Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers And Trainmen, operating under the name Blet Group Return, is located in Independence, OH. The organization was established in 1940. According to its NTEE Classification (J40) the organization is classified as: Labor Unions, under the broad grouping of Employment and related organizations. This organization is a subordinate organization within an affiliated group for tax-exemption purposes. Blet Group Return is a 501(c)(5) and as such, is described as a "Labor, Agricultural, and Horticultural Organization" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2023, Blet Group Return generated $52.2m in total revenue. The organization has seen a slow decline revenue. Over the past 9 years, revenues have fallen by an average of (0.6%) each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $52.9m during the year ending 12/2023. As we would expect to see with falling revenues, expenses have declined by (0.4%) per year over the past 9 years. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2023
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS, INTERESTS AND SAFETY OF ITS MEMBERSHIP THROUGH EDUCATION, AGGRESSIVE REPRESENTATION AND SOLIDARITY.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
A MAJOR FOCUS FOR THE BLET IN 2023 WAS SECURING PAID SICK LEAVE AGREEMENTS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENTS, BUILDING ON GAINS MADE IN THE NATIONAL AGREEMENT IN 2022. MORE THAN 19,000 ACTIVE MEMBERS NOW HAVE PAID SICK LEAVE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. THE BLET ALSO NEGOTIATED EIGHT NEW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS THAT WERE RATIFIED IN 2023. THESE NEWLY APPROVED AGREEMENTS PROVIDE SUBSTANTIAL WAGE INCREASES AND CONTRACTUAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR MORE THAN 2,000 MEMBERS.
MANY BATTLES ENSUED IN 2023 INCLUDING THE WAR ON WORKERS CONTINUES TO RAGE, AND OUR OPPONENTS ARE FIGHTING TOOTH AND NAIL TO HALT THE EXPANSION OF HIGH-SPEED RAIL. THE BLET LEADERSHIP SPENT MUCH OF THE YEAR ALSO FIGHTING FOR SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, AND THE TWO MAIN THEMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WERE POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL AND TWO PERSON CREWS.
THE BLET LEADERSHIP SPENT MUCH OF THE YEAR ALSO FIGHTING FOR SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, AND THE TWO MAIN THEMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WERE POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL AND TWO PERSON CREWS. TWO-PERSON CREW IS A MAJOR ISSUE TO THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THE RAIL COMMUNITY. THE WORKING TOGETHER OF THE CERTIFIED ENGINEER AND CONDUCTOR ARE CRUCIAL TO POSITIVE TRAIN OPERATIONS IN THAT THEY DEPEND UPON EACH OTHER FOR PROPER AND SOUND PROCEDURES OF RAIL SYSTEMS.
RESISTANCE TO THE SO CALLED "RIGHT TO WORK" ("RTW") LEGISLATION THAT HAVE BEEN INITIATED IN MANY STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY IS A LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY FOR OUR ORGANIZATION. TRAINING OUR OFFICERS AND MEMBERS ON THE NUANCES AND CONSEQUENCES OF RTW LEGISLATION REQUIRES A SUBSTANTIAL COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES IN BOTH TIME AND FINANCE. EXECUTING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION, POLITICAL LOBBYING AND MOBILIZATION STRATEGIES IS AN ONGOING EXPENSE OUR ORGANIZATION INCURS.
Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
---|---|---|---|
Edward Hall National Pre | Officer | 0 | $0 |
David P Estes National Sec | Officer | $0 | |
Gilman J Lang Secretary-Tr | Officer | 17 | $52,843 |
Kevin Sexton General Chai | Officer | 65 | $203,548 |
Duane O Conner Secretary-Tr | Officer | 6 | $19,768 |
Cory Engel Secretary-Tr | Officer | 6 | $18,390 |
Statement of Revenue | |
---|---|
Federated campaigns | $0 |
Membership dues | $0 |
Fundraising events | $0 |
Related organizations | $0 |
Government grants | $0 |
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $0 |
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $0 |
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $0 |
Total Program Service Revenue | $50,045,507 |
Investment income | $815,865 |
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
Royalties | $0 |
Net Rental Income | $0 |
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $0 |
Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
Total Revenue | $52,203,688 |
Statement of Expenses | |
---|---|
Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
Benefits paid to or for members | $90,730 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $9,634,566 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $3,010,043 |
Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
Other salaries and wages | $4,393,064 |
Pension plan accruals and contributions | $49,080 |
Other employee benefits | $1,997,174 |
Payroll taxes | $2,662,880 |
Fees for services: Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Legal | $0 |
Fees for services: Accounting | $229,488 |
Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
Fees for services: Investment Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Other | $0 |
Advertising and promotion | $0 |
Office expenses | $2,410,213 |
Information technology | $0 |
Royalties | $0 |
Occupancy | $0 |
Travel | $0 |
Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $0 |
Interest | $0 |
Payments to affiliates | $0 |
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $0 |
Insurance | $0 |
All other expenses | $352,793 |
Total functional expenses | $52,889,896 |
Balance Sheet | |
---|---|
Cash—non-interest-bearing | $15,034,553 |
Savings and temporary cash investments | $6,191,814 |
Pledges and grants receivable | $0 |
Accounts receivable, net | $3,742 |
Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $0 |
Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $1,530,481 |
Investments—publicly traded securities | $0 |
Investments—other securities | $0 |
Investments—program-related | $0 |
Intangible assets | $0 |
Other assets | $299,236 |
Total assets | $23,059,826 |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $107,766 |
Grants payable | $0 |
Deferred revenue | $0 |
Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Other liabilities | $506,504 |
Total liabilities | $614,270 |
Net assets without donor restrictions | $22,445,556 |
Net assets with donor restrictions | $0 |
Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $23,059,826 |