Members, officers, and guests at the Union Pacific-Western Lines General Committee of Adjustment’s 2026 quadrennial meeting.
Brian Carr was reelected to his third term as General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Western Lines General Committee of Adjustment (UP-WL GCA) during quadrennial meetings held September 15-16 in San Diego, Calif.
The BLET’s UP-WL GCA is comprised of 15 different BLET Divisions, representing 2,800 active and retired members from the Union Pacific and Pacific Harbor Line railroads.
Also elected were: 1st Vice General Chairman Ken Walker, Division 28 (Tucson, Ariz.); 2nd Vice General Chairman Curt Houston, Division 415 (Roseville, Calif.); 3rd Vice General Chairman Michael Hininger, Division 592 (Dalhart, Texas); Secretary-Treasurer Brian Hess, Division 5 (Los Angeles, Calif.); and Alternate Secretary-Treasurer David Meza, Division 126 (Bakersfield, Calif.). Elected to serve as Trustees were: Curt Houston, Division 415 (Roseville, Calif.); Lon Simmons, Division 660 (Los Angeles, Calif.); and Jose Covarrubias, Division 214 (Long Beach, Calif.).
BLET National President Mark Wallace addressed delegates regarding several issues of national importance, including strategic initiatives to advance the interests of BLET members nationwide. BLET First Vice President Gary Best provided the latest information on BLET’s ongoing campaign to oppose the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. BLET National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes, head of the BLET Education & Training Department, discussed plans for current and future training programs. Estes also provided an update on BLET’s growing membership numbers and financial strength.
Carr has served as General Chairman of the UP-WL GCA since 2017. He has been a member of BLET Division 692 (Tracy, Calif.) since March 1, 2000.
