Summer 2000
Volume 107 - No. 2
Summer 2000
Volume 107 - No. 2
Communications
Fatalities should not be part of the job
Editor's Note: BLE Member Tom R. Armstrong, Chairman of the Saskatchewan Provincial Legislative Board, wrote the following letter to the producers of the Sally Jessy Raphael television show, in an effort to draw media attention to the need for improved safety in the railroad industry.
Dear Sally Jessy Raphael & Staff,
I've been a locomotive engineer for over 22 years. During a five year period, I hit everything from a parked car to a road grader. It was one of those crashes that my train killed a pregnant mother. She was someone I knew. It wasn't until I had become personally affected by this crash that I made up my mind to do something about this problem.
I've lived my whole life knowing that this happens all too much. You see, my father was a conductor. There were many mornings my mom would ask my sisters and I to hold the noise down as we got ready for school, because dad's train had killed someone during the night and he was in bed sleeping (or so we thought). It wasn't until my train had killed someone before I realized just how my dad felt, and how my kid's silence really didn't seem to matter. Locomotive Engineers have had enough of hurting and killing people - we just want to do our jobs, make some money and go home to our families.
Please consider this as a topic for a show. There are thousands of people affected by this needless waste each year in our two great countries. I urge you to find out for yourself that this problem does exist. For example: Did you know every 25 hours there is an incident in Canada involving a train, and in the USA it's every 110 minutes? I invite you to learn more about this problem we have in North America by viewing some information I have posted on my web site. I have some links that will help your staff research this topic:
<www3.sk.sympatico.ca/rarmstr2>.
This letter was also sent to some members of my union. Like myself, these gentlemen are State/Provincial Legislative Board Chairmen of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, we are deeply concerned as all of us have been affected by this problem.
There are not very many talk shows that offer good healthy advice anymore. I know your staff would do justice to this topic as you are one that produces a quality show. This is a very serious topic and must be dealt with carefully as many people have lost family and friends in these types of crashes, I know, I'm one of them.
If you wish, I am prepared to provide any information that you may require. Please advise if I may be of assistance.
Thank You so much for your time and consideration.
What kind of union represents you?
Dear Mr. Dubroski,
I worked for the M.K.T. Railroad and then the Union Pacific Railroad for about 21 years and I enjoyed my work. I was a F.B.Y. for most of my career. I was a good employee and worked hard. I worked my days off and in 1997, I worked my vacation. My fellow workers knew that I was a good worker. I always did more than my fair share of work and so did the M.T.O. and my local chairman.
I feel like the UTU has cut every members' throat by showing what a member like myself really means to them. They could have done nothing, and that would have been enough, but they made it obvious that my future didn't mean anything to them.
I could go on and on about the misrepresentation that they gave me. I thank you for your time and help. I feel that the men should know what type of a union is representing them. Thank you.
Dear BLE: Thanks a million
Dear Editor:
I am a member of Division 556, which was dissolved about 35 years ago. I had belonged to the BLF&E for 17 years without missing a month's dues and I can't remember any special benefits received while a member of the lodge. So an engineer told me: "If you wanted to be smart, you'd join the engineers." So I took his advice because I wanted to be "smart."
When I joined the BLE, the BLF&E wouldn't even give me an honorable withdrawl card. I joined the BLE in 1958 and have been a member even after my retirement in 1975 when I received a lifetime membership card which I still have.
I am now nearing 25 years of retirement. Thank you for sending me the magazines all through these years.
Fatality of BLE member has international impact
Editor's Note: Wayne Connor, chairman of the Louisiana State Legislative Board, was killed in a fatal highway-rail grade crossing collision on June 26. The following letter of condolence was sent by a representative of the BLE's counterpart organization in Australia.
Dear President Dubroski,
On behalf of the Members, Officers and Staff of the New South Wales Locomotive Division of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, I offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of BLE member Brother Wayne Connor and the members, officers and staff of the BLE
It was with great sadness that I read via the BLE News Flash service of the tragic events leading to the death of Brother Connor.
As a Union that represents locomotive engineers in Australia, we understand the impact that the death of Brother Connor has on the close bond that locomotive engineers share.
We hope that some good comes out of such a tragic accident and that such an accident never happens again, as one death is one too many.
Such an accident only enforces the unique challenges that locomotive engineers face during their working life, which many would not understand.
To finish, I again offer our sincere condolences to all those in the BLE and the family and friends of Brother Connor.
- Yours fraternally,
- Robert Hayden
- Divisional President
- Locomotive Division
- New South Wales, Australia
NTSB investigator will be remembered
Dear Editor:
Mr. James S. Dunn, former member of the BLE for over 15 years and Chief Investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board passed away on May 13, 2000.
Not only will Jim be missed by the NTSB but also by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
Any BLE Safety Task Force member who may have had the pleasure of working with Jim in the past several years can tell you what an honor it was to have worked with him, despite the trying circumstances. He had a great personality and was extremely honest and candid in his approach to accident investigation.
When we work an accident with the NTSB, we are confronted with the troublesome task of trying to decipher what caused the accident among the mass destruction and, very often, death. We tend to bond with one another during these trying times and form lasting friendships. The bond between Jim and our STF members was the strongest of all.
Jim always had a kind word for the BLE. He was a good friend and most surely will be missed.
- Bill Walpert
- BLE International Vice-President
- Safety Task Force Chairman
Texas & Pacific engineers needed
Dear Editor,
I am an historian seeking information on the Texas & Pacific Railroad. I am looking for any engineer who worked for the T&P from 1940-1972. This information will be used to preserve historical facts on railroad operations, nature of equipment and operations. I would also like information on the lines of equipment registry for these dates.
- Sincerely,
- Dr. Marvin G. Weber
- 754 Winn Rd.
- Mooresboro, NC 28114-8228
- (704) 434-2698
The Locomotive Engineers Journal welcomes letters. Please include your
name, address, BLE Division number, and phone number on any submission.
We reserve the right to edit for space considerations.
© 2000 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers