INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, February 26 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with the Illinois & Midland Railroad. Ballots were mailed today to active members of the BLET employed by Illinois & Midland who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this tentative agreement.
Ballots are due by Noon Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday, March 31. The tentative agreement governs rates of pay and work rules for approximately 20 BLET members who work in all operating employee crafts.
Members who are eligible and have not received a ratification packet by Monday, March 8, should call the BLET National Division at (216) 241-2630, ext. 222. When connected with the extension, please leave the following information:
• Your name, address and phone number;
• Your date of birth; and
• The last four digits of your Social Security number.
The Illinois & Midland membership is represented by the BLET’s CN-IC General Committee of Adjustment and BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce thanked General Chairman Billy Evans for his efforts in negotiating the tentative agreement. He also urged all eligible members to review the proposed contract and to participate in the ratification process.
“Voting on your union contract is an integral part of your membership in the BLET,” President Pierce said. “I urge all of our Illinois & Midland members to do their part by participating in this contract ratification process.”
The Illinois & Midland is a 154-mile Genesee & Wyoming property that operates primarily in Peoria, Springfield and Taylorville, Illinois. It interchanges with the BNSF Railway, Canadian National Railway, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, Tazewell & Peoria Railroad, and the Union Pacific.