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BLET WEEKLY NEWS RECAP 07-06
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Union Pacific: The results are in — BLET/UP quality of life agreement ratified by 90% of Divisions
The six BLET General Chairmen reported on June 29 that 90% of BLET Divisions representing locomotive engineers on Union Pacific ratified a momentous agreement that enhances the quality of life for those locomotive engineers and their families by making it possible for them to have more predictable schedules.
The agreement provides locomotive engineers in unassigned service scheduled rest days and predictable work schedules (being available for 11 days, followed by 4 days off) along with other work/rest models. The parties expect to implement the new work/rest schedules within the next year across the system.
The General Chairmen and their General Committee Officers would like to thank their members for ratifying this industry-changing agreement that will greatly augment their quality of life. They further state, “We will continue to negotiate meaningful improvements to the working conditions for the members we represent.”
Additionally, the General Chairmen thanked BLET First Vice President Mark Wallace and National Vice President Gary Best for their assistance in this endeavor. |
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Get involved: Join us at the BLET Eastern Regional Meeting in Myrtle Beach, August 14-18
Brothers and Sisters,
I want to express my gratitude following our Western Regional Meeting in Milwaukee and thank those who attended. You are the Union, and I was pleased to host your meeting.
I invite everyone to our Eastern Regional Meeting at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort in August. Myrtle Beach is a great place for a family vacation. The meeting will begin with a welcome reception on the evening of Monday, August 14th. Those planning to attend are asked to make hotel reservations as soon as possible.
Our Education and Training Department is being revamped, and it’s a great time to attend a Local Chairman, Secretary-Treasurer, or Legislative Representative workshop. This year’s Eastern Regional Meeting will feature an impressive list of guest speakers at our open meeting and a members update at our closed meeting. You’ll meet your Advisory Board and numerous General Chairmen.
The BLET Auxiliary is also a big part of our regional meetings, giving your families access to information on how they can support the BLET. Please consider showing your support by contributing to the Auxiliary’s fundraising efforts.
You can find information for the upcoming meeting on the BLET website, and I attached a QR code to provide quick access to the website and all social media pages. Register on the website to receive News Flashes, the weekly recap, and photo galleries. You can also register for our updated golf event in Myrtle Beach.
Hope to see you there.
Fraternally,
Eddie
Click here for registration and information for Myrtle Beach Regional Meeting
Click here for BLET Social Media Links |
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Norfolk Southern: BLET says “safety experts are working every day in the cab,” and something is wrong when railroad’s consultants have little or no knowledge of railroads
Earlier this year, Norfolk Southern announced the hiring of a nuclear power expert, Atkins Nuclear Secured, to advise the railroad on its safety culture. This action, perhaps well-intentioned, concerned rail unions — BLET in particular — due to the undisputed fact that the outside consultant is unfamiliar with railroads. In an interview with the Associated Press published on June 29, BLET National President Eddie Hall said: “Hiring outside consultants may sound good to investors, but the experts are working every day in the cab of the engine.” BLET and other unions say the lean operating model that Norfolk Southern and the other major freight railroads are using, known as “precision-scheduled railroading,” has made the industry more dangerous due to deep cuts in the workforce resulting in short-staffing and a delays in preventative maintenance, as well as the increased use of long train.
Visit the Associated Press website to read the full article. |
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| From left: BLET National President Eddie Hall, STB Member Robert Primus, First Vice President Mark Wallace and National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes |
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In case you missed it: Milwaukee video highlights
For those who could not attend the 2023 Western Regional Meeting in Milwaukee last month, a compilation video of speakers has been made available on the BLET National Division’s YouTube page. See remarks from National President Hall, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, BMWED President Tony Cardwell, STB Member Robert Primus, STB Chairman Martin Oberman, TTD President Greg Regan, RRB Labor Member John Bragg, FRA Senior Advisor Andrea Wohleber, and BLET Auxiliary President Kat Bisbikis.
Click here to watch the video. |
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Looking for an easy way to find news related to BLET? Visit our new Media Archive
Paid sick leave. Two person crews. Railroad safety. Long trains. PSR. Your BLET National Division officers, General Chairmen, and State Legislative Board Chairmen have conducted numerous media interviews on these issues and other important topics this year. At the request of our members and officers, links to selected articles referencing our union — which appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, and countless other local, national and international media outlets — have been compiled in one searchable, easy to navigate page on the BLET National Division website.
Please visit the BLET Media Archive today. |
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Miss an issue of the Weekly News Recap? We’ve got you covered.
In June, the BLET National Division began publishing a Weekly News Recap to keep members informed with brief items of importance to members. News Flashes are now only released for breaking news. If you missed any of our previous installments, you can find all previous Weekly New Recaps on our archive page here. |
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Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen · 7061 East Pleasant Valley Road · Independence, OH 44131 · USA
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