July 13, 2026 | FRA, News, NS, Top News
The BLET is opposing a Norfolk Southern request to waive safety standards governing refresher training for its transportation employees. BLET National President Mark Wallace filed formal comments in a June 29 letter to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). As... July 11, 2026 | News, Regional Meetings, Top News
We will be reporting to you next week from New Orleans, the site of the BLET’s Western Regional Meeting. Last-minute registrations for meals and events will be accepted online or in person at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside as late as Tuesday morning, July 14. Open... July 11, 2026 | News, NS, STB, Top News, UP
Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific appear to have purposefully left out critical information on the affect that the proposed merger would have on workers – if approved. Instead of listing the information publicly as they did in their past two applications, they... July 9, 2026 | News, Tentative Contract, Top News
Ballots were mailed last week to BLET members for voting on a tentative agreement with the South Buffalo Railway Company (SBRR). If ratified by the members, the tentative contract would provide significant economic and quality-of-life enhancements. The TA governs... July 8, 2026 | Historic/Steam, News, Top News
American railroads and railroad workers proved vital to the Allied victory during World War II, both at home and abroad. At home, U.S. railroads — with BLET members at the throttle — carried 90 percent of all military freight and 97 percent of all military passenger... July 7, 2026 | Contract Agreement, News, Organizing, Top News
Railroad workers at Watco, who joined the BLET to gain collective bargaining rights, have overwhelmingly ratified their first-ever contract. This marks a significant milestone for BLET-represented employees at the formerly non-union railroad. Prior to selecting BLET... July 6, 2026 | Contract Agreement, News, Top News
BLET members last week unanimously ratified a new six-year contract with Keolis/Virginia Railway Express (VRE). The agreement runs from July 1, 2026, through June 29, 2031 and provides a strong wage package along with meaningful quality of life improvements. Amtrak... July 6, 2026 | News, Railroad Retirement, Top News
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA), which provides qualified railroad workers with unemployment benefits when they become unemployed but are ready, willing, and able to work, and sickness benefits when they... July 5, 2026 | News, Regional Meetings, Top News
With the deadline for room reservations just under a month away, BLET members and guests are encouraged to register now for the BLET’s Eastern Regional Meeting in Chicago. The deadline for room reservations is July 24, and the meeting will take place August 24-28 at... July 2, 2026 | Historic/Steam, News, Top News
Editor’s Note: As America approaches its 250th birthday this year, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is marking its 163rd anniversary. In recognition of these historic milestones, BLET, the oldest labor union in North America, is examining... 