|
|
|
Follow the BLET online and stay up-to-date on all the latest union news and information.
Click the icons below to visit the BLET's social media pages and website.
|
|
| Safety compromised: PSR strikes again at Union Pacific |
|
 |
| A byproduct of PSR: FRA inspectors found an alarming number of defects on Union Pacific locomotives and rolling stock after a safety audit this summer |
|
|
On September 8, the Federal Railroad Administration sent a blistering letter to the Union Pacific Railroad regarding the alarming number of defects found in UP’s locomotives and railcars following a recent safety audit. In the letter, FRA Administrator Amit Bose not only expressed concern over the defects, he also questioned the railroad’s seeming reluctance and inability to fix the problems due to furloughs and manpower shortages.
According to BLET National Vice President Randy Fannon, the problems flagged by the FRA are a natural byproduct of the business model known as Precision Scheduled Railroad, or PSR. In an interview with ProPublica, Fannon said:
“Until these railroads say they are done with PSR, this is what we're going to get. There's no community safe from these defects and dangerous situations. UP will have their East Palestine soon unless they correct these issues and return to a normal maintenance program.”
Also in his September 8 letter to UP, Administrator Bose questioned whether the recent layoffs of 94 locomotive craft employees and 44 carmen across the railroad left UP without enough people to complete the necessary repairs. Bose said the railroad “has not displayed a sense of urgency to improve locomotive and car conditions.”
|
|
| Opinion: When will Class I’s fulfill their C3RS commitment? |
|
|
"After the East Palestine derailment, all the Class I’s committed to participate in the current, NASA-run close call reporting program. The U.S. Department of Transportation, its employees and the American public are anxiously awaiting fulfillment of that commitment.”
— Retired BLET Vice President Bill Keppen
|
|
|
More than seven months after Norfolk Southern’s massive chemical spill and fire in East Palestine, Ohio, the rail industry continues to renege on its promise to improve safety by joining the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS). The BLET has publicly called out the Class I railroads for their apparent preference to discipline workers rather than take their confidential input regarding safety improvements. Now, a retired BLET Vice President has added his voice to the mix, urging the industry to keep its word.
With almost 50 years of experience in the rail industry as a locomotive engineer, union officer, and safety advocate, former BLET Vice President Bill Keppen is an authority on safety. He was an architect of early C3RS programs and an early participant in the RSAC process. In a recent opinion column that appeared on industry publication Railway Age’s website, Brother Keppen wrote:
“Are Class I railroads, through the AAR, raising a plausible defense for not participating in close call reporting? Or is it an implausible defense? Only time will tell… After the East Palestine derailment, all the Class I’s committed to participate in the current, NASA-run close call reporting program. The U.S. Department of Transportation, its employees and the American public are anxiously awaiting fulfillment of that commitment.”
In his message, Brother Keppen wrote that he has limited interest in commenting on railroad industry matters following his retirement, but that he was compelled to respond to an August 24 letter from the Association of American Railroads explaining their reasons for not joining C3RS because the letter was so off-base and out of touch with reality.
Read Brother Kepenn’s column in full here. |
|
| Gallup poll: More in U.S. see unions strengthening and want it that way |
|
On the heels of Labor Day, a new Gallup poll shows that labor unions continue to enjoy high support in the U.S., with 67% of Americans approving of them. The poll shows Americans wanting union influence to strengthen, because they believe unions are a benefit to various aspects of business and the economy.
Americans’ desire for unions to have more influence in the country has increased gradually, from a record-low 25% in 2009 to 43% today. This marks a new high in desire for union empowerment, exceeding the prior high of 39% in 2017 and 2018.
The survey also showed Americans supporting labor unions and their members in current major disputes, with 72% of Americans siding with unions in the Hollywood writers and actors strike, and 75% sympathizing more with the United Auto Workers than with U.S. auto companies in their ongoing negotiations.
The latest results are from Gallup’s annual Work and Education poll, conducted August 1-23. Read more here. |
|
| New England Central: New BLET contract provides general wage increases of 22% |
|
Earlier this week, a majority of BLET members at the New England Central Railroad (NECR) ratified a new on-property agreement governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules for approximately 40 operating employees.
The five-year deal runs through December 31, 2027, and provides general wage increases of 22% over the life of the contract (9% in 2023; 4% in 2024, 3% in 2025, 3% in 2026 and 3% in 2027). Also included is a $2,000 signing bonus.
The negotiating team consisted of NECR General Chairman Kevin Moore, Division 521 Local Chairman Kevin Cullanine, assigned National Vice President Randy Fannon, and now-retired National Vice President Mike Twombly.
“The committee is very proud of all the hard work that went into negotiating this agreement,” General Chairman Moore said.
A Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary, the New England Central Railroad runs from the US/Canada border through Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut to the New London, Connecticut on Long Island Sound. |
|
| Iowa: Working hard to grow the BLET PAC Fund |
|
 |
| Contributing to the BLET PAC Fund: BLET State Chairman Mike Walker (left) presents Corey Ryman of Div. 125 a gold BLET watch and certificate in recognition of his recurring donation of $50 per month to the BLET PAC Fund. |
|
State Chairman Mike Walker and members of the Iowa State Legislative Board have been hard at work this year signing up new members to voluntarily contribute to the Brotherhood’s Political Action Committee Fund (BLET PAC Fund). Last week, Brother Walker presented a gold BLET watch and certificate to Brother Corey Ryman of Division 125 (Clinton, Iowa) in recognition of his generous, recurring donation of $50.00 per month.
“Voluntary contributions to the BLET PAC Fund help to make the union’s voice heard at the state, local, and national levels,” said Vince Verna, BLET Vice President and National Legislative Representative. “I thank Brother Ryman for his generosity, and I also thank Brother Walker and the officers of the Iowa State Legislative Board for their dedication to growing the BLET PAC Fund.”
Anyone with questions about the BLET PAC Fund should contact their Division Secretary-Treasurer, State Legislative Board Chairman, or call the BLET’s National Legislative Office at: (202) 624-6800. |
|
| Over 1,000 members! Please join the BLET’s private Facebook group today |
|
| In August, the BLET National Division launched a new private Facebook group for members-only, which this week surpassed 1,000 members. Active and retired members are welcome to join (but company officials are not eligible). We encourage you to send Facebook invitations to your fellow BLET friends to help the group continue to grow. Members wishing to participate in a protected, private group setting are strongly encouraged to join the members-only private Facebook group. |
|
| Education & Training: Secretary-Treasurers complete workshop |
|
 |
| Attendees and instructors at the Secretary-Treasurer workshop helped to dedicate the brand new flag pole installed at BLET National Division headquarters on September 14, 2023. |
|
|
This week, the BLET National Division hosted approximately 25 Division Secretary-Treasurers and SLB S-Ts for a training class at National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio. The in-depth training covered UnionTrack (the BLET’s system for membership reporting), proper recordkeeping techniques, methods for filing various Department of Labor and Railroad Retirement reports, and other important duties specific to the Secretary-Treasurer position.
BLET National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes, who heads the BLET Education & Training Department, said: “Congratulations to the Brothers and Sisters who successfully completed training this week, and thank you for your dedication to our Brotherhood.”
Please visit our Photo Gallery to see photos from this workshop.
|
|
| Obituary: Retired BLET General Chairman Dennis Penning |
|
Retired BLET General Chairman Dennis “Denny” E. Penning, who served the Union Pacific-Central Region GCA for many years, passed away on September 7, 2023. He was 75 years old.
Brother Penning hired out on the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1967 and earned promotion to locomotive engineer in 1971. Shortly thereafter he joined the BLET where he assumed a leadership role within the organization. During his tenure as General Chairman, he was involved in the handling of two historic railroad mergers: the C&NW merger with the UP, and the UP-Southern Pacific merger. He negotiated agreements that still to this day benefit the hard-working BLET members running trains for the UP. His widow, Debbie, continues to serve the BLET as office manager of the UP-Central Region GCA.
A celebration of life will be held on September 22, 2023. Brother Penning’s full obituary is available here. |
|
|
|
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen · 7061 East Pleasant Valley Road · Independence, OH 44131 · USA
|
|
|
|
|
