Spring 2004
Volume 111 - No. 1
Spring 2004
Volume 111 - No. 1
BLET Focus
A historic step
At the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2004, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers officially joined the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and became the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters' Rail Conference.
The decision to merge with the IBT was not an easy one. With more than 140 years of history, there was - and still is - a great deal of pride and honor among the membership of the BLE.
However, the march of time and significant changes within the rail industry made the merger a necessity. Continuing with the tradition of forward thinking, BLE members on December 5 approved the merger by an overwhelming 81 percent majority.
"December 5 was an historic day for the IBT and the BLE," IBT General President James P. Hoffa said. "By overwhelmingly approving a merger with the IBT, members of the BLE will now share in the strength of the Teamsters while maintaining their autonomy and proud traditions. Our two great unions are now united in building on our strong legacies, and creating an even more powerful future for transportation workers."
The BLET brings to the Teamsters a strong tradition of protecting highly skilled crafts and championing the rights of railroad workers, therefore, it was important to preserve its structure and rich history. So even though the new BLET is under the Teamster umbrella, it maintains much of its original structure and bylaws.
In spite of this continuity, many significant changes will impact rail workers now and in the years to come. The addition of "Trainmen" to the name of the new organization is one of those major changes.
"Throughout negotiations, it was our intent and the Teamsters' intent to allow the new organization to represent trainmen under the umbrella of the IBT Rail Conference," said BLET National President Don M. Hahs. "The doors are now open and the structures are in place. We welcome trainmen with open arms."
National President Hahs and the BLET Advisory Board approved the creation of a new Trainmen Department at the National Division level shortly after the formation of the BLET. The Trainmen Department will respond to the increasing demand the BLET has received from trainmen since merging with the IBT.
No Longer International
While the former BLE was an international union - incorporating the United States and Canada - the new BLET is technically a national union. This change was necessary to comply with various federal regulations, including Department of Labor laws.
The major impact of this change affects the segment of former BLE members who work and live in Canada. Railroad workers in Canada now belong to the TCRC - Teamsters Canada Rail Conference. (For more details, see related story in this focus section.)
Another development relating to the change from an international to a national union is the Brotherhood's convention schedule. Instead of an international convention held every five years, the new BLET will hold a National Division convention every four years. While the upcoming convention is still scheduled for 2006, the First Quadrennial National Division Convention will take place in 2010.
There are also some minor changes in the titles of various elected officers. For example, the former office of International President is changed to National President; BLE General Secretary-Treasurer to BLET National Secretary-Treasurer; BLE International Vice-President to BLET National Vice-President; and BLE International Division to BLET National Division.
Some names have remained the same: Divisions are still Divisions; State Legislative Boards are the same; and General Committees of Adjustment are the same. The titles of Division officers, Legislative Board officers, and General Committee officers remain unchanged.
Rail Conference established
The BLET is now an autonomous craft division within the IBT's Rail Conference. The Rail Conference is something brand new within the Teamsters and was established to allow for other rail unions to merge with and benefit from the collective strength of the IBT. The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE), for example, is currently in merger discussions to become the second member of the Teamsters Rail Conference.
The Rail Conference will be governed by the Rail Conference Policy Committee made up of the BLET President, First Vice-President, National Secretary-Treasurer and a fourth member to be designated by the Advisory Board. The fourth position is currently filled by Raymond Holmes, BLET Vice-President and National Legislative Representative.
A major benefit of unifying Rail Labor under the Rail Conference umbrella is to eliminate unsatisfactory agreements that result from "pattern bargaining," which have resulted in recent years when rail carriers employe their "divide and conquer" strategy to divide Rail Labor.
BLET Bylaws
The BLET division bylaws have been written to incorporate the existing structures, bodies and operations of the former BLE. All BLET officers will maintain the positions held prior to January 1, and elections will be held as scheduled.
BLET members are also considered to be IBT members and can participate in IBT elections where applicable. BLET bodies may affiliate with IBT Joint Councils and may make agreements to join the Joint Councils with the jurisdiction over their geographic areas.
BLET National Division
The BLET National Division (formerly known as the BLE International Division) maintains authority over divisions, General Committees of Adjustment and State Legislative Boards. Additionally, the National Division retains control over assets and funds; the strike and mobilization fund; the convention fund; and the BLET Building Association. Subordinate bodies retain control over the same assets and funds as before the merger.
The BLET will continue to hold certifications for collective bargaining agreements, and have the complete authority to negotiate and administer contracts. Health and welfare benefits will be maintained as per the current contract agreement, and participation in the Railroad Retirement System will continue.
The organization will maintain a separate political action committee fund, while coordinating with the IBT's "Democrat, Republican, Independent Voter Education" (DRIVE) program.
Some aspects of the BLET bylaws have been changed. The IBT appeals process will replace the BLE Board of Appeals. Referendum and recall provisions have been eliminated. Officers can be removed from office if found guilty of a crime.
Strength of the IBT
The BLET will now begin the process of putting the IBT's strength and power to work for its membership. The three major areas of assistance will come at the bargaining table, in the political arena, and in organizing.
BLET leadership is currently working with the IBT's Strategic Planning Department to develop a strategy for the upcoming round of contract negotiations. Section 6 notices will be served on the carriers later this year, and the BLET and IBT are already at work on a plan for negotiations.
In the political arena, the BLET and IBT have each endorsed John Kerry for President of the United States. The IBT's political action fund is one of the largest in the realm of organized labor, and will help the BLET to elect labor-friendly candidates at the local, state and national levels.
The BLET has already benefited from the IBT's strength and expertise in the organizing department. Prior to the official merger, the BLE and IBT worked jointly organized shortline workers as the "International Brotherhood of Teamsters/Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Rail Operating Employees' Council). Since July of 2002, the IBT/BLET has successfully organized more than 750 new members on nine different shortline properties.
Per capita
The BLET will pay a $5 per member per capita fee to the IBT on a monthly basis. This fee will be paid from January 2004 until December 2005. Dues will not increase to pay the per capita during this period. The BLET will pay a 25 cents per capita monthly to the Rail Conference to support its operation. The IBT will pay this until the convention in 2006 when the delegates will vote on this issue.
The BLE Advisory Board unanimously approving the IBT merger documents on July 10, 2003, and signing a resolution encouraging members to approve it. President Don M. Has, seated, is seated at his desk with (standing, from left); Vice-President Stephen Speagle; Vice-President Richard K. Radek; Vice-President Merle Geiger; Vice-President Paul Sorrow; Vice-President & U.S. National Legislative Representative Raymond Holmes; First Vice-President Ed Rodzwicz; Vice-President & Canadian Director Gilles Halle; Vice-President Lee Pruitt; Vice-President & National Legislative Representative-Canada George Hucker; General Secretary-Treasurer Bill Walpert; Vice-President Dale McPherson; Vice-President Paul Wingo Jr.; and Leo McCann, President of the American Train Dispatchers Department of the BLE.
© 2004 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen