Daily Headlines
President Biden to nominate Primus as next STB Chairman
(Source: Progressive Railroading, May 13, 2024) On May 10, Martin Oberman retired from the Surface Transportation Board (STB) as chairman. On the same day, the wheels were set in motion to choose the board’s next chair. President Joe Biden intends to nominate STB...
NTSB: Improperly lined switch contributed to CSX collision in Folkston, Ga.
(Source: National Transportation Safety Board, May 8, 2024) On April 15, 2024, about 1:20 p.m. local time, northbound CSX Transportation (CSX) intermodal train I03215 collided head on with stationary, loaded rock train CSX L74314 on the Jesup Subdivision Main Track 2...
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending May 4, 2024
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, May 8, 2024) The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 4, 2024. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 463,106 carloads and intermodal...
Activist investor wins 3 Norfolk Southern board seats but won’t have control to fire CEO
(Source: Associated Press, May 9, 2024) Norfolk Southern’s CEO will be under more pressure to improve profits after the railroad’s shareholders voted Thursday to elect three of the board members an activist investor nominated, but he won’t be fired right away. Full...
BNSF Q1 2024 earnings decline as coal volume plunges, intermodal traffic soars
(Source: Trains.com, May 6, 2024) BNSF Railway’s first-quarter earnings and revenue declined despite a 7% increase in freight volume. Quarterly operating income declined 7%, to $1.72 billion, as revenue declined 6%, to $5.66 billion, BNSF and its parent company,...
Shippers express disappointment with STB reciprocal switching rule
(Source: Trains.com, May 7, 2024) The Surface Transportation Board’s reciprocal switching rule for inadequate rail service is a “missed opportunity,” the National Industrial Transportation League says. The final rule, adopted last week, is designed to incentivize...
What the proxy fight at Norfolk Southern means for railroad safety
(Source: CNN, May 8, 2024) Just more than a year after a massive derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train led to the release of tank cars full of toxic chemicals and increased attention to the issue of railroad safety, the control of the railroad is up for grabs...
BLET News
Freight railroads oppose shareholder resolutions creating safety committees
CN-IC, Iowa Northern: Ballots mailed in tentative implementing agreement
Scott Bunten reelected NS Eastern Lines General Chairman
Canadian National/Wisconsin Central: BLET Divisions unanimously vote yes on new quality of life agreement
161st anniversary: BLET was founded on May 8, 1863
Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry turns his back on railroad workers, co-sponsors legislation to nullify new two-person crew regulation
Capitol Hill: BLET mourns passing of Rep. Payne
North Dakota: Forschen reelected State Legislative Board Chairman
BLET Legislative Alert: Calling all Colorado and Minnesota members to Take Action!
Daily Headlines
President Biden to nominate Primus as next STB Chairman
(Source: Progressive Railroading, May 13, 2024) On May 10, Martin Oberman retired from the Surface Transportation Board (STB) as chairman. On the same day, the wheels were set in motion to choose the board’s next chair. President Joe Biden intends to nominate STB...
NTSB: Improperly lined switch contributed to CSX collision in Folkston, Ga.
(Source: National Transportation Safety Board, May 8, 2024) On April 15, 2024, about 1:20 p.m. local time, northbound CSX Transportation (CSX) intermodal train I03215 collided head on with stationary, loaded rock train CSX L74314 on the Jesup Subdivision Main Track 2...
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending May 4, 2024
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, May 8, 2024) The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 4, 2024. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 463,106 carloads and intermodal...
Activist investor wins 3 Norfolk Southern board seats but won’t have control to fire CEO
(Source: Associated Press, May 9, 2024) Norfolk Southern’s CEO will be under more pressure to improve profits after the railroad’s shareholders voted Thursday to elect three of the board members an activist investor nominated, but he won’t be fired right away. Full...
BNSF Q1 2024 earnings decline as coal volume plunges, intermodal traffic soars
(Source: Trains.com, May 6, 2024) BNSF Railway’s first-quarter earnings and revenue declined despite a 7% increase in freight volume. Quarterly operating income declined 7%, to $1.72 billion, as revenue declined 6%, to $5.66 billion, BNSF and its parent company,...
Shippers express disappointment with STB reciprocal switching rule
(Source: Trains.com, May 7, 2024) The Surface Transportation Board’s reciprocal switching rule for inadequate rail service is a “missed opportunity,” the National Industrial Transportation League says. The final rule, adopted last week, is designed to incentivize...
What the proxy fight at Norfolk Southern means for railroad safety
(Source: CNN, May 8, 2024) Just more than a year after a massive derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train led to the release of tank cars full of toxic chemicals and increased attention to the issue of railroad safety, the control of the railroad is up for grabs...
Take Action
BLET Members – Register for the Website Member Area
It’s simple and takes only a minute.
Gain instant access to your member data and update your home mailing address, email and other personal contact information. The member area makes it easy to stay up-to-date on important member-only issues.
Already Registered?
Click here to login.
Registering on the member area is private. The BLET takes the privacy of the Union and Union Members data very seriously. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect member’s private information in a manner that exceeds industry standards.
Education & Training
Upcoming Events
Departments
Photo Galleries
Leadership
History
BLET Members – Register for the Website Member Area
It’s simple and takes only a minute.
Gain instant access to your member data and update your home mailing address, email and other personal contact information. The member area makes it easy to stay up-to-date on important member-only issues.
Registering on the member area is private. The BLET takes the privacy of the Union and Union Members data very seriously. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect member’s private information in a manner that exceeds industry standards.
BLET Website Member Login
Already registered? Click the link below to access the member area.
BLET Membership Publications
NEW! Sign up to get our Weekly News Recap
Sign up here to get our new Weekly News Recap and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox.
Benefits of Belonging
As a BLET Member, you have access to a wide variety of valuable benefits, including consumer discounts, insurance programs, scholarships, training programs and more.
Not a BLET Member yet?
If you would like to become of a member of the BLET, please complete a BLET membership application form, which is available as a PDF. Once completed, print and sign the application and forward to your BLET Division Secretary-Treasurer for processing.
Retirement
Health & Welfare
Short Term Disability
Accidental Death & Dismemberment
Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
Union Plus
About the BLET
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is a Division of the Rail Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT).
BLET Members – Get Instant Access to your Member Data – Register for Website Member Area Here »