blet national convention 2022
Education & Training Becoming a Member The cost of the Dinner/Dance is $50.00 per person. My wife Christina and I have four children Rylee, Haley, Hannah, and Cade. Peter M. Semenek was elected by acclamation to the office of National Vice President at the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmens (BLET) Fifth National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 5, 2022. He has served as a delegate to the BLET National Conventions in 2001, 2006, 2010, and 2014, serving on the Credentials Committee in 2001. Some of his earliest memories are traveling with his father to GCA meetings in Denison, Texas and National Conventions in Cleveland, Ohio. He was reelected by acclamation at the BLETs Fifth National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 12, 20222, having won election to his first term by acclamation at the BLETs Fourth National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 3, 2018. Daily Headlines Tag: National Agreement. They will be charged with evaluating and voting on changes to the Brotherhoods Bylaws. Daily Headlines In 2003, he was appointed to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters / Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Merger Committee on Bylaws, and also a position on the Rail Safety Advisory Committees (RSAC) Risk Reduction and Fatigue Management Working Groups, representing the BLET and all of Rail Labor. His brother, Barry, is a Norfolk Southern engineer in Andover, Va. Barry served as delegate to the 2022 convention and nominated Brother Fannon to the office of National Vice President. In January 2015, he began serving as the General Chairman of the Conrail SAA/CSXCT Northern District General Committee of Adjustment, winning reelection by acclamation in 2015 and 2019. and joined BLE Division 502. Brother Driscoll has also served as Secretary-Treasurer of the BLETs former Eastern Meeting Union Association (EUMA) and currently serves a trustee of the National General Chairman Association. Upcoming Events Vice President Fannon was a member of the National Divisions Bylaws Committee at the Third National Convention in 2014, and served as its Chairman at the Fourth National Convention in 2018 and Fifth National Convention in 2022. The National Mediation Board (NMB) on June 14 set in motion a 90-day-maximum time clock toward a national railroad shutdown. As a young girl, she would toss loaves of bread to striking autoworkers in Flint, Michigan, at the risk of being chased by management guards. He continued in both positions until becoming Division 28s Legislative Representative in 2006 and full-time Local Chairman in 2008. He became a BLET Division 98 officer in 1991, a general chairperson in 2001 and a national officer in 2008. The BLET takes the privacy of the Union and Union Members data very seriously. INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, August 3 The BLET National Division has launched a new website https://bletconvention.org to provide key information to delegates, vendors and guests attending the union's Fifth National Convention, which will be held October 10-13, 2022. We save homes and families what could be better? He also served as a member of the Rail Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) Two-Person Crew Working Group. charged with nominating candidates for National Division office, analyzing and voting on changes to the Brotherhoods bylaws, and various other Vice President Best began his railroad career in Danville, Ill., on September 20, 1993 when he hired out as a brakeman for CSXT. National Division Rules, Sec. The train, which originated from Madison, Illinois, on the evening of Feb. 1, broke down at February 16, 2023 | Derailment, East Palestine-NS, EPA, Headlines, NS. The only opposing candidate on the ballot in the BLET is Edward A. History Throughout my 20 years with LECMPA, Ive loved going above and beyond to help people. Brother Bagby began his railroad carrier on April 15, 1993, as a maintenance of way trackman between Kansas City and St. Louis during the worst flooding in Missouri history. They will be charged with nominating candidates for National Division office . Brother Estes represented Division 60 as their delegate to the BLET First National Convention in 2006, Second National Convention 2010, and the Third National Convention 2014. Newsletters Brother Hubbard also thanked National Division Staff Liaison, Brendan P. Sullivan, Director of Political Affairs for the BLET's National Legislative Office. He represented Division 659 on the New York State Legislative Board from 1989 through 1997, and then represented Division 421 in that same capacity for several years. I truly enjoy working for LECMPA, as it allows me to help fellow transportation workers protect their income against heavy-handed discipline handed down by big corporations. Our Association was proud to attend the BLET Fifth National Convention, which was held in Las Vegas, Nevada. He first began serving the GCA in 1997 when he was elected to the Alternate Secretary-Treasurer position. Supply, Retirement (Source: Railway Age, February 15, 2023) The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Feb. 14 denied as moot the petition for an emergency service order by Foster Poultry Farms (Foster Farms), which in late 2022 said there had been a substantial, measurable February 23, 2023 | Derailment, East Palestine-NS, News, NS, NTSB, Top News, February 21, 2023 | 2-man Crews, Derailment, DOT, East Palestine-NS, News, NS, Remote Control, Top News, February 14, 2023 | Contract Negotiations, CSX, News, Short Line, Top News, February 13, 2023 | News, Railroad Retirement, Top News, February 10, 2023 | Contract Agreement, News, Short Line, Top News, February 9, 2023 | News, Paid Sick Leave, Top News, February 9, 2023 | CP, News, Tentative Contract, Top News, February 8, 2023 | Contract Negotiations, CP-KCS Merger, News, Top News, Derailment, East Palestine-NS, Headlines, NS, Derailment, East Palestine-NS, EPA, Headlines, NS, Commuter Rail, Contract Negotiations, Headlines. The opening speech, setting the tone for the rest of the convention, was delivered by O'Brien. In 2012, Brother Bagby began serving in the position of Administrative Assistant at the request of General Chairman Rhodes which he continues to hold. His father Fred retired as a conductor from UP in 2010 after 48 years of service. Vice PresidentNational Legislative Representative. He is a member of Division 60 (Seattle) where he served as both Local Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer for over two decades. INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, October 28 Ballots will be mailed Monday, October 31, to approximately 24,000 BLET members and voting will begin on November 1 regarding the tentative national agreement. 2022 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Retiring Vice Presidents Pruitt, Priester address delegates as Fifth National Convention adjourns, FRA Administrator Bose talks safety on Day 3 of BLETs Fifth National Convention, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh highlights Day 2 of BLETs Fifth National Convention, President Pierce addresses delegates at Fifth National Convention. I strongly believe in our product. COVID-19; Important Phone Numbers; Subscribe by email; Operation Stop; HI-VIZ. General Committee of Adjustment. Most recently, he negotiated a contract that provided general wage increases of 24.75% (27% compounded) to the members of the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad (DM&E). In 1997, he was elected Local Chairman of the Division and was reelected by acclamation continuously to the position until 2010. He was elected by acclamation at the BLETs Fifth National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 12, 2022. BLET Auxiliary The convention was kicked off by the Report of the National President, delivered by BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce during the morning session of the BLETs Fifth National Convention on October 10. by Cesar Damian | Apr 19, 2022 | Uncategorized | 0 comments. Union Plus, BLET News The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is a Division of the Rail Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). President Pierce recognized three additional members of the Advisory . William P. Lyons is a National Vice President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a Division of the Rail Conference, International Brotherhood of Teamsters. During his tenure as General Chairman, Vice President Gibbons was privileged to be the Western General Chairmans Association (WGCA) Secretary-Treasurer from 2009 through 2011. But residents had many questions (Source: CNN, February 16, 2023) Nearly two weeks after aNorfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailedin the eastern Ohio village of East Palestine and sparked a massive dayslong blaze, residents packed a high school gym Wednesday for a meeting with (Source: CBS News, February 15, 2023) When Norfolk Southern train 32Nderailed in Ohioearlier this month, it was not the first time it had experienced problems on the route. Record & Compliance trainmen throughout the United States. He earned promotion to locomotive engineer 1998 after relocating to Tucson, Arizona. Merchandise Fax: 877.633.1910. Page 13. . In 2005, he was elected as the Alternate Secretary-Treasurer of the Amtrak General Committee of Adjustment and ascended to the GCA Secretary-Treasurer position in November 2007. My hobbies include travel, property rehabilitation, and spending time with family. Once completed, print and sign the application and forward to your BLET Division Secretary-Treasurer for processing. (Source: Associated Press, February 15, 2023) Residents of the Ohio village upended by a freight train derailment packed a school gym to seek answers about whether they were safe from toxic chemicals that spilled or were burned off. BLET delegates showed their generosity at the Fifth National Convention on October 13, donating money to help the family of a fallen Brother. The BLET is a member of the Rail Conference Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamster and represents approximately 57,000 active and retired members nationwide. National Division; Safety Third. From 2008-2011, he served as Vice General Chairman of the BLETs BNSF-ATSF GCA. Brother Semenek began his railroad career on the Soo Line Railroad in August of 1991 when he hired out as a Conductor. Brother Bagby is currently serving the BLET as First Vice General Chairman for the Union Pacific-Central Region General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), which represents 19 Divisions and more than 1,200 members. He has also served on the Rail Safety Advisory Committees (RSAC) Inward/Outward-Facing Recording Device Working Group. Vice President Louis has been active in the BLE/BLETs Eastern Union Meeting Association (EUMA), serving as Arrangements Chairman in 2004, and then as Vice Chairman of the EUMA Standing Committee from 2005 to 2014. Brother Louis was elected Third Alternate National Vice President at the BLETs Second National Convention in 2010. His great grandfather, Joseph, worked for 60 years on the Pennsylvania and the Wheeling & Lake Erie railroads. Public Relations Click the link below to access the member area. He was elected Local Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer of Division 659 in 1989, positions he held continuously until 1997, when he transferred to Division 382. BLET members ratified that agreement by a 5-to-1 ratio on June 13, 2022. His report focused on the Tentative National Freight Agreement and a call for unity now and in the days to come. Posted on December 1, 2022 December 30, 2022. If you would like to become of a member of the BLET, please complete a BLET membership application form, which is available as a PDF. Locomotive Engineers & Conductors Mutual Protective Association (LECMPA) has been protecting transportation workers in United States and Canada since 1910. I was a yardmaster in South Oakland, MTO in Stockton, CA, and a Senior MTO in Roseville, CA. This website contains only a general description of coverages and is not a statement of contract. Effective July 1, 2013, he was elevated to the office of National Vice President upon the retirement of Vice President Willard E. Knight. While there are no major work rule changes, BLET says, the cost of the employee contribution to . Newsletters Health & Welfare Scholarship Directory In 1998, he completed his locomotive engineer training and attained seniority as a locomotive engineer. Brother Bagby joined the BLET on October 1, 1994, and he became a locomotive engineer February 7, 1995, with seniority from Kansas City to Marysville, Kansas. Health & Welfare I served as a union shop steward for 25 years. A CSX locomotive engineer, Vice President Best is a member of BLET Division 498 in Abbeville, S.C., and has held continuous membership in the BLET since January 1, 1995. They will be In a show of dedication to the Brotherhood and its members, Brother Crow relocated to Clinton, Iowa when he was elevated to the office of 1st Vice Chairman in September of 2012. Brother Gibbons railroad career began in 1972 on the former Illinois Central Gulf in Slater, Mo. (NS), Crozet, Va. (Amtrak), Draffin, Ky. (CSXT), and Hyndman, Pa. (CSXT). He has been an active union member since Day 1, and has served on Division 28s Local Committee of Adjustment for 12 years. My greatest reward is when a member calls to thank me because his claim was paid. He served as an appointed Local Chairman for trainmen/conductors and Vice Local Chairman before becoming Local Chairman in 2000. important duties. Updates and related information will be available on the BLET's National . His brother, Jerry, was a fireman with Penn Central/Conrail who served as a Local Chairman of the United Transportation Union from 1970 to 1979. Prior to his railroad career, Brother Driscoll studied Business Finance and Accounting at Canisius College where he earned a BA in accounting. Journals, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, FRA Certification Helpline: (216) 694-0240, BLET calls on Congress to fix FMLA flaw that harms rail workers, Rail Labor joins Senators Sanders and Braun to demand paid sick leave, Save the date: 2023 BLET regional meetings, Major NS derailment and chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio, Norfolk Southern backs out of East Palestine town hall meeting, A week after evacuations lifted, East Palestine residents pack meeting to express doubts about safety, Excess weight and length caused train to break down in days before it derailed in Ohio, employees say, East Palestine derailment could bring cancer risk, millions in damage, NJ Transit engineers are ready to strike over their wages, BLET says, FRA adds $2.2 billion to intercity passenger rail grant funding, STB rejects Foster Farms emergency service order request, BLET President Hall statement on NTSBs preliminary report on the East Palestine derailment, BLET President Hall responds to rail safety recommendations proposed today by U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, BLETs Springfield Terminal members to vote on implementing agreement, RRB announces Spring 2023 Pre-Retirement Seminars, BLET members ratify new contract with Illinois Railway, Ballots mailed in tentative BLET, CP Rail/SOO Line tentative agreement, Ballots mailed to BLET members in tentative DM&E, KCS implementing agreement, BLET Members Register for the Website Member Area. Brother Best was appointed by National President Dennis R. Pierce to serve as a Member of the Credentials Committee at the 2010 Convention, as the Chairman of the Credentials Committee at the 2014 Convention, and as a Member of the Bylaws Committee at the 2018 and 2022 Conventions. Lastly, the BLET Auxiliary will hold its Fourth National Auxiliary Convention at Ballys from October 10-13, 2022. My mission is to continue to reach, teach, and guide others on this valuable asset that solely protects your income should you be placed in the position of suspension or termination. History Brother Patrick Driscoll joined the BLET in 1994 as a Conrail locomotive engineer. Brother Crow began his railroad career in 1996, when he hired out as a trainman with the Union Pacific in Chicago, earning promotion to locomotive engineer in June of 1999. Vice President Fannon began his railroad career on July 5, 1988 in Norton, Va. (Norfolk Southern) as a brakeman. In 2008, he was elected to the position of 4th Vice General Chairman for UP-CR GCA and was elevated to 3rd Vice General Chairman in 2011 with the retirement of General Chairman Rightnowar. FYI FYI: BLE&T 2022 Fith National Convention. As we move forward, I am asking you to stay involved in your Union. In 2007, Vice President Semenek was elected to the office of 1st Vice General Chairman for the CP Rail System/U.S. Brother Wallace began his service to the union immediately after joining Division 267. From 2002-2008, he served as Local Chairman of Division 776. (216) 241-2630Fax: (216) 241-6516 He was elected by acclamation to his second full term of office on October 3, 2018, at the BLETs Fourth National Convention in Las Vegas. I worked in the Illinois/Chicago Divisions then transferred to the Gulf/Red River Division. Journals, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, FRA Certification Helpline: (216) 694-0240, BLET President Hall statement on NTSBs preliminary report on the East Palestine derailment, BLET President Hall responds to rail safety recommendations proposed today by U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, BLETs Springfield Terminal members to vote on implementing agreement, RRB announces Spring 2023 Pre-Retirement Seminars, BLET members ratify new contract with Illinois Railway, Norfolk Southern backs out of East Palestine town hall meeting, A week after evacuations lifted, East Palestine residents pack meeting to express doubts about safety, Excess weight and length caused train to break down in days before it derailed in Ohio, employees say, East Palestine derailment could bring cancer risk, millions in damage, NJ Transit engineers are ready to strike over their wages, BLET says. His grandfather was the Superintendent on the Chicago and Alton Railroad in Slater for many years. Arbitration During his tenure as General Chairman, Vice President Semenek negotiated contracts with Metra (the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation, or NIRCRC), the Indiana Southern Railroad, and the Canadian Pacific-U.S. Railway on both the Soo Line and Dakota Minnesota &Eastern Railroad. Throughout his career, Brother Estes has directly participated in most aspects of both Local Division and General Committee of Adjustment membership representation, including time claims, discipline handling, Locomotive Engineer Review Board (LERB) submissions and contract negotiations. All Rights Reserved. History Vice President Holdcraft began his railroad career on June 1, 1977, when he hired out as a trainman with the Santa Fe Railroad in Galveston, Texas. Memorial Page One year later, he became the GCAs first-ever conductor to be elected to the office of Regional Vice General Chairman. Vice President Best served as Local Chairman of Division 498 from 2001 until 2013. He was elevated to the General Chairmans office in September of 2013 following the retirement of his mentor and predecessor, Brother Tony Smith, and was reelected by acclamation at quadrennial meetings in 2016 and 2020. Brother Driscoll represented Division 382 as a Delegate to the National Division at the Second and Third National Convention. October 19, 2022. He has held continuous membership in BLET Division 776 (Galveston, Texas) since initiating into the Brotherhood on February 1, 1980. Brother Driscoll is a third generation railroader, following in the footsteps of his grandfather who served as a clerk on the New York Central and his father who was an Assistant Superintendent at Conrail. Upcoming Events Vice President Fannon served Division 37 as a delegate during National Conventions in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. In 1982, he began working in Conrail commuter service as a trainman/conductor in Hoboken, NJ. Critical Illness & Accident Insurance BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce called the meeting to order. The BLET takes the privacy of the Union and Union Members data very seriously. I have been with LECMPA for 23 years. Record & Compliance The new website has numerous sections containing news and other information for delegates, visitors and vendors. Brother Lyons is assigned to the National Wage Committee for the current round of national contract negotiations, and served in the same role during the round of negotiations that concluded in 2017, with an agreement that was ratified by 88% of voting members. As with the past regional meetings, the 2022 meetings will be arranged on a Monday through Friday schedule. Approximately 475 delegates will represent nearly 33,000 active locomotive engineers and trainmen throughout the United States. Memorial Page More specific details will be announced at a later date. He also holds a degree in Labor Studies. Independence, Ohio 44131 In 2001, Vice President Louis was elected Second Alternate to the former BLE Board of Appeals. Accidental Death & Dismemberment Becoming a Member Additional information coming soon. His father, Arthur, was a conductor with the New York Central from 1940 to 1968. National Legislative Office The Denver regional meeting will be held at the Hilton Denver City Center and the Baltimore regional will be held at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor. Brother Semenek was elected to serve the National Division as Alternate National Vice President No. The video was played prior to each morning's session during the Fifth National Convention, October 10-14, 2022. Education & Training Brother Wallace participated in negotiations that resulted in the 2015 on-property agreement with Norfolk Southern, the current agreement with Portland & Western, the current agreement with the Pacific Harbor Lines, and the 2015 National Agreement. Vice President Louiss railroad career began when he hired out with Conrail as a trainman on August 6, 1976, in Buffalo, N.Y. Hall is National President of the 57,000-member Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a Division of the Rail Conference, International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Brother Verna began working full time for the BLET National Division on August 1, 2011, when he was appointed to the position of Director of Regulatory Affairs by BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce. Brother Driscoll currently serves as General Chairman of the Conrail SSA/CSXT-Northern District General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), which represents about 1,400 active and retired members. Public Relations Vice President Fannon began service to the BLET when he was elected in 2009 as Local Chairman of Division 37. Per the BLET Bylaws, Brother Verna was elevated to office having been elected by acclamation to the office of First Alternate VP&NLR at the BLETs Fourth National Convention in Las Vegas on October 4, 2018. One uncle was a switchman in Mexico, Missouri for the GM&O, and his great uncle was a boomer who landed on the Southern Pacific in California and retired at the age of 82 with 64 years of service. Im a railroader who grew up in railroad households, where Soo Line callers would ring my engineer dad and conductor grandfather at all hours. in the Members Area of the BLET National Division website, https://members.ble-t.org. . Upcoming Events I was a LECMPA policyholder myself and Im personally committed to making sure my union brothers and sisters are aware of the peace of mind our coverage can provide. Vice President Gibbons also was the Host Chairman of the 2003 Southwestern Convention Meeting in Branson, Missouri. During college, I landed summer employment with the railroad. He also successfully completed grievance mediation training in April of 2017. He served as Local Chairman of Division 382 from 2000 to 2015.
