Division 272 meetings will be held on the third Saturday of the month at 10:00 am at the American Legion Post 278 on Route 183 in Stanhope. See directions below.

If you see a problem on the job bring a solution to your next union meeting. Whining and complaining is just white noise.

Quick Reference Index Updated: 5/1/11

BLET General Chairman's Action Alert Page
BLET Injured Employee's Bill of Rights (pdf)
BLET Locomotive inspection guide (pdf)
BLET Unofficial membership discussion board
CIRT Committee agreement with NJ Transit 
Division 272 Jackets and Hats
Division 272 meeting dates and location for 2011
Division Officers including GCA and National Officers 
Download a BLE application Not a BLE member but wish you were? Now is the perfect opportunity to join.
Downloadable forms and information courtesy of Rebecca Brown and the BLE 171 Web Page
Engineer Training Page  (2010 rules guide part 1 and 2)
Ergonomics Committee (Updated 9/22/10) Pictures of the ALP45DP on display in Berlin.
FRA Fun Facts Page FRA use of electronic devices chart added 3/24/11 (pdf)
Guest Editorials Who does Congress work for (New 11/5/10)
Holidays for 2011 (Updated 2/20/11)
Humor: 10 Reasons You Should Not Become A Union Officer. 
Links Page (Modified 5/1/11) Divisions 57, 226, and 235 deleted, Division 601 added.
Political Action Page and Newsroom (Added 11/16/11) Congress shoots down PTS technology as too expensive.
Safety Bulldog  The whys and wherefores of "Behavior Based " safety and why the company wants the employee to "buy" into it.
Ten Commandments for Student Engineers Now with a printer friendly version. (pdf)

Learning to Qualify for Student Engineers
Now with a printer friendly version. (pdf)
Time claim codes
T'men's Page Who says the BLE is not trying to help?
Weather.com Get your local area forecast right now


New 3/24/11

New Check out the EO26 Flow Chart

On March 28, 2011, Part 220 Subpart C – Electronic Devices will become effective.
This subpart will nullify and replace the provisions of EO26.

Attached is a chart which illustrates significant portions of Part 220 Subpart C.
This chart has been reviewed and approved for distribution to the rail industry. Feel free to distribute as you see fit.

Notes:

1. This chart was not designed to address all aspects of Subpart C. Please refer to the appropriate regulatory text for all subsections under Part 220 Subpart C. The regulatory text concerning Part 220 Subpart C can be found in the new teal CFRs.

2. Subpart C establishes the minimum federal requirements for the use of electronic devices. Railroads may establish more stringent requirements and employees are to comply with those requirements accordingly.


News of Interest to our Members

New 2/11/11
Railroad Retirement payroll taxes will remain at 2010 levels in 2011.
For Tier I, carriers and employees each will pay 6.20 percent on a maximum of $106,800 of wages.
For Medicare, carriers and employees each will pay 1.45 percent on all wages.
For Tier II, carriers will pay 12.10 percent and employees 3.9 percent on a maximum of $79,200 of wages.


New 1/25/11
Legislation Reduces Payroll Taxes and Extends Unemployment Benefits for Rail Workers.

The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, recently passed by the Congress and signed into law by President Obama on December 17, 2010, affects current railroad workers in two key ways. Specifically, the law provides a 1-year reduction in employee payroll taxes and provides more extended unemployment benefits for railroad employees.

Click here for more information. Courtesy of our Brothers and Sisters in the Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen


New 1/25/11
Supplemental Annuity Information

Railroad retirement beneficiaries are reminded that receipt of a private railroad pension or a distribution from an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan may reduce the amount of a supplemental annuity payable by the Railroad Retirement Board.

Click here for more information. Courtesy of our Brothers and Sisters in the Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen


Subject: NJT to mandate use of air brakes for the movement of all rail equipment.

Brothers and Sisters,

The NJT TRO-4 will be revised by NJT to reflect the use of air brakes cut in and train lined for every movement on all rail equipment equipped with functioning air brakes at all locations. Attached is a first draft for comment. Direct comments regarding the attached first draft to this office by Tuesday, June 22, 2010.

As related precautions, NJT is examining rail equipment left standing unattended for proper secure at all locations. NJT expects compliance with all applicable rules. Hand brakes, reverser, handles, generator field, chocks etc. are being checked in particular for proper compliance.

Fraternally,
R. Darcy
GC BLET/NJT
 


Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS)
All you need to know courtesy of Division 171


Thanks to the National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen and Lawrence M. Mann
What Every Railroad Worker Should Know About the Federal Railroad Safety Laws and Regulations
 

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Stay in touch with your Division 272 officers!

All Division 272 engineers: If you have recently changed your mailing address, email address, or phone number please let your Secretary/Treasurer know as soon as possible. This is necessary to pass information between the Division and it's members and to keep our records up to date with the National Division.

Those members who have questions about, or wish to contribute to, Division 272 but cannot attend the monthly meetings you can email any of the Division Officers or write to the Division at:
BLET Division 272
PO Box 153
Netcong, NJ 07857-0153

Remember, if you don't participate, don't complain.