USDOT proposes new drug testing procedure
8/13/2008
If you’re a transportation employee undergoing return-to-duty or follow-up drug testing, the U.S. Department of Transportation wants to literally have someone watch you give a urine sample. The unions don’t like this new rule, and neither does at least one railroad.

FRA, unions unveil 'risk reduction' safety program
8/13/2008
Yesterday, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and rail labor unions launched the Risk Reduction Program (RRP), a "risk-based approach" to identifying and correcting safety issues.

15 BNSF train cars derail in Nebraska
8/6/2008
A 15-car train derailment caused the closing of several Fremont streets early this morning.

Senate passes bill that rewrites hours of service
8/5/2008
Last week, the U.S. Senate approved the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act (S. 1889), which aims to improve safety for railroad employees, train passengers, and people who reside next to or drive across tracks.

TSA rule forces employers to accurately describe scope of background checks
8/1/2008
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued an interim final rule, effective immediately, codifying a section of Public Law 110–53, the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (“the Act”), which prohibits public transportation agencies, railroad carriers, and their respective contractors and subcontractors from knowingly misrepresenting Federal guidance or regulations concerning security background checks for covered individuals.

Registration for IWC continues
7/25/2008
BLET members planning to attend the International Western Convention (IWC) in San Luis Obispo next month are advised to make their reservations soon.

BLET Town Hall meeting planned for Kansas City
7/25/2008
All BLET rank and file members are invited to attend a Town Hall meeting in Kansas City, Mo., on August 6, hosted by the BLET Kansas State Legislative Board.

Flexible Spending Account enrollment begins in October
7/17/2008
Registration for the money-saving Flexible Spending Account (FSA) begins in just over two months, and members are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable new health and welfare benefit.

U.S. Railroad Retirement Board submits financial report
7/15/2008
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is required by law to submit annual reports to Congress on the financial condition of the railroad retirement system and the railroad unemployment insurance system. In June, the RRB submitted its 2008 reports on the railroad retirement and unemployment insurance systems.

Senate committee gives record appropriation to Amtrak, opposes Mexican truck program
7/14/2008
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved legislation on Thursday that makes critical investments in Amtrak and rail safety. The legislation also would effectively kill the Mexican truck pilot program.

Railroads continue to restore flood-ravaged infrastructure
7/9/2008
It's taken nearly a month, but a number of railroads are closer to recovering from the devastating floods that submerged the nation's midsection in early June.

BLET to participate in 11th Annual Transportation Summit
7/7/2008
National President Ed Rodzwicz announced today that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will be a National Co-Host Organization for the 11th Annual Transportation Summit, August 12-15, in Irving Texas.

Teamsters offer Disaster Relief assistance in Missouri
7/3/2008
The Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for assistance from members in the state of Missouri after severe storms and flooding caused major damage in their state.

House bill proposes $1.7 billion to help transit agencies handle soaring fuel costs
6/27/2008
Yesterday, the House passed the “Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008” (H.R. 6052), which authorizes $850 million in both FY2008 and FY2009 to help transit agencies keep fares down and expand service despite rising fuel costs.

EUMA registration still available
6/25/2008
BLET members can still register for the 70th Annual EUMA, which will be held July 6-10 at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio.

BLET members ratify agreement that preserves jobs at Wheeling & Lake Erie
6/20/2008
Engineers and Trainmen belonging to BLET Division 292 have overwhelmingly ratified new labor agreements for both train and engine service crafts. The BLET members are employed by the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad (W&LE) and are represented by the BLET’s Norfolk Southern - Northern Lines/W&LE General Committee of Adjustment.

Great Plains and Midwest floods wash out track, bridges
6/16/2008
Storms that dumped more than eight inches of rain in parts of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska last week have caused floods that washed out track and weakened bridges for numerous railroads.

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