News
High Alert
Joint Letter of Protest Regarding CSXT's New Availability Standards
1 August 2010
Attached is the joint letter from all of the General Chairman on CSXT to protest CSXT's new availability standards for your review. We will continue to update you on the progress concerning this issue. View Letter
RRB: Benefit Rate Increase for Railroad Unemployment and Sickness Benefits
29 June 2010
The maximum daily benefit rate payable for claims under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act is increases. Please view the attached link for further information. Benefit Increase
CSXT Performance Bonus Program
10 February 2010
The CSXT Performance Bonus Program is attached for your review. For further information, please review Article 6 of the BLET Single System Agreement. View Info
Railroad Retirement Board Notice of Annual Rates - 2010
18 December 2009
The current United States Railroad Retirement Board of Programs 2010 Notice of Annual Rates and other valuable information pertaining to Railroad Retirement Benefits are available for your review. Please note the RR Tier I and II tax and Medicare tax, as well as the Earnings Base did not change for the calendar year of 2010. View Rates
CSXT Labor Agreement No. 1-030-09
11 November 2009
CSXT Labor Agreement No. 1-030-09 was ratified by approximately 85% of our members who casted a ballot over the System during the months of August and September, 2009. This agreement was made effective September 15, 2009, with the signature date also shown as the same date by our General Chairmen and approved by our National BLET Vice President in Jacksonville, Floriday on November 5, 2009. This is a five (5) year agreement and provides wage increases each year commencing on January 1, 2010, through and on January 1, 2014, in addition to a performance bonus payment due each year commencing in 2011 through 2015. The bonus payment is scheduled to be paid no later than March 1 of each year. View 1-030-09
Final Rule on the Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
23 September 2009
Please find the website link to the Federal Railroad Administration and the final Rule on the Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway Rail Crossings. I strongly encourage you to review the Final rules and additional subject matters listed therein that you may access with this document. Just click on each sentence on the website and you will be able to access the FRA posting on that subject matter. FRA.dot.gov
Announcements
FRA - EO 26
16 August 2009
Please find below answers to two (2) different questions involving a supervisor using a cell phone while riding in the operating compartment of a moving train and observing a crew while outside the operating compartment of a train.
Question: Can a company officer accept a cell phone call while riding with a crew observing how they work?
Answer: Section A of Emergency order 26 defines the scope of the order it states that the restrictions and prohibitions in EO 26 apply to railroad operating employees. That term is defined in section B (3) as “a person performing duties subject to 49 U.S.C. 21103, ‘Limitation on duty hours of train employees,’ an individual engaged in or connected with the movement of a train, including a hostler.” If the supervisor is not subject to the limitations of Hours of Service the restrictions would not apply to them. Extending the restrictions included in the order to other non operating employees is addressed in one area. Emergency Order 26 generally prohibits the use of cell phones in the operating compartment of a moving train. However, it is not an absolute prohibition. Under certain conditions it is permissible. So the answer to the first question is a qualified yes. 1) The supervisor may use a railroad provided cell phone for authorized business purposes. 2) He must first have a safety briefing with the crew. 3) The crew must agree that it safe to use the phone.
Question: Can a company officer accept a cell phone call while observing a crew member, while he is outside the cab, coupling up a track or working with cars?
Answer: Any other use of the cell phone is prohibited in the operating compartment of a moving train. Extending the prohibition on using cell phones to supervisors observing operations outside the operating compartment is not specifically addressed in EO 26. Therefore, if the supervisor is not part of the crew or assisting in coupling or working with cars the prohibitions do not apply to him. FYI, The restrictions on the operating crew is not absolute either. Certain conditions must exist for the members of the crew on the ground to use a cell phone. They are; 1) He cannot be fouling any track 2) No other switching operations are underway 3) He is not performing other safety related duties (This would include tasks such as brake tests) 4) The crew has suspended operations
Federal Drug and Alcohol Testing
15 August 2009
Federal drug and alcohol testing in the railroad industry must comply with DOT and FRA Federal regulations/procdures. The attached flier is a cooperative effort among the FRA, DOT, AAR, ASLRRA, ATDA, BLET, BRS, IBEW, and UTU to provide covered service employees like you with the information you need to comply with Federal testing. View Documents
Hours of Service Law - FAQs
11 September 2009
This Memorandum is a detailed updated explanation of the how deadhead trips should be treated for HOS recordkeeping purposes and the application of the law. View Memorandum.
16 July 2009
For more detailed information regarding the about the RSIA HOSL, including the interpretations, please click on the links below. ble-t.org
30 June 2009
The updated documents contain the public inspection copy of the FRA's HOSL interpretations. View Documents.
18 November 2008
The following document contains answers to frequently asked questions pertaining to the Hours of Service Law. View FAQs.
Short Term Disability Plan Changes - Effective January 2009
17 November 2008
The BLET announces a number of changes to the Short Term Disability Insurance Plan which will go into effect on January 1, 2009. These changes will impact eligible employees working on a railroad that participated in the Wage Rules portion of the National Agreement dated December 16, 2003. The following letter details the changes to Occupational and Non-Occupational plans.
View Short Term Disability Plan Changes.
More Information
Looking for further information? Links with other websites are listed below.
FRA Dept. of Transportation Railroad Safety