BLET to conduct advanced Local Chairman Workshop August 15-20
7/14/2010
The BLET Education & Training Department is seeking participants for an advanced Local Chairman Workshop scheduled for August 15-20, 2010, at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Md.

Mobilization network activated for National Division officer election initiative
7/9/2010
The BLET National Division is activating its mobilization network to launch a “get out the vote” campaign regarding the National Division officer election initiative.

GC Matt Wilson reelected by acclamation at BNSF/MRL
7/6/2010
General Chairman Matt O. Wilson was reelected by acclamation at the BNSF/MRL General Committee’s triennial meetings in Las Vegas on July 2.

Dennis R. Pierce new BLET National President; Pruitt elevated to First Vice President, Moates to Vice President
7/1/2010
Dennis R. Pierce is the new National President of North America’s senior rail labor organization. Pierce, 51, became the 23rd President in the 147-year history of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) today following the retirement of Paul T. Sorrow, whose distinguished railroad career spanned 45 years and included 38 years of dedicated service to the Brotherhood.

Pierce elected President of Teamsters Rail Conference
6/28/2010
BLET First Vice President and Alternate President Dennis R. Pierce was elected by acclamation to the office of President of the Teamsters Rail Conference on June 24 at the Rail Conference’s Quadrennial Convention in Las Vegas.

Starting today, train horns must follow maximum volume rule
6/23/2010
People who live near railroad crossings may find themselves a little less cross starting today, when trains horns must lower volume to no more than 110 decibels, measured from 100 feet.

U.S. railroads haven't closed security gaps, Teamsters Rail Conference says
6/17/2010
U.S. railroads haven’t made significant progress toward closing security gaps that put rail workers’ safety at risk, according to the Teamsters Rail Conference, which recently released the results of its latest Safe Rails/Secure America survey.

A bittersweet farewell for President Sorrow at SMA
6/15/2010
BLET members bid a bittersweet farewell to retiring National President Paul Sorrow today during opening ceremonies of the 83rd Southeastern Meeting Association (SMA) annual convention.

BNSF to replace Burlington bridge approach spans
6/11/2010
BNSF announced today it will begin work this month on replacing seven approach spans on the Mississippi River bridge at Burlington, Iowa.

Sorrow announces retirement
6/2/2010
BLET National President Paul T. Sorrow submitted a letter to National Secretary-Treasurer William C. Walpert today, advising that he is resigning the Presidency effective July 1, 2010, in order to retire.

Proposed FRA rule would ban on-duty workers from using electronic devices
5/18/2010
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced it has proposed a rule that would prohibit railroad operating employees from “improperly” using electronic devices while on duty.

BLET national bargaining underway
5/14/2010
Another round of bargaining began in 2009 to improve agreements governing BLET members throughout the nation. Negotiations for a new National Agreement have begun, and contract talks will begin later this year on Amtrak and U.S. railroads owned by Canadian National Railway.

BLET to mark 147th anniversary on May 8
5/7/2010
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) marks its 147th anniversary tomorrow. The union was founded as the Brotherhood of the Footboard on May 8, 1863 in Marshall, Mich.

Priester reelected as Western General Chairmen conclude annual meeting
4/30/2010
General Chairman Mike Priester (CP Rail-US/Metra North/Indiana Southern Railroad/DM&E Railroad) was reelected to a fourth term as Chairman of BLET’s Western General Chairman’s Association (WGCA) at meetings held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 20-22, 2010. He was elected by acclamation by the Association’s members.

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