BLET reaches tentative pact with Illinois Railway; and in memoriam: Lori Dewey

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) announced late last week that it has reached a tentative contract with the Illinois Railway LLC.

If approved by membership, the agreement would govern rates of pay and work rules for 35 train and engine service employees, BLET officials said in a press release.

Ballots are being mailed to active members. Voting will conclude March 21.

Meanwhile, the BLET announced the death of Lori Dewey, a pioneering member of the founding Local Division 1.

Lori Dewey

A Norfolk Southern Railway locomotive engineer, Dewey died Feb. 17 of cancer. She was 43.

Dewey was one of the first women to serve as president of BLET Division 1 in Detroit. She served from September 2007 through December 2009. Founded in 1863, the division is the oldest local division in BLET's history.

Dewey also served as Division 1 secretary-treasurer from January 2010 through September 2015. She also served as a delegate to the BLET National Division Conventions in 2010 and 2014. In 2008, she spoke at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Women’s Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Dewey is survived by her mother, Carol; a sister, nephew and grandmother. Services will be held Wednesday at the Voran Funeral Home in Taylor, Mich.

Donations in Dewey's name may be made to the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.