INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, January 11 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract agreement with Metra, the commuter railroad system serving Chicago. BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce announced that ballots were mailed on January 7 to active members of the BLET employed by Metra who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this agreement. The tentative agreement governs rates of pay and work rules for approximately 175 members.
Ballots are due by 2:00 p.m. Eastern standard time on Monday, February 7, 2022. Members who are eligible and have not received a ballot by Tuesday, January 18, should request a replacement by calling 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.
Email requests for ballots will not be accepted because personal information is required to verify eligibility before a ballot can be issued.
President Pierce urged all eligible members to participate in the ratification process. “Union membership gives us the right to have a voice in our pay and working conditions, and the best way to make your voice heard is by participating in the Brotherhood’s democratic processes,” President Pierce said.
The BLET’s Metra locomotive engineers serve more than 100 communities with 242 stations in the Chicago area.