BLET Appoints Veteran BNSF General Chairman Jeff Thurman to National Advisory Board

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has appointed veteran union leader Jeff Thurman to its national advisory board, in a strategic move effective January 1, 2026. Thurman, who brings over a decade of leadership experience as the General Chairman for the influential BNSF General Committee of Adjustment, will fill a key vacancy created by a retiring National Vice President.

CLEVELAND — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) announced the appointment of Jeff Thurman to its advisory board, beginning at the start of 2026. A member of BLET Division 172 in Fort Worth, Texas, Thurman will fill the vacancy left by a National Vice President who is set to retire at the end of December 2025. The move is seen as a significant step to incorporate seasoned, frontline leadership into the union’s national governance structure.

Thurman’s appointment is backed by a substantial record of leadership, most notably his tenure as General Chairman of the BNSF General Committee of Adjustment, a position he has held since June 2013. In this role, he was responsible for representing and negotiating on behalf of thousands of BLET members employed by one of North America’s largest Class I railroads. “Jeff Thurman brings a wealth of knowledge to the advisory board with more than 12 years of experience as a general chairman,” said the BLET National President in a statement. The leadership transition at the BNSF committee will be seamless, as Kyle King, the committee’s vice chairman, is slated to assume the role of General Chairman.

This leadership change comes at a critical time for the North American rail industry, which continues to navigate complex labor relations, technological advancements, and ongoing debates surrounding safety and working conditions. The appointment of a leader with extensive, carrier-specific negotiating experience like Thurman to a national advisory role underscores the union’s focus on practical, ground-level expertise. His deep understanding of the intricacies of collective bargaining agreements and grievance processes with a major carrier like BNSF is expected to be a major asset to the national board’s strategic deliberations.

Key Takeaways

• Experienced Leadership: The BLET national advisory board gains a member with over 12 years of direct experience leading a general committee and negotiating with a Class I railroad.
• Strategic Succession: The appointment strategically fills a vacancy from a retiring National Vice President, ensuring continuity and fresh perspective on the board.
• Stable Transition at BNSF: Kyle King’s promotion to General Chairman at the BNSF General Committee of Adjustment provides stability for a key union body.

Editor’s Analysis

Jeff Thurman’s appointment to the BLET advisory board is more than a routine personnel change; it’s a strategic reinforcement of the union’s national leadership with deep, institutional knowledge from the front lines of labor-management relations. By elevating a long-serving General Chairman from a major Class I railroad, the BLET is signaling a commitment to integrating practical, hard-won negotiating experience into its highest levels of strategy. In an era defined by contentious issues like crew consist, precision scheduled railroading (PSR), and lifestyle concerns, having a voice on the board that has directly managed these challenges for over a decade provides an invaluable perspective that will shape the union’s advocacy for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Jeff Thurman?

Jeff Thurman is a longtime member of BLET Division 172 (Fort Worth, Texas) and the former General Chairman of the BNSF General Committee of Adjustment. He was appointed to the BLET’s national advisory board effective January 1, 2026.

What role did Jeff Thurman previously hold?

Prior to his appointment, Jeff Thurman served as the General Chairman for the BNSF General Committee of Adjustment for more than 12 years, from June 2013 until the end of 2025.

Who is replacing Jeff Thurman at the BNSF General Committee of Adjustment?

Kyle King, who previously held the position of vice chairman for the committee, will assume the role of General Chairman, ensuring a smooth leadership transition.