BLET

BLET Logs Four Tentative Agreements, One Ratified Contract

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reported reaching tentative agreements with Canadian Pacific’s Soo Line, Kansas City Southern (KCS), Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (DM&E), and Union Railroad; and unanimously ratifying a new collective bargaining agreement with Illinois Railway.

From left to right: Bi-State Development President & CEO Taulby Roach; Bi-State Development Board Chairman Herbert Simmons; IBEW Local 2 Business Manager Ken Pebbles; and IBEW Local 309 Asst. Business Manager Mark Link
  • News

Labor Briefs: IBEW, BLET

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) has secured a new labor contract with the Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners. Also, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached tentative contract agreements with the South Buffalo Railway Company (SBRR) and the Illinois Railway (IR).

Commentary

Socialists Eyed in BLET Prez Loss

Dennis R. Pierce is out as President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) following his election defeat by Edward A. Hall, who will take office Jan. 1. Although an

Pierce Out as BLET President (Updated)

Official as of Dec. 17, three days after his opponent—Edward A. Hall—declared victory, Dennis R. Pierce is out as President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) following 12 years

(Photograph Courtesy of MTA Long Island Rail Road)

BLET Ratifies New LIRR Contract

Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) on Dec. 7 ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement with MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).

SMART-TD Says “No”; BLET Ratifies (UPDATED Nov. 22)

Conductors and yard workers represented by the Transportation Division of International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD)—who constitute almost the full 30% of unionized rail employees bargaining over

Commentary

Rail Labor Update: A FUBAR Lurks

Although six of 12 rail labor unions have ratified amendments to contracts setting wages, benefits and work rules on most Class I railroads and many smaller ones, two unions—the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) and Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the Teamsters Union (BMWED)—have rejected the tentative deal, creating a likelihood of a nationwide rail work stoppage as early as November 19.

MRL helper locomotives assist at the rear end of a BNSF grain train climbing Bozeman Pass, west of Livingston, Mont. (Photo and caption by Bruce Kelly)

BLET: BNSF-MRL Implementing Agreements Ratified

An “overwhelming majority” of participating Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) members have ratified an implementing agreement and Oregon Short Line Protective Agreement with BNSF regarding its resumption of service on Montana Rail Link (MRL), BLET reported.