During the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee markup of the BUILD America 250 Act, U.S. Representative Dina Titus (D-NV) introduced an amendment (Amendment 294) that includes language from her Secure Tracks Act protecting visual track inspection frequencies by codifying the twice per week visual track inspection requirement while also requiring railroads to use Track Geometry Measurement Systems (TGMS) as a supplement, not a replacement to human visual inspections. Representative

CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE BMWED NATIONAL DIVISION; BMWED BYLAW PROPOSALS (BMWED CONVENTION); PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE: “SECTION 3 ARBITRATION”; STRONG AS STEEL: “BROTHER JOSE JUAREZ AT 101 YEARS OLD”; TRACK OF ALL TRADES: “USD B&B TRANSFORMS NEGLECTED BUILDING INTO MODERN WORKSPACE”; RAILROADIN’: “ARSF MEMBERS CHANGE A SPERRY PLUG”; B&LE SYSTEM DIVISION ELECTS LEADERSHIP; TEAMSTERS RAIL CONFERENCE RE-ELECTS DALE BOGART; TEAMSTERS JOINT COUNCIL 25 LOBBY DAY; BMWED WELCOMES NEW LEGISLATIVE STAFF; MORE!

BMWED-IBT proudly stands united with our fellow rail labor unions in support of these workers as they fight for the fair contract they have earned and deserve.

A new coalition, launched today, unites a broad cross section of the U.S. economy in opposing the proposed merger of Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern rail lines. If allowed to move forward, the deal would create the largest consolidated railroad in U.S. history and give a single entity control over almost half of the nation’s rail traffic.

The most terrible days of our profession are the ones when a railroader reports to work and doesn’t return home. It is an acute pain and deep sorrow that never eases.

BMWED has worked closely over the last month to advocate in Congress for increased funding for the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) so that it can better serve BMWED members and other rail workers. This advocacy effort includes working with a bipartisan group of lawmakers in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate to prepare a letters separately urging House and Senate appropriators to support the RRB’s budget request for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 funding.

Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway have begun deploying Automated Track Inspection (ATI) systems while reducing human inspections under federal waiver.

The Teamsters Rail Conference, comprised of BLET and BMWED, is supporting the No Tax on Overtime For All Workers Act (S. 4310). This legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate this week by Sens. Jim Justice (R-WV) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA). The bipartisan bill would provide Rail Conference members and all rail workers with the same overtime tax relief that most other workers received through the “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed in July 2025.

On April 7, leaders of the Teamsters Rail Conference met in New York City with Wall Street analysts and investors who study the Class I railroad industry to discuss potential ramifications of the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger and the Teamsters Rail Conference’s opposition to the merger.

Brothers and Sisters, remember both No Tax on OT and Automated Track Inspection are issues that remain on the forefront of our efforts in Washington, D.C. We must protect our work, keep our communities safe, and fight for every dollar owed to us for our skilled labor and expertise.

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The Senate and House bills would ensure safe rail operations through visual track inspection.

The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a new Train Approach Warning Safety Bulletin following the tragic accident involving BMWED members that resulted in a roadway worker fatality in Lancaster, PA. This bulletin underscores the critical importance of following all federal safety requirements, proper on-track protection procedures, and comprehensive training. Please take a moment to read the full bulletin and share it with your BMWED Brothers and Sisters.

Brother Jeremy S. Charles, 39, a four-year member of BMWED United Passenger Rail Federation Local Lodge 3011, was fatally struck by a train while cleaning switches in the blizzard around Lancaster, Pa.

BMWED General Chairpersons representing BNSF members have formally requested that BNSF provide a detailed written plan regarding its use of the Federal Railroad Administration’s Automated Track Inspection (ATI) waivers, including its current waiver under FRA-2020-0064 and the newly approved national ATI waiver under FRA-2025-0059.