Alex Beckmann

Current: Teamsters Rail Conference. Formerly @ttdaflcio, @Repchuygarcia @RepJoshG @replipinski @T4america @Davidsoncollege. Views = my own.

[Alex Beckmann @abecks14]

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[Teamsters @Teamsters]

Hundreds of Teamsters from the BLET and BMWED have ratified new contracts over the last few months!

Every day, Rail Teamsters across America secure good raises, stronger work rules, and improved benefits — proving that workers can do anything with our union!

[Alex Beckmann @abecks14]

@wmataGM @wmata Thank you for all your efforts all over the last 4 years. D.C. and WMATA has really benefited from your leadership and I look forward to the changes you continue to implement to improve WMTA

[Elizabeth Pancotti @ENPancotti]

As the STB considers the proposed merger of the 2nd and 4th largest railroads, worth examining Union Pacific's earnings call this morning where they reported record earnings, driven by price hikes they can implement because there's virtually no competition in the industry.

[Dina Titus @repdinatitus]

Well, this sure was a surprise. Thank you for delivering this very special sign @BMWEDIBT from the Chicago convention. I will continue to be a strong voice for our rail workers in Congress and lead the way.

[Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen @BLET]

Today’s morning session of BLET’s 2026 Western Regional Meeting in New Orleans featured panel discussions to examine the union’s successful strikes at New Jersey Transit in 2025 and at the Long Island Rail Road earlier this year.

[John Arnold @johnarnold]

The World Cup was exactly what America needed, at exactly the right time. In an era when nearly everything divides, sports has a unique ability to unite.

The World Cup is special because it is one of the few events where we are not rooting for a city, a college, or a pro franchise. We’re rooting for the country.

Moments of shared identity like this are rare, but they matter. During this month, people who disagree about almost everything else can wear the same jersey, root for the same outcome, and debate the same Balogun red (bad call).

Americans found a moment to come together and root for the country as one. More than 33 million watched the last US game, an audience larger than that for the college football title game or the deciding NBA Finals game. And that was for a round of 32 game. Against Bosnia. The audience will be bigger against Belgium tonight.

So much of entertainment is personalized today as we all watch a different show at a different time on a personal device. But the World Cup is best viewed in a crowd, in a community, and hence dozens of cities have created public viewing venues. Hundreds of thousands of people in dozens of cities will attend a public watch party at a park or random stadium tonight, just to be able to passionately chant “U-S-A” in unison and celebrate collectively.

The tournament has also given millions of visitors a chance to experience America beyond the headlines. They have come for soccer, but they leave having experienced the cities, food, culture, stadiums, and even gas stations. They’ve also seen the extraordinary diversity that defines the US, reflected even in our own team.

They see a nation different from the headlines that often dominate international news and they share these stories with their communities. That’s the real value of hosting an international tournament and comes at an opportune time.

At the same time, many (most?) Americans have a multicultural identity. For them, rooting for the US does not preclude rooting for another team, or several. It’s a chance to reflect on what makes one an American without losing family ties and personal history.

The World Cup gives Americans a different perspective. We’re accustomed to being the favorite. We have the largest economy, the leading military, and the most successful companies. What we don’t have is the best soccer team, at least not on paper. This month we’re reminded what it’s like to be the scrappy underdog, trying to compete with the big dogs like France, Spain, and Argentina.

When you're the favorite, winning is merely meeting expectations. When you're the underdog, every win is a step forward. For a country that so often occupies the role of the favorite, we seldom have the chance to appreciate incremental progress. Whether we win or lose tonight (and we will win), this tournament has been a huge success and has illuminated the path for the next 4-year cycle.

Americans were ready for a reason to cheer together. The US Men’s National Team has given us one.

[Mark D. Levine @MarkLevineNYC]

NYC used to consistently build 5-10 new subway stations every single year.

We need to get back to building transit on a grand scale.

[Teamsters @Teamsters]

The Teamsters wish all members, your families, and everyone a happy 4th of July!

[Alex Beckmann @abecks14]

@tombogert Can FIFA look at the red card for Balogun and overturn it after the fact for the next game like they do in domestic leagues?

[Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen @BLET]

BLET President Mark Wallace addressed delegates at the sixth Quadrennial Convention of the @BMWEDIBT yesterday in Chicago. He spoke about proposed UP-NS merger, the Railway Safety Act of 2026, and working together to advance other pro-rail worker initiatives.

[Teamsters @Teamsters]

That's a wrap on Day Three of the Teamsters 31st International Convention!

This afternoon delegates heard from rank-and-file workers who have been at the forefront of a new era of Teamsters militancy, launching 350 strikes, fighting and winning against corporate giants.

To end the day, Tony Cardwell, President of the BMWED, and Mark Wallace, President of the BLET, addressed the Convention about the Teamsters Rail Conference, which represents 70,000 railroaders across North America. Last month, 500 Teamsters locomotive engineers won a historic strike at Long Island Rail Road to secure the contract they deserved.

We'll see you back tomorrow for our fourth and final day of the Teamsters 31st International Convention!

[Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen @BLET]

This informational booth featuring two locomotive simulators, hosted by BLET members this week during the @Teamsters 31st International Convention, gives fellow Teamsters in non-railroad occupations the opportunity to experience sitting at the throttle & running a freight train.

[Dina Titus @repdinatitus]

Trains carrying hazardous materials run right through #OnlyInDistrictOne. The track inspection provisions I secured in BUILD America 250 will help prevent derailments in our communities and keep us safe. @TransportDems @BMWEDIBT

[Jennifer Homendy @JenniferHomendy]

Passed 54-11!

Thank you @realDonaldTrump and @RepTroyNehls for your leadership and for championing rail #safety. The lessons learned from our investigation and the residents of East Palestine will not be forgotten.

[Teamsters @Teamsters]

BLET TEAMSTERS & UNION COALITION WIN HISTORIC STRIKE AT LIRR

Teamsters with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (@BLET) and their union coalition have reached a tentative agreement with Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to end the carrier’s first strike in over three decades. The agreement provides workers with raises that maintain their standard of living while strengthening work rules and improving benefits.

“BLET Teamsters and their brothers and sisters across four other unions just showed this entire country what worker solidarity looks like in action,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “These union railroaders made it clear from the start they would not accept a deal that shortchanged them and undercut their standard of living. For three long days they bravely withheld their labor on picket lines across the New York metropolitan area. Every worker in America is reminded of what can be achieved through courage and conviction to fight for a better way of life.”

Thousands of workers from five unions were forced to strike by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) refusal to offer them a fair contract. BLET Teamsters and their coalition partners set up picket lines at major LIRR hubs immediately after midnight on Saturday, May 16.

“This victory was won by union members who stood their ground and refused to be pushed around,” said Mark Wallace, President of the BLET and the Teamsters Rail Conference. “Our coalition showed the MTA that railroad workers will fight for the respect, pay, and protections we’ve earned. Their unity and determination forced this railroad to finally deliver a fair agreement.”

The coalition spent years bargaining with the MTA for a new agreement. The process included two Presidential Emergency Boards that ruled in favor of the unions. In that time, workers went without raises as inflation ate away their standard of living.

The LIRR is the busiest commuter railroad in America, with 300,000 daily passengers. The Teamsters represent over 500 of the LIRR’s locomotive engineers.

[Alex Beckmann @abecks14]

@ENPancotti Congrats!!

[Teamsters @Teamsters]

Rail Teamsters from the @BLET and their union coalition remain on strike at the MTA-owned Long Island Rail Road.

After more than three years with no raises, LIRR’s union workers, including 500 Teamsters locomotive engineers, will not make any more sacrifices to cover for the MTA’s mismanagement.

It's time to give our members the fair deal they deserve.

[Teamsters @Teamsters]

🚨3,500 WORKERS WALK OUT AS BLET TEAMSTERS, UNION COALITION LAUNCH LIRR STRIKE🚨

Teamsters with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (@BLET) at the Long Island Rail Road have launched a strike alongside their bargaining coalition of 3,500 workers from five unions.

The LIRR is the busiest commuter railroad in America, with 300,000 daily passengers. This is the first strike at the carrier in 32 years.

The Teamsters represent over 500 locomotive engineers at the railroad. They have gone three years without raises throughout the process of bargaining a new contract.

Teamsters locomotive engineers will stay on strike until they get the fair contract they deserve.

[Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen @BLET]

No agreement on wage increases was reached between a coalition of five unions, including BLET, and the LIRR. In accordance with the terms of the Railway Labor Act, the coalition’s 3,500 members went on strike just after midnight on Saturday, May 16. Story: https://t.co/UcCgIVItiA

[Alex Beckmann @abecks14]

RT @TWULocal100: President John V. Chiarello, BLET General Chairman Gil Lang and officers of BLET (LIRR engineers) showing what union solid…