APRIL/MAY 2019 Volume 33, Issue 3

Daily news updates ocomotive WWW.BLE-T.ORG LE n g i n ee r s & T r a i n m e n N e w s Published by the BLET, a division of the Rail Conference,• International Brotherhood of Teamsters FRA JUST REDUCED THE PROSPECTS FOR A SAFER RAILROAD INDUSTRY erations in the United States. This news North Dakota oil train derailment—and cause of FRA’s failure to collect crew size was not surprising. subsequent explosion and fire—to the data—while the data support a conclu- What is shocking, however, is the de- crew size debate. And it simply ignores sion that single-person crews are not de- gree to which FRA has chosen to subor- several subsequent accidents where a monstrably less safe is mystifying in its dinate the safety of BLET and SMART two-person crew saved the public from logic, to be charitable. TD members, other railroad workers, an even more horrific outcome. Moreover, the federal rail safety reg- and the American public to the interests In its rush to diminish the safety ulator hints that there is no “specific re- by Dennis by John of the nation’s major railroads. impact of common-sense crew size quirement that would prohibit autono- R. Pierce Previsich FRA’s reference to current crew sizes, regulations, FRA also points to vari- mous technology from operating a BLET National SMART TD President President which have existed for decades, as mere ous regulations requiring risk analy- locomotive or train” in the absence of “crew redundancy” displays an aston- ses and the adoption of risk reduction any human crewmember whatsoever as n Thursday, May 24, ishing ignorance of the findings of the plans by railroads. While our Organi- a means of “reducing accidents caused 2019, we were in- agency’s own research studies, which zations fully support such plans, we by human error.” If the ongoing ground- formed that the Fed- establish—in detail and beyond dis- note that Congress mandated regula- ing of the Boeing MAX aircraft has eral Railroad Ad- pute—the unique and specific duties of tions governing these subjects more taught nothing else, FRA and the De- ministration (FRA) each crewmember. than a decade ago, but they have yet partment of Transportation should be had released a notice, FRA also disappointingly engages in to be promulgated because of indus- mindful of the danger of transferring withdrawing a 2016 notice of proposed self-serving fact selection in its attempts try recalcitrance and obstructionism. the risk of a human factors accident from Orulemaking establishing a minimum to negate the importance of the 2013 Lac- Also, the argument that two-person operator to programmer when autono- train crew size for most rail freight op- Mégantic tragedy and the Casselton, crews have not been proven safer—be- Continued on page 4 • FRA’s reference to current crew sizes, which have existed for decades, as mere “crew redundancy” displays an astonishing ignorance of the findings of the agency’s own research studies, which establish —in detail and beyond dispute—the unique and specific duties of each crewmember.

An eastbound BNSF freight train crosses the trestle over the Two Medicine River near East Glacier, Montana, on August 5, 2014. BIG SKY COUNTRY Photo: Brother Richard C. Bartela Jr., a member of BLET Division 382 in Buffalo, N.Y.

BLET President’s Message NASLBC meeting Capitol Hill Lobby When Doing More with Less BLET State Legislative Board Chairmen BLET leaders push for rail safety Poses a Threat pg. 2 conclude 44th annual meeting pg. 5 in Washington, D.C. pg. 6 Register• for News Flash email alerts at: www.ble-t.org/newsflash Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BLETNational• 2 WWW.BLE-T.ORG

BLET PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE BY DENNIS R. PIERCE When Doing More with Less Poses a Threat n my most recent Presi- lowed by 98 cars, followed by two further by attempting to preempt dent’s Message I wrote more locomotives, followed by state laws that mandate a mini- about the Precision Sched- another 98 cars, followed by an- mum crew size, even though uled Railroading (PSR) other two locomotives, followed there is no governing federal reg- phenomenonI in the railroad in- by a third group of 98 cars, with ulation. This was in spite of the dustry, and how PSR focuses on two additional locomotives fact that during the public com- “asset maximization” in an ef- bringing up the rear. This basi- ment period for the proposed fort to sharply drive down oper- cally was three trains coupled regulation, the FRA received ating ratio, which is the percent- together — with a pair of help- 1,545 written statements in sup- age of railroad revenue spent on ers on the hind end — and a sin- port of train crew requirements, operating costs. gle locomotive engineer was while just 39 comments opposed This focus on operating ratio charged with the responsibility crew size regulation. suggests that railroads are not very of controlling and operating this Our greatest challenge is that efficient. Data published by the behemoth. As a credit to the en- the rail industry seems hell-bent Association of American Rail- gineer’s professionalism, the train on risking public safety for a few roads (AAR) show otherwise. arrived safely at its destination. dollars more at the expense of Between 1980 and 2016, traf- And in past months, both UP already highly productive, high- fic density tripled, from 5.58 mil- and BNSF have begun combin- ly trained and highly profession- lion ton-miles per mile of road to ing two loaded coal trains and al train crews. Trains so long that 16.99. And, today, railroads can operating them as a single train long standing technology such move one ton of freight 479 miles on multiple routes across the as two way telemetry is rendered on one gallon of fuel, which is country. Again, thanks to the ex- inoperable is a risk that railroads double the fuel efficiency in 1980. perience and professionalism of are willing to take, but this prof- AAR also acknowledges that the involved train crews these President Pierce at a recent training class it driven operation puts our lives, productivity gains by locomo- trains arrived safely. for BLET Secretary-Treasurers. and the safety of the general pub- tive engineers and trainmen over As a result of these changes, neers, trainmen and all other crew member. This time the so- lic, at risk. Whether it be trains the past four decades are simi- much of the increase in produc- railroad workers fared much bet- called threat is driverless trucks, so long that they challenge a safe larly dramatic: tivity to which the AAR points ter than many other Americans as if the cost of a single crew op- operation, or additional attempts “From 1980 through 2017, rail is the result of locomotive engi- over the years due to their Union erating a 100-car double stack to reduce below a two-person employee productivity (measured neers and trainmen doing more contracts, railroads routinely dis- train equated to the number of crew, we must have a Federal by ton-miles per employee) rose work than one person did in ear- miss our increased productivity truck drivers that would be need- Railroad Administration that 467 percent; locomotive produc- lier years. when it comes to payday. ed to carry the same number of will do its job and regulate the tivity (measured by ton-miles per That is where the history of This fall we will undertake trailers. And one carrier went so safety of the operation. Railroads locomotive) rose 93 percent; and improved productivity and its another round of national bar- far as to identify fully-automat- have long fought all attempts to average freight carried per train relationship to working class gaining. Unfortunately, we be- ed train operations as a goal. be regulated, but history makes rose 63 percent. The most com- Americans starts to change. For gin in a climate that is openly In 1954, United Auto Work- it clear that safety regulations monly used broad measure of more than 30 years after World hostile to working men and ers President Walter Reuther have made the railroad work- rail-industry productivity — ton- War II, increases in productivity women, and to the unions that toured the Ford Motor plant in place safer. Profit-driven rail- miles per constant-dollar oper- led to parallel increases in me- represent them. As we approach Cleveland. A company official roads won’t always do that on ating expense — was 159 percent dian wages. Strong unions fight- negotiations, railroads contin- pointed out some new automat- their own. higher in 2017 than in 1980.” ing for and winning a fair share ue to be highly profitable, in ically controlled machines and All of this means that we We all know that efficiency of increases in productivity by large part due to operational asked Reuther “How are you go- must unite in our fight to pro- and productivity have contin- union members is what built and changes, many of which are at ing to collect union dues from tect a safe workplace, and that ued to soar in more recent years. sustained the American Middle the expense of the workforce. these guys?” Reuther replied, must include us casting our Two of the most obvious chang- Class during this period. At the same time, railroads rou- “How are you going to get them votes for politicians that actu- es in productivity are the ever- But by the late 1970s, union tinely assert that they need even to buy Fords?” ally care about workplace safe- increasing use of Distributed concentration in America was more relief to compete with the Our industry and our Nation ty. The politicians at the State Power (DP) locomotive consists in serious decline. In 1981, then- trucking industry. face the same potential problem level brave enough to pass the as well as the operation of lon- President Reagan declared open All the while the railroads give Brother Reuther identified 65 State crew size laws that FRA is ger and longer trains. season on unions by decimat- little if any credit whatsoever to years ago; the pursuit of new now demeaning must be on that When I testified before Pres- ing the Professional Air Traffic their workers for the increased technology threatens jobs in the list. Those U.S. Representatives idential Emergency Board No. Controllers Organization. This productivity that they freely con- drive to improve productivity. in Congress supporting our Fed- 243 in October of 2011, I dem- anti-worker attack was accom- cede has occurred. Instead, the Even more important is the im- eral Safe Freight Act (H.R. 1748) onstrated the productivity of panied by an ever-increasing tilt carriers claim, it’s all due to the pact that additional crew size re- must also have our support when BLET members by showing the in favor of Corporate America technology, as if these 2 and 3 ductions are certain to have on it comes time to cast our votes. Board’s members a video of a by Congress. mile long trains ran themselves. the safety of railroads employees We have just been reminded of train operated from Dallas, Tex., As a result, median U.S. wag- In fact, the AAR figures I and the general public. the power the Federal Govern- to Long Beach, Calif. by Union es, adjusted for inflation, have quoted above were included in Making our struggle even ment has over our workplace; Pacific in January 2010. This been stagnant for the past 40 comments the Association filed tougher, on May 24 the Federal we deserve a Federal Govern- train consisted of 9 locomotives years. Productivity has contin- with the U.S. Department of Railroad Administration took ment that works for us working and 294 cars, and measured ued to increase, but most of the Transportation concerning au- sides with the carriers, announc- class Americans, not just for cor- 18,000 feet in length, nearly 3½ new wealth generated by work- tomation in the transportation ing that it would withdraw a pro- porate America. miles long. ers’ increased productivity was industry. Once again, the carri- posed rule requiring two-person The make-up of the train was retained by the corporations. ers sought to create a platform crews on certain freight and pas- Dennis R. Pierce as follows: 3 locomotives, fol- Although locomotive engi- to advocate eliminating another senger trains. FRA went a step BLET National President BLET NATIONAL DIVISION ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS POLICY fficial communications between BLET reference to a specific request and can be used response; however, an e-mail message is not con- President to be aware of the opinions and sug- members and the National Division in future correspondence. sidered an official communication. gestions of the membership, while at the same require a hard copy of the correspon- The volume of e-mails received makes it im- Moreover, anonymous e-mails and e-mails time providing a timely response to the mem- dence,O bearing a signature, being received by the possible for the National President to answer all that do not provide sufficient information con- ber’s unofficial communication, if a response is National President to be considered an “official unofficial communications. Therefore, it is the cerning the sender to enable National Division necessary, without needlessly expending limit- communication.” This is to provide that the ac- policy of the BLET that e-mails addressed to the staff to confirm the sender’s membership status ed BLET resources. tual question(s) are addressed, and ensures that National President will be reviewed and forward- will not receive any reply or acknowledgement. Adopted at Cleveland, Ohio on July when official interpretations are made they have ed to the appropriate officer or staff for a timely This policy is intended to allow the National 22, 2010. • APRIL/MAY 2019 3

GENERAL PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE BY JAMES P. HOFFA Midwest Will Play Critical Role in 2020 Election he Midwest finds it- ity health care benefits are didates seeking the endorsement self at the forefront of available for everyone is impor- of the Teamsters must under- the 2020 presidential tant. And guaranteeing that stand the importance unions play election conversation. those who worked hard all their in the working lives of the Amer- TThanks to the slim victory lives will be able to retire with ican worker. voters gave to President Trump dignity is important. As the union’s endorsement in states such as Michigan and The Teamsters have been lead- process moves forward, the Wisconsin in 2016, those run- ing the fight on these issues for Teamsters will seek input from ning for president this time years. And the union plans to BLET and other union leaders know they need to win all take all the time it needs to con- to ensure that the candidate across the Midwest if they want sider these important factors and that earns the union’s support to reach the White House. So speak with a united voice for its best represents its political pri- even though it’s still more than members. To that end, the Team- orities. While the Teamsters a year-and-a-half until the next sters have unveiled protocols for recognize that members may general election, contenders are the 2020 presidential election that not agree on everything, work- coming to America’s heartland explain the process and dictate ing together, this union can to talk about the issues. how candidates interested in ob- help select and support a can- It may seem ridiculously ear- taining Teamster support should didate who will grow and ly. But Midwesterners would be work to do so. strengthen this union for work- wise to engage in the process Highlighted among top con- ers and unify this country. now. It’s these first months of cerns of the union is preventing the campaign when candidates the looming pension and retire- Fraternally, will be fleshing out their plat- ment crisis; ensuring U.S. work- forms and crafting the policy sure that kitchen table issues Securing good-paying jobs ers are represented in interna- James P. Hoffa ideas that they will be priori- that support families are the that will remain in this coun- tional trade deals; and protecting Teamsters General tizing. And workers must make main topic of discussion. try is important. Ensuring qual- wages and labor standards. Can- President Securing good-paying jobs that will remain in this country is important. Ensuring quality health care benefits are available for everyone is important. And guaranteeing that those who worked hard all their lives will be able to retire with dignity is important. Registration open for BLET’s Clearwater regional meeting, July 22-26, 2019 egistration is now open for Clearwater regional meeting will con- the BLET regional meeting clude with a dinner dance the evening at the Hilton Clearwater of July 25. Attendees will travel home Beach hotel in Clearwater, on July 26. Fla., July 22-26, 2019. There is no cost for BLET members The BLET National Division is plan- who wish to attend the July 23 meetings ningR a meeting filled with educational and July 25 workshops only; however, opportunities and entertaining leisure there will be fees for those members who time activities. Guests will stay at the choose to attend the meals. The cost of Hilton Clearwater Beach (400 Manda- full registration (including all meetings, lay Ave, Clearwater, Fla., telephone: (800) workshops, the dinner dance and all HILTONS). BLET convention registra- BLET sponsored meals) is $225.00 per tion as well as hotel registration can be person. The cost is $175.00 to register made through the BLET’s regional meet- for all of the above EXCEPT the dinner ing website, http://bletregionals.org. If dance. Reduced children’s registration making reservations by telephone, you and a la carte meal registration options must mention the group code “BLET19.” are also available. Please visit http://ble- The Clearwater regional meeting kicks tregionals.org for more information off with registration and a welcome re- about the registration process. ception on Monday, July 22 (ticket re- FOR ALL 2019 BLET REGIONAL MEETING The BLET will host two regional meet- quired). Opening ceremonies will take INFO GO TO: BLETREGIONALS.ORG ings in 2019. In addition to the Clearwa- place the morning of Tuesday, July 23, ter meeting, another regional meeting with a closed meeting for BLET mem- additional cost to register for the golf Workshops will be held for Local will be held in St. Louis, Mo., from June bers that afternoon. A golf tournament tournament. Non-golfers will be on their Chairmen, Secretary-Treasurers and 24-28. Please visit the BLET website, Face- will be held on Wednesday, July 24, at own to explore the many entertainment Legislative Representatives throughout book page, and http://bletregionals. the Innisbrook Golf Resort. There is an options that Clearwater has to offer. the day on Thursday, July 25. The BLET’s org for the latest information. • SIGN UP FOR BLET NEWS FLASHES! Stay up-to-date with the latest Broth- sion website that are automatically gin receiving the most current news Register at erhood news by going to the BLET web- emailed to you. from the BLET National Division. www.ble-t.org to site and signing up to receive BLET To register online, just go to It is a great way to keep informed get Brotherhood News Flash alerts via email. www.ble-t.org/newsflash. On this on the most recent issues impacting news emailed to you The News Flash alerts are news ar- page, you will find an area to enter your your job, your contract and your ticles from the BLET National Divi- email address and click subcribe to be- Brotherhood. 4 WWW.BLE-T.ORG

BLET, SMART TD announce national two-person crew legislation wo large railroad unions in the United States have pledged their joint support for the Safe Freight Act legislation, which was introduced by U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) during late March. TThe Safe Freight Act (H.R.1748) requires that two certified crew members operate freight trains on U.S. rails and has the back- ing of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the In- ternational Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers — Trans- portation Division (SMART TD). “This is necessary safety legislation to protect railroad workers and the Ameri- can public,” BLET National President Den- nis R. Pierce said. “While the railroad in- dustry talks of one-person train crews and even autonomous trains, the 2013 tragedy of Lac-Megantic is justification enough that we need two sets of eyes and ears in the locomotive cab.” “SMART Transportation Division “Safety is non-negotiable, and this legislation is about railroad safety. The members of the BLET and has been working tirelessly to promote safety in the railroad industry, and there SMART TD are highly-trained professionals who have dedicated their lives to performing their jobs as safely is no doubt that the only safe rail oper- ation is one that includes at a minimum as possible, and we thank Congressman Young for his ongoing support and for introducing H.R. 1748.” a certified conductor and a certified lo- — John Tolman , BLET VP & NLR comotive engineer,” SMART TD Pres- ident John Previsich said. “A clear mes- July 6, 2013, after its brakes disengaged. both the BLET and SMART TD unions Congressman Young for his ongoing sup- sage must be sent to our lawmakers and The resulting derailment touched off an (H.B.1034) was signed into law March 21 port and for introducing H.R. 1748.” to the general public that multi-person inferno that killed 47 people and destroyed by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. “Automation of cars, buses, aircraft and crews are essential to ensuring the saf- the town center. “Safety is non-negotiable, and this leg- trucks are being addressed by legislation est rail operations possible in their com- In the United States, labor unions and islation is about railroad safety,” BLET Vice and in regulation by the federal govern- munities. I would like to thank Con- others concerned with safety on the Unit- President and National Legislative Repre- ment and many states. It’s time the feder- gressman Young for his leadership on ed States’ 140,000 miles of rail are seeking sentative John Tolman said. “The mem- al government provided some oversight this critical issue as we continue to im- to prevent such events from happening. bers of the BLET and SMART TD are high- on railroads,” SMART TD National Leg- prove safety on our nation’s railroads Legislation setting crew size at two people ly-trained professionals who have islative Director John Risch said. “Con- for both our members and for the gen- aboard has passed in five states. Just this dedicated their lives to performing their gressman Young’s bill is a first step, and eral public.” month a two-person crew bill backed by jobs as safely as possible, and we thank we thank him for his leadership on this. Recent well-publicized rail accidents The safety of the public and our members in other nations involving trains with depend on this.” one or no crew members show how small- This national legislation introduced by er crews increase the risk of catastrophe Young, a longtime advocate of railroad in rail accidents. safety, is a common-sense step toward mak- In September 2018, an autonomous run- ing our nation’s rails safer for workers and away TasRail train reached speeds of 31 the public alike. It has the full endorse- mph before it derailed in the Tasmanian ment of both unions. city of Devonport, injuring two people. H.R. 1748 has been referred to the House The train had become unresponsive to re- Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and mote control commands, including the Hazardous Materials. train’s emergency stop feature. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi- On Nov. 5, 2018, a runaway BHP ore neers and Trainmen represents nearly train of 268 cars with no one aboard 58,000 professional locomotive engineers reached speeds of 62 mph before it was and trainmen throughout the United States. forcibly derailed in Western Australia. The The BLET is the founding member of the approximately 1.9-mile-long train loaded Rail Conference, International Brother- with iron ore was operated by a lone crew hood of Teamsters. member who had left the locomotive to The SMART Transportation Division inspect an issue with the brakes when the is comprised of approximately 125,000 train began moving. active and retired members of the for- And finally, an oil train with a single- mer United Transportation Union, who person crew in Lac Megantic, Quebec, work in a variety of crafts in the trans- Canada, rolled into the center of the town portation industry. •

BLET and SMART Statement Organization of Resource Councils are on FRA withdrawal Given the scope of this withdrawal, the Administrator dismissed out of hand. Continued from page 1 • has clearly failed the test, because he has placed corporate We frankly did not expect this Ad- mous technology is implemented. For ministration to complete this rulemak- this reason, FRA’s declared “support [for] profits above public safety. Railroad safety has taken ing, but we did afford the new Federal the integration and implementation of new a giant step backward today, but our Organizations Railroad Administrator a fair opportu- automation technologies” on the Nation’s nity to demonstrate that safety was his locomotives should give everyone pause. do not intend to let this development go unchallenged. primary objective. Given the scope of Lastly, the Agency’s invocation of the this withdrawal, the Administrator has negative preemption doctrine is incred- industry’s argument against the pro- tions of its action on federalism. In so clearly failed the test, because he has ible. Both the industry and the Agency posed rule. doing, the valid safety concerns ex- placed corporate profits above public reject prescriptive safety regulations as In stark contrast to this philosophy, pressed by supporters of the proposed safety. Railroad safety has taken a giant a philosophical matter, because they FRA’s invocation of negative preemp- rule such as National League of Cities— step backward today, but our Organiza- supposedly require a “one size fits all” tion seeks to promulgate a prescriptive representing more than 19,000 cities, tions do not intend to let this develop- approach; indeed, this was part of the prohibition, regardless of the implica- villages, and towns—and the Western ment go unchallenged. • APRIL/MAY 2019 5

BLET legislative chairmen conclude 44th annual meeting embers of the BLET’s SLBC); Region 2 M.D. Frank (Alabama National Division. Kat Bisbikis, BLET Aux- National Association of SLBC); Region 3 David Brown (Minne- iliary National President, and Jessica Cole, State Legislative Board sota SLBC); and Region 4 Cory Runion BLET Auxiliary National Second Vice Pres- Chairmen (NASLBC) (Wyoming SLBC). ident and National Legislative Represen- concluded their 44th Several new State Legislative Board tative, also addressed the group. annual meeting on March 27, 2019, in San Chairmen were seated for their first Guest speakers included: Rich Connor Diego,M Calif. NASLBC meeting, including: Brendan Sul- of the Federal Railroad Administration, The NASLBC has met annually since livan (Florida SLBC); Shane Hubbard (In- who discussed Hours of Service regula- 1975 to hear from each State Chairman diana SLBC); Calvin Groose (Missouri tions; and Bob Apriacio of the National about railroad related safety and health is- SLBC); Lanie Keith (Mississippi SLBC); Association of Retired and Veteran Rail- sues, as well as their state’s political climate. Tim Laveing (Pennsylvania SLBC): and Jessica Cole and Kat Bisbikis way Employees (NARVRE), who discussed Members elected the following officers Jeff Rich (Tennessee SLBC). of the BLET Auxiliary. the group’s advocacy in assisting all active to lead the NASLBC for the next three BLET National President Dennis R. service to the Brotherhood and discussed and retired railroad employees in support years: Chairman Paul Piekarski (Illinois Pierce, First Vice National President E. Lee a number of issues, including efforts on of Railroad Retirement. State Legislative Board Chairman); Vice Pruitt, National Secretary-Treasurer Ste- the state and national levels to secure two- The various committees of the Asso- Chairman Nick Johnson (Arizona SLBC); phen J. Bruno, and Vice President & Na- person crew laws. ciation also met and conducted their Secretary-Treasurer Dave Dinges (Mary- tional Legislative Representative John P. Also, BLET Director of Regulatory Af- business for the year. The group will re- land SLBC). The following Regional Tolman were in attendance and addressed fairs Vince Verna and BLET Director of convene in 2020 for their 45th annual Chairmen were also elected: Region 1 the NASLBC members and guests. Presi- Political and Legislative Affairs Bob Hagan convention, which will be held in Aus- Herbert Harris (District of Columbia dent Pierce thanked the Chairmen for their both made presentations on behalf of the tin, Texas. •

Officers, members and guests at the NASLBC’s 44thannual meeting in San Diego, Calif., on March 27, 2019.​

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BLET lobbies Capitol Hill, regulatory agencies for crew member safety LET officers and staff invested ski (D-IL); Congressman Don Young (R- a lot of legwork lobbying for AK); the staff of Senator Roger Wicker rail worker safety during the (R-MS); Congressman Stephen Lynch early part of March 2019. The (D-MA); Congressman Sam Graves (R- BLET lobbying effort was led MO); Congressman Joe Kennedy (D- by National President Dennis R. Pierce MA); and Congressman John Garamendy Band Vice President and National Legisla- (D-CA). tive Representative John P. Tolman, with Among the topics discussed were invaluable support for BLET Director NAFTA and protecting union jobs in of Regulatory Affairs Vince Verna and the cross-border dispute involving Mex- BLET Legislative and Political Director ican train crews entering the United Bob Hagan. States; the need for two-person train On March 5, 6 and 7, the BLET team crews to ensure the highest levels of rail met with a dozen members of the U.S. safety; the need to implement Positive House and Senate from both political Train Control as a layer of safety protec- parties, and held meetings with the tion and not as a job reduction or re- heads of regulatory agencies, includ- placement tool; precision scheduled rail- ing Federal Railroad Administrator roading and its detrimental impact on Ron Batory, Transportation Secretary safety and jobs; the need for accurate Elaine Chao, and National Transpor- crew line ups to combat train crew fa- tation Safety Board Chairman Robert tigue; and railroad safety in general. Sumwalt and Member Jennifer Ho- “Our meetings with the members of mendy. President Pierce also met with Jennifer Homendy, NTSB Board Member; Dennis Pierce, BLET President; Congress and their staff were encourag- Robert Sumwalt, NTSB Chairman; and John Tolman, BLET VP and NLR the heads of the National Carriers’ Con- ing and supportive of our point of view,” ference Committee and the Associa- mittee, and House Speaker Nancy Pelo- Congressman Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), President Pierce said. “We will continue tion of American Railroads. si’s (D-CA) Chief of Staff. The BLET del- the Assistant Speaker of the House; the working with our friends in Congress Key meetings were held with Peter egation also met with: Congressman staff of Congressman Rick Crawford (D- across both political parties in order to DeFazio (D-OR), Chairman of the House Bennie G. Thomson, Chairman of the AR), ranking member on the Railroad best protect the rights and interests of Transportation and Infrastructure Com- Homeland Security Committee, (D-MS); Subcommittee; Congressman Dan Lipin- our membership.” •

Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) John Tolman, BLET VP & NLR; Peter DeFazio (D-OR); Members of the BLET delegation meet with NTSB members and staff. and President Pierce and Dennis Pierce, BLET President SUPREME COURT FINDS INJURY AWARD 2018 BLET FOR LOST WAGES IS TAXABLE BYLAWS COMPENSATION UNDER AVAILABLE RAILROAD RETIREMENT TAX ACT ONLINE recent decision by the U.S. wages portion of the award. Mr. Loos there is an employer-employee rela- hospital insurance) and a tier II tax of n electronic copy of the 2018 edition of the Supreme Court found that disagreed with this theory of withhold- tionship.” Whether the employer 13.1 percent and 4.9 percent, respec- BLET Bylaws is now available in the Mem- Athe portion of a damages ing, arguing that, consistent with the chooses to make the payment through tively, on earnings up to $98,700. (An A bers Area of the Brotherhood’s website. award attributable to lost wages for RRTA’s definition of compensation, the a voluntary settlement or is involun- additional 0.9 percent in hospital in- The Bylaws book is available for download and a workplace injury is considered to payment must be “for services ren- tarily made to do so through an award surance taxes, 2.35 percent in total, printing as a PDF, and reflects changes approved be taxable compensation under the dered” in order to be taxable and in- of damages is immaterial so long as applies to an individual’s income ex- by delegates to the BLET’s Fourth National Conven-

Railroad Retirement Tax Act (RRTA). stead of compensation for services the payment for lost wages is provid- ceeding $200,000, or $250,000 for a tion, which was held Oc- October, 2018 October,

The decision in BNSF Railway Co. v. rendered the payment at issue com- ed based on the recipient’s status as married couple filing a joint tax re- BYLAWS tober 1-4, 2018.Nevada Vegas, Las at Revised Loos (No. 17-1042) was released by pensated for an injury. a service-rendering employee. turn). If a railroad employee with no of the The BLET National Di- Brotherhood of Locomotive the Court on March 4, 2019. The issue worked its way from the The Internal Revenue Service ad- other earnings in 2019 is awarded Engineers and Trainmen vision is providing an

A Division of the Rail Conference

Mr. Loos pursued a claim against lower courts to the Supreme Court. ministers the RRTA and, therefore, is $550,000 due to an on the job injury, of the electronic copyTeamsters of of theBrotherhood ByInternational - International Brotherhood of Teamsters the of

his then-employer, BNSF, for a work- Oral arguments took place on No- the official source for railroad retire- of which $200,000 is attributable to laws to the membershipConference Rail the of Division A

Engineers and Trainmen and Engineers place injury under the Federal Employ- vember 6, 2018, and the Court ment tax information. However, for lost wages (both past and future), the while the documentLocomotive of is beBrotherhood -

ers’ Liability Act (FELA), a law allow- reached its decision on a 7-2 vote. In purposes only of illustrating the Court’s employer and employee would be re- ing printed. Thethe of Bylaws Revised at Las Vegas, Nevada BYLAWS ing railroad workers to file suit against reversing the decision of the Circuit decision, the following example is pro- quired to pay $11,139.80 in tier I tax- October, 2018 provide that the Nation- their employers for on-the-job injuries. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Cir- vided. In 2019, railroad employers and es ($8,239.80 retirement and $2,900 al Division will furnish a Mr. Loos was awarded damages of cuit, the Supreme Court held that the employees are subject to a railroad Medicare) and $12,929.70 and hard copy to each member, without cost, upon re-

$126,212, of which $30,000 was at- RRTA’s definition of compensation in- retirement tier I payroll tax of 7.65 $4,836.30, respectively, in tier II tax- quest from the Division Secretary-Treasurer. October, 2018 October,

tributable to lost wages from BNSF. cludes not simply pay for active ser- percent (6.20 percent on earnings up es. (The additional Medicare tax would A passwordBYLAWS is required to get into theNevada MembersVegas, Las at Revised BNSF indicated that it would withhold vice, but also “pay for periods of ab- to $132,900 for retirement, and 1.45 not apply as the award for lost wages Area in orderof the to download the document, which is Brotherhood of Locomotive Railroad Retirement taxes from the lost sence from active service provided percent on all earnings for Medicare did not exceed $200,000). • availableEngineers at: and www.ble-t.org/members/bylaws. Trainmen •

A Division of the Rail Conference

of the Teamsters of Brotherhood International

International Brotherhood of Teamsters the of

A Division of the Rail Conference Rail the of Division A

Engineers and Trainmen and Engineers

Brotherhood of Locomotive of Brotherhood

of the of Revised at Las Vegas, Nevada BYLAWS October, 2018 APRIL/MAY 2019 7

Q&A: Comparison of benefits under Railroad Retirement and Social Security mployers and employees How do railroad retirement and covered by the Railroad Re- social security lump-sum death tirement Act pay higher re- 8benefit provisions differ? tirement taxes than those Both the railroad retirement and so- covered by the Social Secu- cial security systems provide a lump- rity Act, so that railroad retirement ben- sum death benefit. The railroad retire- efitsE remain higher than social security ment lump-sum benefit is generally benefits, especially for career employees payable only if survivor annuities are not who have 30 or more years of service. immediately due upon an employee’s The following questions and answers death. The social security lump-sum show the differences in railroad retire- benefit may be payable regardless of ment and social security benefits pay- whether monthly benefits are also due. able at the close of the fiscal year ending Both railroad retirement and social se- September 30, 2018. They also show the curity provide a lump-sum benefit of differences in age requirements and pay- $255. However, if a railroad employee roll taxes under the two systems. completed 10 years of creditable railroad service before 1975, the average railroad How do the average monthly retirement lump-sum benefit payable is railroad retirement and social $1,020. Also, if an employee had less than 1security benefits paid to retired Can railroaders receive benefits at Does social security offer any 10 years of service, but had at least 5 years employees and spouses compare? earlier ages than workers under benefits that are not available of such service after 1995, he or she would The average age annuity being paid by 4social security? 6under railroad retirement? have to have had an insured status un- the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) at Railroad employees with 30 or more Social security does pay certain types der social security law (counting both the end of fiscal year 2018 to career rail years of creditable service are eligible for of benefits that are not available under railroad retirement and social security employees was $3,525 a month, and for regular annuities based on age and ser- railroad retirement. For example, so- credits) in order for the $255 lump-sum all retired rail employees the average was vice the first full month they are age 60, cial security provides children’s bene- benefit to be payable. $2,815. The average age retirement ben- and rail employees with less than 30 years fits when an employee is disabled, re- The social security lump sum is gen- efit being paid under social security was of creditable service are eligible for reg- tired or deceased. Under current law, erally only payable to the widow(er) liv- approximately $1,415 a month. Spouse ular annuities based on age and service the Railroad Retirement Act only pro- ing with the employee at the time of benefits averaged $1,035 a month under the first full month they are age 62. vides children’s benefits if the employ- death. Under railroad retirement, if the railroad retirement compared to $720 un- No early retirement reduction ap- ee is deceased. employee had 10 years of service before der social security. plies if a rail employee retires at age 60 However, the Railroad Retirement Act 1975, and was not survived by a living- The Railroad Retirement Act also or older with 30 years of service and his includes a special minimum guaranty with widow(er), the lump sum may be provides supplemental railroad retire- or her retirement is after 2001, or if the provision which ensures that railroad paid to the funeral home or the payer ment annuities of between $23 and $43 employee retired before 2002 at age 62 families will not receive less in monthly of the funeral expenses. a month, which are payable to employ- or older with 30 years of service. benefits than they would have if railroad ees who retire directly from the rail in- Early retirement reductions are other- earnings were covered by social security How do railroad retirement and dustry with 25 or more years of service. wise applied to annuities awarded before rather than railroad retirement laws. social security payroll taxes full retirement age, the age at which an This guaranty is intended to cover situ- 9compare? Are the benefits awarded to recent employee can receive full benefits with ations in which one or more members Railroad retirement payroll taxes, retirees generally greater than the no reduction for early retirement. This of a family would otherwise be eligible like railroad retirement benefits, are 2benefits payable to those who retired ranges from age 65 for those born before for a type of social security benefit that calculated on a two-tier basis. Rail em- years ago? 1938 to age 67 for those born in 1960 or is not provided under the Railroad Re- ployees and employers pay tier I taxes Yes, because recent awards are based later, the same as under social security. tirement Act. Therefore, if a retired rail at the same rate as social security tax- on higher average earnings. Age annui- Under social security, a worker can- employee has children who would oth- es, 7.65 percent, consisting of 6.20 per- ties awarded to career railroad employ- not begin receiving retirement benefits erwise be eligible for a benefit under so- cent for retirement on earnings up to ees retiring in fiscal year 2018 averaged based on age until age 62, regardless of cial security, the employee’s annuity can $132,900 in 2019, and 1.45 percent for about $4,175 a month while monthly how long he or she worked, and social be increased to reflect what social secu- Medicare hospital insurance on all earn- benefits awarded to workers retiring at security retirement benefits are reduced rity would pay the family. ings. An additional 0.9 percent in Medi- full retirement age under social security for retirement prior to full retirement care taxes (2.35 percent in total) will be averaged nearly $1,915. If spouse bene- age regardless of years of coverage. How much are monthly benefits withheld from employees on earnings fits are added, the combined benefits for for survivors under railroad above $200,000. the employee and spouse would total Can the spouse of a railroader 7retirement and social security? In addition, rail employees and em- $5,815 under railroad retirement cover- receive a benefit at an earlier age Survivor benefits are generally high- ployers both pay tier II taxes which are age, compared to $2,875 under social se- 5than the spouse of a worker under er if payable by the RRB rather than so- used to finance railroad retirement ben- curity. Adding a supplemental annuity social security? cial security. At the end of fiscal year efit payments over and above social se- to the railroad family’s benefit increases If a retired railroad employee with 2018, the average annuity being paid curity levels. average total benefits for current career 30 or more years of service is age 60, to all aged and disabled widow(er)s was In 2019, the tier II tax rate on earn- rail retirees to about $5,850 a month. the employee’s spouse is also eligible for $1,705 a month, compared to $1,305 un- ings up to $98,700 is 4.9 percent for em- an annuity the first full month the der social security. ployees and 13.1 percent for employers. How much are the disability spouse is age 60. Benefits awarded by the RRB in fis- benefits currently awarded? Certain early retirement reductions cal year 2018 to aged and disabled How much are regular railroad 3Disabled railroad workers retiring are applied if the employee first became widow(er)s of railroaders averaged near- retirement taxes for an employ- directly from the railroad industry in eligible for a 60/30 annuity July 1, 1984, ly $2,185 a month, compared to approx- 10ee earning $132,900 in 2019 compared fiscal year 2018 were awarded $3,050 a or later, and retired at ages 60 or 61 be- imately $1,265 under social security. to social security taxes? month on average while awards for dis- fore 2002. If the employee was awarded The annuities being paid at the end The maximum amount of regular abled workers under social security av- a disability annuity, has attained age 60 of fiscal year 2018 to widowed mothers/ railroad retirement taxes that an em- eraged $1,340. and has 30 years of service, the spouse fathers averaged $1,900 a month and ployee earning $132,900 can pay in 2019 While both the Railroad Retirement can receive an unreduced annuity the children’s annuities averaged $1,110, com- is $15,003.15, compared to $10,166.85 and Social Security Acts provide benefits first full month she or he is age 60, re- pared to $985 and $860 a month for wid- under social security. For railroad em- to workers who are totally disabled for gardless of whether the employee an- owed mothers/fathers and children, re- ployers, the maximum annual regular any regular work, the Railroad Retire- nuity began before or after 2002, as long spectively, under social security. retirement taxes on an employee earn- ment Act also provides disability benefits as the spouse’s annuity beginning date Those awarded in fiscal year 2018 ing $132,900 are $23,096.55, compared specifically for employees who are dis- is after 2001. averaged $2,200 a month for widowed to $10,166.85 under social security. Em- abled for work in their regular railroad To qualify for a spouse’s benefit under mothers/fathers and $1,350 a month for ployees earning over $132,900 and their occupation. Employees may be eligible social security, an applicant must be at least children under railroad retirement, employers, will pay more in retirement

Chase Gunnoe for such an occupational disability annu- age 62, or any age if caring for a child who compared to $960 and $855 for wid- taxes than the above amounts because ity at age 60 with 10 years of service, or is entitled to receive benefits based on the owed mothers/fathers and children, re- the Medicare hospital insurance tax is

Photo: at any age with 20 years of service. applicant’s spouse’s record. spectively, under social security. applied to all earnings. • APRIL/MAY 2019 8

Advisory Board February/March 2019 Activity Locomotive Engineers And Trainmen News In accordance with the BLET Bylaws, summaries of BLET Advisory Board members’ activities are published monthly: Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers And Trainmen NATIONAL PRESIDENT DENNIS R. PIERCE: National Division Office, Independence, Ohio; VICE PRESIDENT MIKE TWOMBLY: Department Head, BLET Short Line/Organizing Department; 7061 East Pleasant Valley Road General supervision of BLET activities; General office duties; Correspondence and telephone Designated Representative of the BLET Short Line Department; Assigned to: CN–Grand Trunk communications; Supervision of Office Administration; General Supervision of Special Rep- Western; Springfield Terminal; Delaware & Hudson; St. Lawrence & Atlantic; New York Susquehan- Independence, Ohio 44131 resentatives; President, Teamsters Rail Conference; Policy Committee, Teamsters Rail Confer- na & Western; Connecticut Southern (G&W); New England Central (G&W); Louisville & Indiana; ence; Cooperating Rail Labor Organization (CRLO) mtgs., Hollywood, Fla.; Wyoming State Huron & Eastern; Wheeling & Lake Erie; General office duties, telephone, email, correspondence BLET Publications Committee: Legislative Board mtg., Cheyenne, Wyo.; BLET/Amtrak Eastern Local Chairmen mtg., Miami, communications, etc.; On duty at home office; Wyoming State Legislative Board mtg., Cheyenne, Fla.; BLET LM-2 class, San Antonio, Texas; BLET Advisory Board mtg., San Antonio, Texas; Wyo.; National Short Line Department mtg., Independence, Ohio; BLET Advisory Board mtg., San Dennis R. Pierce, National President Mtg. at Department of Transportation/ Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, D.C.; Antonio, Texas; W&LE Public Law Board 7906, Estero, Fla.; Louisville & Indiana Section 6 negotia- E. “Lee” Pruitt, First Vice President & Alternate President Mtg. w/ National Carriers’ Conference Committee, Washington, D.C.; Mtg. at National Trans- tions, Jeffersonville, Ind.; Louisville & Indiana contract ratification mtg., Jeffersonville, Ind. Stephen J. Bruno, National Secretary-Treasurer portation Safety Board, Washington, D.C.; Mtg. at Association of American Railroads, Wash- VICE PRESIDENT MICHAEL D. PRIESTER: Assigned to all BNSF (former ATSF, former C&S, John P. Tolman, Vice President & National Legislative Rep. ington, D.C.; Congressional lobbying, Washington, D.C.; BLET Secretary-Treasurer class, In- CRI&P, FWD, former STL-SF, BNSF/MRL), Panhandle Northern, Great Western Railway of Colo- John V. Bentley Jr., Director of Public Relations & Editor dependence, Ohio; BLET National Association of State Legislative Board (NASLBC) mtg., San rado; Missouri & North Arkansas, Montana Rail Link, Otter Tail; General office duties, telephone, Bill Joyce, Art Director & Associate Editor Diego, Calif. email, correspondence communications, etc.; M&NA contract conference call w/ GC Thurman, www.ble-t.org (216) 241-2630 FIRST VICE PRESIDENT E.L. (LEE) PRUITT: National Duties include but not limited to: Trainmen’s M&NA LR and mediator; BLET Advisory Board mtg., San Antonio, Texas; Mtg. w/ BNSF General Dept.; National Publications Committee; National Legislative Board; Teamsters Rail Conference Chairmen, Ft. Collins, Colo.; Contract talks w/ Great Western Rwy., assisting GC Cunningham, COPYRIGHT 2018, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Policy Committee; PRAC; and National Negotiations; National duties, Independence, Ohio; Gen- Denver, Colo.; BNSF General Chairmen’s mtg., Topeka, Kan. VOLUME 33 NUMBER 3 April/May 2019 eral office duties, telephone, email, correspondence communications, etc.; Holiday; Cooperating VICE PRESIDENT R.C. (RICK) GIBBONS: Assigned to: All Norfolk Southern General Committees Rail Labor Organization (CRLO) mtgs., Hollywood, Fla.; Holiday; BLET LM-2 class, San Antonio, (Northern, Eastern and Southern Lines); Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern; Indiana & Ohio (G&W); General LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & TRAINMEN NEWS (ISSN 0898-8625) Texas; BLET Advisory Board mtg., San Antonio, Texas; NASLBC annual mtg., San Diego, Calif. is published monthly by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen, office duties, telephone, email, correspondence communications; Vice President duties; On duty at home 7061 East Pleasant Valley Road, Independence, Ohio 44131 NATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER STEPHEN J. BRUNO: General supervision of Accounting office; PLB 7574, assisting GC Sturdivant, Norfolk, Va.; BLET LM-2 Class, San Antonio, Texas; BLET Dept., Record Dept., Online Services Dept., Tax Compliance Dept.; Safety Task Force; PAC and FEC Advisory Board mtg., San Antonio, Texas; PLB 7668 and PLB 7553, Estero, Fla.; NS mtg., Estero, Fla.

reports and filings; Implementation and training for BLET membership database/Union Track; Pen- USPS: 0002-244 ISSN: 0898-8625 VICE PRESIDENT JAMES P. LOUIS: National Division Department Head, BLET Education & sion, STD, 457 plan Trustee; Division, General Committee and SLB monthly Trustee reports; Mtgs. Training Dept.; Department Head of the BLET Internal Organizing, Mobilizing & Strategic Plan- with vendors and financial institutions; Union Track issues, testing, status updates, etc.; Triennial POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ning Dept.; Department Head, BLET Passenger Dept.; Assigned Amtrak; Keolis Commuter Servic- election oversight duties; Union Track status call; GCA dues handling; MetLife/Bombardier; Fees Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen News — BLET Record Department, es; Keolis Rail Services of Virginia, LLC; TransitAmerica Services, Inc.; Long Island Rail Road; New objector; CRLO mtgs., Hollywood, Fla.; BLET LM-2 class, San Antonio, Texas; BLET Advisory 7061 East Pleasant Valley Road, Independence, Ohio 44131. York & Atlantic; Metro-North; New Jersey Transit; PATH; SEPTA; Western New York & Pennsylva- 4/19 Board mtg., San Antonio, Texas; NASLBC annual mtg., San Diego, Calif. nia Rwy.; South Buffalo Rwy.; Union Track mtgs. and training; Education & Training issues; BLET VICE PRESIDENT & NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN P. TOLMAN: Assigned Regional Meeting and Convention planning; Keolis issues, assist GC Kenny; Amtrak GCA regional to BLET Washington, DC office; General office duties, telephone and correspondence commu- mtg., assist GC Kenny, Miami, Fla.; Various reports; Assist SEPTA GC Hill; NMB Case A-13867, as- Photo of the Month: April/May 2019 nications; Attended hearings on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.; Mtgs. with President Pierce and sist GC Hill, SEPTA, Philadelphia; Assist LIRR GC Sexton; BLET LM-2 Class, San Antonio, Texas; members of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure for the 116th Congress, BLET Advisory Board mtg., San Antonio, Texas; Assist PATH GC McCarthy, prep for PLB 5210; Washington, D.C.; Mtg. w/ Ways and Means Committee Chairman Neal, Washington, D.C.; BLET Vacation; Secretary-Treasurer class, Independence, Ohio. NYS&W POWER: New York, Susquehanna & Western (NYS&W) locomotive 3016 powers through the Apshawa Preserve near West Milford, Advisory Board mtg., San Antonio, Texas; Mtg. w/ NTSB Board members, Washington, D.C.; Mtg. VICE PRESIDENT MARK L. WALLACE: Assigned to all Union Pacific GCAs (Eastern District, Photo: w/ Ian Jefferies, Association of American Railroads President & CEO; Mtg. w/ DOT Secretary Chao; New Jersey, on April 5, 2013. The BLET members who work for the NYS&W belong to Division 521 in Hawthorne, N.J. by Brother Cory Rusch, a Northern Region (former C&NW), Western Lines (Pacific Harbor Lines), Western Region (Portland Mtg. w/ FRA Administrator Batory; Mtg. w/ Speaker Pelosi Chief of Staff; Mtg./ w/ T&I Committee member of BLET Division 659 in Buffalo, N.Y. Brother Rusch is a conductor with Norfolk Southern. & Western RR, Portland Terminal), Central Region, and Southern Region); Tacoma Belt Railroad; Chairman DeFazio; Mtg. w/ Ranking Congressman Graves and Chairman Lipinski, House Railroad Utah RR; Longview Portland & Northern and Longview Switching; General office duties, telephone, Subcommittee, Washington, D.C.; Passenger & Freight Railroads United 2019 Conference, Wash- emails, correspondence, communications, etc.; On duty at home office; UP-Southern Region Local ington, D.C.; NASLBC annual meeting, San Diego, Calif.; Various receptions and office visits with Chairman workshop, Fort Worth, Texas; UP-Central Region GC, Kansas City, Kan.; BLET Advisory members of Congress and leadership of both the GOP and Democratic parties, Washington, D.C. Board mtg., San Antonio, Texas; Utah Railway negotiations, Salt Lake City, Utah. VICE PRESIDENT MARCUS J. RUEF: Vice Chairman, National Railroad Adjustment Board VICE PRESIDENT J. ALAN HOLDCRAFT: Assigned to all CSX Transportation GCAs (Eastern (NRAB); National Mediation Board (NMB) Advisory Forum–Labor Member; Department Head, Lines, Western Lines, Northern Lines (Bombardier Transportation Services), Conrail Shared As- BLET Arbitration Department; Assigned to CN-Wisconsin Central, CN-Illinois Central, CN-Cedar sets/CSX Northern District); KCS–Kansas City Southern/Louisiana & Ark. RR.; KCS–Texas Mexi- River, Belt Railway of Chicago, Gary Rwy., Illinois Rwy., Indiana Harbor Belt, Metra (Chicago), can Railway; KCS–Mid South Rail, South Rail, Gateway Western RR, Illinois Midland (G&W); Mtg. CP Rail System/US (Soo), Indiana Southern RR, Iowa, Chicago & Eastern, Dakota, Minnesota & w/ KCS managers and BLET GC David Spradlin, Shreveport, La.; Mtg. w/ GC Kerley and members Eastern, Union RR; Assist GC Semenk w/ awards research, CP/SOO, Chicago; Assist VGC Logan of Division 140 (Alabama State Docks), Mobile, Ala.; Conference call w/ CSXT General Chairmen w/ awards research, ND; Work on Circular 1-89 draft, NRAB, Chicago; Assist GC Reynolds w/ Kerley, Best, Lyons and Driscoll; Mtg. w/ TexMex GC Michael Ball and members of BLET Division discipline appeal, WC, Chicago; Assist VGC Rudy w/ discipline issues, IHB, Chicago; Research for 244, Laredo, Texas; Conference call w/ GC Michael Ball and KCS managers; BLET Advisory Board WGCA presentation, Chicago; Holiday; Section 6 negotiations, Metra, Chicago; NRAB admin., Chi- mtg., San Antonio, Texas; Contract negotiations with 4 BLET CSXT General Chairmen and CSXT cago; Assist GC Burns and VGC Rudy w/ attendance issues, IHB, Chicago; BLET Advisory Board management, Jacksonville, Fla.; Attend Dispute Resolution Committee mtg. w/ CSX General Chair- mtg., San Antonio, Texas; General office duties; Discuss FMLA dockets w/ CSX GCAs, Chicago; men and CSX management, Jacksonville, Fla.; Conference call w/ VP Ruef regarding disposition of ROAR committee, NRAB, Chicago; 3rd Division Awards, NRAB, Chicago; Vacation; Work on cases at First Division; Conference call w/ KCS management and General Chairman Ball regarding claims manual w/ GC Reynolds, WC, Chicago. cross border operations at Laredo, Texas; Mediation with Indiana Rail Road, Indianapolis, Ind. BLET member killed in off-duty accident LET member Rene Ra- April 7 when he was rear-ended es, nephews and other relatives; mos, President of Divi- on Interstate 37 south of San An- and friends. sion 350 in Kingsville, tonio, Texas. Funeral services were held on Texas, was killed in an He is survived by his moth- April 16 at Coastal Bend Fellow- Bautomobile accident while on his er Jackie Mendez; daughters, ship Church in Kingsville, Texas. way home from work on April 7, Selina Ramos and Emily Ra- “This is a terrible tragedy and 2019. He was 50 years old. mos; son, Rene Ramos, Jr.; a heartbreaking loss to all who A Union Pacific locomotive Grandchildren, James Ramos, knew and loved Brother Rene,” engineer, Brother Ramos held Adria De La Rosa, Nathan Ra- BLET National President Den- Are you a photographer? The National Division’s images to the “Photo of the Month” section of the News- Please note only high resolution images can be continuous membership in the mos; siblings, Sylvia (David) nis Pierce said. “On behalf of the Public Relations Department, which produces the News- letter. If you’d like to submit a photo for consideration, used. Members are also encouraged to review their BLET since August 1, 2005. Ac- Ruiz, David (Linda) Ramos, BLET National Division, I ex- letter each month, has received numerous inquiries lately you may call Editor John Bentley at (216) 241-2630, ext. employer’s policies regarding the use of cameras and cording to media reports, Broth- Rueben (Connie) Ramos, tend our most heartfelt condo- from BLET members volunteering to contribute their 248, or you can email: [email protected]. other electronic devices while on duty. er Ramos was driving home Corinna (Tony) Lira, Nadia lences to the friends and family • from work around 11:30 p.m. on (David) Ramirez; several niec- of Brother Ramos.” • Ramos •