BLET statement on Amtrak train 188 derailment

CLEVELAND, May 16 — As part of its party status agreement with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) does not make official comments about the details of any ongoing accident investigation, nor does BLET speculate on the events that may have contributed to such an accident during the investigation.

Representations by any current or former member or officer suggesting that they speak on behalf of the BLET are misrepresentations and should be treated as such. Any official comments issued on behalf of the BLET and its membership will be issued by BLET’s National President Dennis R. Pierce.

The crewmembers and passengers, along with friends and families of those lost in the accident on May 12, 2015 deserve to know what happened based upon the facts that are uncovered; sharing speculation based upon personal opinions about the events under investigation does them all a disservice.

In recent days much of the focus has been correctly placed on the need for Positive Train Control and crew size. Related additional information, all regarding issues not under investigation, will be forthcoming and members of the media are encouraged to review the union’s March 25 news release on Positive Train Control at: www.ble-t.org/pr/news/newsflash.asp?id=5695

Saturday, May 16, 2015
bentley@ble-t.org