LA Div. 662 News
BLET Local 662 Monthly Newsletter – June/July 2025 Edition
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen – Los Angeles Division
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we enter the summer months, we want to remind everyone to stay vigilant on the job, stay informed, and most importantly—stay unified. Our strength lies in our solidarity and commitment to one another.
We are excited to begin publishing a monthly newsletter to keep you better informed on union matters, safety updates, upcoming meeting issues, and more. Please check back regularly for new updates, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
In Solidarity,
Your Division President & Vice President
BLET Local 662 – Los Angeles Division
Legislative Representative
🚨BLET LOCAL 662 - NEWSLETTER
JULY/AUGUST 2025 EDITION
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 🔖
Rob Cunningham will be attending our August 27th meeting!!!”
Start writing down your questions now.
Let’s be respectful and professional, so we don’t go another 10+ years without seeing our General Chairman.
Ask the tough questions, just don’t forget your manners. Please
🔒 Brothers and Sisters, a Reminder:
Let’s focus on moving freight and not taking on responsibilities outside our role.
If you see boxes or suspicious materials along the track, report them and leave them alone. That’s a job for the special agents, not us.
Stay sharp. Stay safe. Stay in your lane.
In solidarity
ETW
PRESIDENT, BLET Division 662
🧠 FROM THE LOCAL CHAIRMAN’S DESK
Brothers and Sisters,
We’ve had a troubling increase in signal violations, derailments, and electronic device incidents within our LA workgroup. Any one of these can cost you your job or get someone seriously injured.
With an influx of new conductors and engineers, loaned-out employees, and reduced crew sizes, the pressure is high but that’s no excuse for cutting corners. I’m urging every one of you to slow down, double-check your work, and communicate clearly with everyone involved before making a move.
Electronic device violations are considered willful misconduct. Stow your phone and stay focused. We’re seeing a rise in a new form of operations testing through inward-facing cameras during train roll-bys. Until we have more clarity on how these are being used, it’s in everyone’s best interest to remain attentive and keep phones out of sight.
Let’s protect our jobs and each other.
E.F. Ferrall
Local Chairman, BLET Division 662
📋 June Meeting Notes
BLET Local 662
- Safety Reminder:
The 5th La Mirada crew had a weapon pulled on them. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. - Weapons Policy:
Carrying a weapon at work remains strictly prohibited. Violation will result in immediate termination. - Bid Hold Policy:
Moving between ground and seat positions requires a 7-day hold. You must wait 7 days before bidding back to your previous position. - Toggle Change While on Vacation:
You cannot change toggles during vacation. All changes must be made prior to going on vacation. - Crew Office & Bidding Issues:
If you encounter problems with bidding or crew office decisions, provide a full explanation with screenshots. Note: The crew office team has been reduced, so documentation is key. - Medical Return Protocol:
Ensure you have all required documentation and information before returning to work from a medical leave. - PTC Functionality:
Per Ed Tumas, PTC is operating at only 92% capacity. - Territory Status & Familiarization:
Engineers are required to keep their territory status updated and maintain current familiarization for qualification. - Escondido Job – San Diego:
If assigned to the Escondido job, a base pass is mandatory to gain access to the military base.
📅 NEXT UNION MEETING
🗓 Date: 07/30/25
🕒 Time: 12:00 PM
Bring your questions, complaints, and suggestions
Don’t let someone else make decisions that affect your paycheck or your quality of life.
🚧 SAFETY & CONDITIONS
SAME STORY NEW CHAPTER
☀️ Heat advisory? Check.
❄️ No AC in the cab? Double check.
🚐 Van shows up an hour late with a driver more lost than a tourist in Barstow? Triple check.
📣 Reminder: If it’s not safe. don’t do it. Document everything. Protect yourself.
Contact our safety guy with any safety concerns: (he’s not a company Guy)
Justin Moorman
🔍 CONTRACT CORNER
This month’s hot topics:
- 2-hour call out of Barstow “vote”
- Long Pool guys want voluntary rest cycles. ( will be new business )
💼 SIR’S HOT TOPICS
Our Legislative Rep Damon always brings the goods:
🎓 If your child is heading to college, check out this great resource:
Educational loans from the BLET’s Greene Fund are available to children of members in good standing.
👇
🎤 COMMITTEE EXPECTATIONS
We will be working on rolling out a new standing rules and tightening up committee responsibilities.
In order to help each other out and better serve our members.