BLET gains OmniTRAX short line, reaches tentative pacts with Watco, Keolis

Operations employees at OmniTRAX Inc.-owned Northern Ohio & Western Railway (NOW) have voted to join the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) in an election certified by the National Mediation Board on June 16.

NOW operates more than 25 miles of track between Woodville and Tiffin, Ohio, and provides shippers with access to CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway, BLET officials said in a press release. NOW marks the 16th short line to join BLET since 2023, they added.

Meanwhile, the union reached the first tentative agreement for workers at Watco-owned Austin Western Railroad (AWRR), who voted to join BLET in February 2025. If approved, it would be the first union agreement for BLET members at the short-line operator. The agreement outlines a formal framework for seniority, job bidding, discipline procedures, grievances, compensation, benefits, layoffs and union representation. Ballots have been mailed and will be tabulated on June 30, BLET officials said.

BLET also reached a tentative agreement with Keolis for locomotive engineers on the Virginia Railway Express (VRE). If ratified, it would provide a wage package and quality-of-life improvements, BLET officials said. Ballots were mailed and will be tabulated on June 29.