Ed Rodzwicz
National President
ERodzwicz@ble-t.org
Edward W. Rodzwicz is National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a Division of the Rail Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
In addition to leading the 55,000 active and retired men and women of the BLET, President Rodzwicz also serves as President of the Teamsters Rail Conference, which represents more than 70,000 hard working rail union members.
He was first elected to the position of First Vice President, the union's second-highest office, at the BLE's Seventh Quinquennial International Convention in Miami Beach, Fla., on September 26, 2001. He was re-elected to the Brotherhood's No. 2 office by acclamation at the BLET's First Quadrennial Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 19, 2006.
He was elected to a five-year term as BLE International Vice-President in 1996 at the BLE's Sixth Quinquennial International Convention in Detroit.
Prior to his 1996 election to the Advisory Board, President Rodzwicz served his union in the position of Special Representative to the International Office. He was assigned as a part-time special representative in 1988 and the position became full-time effective June 1, 1989. He was part of a team that won three BLE representation elections: New Jersey Transit hostlers, Wheeling & Lake Erie engineers, and Guilford Railroad (including the Springfield Terminal, Boston & Maine, and Maine Central). In 1991, Rodzwicz was elected to the Second Alternate U.S. Vice President position at the Fifth Quinquennial International Convention.
In his role as President of the Teamsters Rail Conference, President Rodzwicz has testified before the United States Congress on two separate occasions. He delivered testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives (Committee on Homeland Security) regarding the need for greater railroad security measures, and also before the House Subcommittee on Railroads regarding legislation that would improve on-the-job safety for railroad workers.
Rodzwicz began his rail career in 1976, when he hired on with Conrail as a fireman-hostler in Pitcairn, Pa. He earned his promotion to engineer the next year. He joined the BLE in 1977, and since has served in numerous division offices and on several BLE committees.
He was elected to Local Chairman of his Wilkinsburg, Pa. Division, serving from 1983-90. He was also elected to Legislative Representative and served from 1986-89. In 1985, he was elected to Secretary-Treasurer of the BLE's Pennsylvania State Legislative Board, and served until 1990. In 1986, he was elected to Alternate Vice-Chairman of the BLE General Committee of Adjustment representing engineers on Contrail 'D' and 'E' Districts, and served until 1993.
Rodzwicz served as secretary of the Conrail Bylaws Committee in 1983, and then as its chairman in 1986 and 1989. He also served on the International Division Finance Committee in 1986, and has served on several International Office committees as a special representative. He is also co-author of the "BLE Division Officers Reference Manual."
Prior to entering the rail industry, he served two years with the United States Marine Corps, stationed in the U.S. and Vietnam. He also attended the University of Pittsburgh. Several members of his family have worked in the rail industry, totaling more than 110 years of experience.
Born Aug. 27, 1946, in Cannonsburg, Pa., he and wife Victoria have two daughters, Kristin and Joelle, and one grandchild. His community service includes volunteering for Operation Lifesaver grade crossing safety programs, local and state political campaigns, and special projects as an American Legion member.
