Members of the BLET’s National General Chairmen’s Association (NGCA) engaged in strategic discussions with National Division officers, led by National President Mark Wallace and First Vice President Gary Best, on BLET’s aggressive opposition to the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger during the NGCA’s annual meeting on April 23. BLET National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes also attended and gave an update on the National Division’s financial status and membership figures.
“Outside of the UP-NS merger, we held an open discussion on cross border operations and the many other issues we face across the railroad industry,” said Rob Cunningham, General Chairman of the BNSF (former ATSF) GCA who also serves as Chairman of the NGCA. “These meetings help foster better communication through the BLET General Chairman group. We are all seeing aggressive carriers making cost cutting changes that are detrimental to our members and it is important that we are all aware of what is going on outside of our own committees.”
The NGCA meets annually for the purpose of carrying on concerted movements related to wages, working conditions, education, training, sharing pertinent information, and other important matters of general interest to BLET members. Held in New Orleans, the NGCA’s 2026 annual meeting concluded on April 23.
Click here to view a photo gallery of the NGCA annual meeting.