too many American workers are injured or killed in on-the-job accidents. Countless others get sick or become disabled because of workplace exposures to hazardous materials and conditions. Each year on April 28, we recognize Workers Memorial Day to commemorate and honor these workers and renew the fight for safe workplaces.

The need for proper infrastructure funding was a key point for Vice President and National Legislative Representative John P. Tolman as he delivered testimony on behalf of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) before Congress today in Washington, D.C. Vice President Tolman’s testimony also touched upon the need to address rail worker fatigue and maintain important rail safety regulations.

BLET Vice President and National Legislative Representative John P. Tolman will deliver testimony regarding railroad safety regulations before a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. BLET members can watch the hearing through a live stream at the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee website.

Representatives from three-dozen BLET Divisions attended a Town Hall meeting in Riverside, Missouri, on March 29. BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce served as the featured speaker, along with BNSF (former ATSF) General Chairman J. Alan Holdcraft.

Registration continues for the BLET regional meeting at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk, June 5-9, 2017. The meeting will be filled with educational opportunities and will provide chances to hear reports for the Brotherhood’s top National Division officers. Hotel reservations must be made by April 28, 2017.

The Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program is hosting a training session from May 1-5, 2017. Attendance is only open to railroad employees in Arizona, Western New Mexico, and the Navajo Nation. Training will be located at the BNSF Depot, 1417 West Second St., Winslow, AZ, 86047.

Brother Eric A. Gabaldon was elected Chairman of the New Mexico State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in Albuquerque, N.M., on November 1, 2016.

By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President Everything we have today — from legal protections, to the level of wages, benefits and working conditions we enjoy today — came from the battles waged by those who founded our unions and those who followed them. These victories were not simply conceded by the railroads or the government … they were wrested from the hands of the wealthy and powerful by means of a genuine movement and a broad solidarity on the part of our predecessors.

We also urge President Trump and members of Congress to allocate enough money for improvement of rapid, frequent and dependable service and continued growth of passenger rail throughout the United States of America.

The new health care bill is expected to come to a vote on the House Floor on Thursday, March 23. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, in conjunction with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, is asking all members to distribute the following flier to let Congress know that the so-called “Cadillac tax” is unfair and unacceptable.

By Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President On May 8, 2017, we will mark our great Brotherhood’s 154th anniversary. Many things have changed since that time, but one of our primary responsibilities remains the same as it was when our Union was founded on May 8, 1863 — to protect and defend the jobs of our members.