News Clips

Fall/Winter 2003
Volume 110 - No. 3 & 4

BLE News Clips

"It was a hard decision to make, I guarantee you that, to even consider merging with someone else. The BLE has a proud tradition and it's been a stand-alone organization for a long time." - BLE International President Don M. Hahs, on the Brotherhood's merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Associated Press, August 31, 2003. Circulation: Millions.

"Every place we've employed remote controls in my region, switching has come to a crawl. The remote control can't get the work done on time, so it can't accept the next day's cars. So they're set out at another siding. Now instead of one work event on my main line for this industry, I have two, because a local has to go get the cars. Each work event takes a main track out of service for 30 minutes. We're trying to run 60 trains a day on this line, and it's not happening." - An anonymous Class One train dispatcher, on the lack of efficiency of associated with remote control train operations. Trains Magazine, September 2003. Circ.: 130,385.

"You get absolutely nowhere with CSX officials. They try to cover up anything with remote control operation. They can't complete an eight-hour shift without something happening." - BLE CSX General Chairman Tony Smith, on the railroad's remote control operations. Georgia Times-Union, July 31, 2003. Circ.: 12,740.

"While the airline industry is increasing security by placing trained professionals in airports and on airplanes, railroads are choosing to remove federally-certified Locomotive Engineers off of trains and are running the locomotives by remote control. It makes no sense." - BLE Division 683 (Chicago) President and Legislative Representative Paul Piekarski, on remote control locomotives. American Journal of Transportation, August 18, 2003. Circ.: 7,700.

"The impact that this would have cannot be understated." - BLE Division 57 (Boston) Legislative Representative Dan Lauzon, on a plan to link Boston's North and South Station by an underground rail line. Banker & Tradesman, July 21, 2003. Circ.: 5,622.

"You have no one on the locomotive at all times to protect it. They will operate the locomotive from the ground, with a beltpack." - BLE Division 782 (Etowah, Tenn.) Local Chairman Rick Skidmore, on remote control operations in Tennessee. (Athens, Tenn.) Post-Athenian, June 26, 2003. Circ.: 10,489.

"Right now we are a stand-alone union. We are not affiliated with anyone else. I think it would benefit our members to be part of the biggest transportation union in North America. The Teamsters have one of the biggest organizing budgets in the country." - BLE spokesman John Bentley Jr., on the merger with the Teamsters. (Sandusky, Ohio) Register, September 5, 2003. Circ.: 23, 272.

"We will maintain our craft identity. The rank and file understands we have to do this." - BLE Division 316 (Atlanta) Legislative Representative Hugh Sawyer, on the Teamsters merger. Associated Press, August 31, 2003. Circ.: millions.

"They are a stronger union by joining us, and I think that's what's important. We get along great. We share the same values, the same goals. We think it's going to be a great mix." - International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President James Hoffa, on what the BLE will gain by merging with the Teamsters. Associated Press, August 31, 2003. Circ.: millions.

"We are going after the entire LA basin and anywhere else in California where we can get supporters." - BLE California State Legislative Board Chairman Tim Smith, on remote control safety lobbying efforts. (Riverside, Calif.) Press-Enterprise, July 25, 2003. Circ.: 178,994.

"It's a public safety hazard. Especially in Memphis. There are more chemicals and hazardous materials coming through Memphis than anywhere I've ever seen. When you take the eyes and ears off the front of the locomotive, it's a recipe for disaster." - BLE Tennessee State Legislative Board Chairman Mike McClary, on the hazards of remote control operations. (Memphis) Commercial Appeal, September 28, 2003. Circ.: 239,709.

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