Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS AND TRAINMEN (BLET) IS TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS, INTERESTS, AND SAFETY OF ITS MEMBERS THROUGH SOLIDARITY, AGGRESSIVE REPRESENTATION, AND EDUCATION. THIS MISSION HAS REMAINED CONSISTENT SINCE THE ORGANIZATION'S FOUNDING IN 1863, REFLECTING ITS LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO ADVOCATING FOR THE WELFARE OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS AND TRAINMEN ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
- Income
- $58.7 million
- Spending
- $57.6 million
- Employees
- 0
- Highest pay
- $395,261, national pre
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $1.1 million spent. BLET ACTIVELY SUPPORTED THE RAILROAD SAFETY ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2025, A BIPARTISAN LEGISLATIVE EFFORT AIMED AT IMPROVING RAIL SAFETY. THE ACT PROPOSED SEVERAL MEASURES, INCLUDING: REQUIRED WAYSIDE HOTBOX DETECTORS ~EVERY 15 MILES TO PREVENT BEARING- RELATED DERAILMENTS MANDATED TWO-PERSON FREIGHT CREWS (CONDUCTOR + ENGINEER) UNDER SAFE FREIGHT ACT REQUIRED ADVANCE NOTICE TO STATE RESPONDERS AND STRICTER RULES FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRAINS INCREASED CIVIL PENALTIES FOR RAIL SAFETY VIOLATIONS STRENGTHENED MAINTENANCE STANDARDS, PHASED OUT UNSAFE TANK CARS, AND ENDED RUSHED INSPECTIONS EXPANDED GRANTS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND REIMBURSED COSTS FOR MAJOR INCIDENT RESPONSES BLET ACTIVELY SUPPORTED THE RAILROAD SAFETY ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2025, A BIPARTISAN LEGISLATIVE EFFORT AIMED AT IMPROVING RAIL SAFETY. THE ACT PROPOSED SEVERAL MEASURES, INCLUDING: REQUIRED WAYSIDE HOTBOX DETECTORS ~EVERY 15 MILES TO PREVENT BEARING- RELATED DERAILMENTS MANDATED TWO-PERSON FREIGHT CREWS (CONDUCTOR + ENGINEER) UNDER SAFE FREIGHT ACT REQUIRED ADVANCE NOTICE TO STATE RESPONDERS AND STRICTER RULES FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRAINS INCREASED CIVIL PENALTIES FOR RAIL SAFETY VIOLATIONS STRENGTHENED MAINTENANCE STANDARDS, PHASED OUT UNSAFE TANK CARS, AND ENDED RUSHED INSPECTIONS EXPANDED GRANTS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND REIMBURSED COSTS FOR MAJOR INCIDENT RESPONSES
- THE BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS AND TRAINMEN (BLET) HAD A HISTORIC 2025, RATIFYING 15 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS THAT RAISED WAGES AND IMPROVED CONDITIONS FOR OVER 22,000 MEMBERS, INCLUDING RESOLVING A LONG- RUNNING DISPUTE WITH NEW JERSEY TRANSIT DATING BACK TO 2019.
- IN MAY 2025 CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY, THE BLET ARGUED THAT RISING RAIL CARGO THEFTS WERE DRIVEN IN PART BY PRECISION SCHEDULED RAILROADING (PSR), WHOSE LEAN STAFFING LEAVES TRAINS UNATTENDED AND VULNERABLE.
- $51.2 million spent. FOLLOWING A HIGH-PROFILE JUNE 2025 CASE INVOLVING A MEXICAN RAIL WORKER SMUGGLING MIGRANTS, THE BLET ALSO INTENSIFIED OPPOSITION TO EXPANDING MEXICAN TRAIN CREWS IN THE U.S., CITING SAFETY RISKS AND SECURITY GAPS.
- FOLLOWING A HIGH-PROFILE JUNE 2025 CASE INVOLVING A MEXICAN RAIL WORKER SMUGGLING MIGRANTS, THE BLET ALSO INTENSIFIED OPPOSITION TO EXPANDING MEXICAN TRAIN CREWS IN THE U.S., CITING SAFETY RISKS AND SECURITY GAPS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(5) labor or agricultural organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(5) labor or agricultural organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1940.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.