Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers

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The original group, the Brotherhood of the Footboard, was founded in Marshall Michigan on May 8, 1863. The following year the group changed its name to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE). It is North America’s oldest rail union and one of the largest labor unions in the United States. Their purpose is to “promote and protect the rights, interests and safety of its members through solidarity, aggressive representation, and education”. On January 1, 2004 the BLE merged with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and became the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). Membership exceeds 55,000 people.