The BLET is objecting to a proposed plan presented by Union Pacific to relocate the home terminal for some train crews based in North Platte, Nebraska. Under UP’s proposal, crews would be based in Fremont, Nebraska, or Missouri Valley, Iowa. About 200 railroaders and their families would be affected if this plan is implemented.
 
UP’s intent is to eliminate North Platte as a home terminal for freight trains traveling between North Platte and Fremont, as well as between North Platte and Missouri Valley, Iowa. North Platte would only serve as an away-from-home terminal for crews that originate in the Omaha area.
 
“The BLET vehemently objects to this,” said BLET General Chairman Chad Lambert (UP-Eastern District GCA) in remarks to the North Platte Bulletin. “It’s the union’s position that this is contractually improper, not based on any sound economic foundation, and would impose an unnecessary and avoidable hardship on our members, their families and the North Platte community.”
 
Lambert said the proposed change would significantly disrupt the lives of many engineers, who have established families, homes, and community ties in North Platte. Additionally, uprooting this crew base would impose severe logistical, financial, and emotional burdens on employees. Most would be forced to relocate away from their homes, schools, churches, and support networks.
 
“The impact would not be felt in isolation; it would ripple outward to affect spouses, children, and entire households,” Lambert said. “For our members, this is not merely a matter of revised job duties or administrative adjustments. It represents a fundamental shift in work-life balance, financial security, and family stability. These personal hardships should not be dismissed or treated as incidental consequences of a business proposal. They are central to our responsibility as a labor organization and weigh heavily in our strong opposition to this proposal.”