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.

    For more information, contact the BLET Public Relations Department at the International Office by calling (216) 241-2630, ext. 248,
    from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., E.T.

    BLET Division 299
    Prior to the merger between Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroads, BLE Div 299
    covered AT&SF engineers working out of Amarillo, Texas. Today BLET Div 299 covers BNSF engineers working
    former Santa Fe territory and is open to all BNSF engineers and Trainmen working out of Amarillo.

    Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 AM.

    Meeting place
    Santa Fe Federal Credit Union
    15th and Harrison
    Amarillo, Texas

    Local Officers
    President - Dan Williams
    Vice President - Randy Tapp
    Secretary/Treasurer - Mike Bass
    Alternate Secretary/Treasurer - Everett Parks
    Local Chairman - Joe Maloy
    Vice Local Chairman - Carl Kayser
    Vice Local Chairman - Wade Randall
    Guide - Neil Lester
    Chaplain - David Gray
    Legislative Representative - Mike Kendrick
    Alternate Legislative Representative - Bob White

               
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Information contained on this web site has been provided for the benefit of Division 299 members.  BLET, Diviision 299 and the web site
author are not liable for discrepancies, ommisions, opinions, whether expressed or implied or false or misleading content.  Hyperlinks are provided as an
information resource and do not constitute endorsement  by BLET or Division 299.