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| Gilles Hallé | |
The Good Fight
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International Vice-President and Canadian Director Gilles Hallé learned life's most important lessons very early on. When his father died, his mother was left to raise eight children on her own, and young Gilles saw what strength and determination could do.
"My mother fought all her life for rights and respect. I learned that from her. Nothing was easy. Nothing was free, but we had to keep our heads up," said Hallé .
Hallé continues to use his mother's lessons while fighting for rights and respect as International Vice-President and Canadian Director of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
He has held the office of Canadian Director since 1994, and believes that his position is important in the BLE because he gives the Canadian members an autonomous voice in the organization.
"The Canadian membership lives in a distinct and sovereign nation which is characterized by the diversity and distinctiveness of its political, historical, cultural, legal, social and National institutions and circumstances, and which maintains its own labor relations traditions and institutions," said Hallé . "This is why the position of Canadian Director was established."
But Hallé said the BLE is in danger of focusing too much on the UTU and not enough on the membership. He thinks revitalization will be the way for the BLE to survive.
"We have to realign ourselves and stop focusing on the UTU, and do the work that needs to be done," said Hallé . "If both the membership and the officers of this great organization stand up together as a united group, we will not lose the fight against the UTU or any other fight."
One way Hallé intends to secure the future of the BLE and its craft is by fully implementing his plan for BLE training centers. The plan has begun to take shape with the opening of a Locomotive Engineer Training Center in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
"We are protecting our craft by making sure that future engineers will know what to do and how to do it in the safest possible way," said Hallé .
The training center is staffed with a team of professional instructors led by Michel Marcoux. These instructors bring their experience and dedication to the classroom.
Hallé began his railroad career in 1972 as a brakeman for Canadian National in Quebec City, and was certified as a locomotive engineer in July 1975. From 1976 to 1986, he served as local chairman and legislative representative for BLE Division 558 (Charny, Quebec). In 1986, he was elected General Chairman. At the 1991 Convention, he was elected First Alternate Vice-President and ascended to the position of Vice-President in order to replace Jack Pickle. Three years later, in 1994, Hallé became the Canadian Director, and was re-elected in 1996.
While his goals for this organization take up most of his time, Hallé also finds time for sailing, golfing, weight lifting, fishing and hunting. Brother Hallé resides in Montreal with Julie Morissette. His daughter, Geneviève (21), works in hotel administration in Quebec City. His son, Jean Michel (27), is a conductor for Canadian National and plans to become a locomotive engineer.
"I always joke that Jean Michel becoming an engineer is like the Jimmy Buffet song 'The Son of a Son of a Sailor.' He is the son of a son of a railroader," Hallé said
Hallé said nothing will come easy or free for BLE members. According to Hallé , the key to the success for the BLE will be the members fighting for their own rights and respect. But in order for the members to make this organization successful, they need information and mobilization.
"This organization belongs to the members and not to the officers. We need
their input," said Hallé. "They are the roots of our tree. Without roots, a tree
cannot survive. We need their input like a tree needs nutrients from its roots.
The roots are the reasons why the tree looks nice."
© 1999 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers