BLET News
Workers are essential to the future of freight industry, Teamsters tell Senate
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, May 12, 2021) WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Teamster official told members of a Senate subcommittee yesterday that the safety and wellbeing of workers must not be overlooked by lawmakers as they continue to weigh the movement of freight traffic across the country at a time when the public is…
Read MoreBLET to mark 158th anniversary on May 8
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, May 6 – On May 8, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) will mark its 158th anniversary. The union was founded as the Brotherhood of the Footboard on May 8, 1863. In 1864, the union changed its name to Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE), the name it retained for 140 years…
Read MoreUP seeks operating ratio of 55%
(Source: Railway Age, May 5, 2021) NEW YORK — At Union Pacific’s Investor Day, where achievements in operational efficiency, benefits of PSR implementation, shareholder returns and financial outlook were discussed, management predicted that the railroad will achieve a 55% OR (operating ratio) by 2022. As a result, Cowen and Company modestly adjusted its 2022 assumptions.…
Read MoreRegistration open for BLET’s Austin regional meeting, July 12-16, 2021
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, April 30 — The BLET is pleased to announce the resumption of its regional meeting program with a meeting in Austin, Texas, July 12-16, 2021. CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 protocols will be strictly enforced to protect the health and safety of everyone in attendance. Guests will stay at the Hilton Austin (500 East…
Read MoreUP workers fight to keep jobs ahead of Palestine car shop closure
(Source: Television station KTRE, April 29, 2021) PALESTINE, Texas — A group of current and retired Palestine railroad workers are fighting to keep Union Pacific from leaving town. They are raising money to take legal action against the railroad. They’re raising money using GoFundMe in hopes of hiring legal counsel to fight the railroad. Full…
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