BLE News Clips

"Our two unions serve a common purpose of transporting goods from manufacturers to consumers. By joining together, we will create a seamless transportation union. By joining together, we will ensure that all our members maintain power at the national and international levels and aggressive representation at the local level. Our ability to support each other across industry lines, throughout the transportation industry, will give all of our members the support they need when negotiating contracts or organizing." - International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa discussing the possible merger/affiliation between the Teamsters and the BLE in a joint release on the BLE and Teamsters websites. February 27, 2002.

"There is still a long way to go, but this is a first step in the right direction. We believe this is the best course for our organization and our membership. The strength, size and reputation of the Teamsters would give the BLE an added advantage in lobbying efforts and in negotiating contracts." - BLE International President Don M. Hahs on the possible merger/affiliation in a joint release. February 27.

"Solving fatigue problems requires a commitment from management, the unions, and individual workers. Workplace conditions can, and often do, affect alertness, but so do personal decisions about how our time away from work is spent. Sleep, eight hours a day for the average person, is essential for alertness.... Changing operating rules to accommodate performance improvement strategy is a dramatic step for an industry where change comes slowly. Conditions and operation vary widely across the country and from one railroad to the next. That's what makes this so complicated. Yet, where programs are in place and functioning, we are seeing improvements. Accidents, injuries, and absenteeism are all down while alertness, morale, and feelings of well-being have improved. The key to success is programs that promote and reward labor and management buy-in, address workplace concerns, encourage performance-improving behaviors, and build a new workplace and lifestyle culture. Railroads that do things in a superficial manner have, and always will, fail." - Bill Keppen, former BLE International Vice-President, discussing fatigue in the railroad industry. Railway Age, August 2001.

"It's been our position all along that locomotive engineers should run locomotives, regardless of whether they're in the cab or on the ground. Locomotive engineers are the most qualified and highly trained members of the train operating crew." - BLE International President Don M. Hahs on the issue of remote control. BLE website, January 15, 2002.

"As I stated at the convention, I will have every International officer, special representative and all others who are willing to join our defense on that property. We will work day and night for as long as it takes until we successfully stop the attempt to destroy your right to belong to the union that represents you and fights for your craft, the BLE." - President Hahs on the potential combined craft situation on the Kansas City Southern Railway. Kansas City Star, December 25, 2001. circ. 281,945.

"It's an opportunity to organize." - BLE Editor John Bentley on the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad's acquisition of the I&M Rail Link and its expansion into the Powder River Basin. AGRI News, Nov. 29, 2001. circ. 20,240.

Back to Spring 2002 Journal

© 2002 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers