HISTORY

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is a Division of the Rail Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). Its predecessor union, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, was the senior national labor organization in the United States and also North America's oldest rail labor union. The BLE marked its 140th anniversary in 2003 and was founded in Marshall, Mich. on May 8, 1863, as The Brotherhood of the Footboard; a year later, its name was changed to The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. The BLE merged with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and became the BLET on January 1, 2004.

MISSION STATEMENT: "The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen exists to promote and protect the rights, interests, and safety of its members through solidarity, aggressive representation, and education." From BLET National Division Rules, 2004.

MEMBERSHIP: The BLET represents Locomotive Engineers, Conductors, Brakemen, Firemen, Switchmen, Hostlers and other Train Service Employees on numerous railroads in the United States. The BLET's total membership is more than 59,000 and growing, in spite of industry consolidation. Since Jan. 1, 1992, Locomotive Engineers must be trained and tested to be federally certified and licensed to operate trains.

AFFILIATIONS: The BLET is the founding member of the Rail Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: Local units of the BLET are known as Divisions. Each Division elects four primary local officers - President, Local Chairman, Secretary-Treasurer and Legislative Representative - each serving three-year terms. The BLET is comprised of more than 600 Divisions.

All the local chairmen on a particular railroad constitute the BLET General Committee of Adjustment on that system; this General Committee is autonomous and responsible for negotiating, making, interpreting and enforcing contracts between engineers and their railroad. Larger railroad systems may have more than one General Committee and General Chairman.
 

All the legislative representatives for divisions within a state comprise the State Legislative Board. These legislative boards are responsible for educating legislators, policy makers and the public about the impacts of regulations and laws on transportation and public safety.
 

At the National Division, officers include the President, First Vice-President, National Secretary-Treasurer and eight "regional" vice-presidents, who assist and offer resources to General Committees. National Division officers are elected to four-year terms.
 

One vice-president serves as the BLET's National Legislative Representative, administering the Washington D.C. office and coordinating federal activities of the BLET, and its various state legislative boards.
 

The BLET is governed by its Bylaws. Policies are set and officers elected at conventions every four years. Convention delegates are elected by local BLET Division members.

HEADQUARTER OFFICES: The BLET National Division is located at: Standard Building, 1370 Ontario St., Mezzanine, Cleveland, OH 44113-1702 (built and owned by the BLET). The National Legislative Office is located in IBT Headquarters in Washington D.C.