News Clips

Spring 2001
Volume 108 - No. 1

News Clips

"These changes put workers at risk. In 1996, Union Pacific had a year-long 'safety meltdown.' There was a rash of 15 accidents involving Union Pacific trains, many of which were fatigue-related, causing 13 deaths. Union Pacific's actions reverse three key remedial measures to combat fatigue. Unfortunately, the Railway Labor Act gives railroads wide latitude to abuse workers, but this latitude is not without limits. Union Pacific stepped way, way over the line when it effectively stole these personal leave days by changing the qualification requirements. The proper way to make the sort of change UP has forced upon us is to bargain for it. In fact, we have been in negotiations since November 1, 1999, and the subject has never even been raised. We cannot back down in the face of a potential safety threat to our members." - BLE International President Edward Dubroski, in a statement regarding the January strike by BLE members on Union Pacific. Associated Press, January 29, circulation millions.

"It basically boils down to we received 11 leave days a year. Now they've decided we don't need those personal leave days." - BLE Division 197 President Tommy Whitehead on the reasons behind the UP strike. (San Antonio) Express-News, January 27, circ. 271,328.

"It's pretty upsetting to the guys. Some engineers with 25 years' tenure who usually get 11 personal leave days ask, 'How come I don't get any personal leave days?'" - BLE Division 88 (North Platte, Neb.) Local Chairman John Kellogg, on the UP strike. Omaha World-Herald, January 31, circ. 222,688.

"He's driving a mile-and-a-half-long train that's 20,000 tons. You have to constantly be at the top of your game for 12 hours straight without any breaks, watching for orders, signals, other trains, and having constant radio communication with train dispatchers." - BLE International Vice-President William C. Walpert, on the importance of personal leave for locomotive engineers in the aftermath of the UP strike. Omaha World-Herald, January 31, circ. 222,688.

"To say that we'll change the agreement but you can come in and talk about it just didn't make sense to us." - Bill Walpert, on negotiations with UP. Lincoln Journal Star, February 3, circ. 75,591.

"They altered their interpretation of an important part of the wage-and-benefits package. They did it just before the end of the year so that people couldn't make adjustments. This involves a great deal of money to many (members)." - BLE California State Legislative Board Chairman Tim Smith, on the abrogation of the contract that caused the BLE's Union Pacific strike in January. Sacramento Bee, January 27, circ. 291,007.

"We aren't in control of it. It's like a military thing. You do what you are told, whether it's right or wrong - then you grieve for it later." - BLE Division 457 (Toledo, Ohio) Local Chairman Kevin F. Campbell, on locomotive engineers being mistakenly blamed for blocking highway-rail grade crossings for extended periods of time in North Western Ohio. (Toledo, Ohio) Blade, October 27, 2000, circ. 142,770.

"We're upset with (NMB Chairwoman Maggie Jacobsen). A merger should occur because you want a merger. She should stay out of it." - President Dubroski, discussing Jacobsen's apparent support of a forced BLE-UTU merger. Dallas Morning News, Jan. 7, circ. 783,944.

"Nobody has any idea what it takes to move these guys from point A to point B. I mean, if Clinton wanted to go out and eat a steak, it took 20 or 30 people to organize it. Everything is coordinated, ironed out, down to five minute increments. While it is happening, you're so focused on the details that you're just getting the job done. Then you reflect on it after the fact. It's almost like surrealistic at times." - BLE Division 26 (Richmond, Va.) Member Jay Matthews, on being a member of the Clinton-Gore advance team for the past eight years. (Hampton Roads, Va.) Daily Press, January 21, circ. 115,063.

Back to Spring 2001 Journal