membership types

BLET Auxiliary Membership

The BLET Auxiliary offers several types of membership, outlined below. Interest in forming new auxiliaries continues to grow, and our long-term goal is simple: an auxiliary in every community across the country. We are steadily working toward that vision.

As more auxiliaries are established nationwide, our collective strength grows. Expanded networks mean better communication, stronger mobilization, and a louder, more effective voice in support of BLET Division members, and one another.

Membership Qualifications

Eligibility for membership in the BLET Auxiliary is open to the:

Spouse
Widow or widower
Mother or father
Daughter or son (18 years or older)

of a member of the BLET or the BLET Auxiliary.

Member-At-Large (MAL) Membership

Individuals who wish to join the Auxiliary but do not yet have a local auxiliary in their area may apply as Members-At-Large (MAL).

Members-At-Large are entitled to all programs available to BLET Auxiliary members, as outlined in the BLET Auxiliary Constitution and Bylaws.

To qualify for MAL status, an applicant must be:

The spouse of a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLET), or
The mother, father, daughter, or son (18 years or older) of a member of the BLET or the BLET Auxiliary

The widow of a deceased BLET member is also eligible, provided they have not remarried.

National Dues (Members-At-Large)

National dues are paid annually:

Retirees (over 60), widows, widowers: $42.00 per year
Non-retirees: $70.00 per year

Applicants joining after the first quarter of the calendar year will have dues prorated for that year (see the table on the application form).

Once membership is established:

Dues are payable on January 1 each year
Dues are considered delinquent after March 1

The National Secretary sends dues notices to all Members-At-Large at the end of each calendar year.

Sponsor Requirement

The BLET or Auxiliary member whose relationship qualifies an applicant for membership is referred to as the sponsor.

Submitting Applications

Completed applications, along with all required fees and dues, should be sent to:

Jodi Wallace, National Secretary
1804 Washington Avenue
La Grande, Oregon 97850

All checks must be made payable to BLET AUXILIARY.

Associate Member-At-Large

Associate Member-At-Large status is available to individuals who wish to support the mission and goals of the Auxiliary by:

Attending meetings during regional conventions
Working with other auxiliary members
Staying informed on issues affecting BLET members and the Teamsters Rail Conference

To qualify, the applicant’s sponsor must be a member of the BLET, the BLET Auxiliary, or the Teamsters Rail Conference.

Associate Members-At-Large:

Are not eligible to run for or hold national office
May be asked by the National President to assist with specific duties on behalf of the National Auxiliary

Because Associate Members-At-Large do not meet the requirements for full membership, they are not eligible to participate in Auxiliary programs, including the Scholarship and Care and Assistance programs (some exceptions may apply).

For questions regarding membership, contact:

Jodi Wallace, National Secretary
Phone: (541) 663-6966
Email: jwallace.bletaux@yahoo.com

Local Auxiliary Membership

Anyone who meets the membership qualifications and wishes to join may attend a regularly scheduled meeting of their local auxiliary.

Each local auxiliary meets at least eight (8) times per year. Annual dues are set by each local auxiliary.

At the beginning of each calendar year, the local auxiliary secretary forwards National dues as follows:

$37 for each retiree, widow, or widower
$65 for each non-retired member

National dues support the BLET Auxiliary and its programs.

Local Auxiliary Associate Membership

Associate Membership is also available at the local level for individuals who wish to participate in Auxiliary activities but do not meet full membership requirements.

Associate members may join:

A local auxiliary, or
As Associate Members-At-Large

National dues for associate members of a local auxiliary are the same as for full members, based on retirement status.

How to Organize a New Auxiliary

If there is no local BLET Auxiliary in your area and interest exists in forming one, a Petition for Charter may be submitted to the National Secretary.

The petition must include:

At least ten (10) signatures
At least seven (7) signatures must be from spouses, widows, widowers, mothers, fathers, or daughters or sons (18 or older) of BLET members from the associated BLET Division

Membership in an auxiliary is not limited to the associated BLET Division.

Once completed, the petition must be verified by the secretary-treasurer of the associated BLET Division.

The BLET Auxiliary includes local auxiliaries that are city-wide or regional and may include members whose spouses work for different railroad carriers. While some issues may be carrier-specific, many concerns—such as safety, security, quality of life, and welfare—are shared nationwide.

Submitting the Petition

Send the completed Petition for Charter to:

Jodi Wallace, National Secretary
BLET Auxiliary
1804 Washington Avenue
La Grande, Oregon 97850

Include a $25.00 check. Once the Charter is approved and applications are submitted, a national representative will be sent to formally organize the auxiliary.

Questions or Assistance

For additional information or assistance, please contact:

Jodi Wallace, National Secretary — (541) 663-6966
Kathleen Bisbikis, National President — (209) 559-2251
Rachel Pharris, National 1st Vice President & Outreach Coordinator — (417) 872-9641

You may also reach out to any national officer for support.

“Auxiliary members give a union its extra voice, able to speak, advocate, and apply pressure in places the union itself cannot, while still standing firmly in solidarity with working members.”

Jodi Wallace – National BLET Auxiliary Secretary