Rail Conference

The Teamsters Rail Conference is the organization created by the mergers of the BLET and the BMWED into the Teamsters Union. The BLET represents locomotive engineers and trainmen in the United States who work on freight and commuter rail lines.  The BMWED represents all maintenance of way workers in the United States who work on freight and commuter rail lines. Currently there is a total membership of 70,000 between the two unions.

BMWED

In October 2004, the members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes voted to merge with the Teamsters. They brought with them 117 years of union history, having begun as a fraternal organization in Demopolis, Alabama in 1887. The members of this union are now known as the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division.

BLET

In November 2003, the members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers voted to merge with the Teamsters.  This proud union, with more than 146 years of history, became the first craft division within the Teamsters Rail Conference. As a result of the merger, the union became known as the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.