Welcome to the Rail Conference web page. We hope this website will serve as a source of information on the latest developments in the 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 151 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.
Rail Teamster
The Conference began publishing Rail Teamster in 2005.
Rail Teamster is a publication that is intended to be the best information
source for Teamster rail workers about issues that cut across craft lines.