BLET Creates New Short Line Department
- On September 18, 2019
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has established a Short Line Department at the National Division level. Effective November 1, 2019, this new Short Line Department will merge short line members of five BLET Divisions into a single Local Division, Division 16, and will allow for the creation of multiple Sub-charters for each individual short line. The Department will provide assistance from the National Division during contract negotiations and other matters while allowing members the freedom to form their own local grievance committees. Stated goals include opportunities to “better serve current members from very small divisions who work for short line railroads by providing assistance from the National Division during contract negotiations and with other matters while also providing them with the freedom to form their own local grievance committees for contract enforcement and grievance handling at the local level.” The Organization cited to “thousands of sort line workers currently employed on non-union properties” and expects its new Short Line Division structure to “give the National Division added flexibility to organize new members and to grow [its] organization.” Accordingly, Short Lines should anticipate potential changes to their BLET contacts and increased organization activity.
Contact Fletcher & Sippel’s Labor and Employment Group for more information.
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