April 9, 2026 | News, NS, Teamsters Rail Conference, Top News, UP
On April 7, leaders of the Teamsters Rail Conference met in New York City with Wall Street analysts and investors who study the Class I railroad industry to discuss potential ramifications of the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger and the Teamsters Rail...
April 9, 2026 | Education and Training, News, Short Line, Top News
The BLET Education & Training Department hosted its first workshop specifically for Grievance Chairmen representing BLET short line members on Saturday, March 28. A Saturday was selected as it is the day most short line members are off duty. Approximately a dozen...
April 7, 2026 | News, Railroad Retirement, Top News
Due to ongoing budget constraints, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is unable to conduct pre-retirement seminars in-person this year. These critical seminars help promote a better understanding of the sometimes-complicated RRB benefit programs. In the absence of...
April 6, 2026 | News, Railroad Retirement, Top News
A lack of funding to support the administrative functions of the Railroad Retirement Board has severely hampered the agency’s ability to operate. As an example of this, the waiting period for some RRB disability claims now extends beyond 400 days. The BLET National...
April 4, 2026 | News, Top News
February was a difficult time for Brother Scott Alexander, General Chairman of the BLET’s Union Pacific-Southern Region General Committee of Adjustment. Alexander had just lost his mother and was at his parents’ house making funeral arrangements with extended family...
April 4, 2026 | Health & Welfare, News, Top News
Expecting a baby? The National Railroad Plans – Health & Welfare Benefits covers unlimited access to Maven, a virtual personal health platform designed to help BLET members and their families navigate maternity and newborn care. It is one of several benefits...
April 3, 2026 | News, Railroad Safety, Top News
BLET National President Mark Wallace in a letter-to-the-editor challenged a hit piece published as a guest editorial in The Washington Post. The commentary written by an executive at the advocacy group Advancing American Freedom attacks Vice President J.D. Vance for...
April 2, 2026 | News, SLB Elections, Top News
Seated (left to right): Rob Majchszak, Div. 850; Chris Smith, Div. 920; B.J. Trumble, Chairman; Bryan Marenger, Div. 185; and Dominic DeSanto, Div. 1. Standing (left to right): Tim Coppess, Div. 33; Ryan Morris, Div. 2; Jason Carrier, Div. 122; Lee Lovelette, Div. 19;...
April 1, 2026 | Contract Negotiations, News, Tentative Contract, Top News
BLET members are continuing to vote on two tentative agreements: one with the Utah Central Railway and another with the Tacoma Municipal Belt Railway (Tacoma Rail). Eligible members who have not received a ratification packet by this time should immediately request a...
April 1, 2026 | News, Organizing, Top News
The BLET held an inaugural meeting for its newest members at the Austin Western Railroad on March 21, less than a month after securing an organizing win at the Texas-based short line railroad. National Vice President James Logan Jr., BLET’s Director of Organizing, and...
