Advisory Board Profile

Summer 2001
Volume 108 - No. 2

Advisory Board Profile

Fighting spirit

President Dubroski brings toughness and rank-and-file attitude to BLE

Editor's Note: This is the last in the Journal's series of profiles of Advisory Board members.

In the 138-year history of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, 19 men have held the position of International President. Of those 19 men, delegates at International Conventions elected 18. Only the 19th International President has the distinction of being elected directly by the BLE's rank-and-file membership.

This distinction suits Edward Dubroski perfectly. He has always been a champion of the rank-and-file, and has spent his union career working his way up the BLE ladder of leadership one step at a time.

"My biggest union accomplishment is being the first International President in the history of the BLE to be elected by the rank-and-file members," said Dubroski. "I am proud to have the opportunity to provide service to members as a representative in the same union that put food on my table as a kid.

"Years ago, my father George, like many locomotive engineers, was involved in an alleged rule violation and his union, the BLE, went to bat for him," continued Dubroski. "They made sure that his investigation was conducted in a fair and just manner. Because of what happened with my father, I go to bat for BLE members because of my experience as a young boy. The BLE stood behind my father and my family, and I stand behind our members because they may have sons and daughters and families, too."

Dubroski comes from a proud family of railroad union members. His father and two uncles worked as locomotive engineers, and it was natural for Ed to become a railroader - and a BLE member.

His fighting style, however, comes not from railroad work, but from his training as a boxer.

"I like to fight hard for what I believe in because of my early training in boxing," said Dubroski. "I don't back down from a fight, and I fight not because I want to but because sometimes there is no other choice."

Dubroski began his railroad career as a track worker on the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ) in 1955 while also serving in the Air Force Reserves. Following two years in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany, he was hired in 1960 as a fireman by the CNJ and earned his promotion to locomotive engineer in 1963.

At the urging of his uncles, both stalwart BLE members, Ed became involved in union service. In 1960, as a member of Lodge 600 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen & Enginemen (BLF&E), he was elected to his first union leadership position as Secretary-Treasurer.

"Both of my uncles were avid BLE members and they convinced me to run for office," said Dubroski. "They convinced me that I could do a really good job and encouraged me to run for a leadership position."

Dubroski also testified during the 1960s in support of retaining the craft of fireman during the infamous "282" fight.

Dubroski joined BLE Division 157 and, in 1970, was elected its legislative representative. He succeeded to the office of BLE General Chairman on the CNJ in 1974, and was re-elected the following year without opposition. As in the case of his election to International President, the rank-and-file members of his committee elected him General Chairman.

"What really sparked me to become a union activist was improving working conditions for everyone around me," said Dubroski. "I know that sounds a bit corny, but I saw a need and thought that I could make a difference."

In 1977, Dubroski was elected to the the office of Alternate District Chairman on the merged Conrail General Committee of Adjustment. He was elevated to Conrail District "G" Chairman in 1980, and was re-elected to three consecutive terms, the last two times unopposed.

In 1981, at the BLE's Third Quinquennial Convention, he was elected as an Alternate Vice-President and served on the convention's Finance Committee. Dubroski was elected as Conrail Alternate General Chairman in 1983, and re-elected in 1986.

"All of the jobs I have held at the division and general committee level have prepared me for what I am doing today," he said. "I think the education I received on the way up was very important in bringing me to where I am today. The division secretary-treasurer job taught me how to be the General Secretary-Treasurer. The local chairman office taught me how to be the General Chairman, and the District Chairman's office showed me how to be a good Vice-President and President because it covered so much territory and seven different agreements."

In 1986, Dubroski was elected to the office of International Vice President. He was assigned to 13 properties, mostly in the Northeast. He also was appointed by President L. D. McFather to serve as the first Chairman of the BLE's Safety Task Force - the union's accident investigation arm.

As Chairman, Dubroski established the structure of the STF and qualifications for appointment, and oversaw recruitment of BLE members as STF investigators. Having directly participated in most of the Task Force's early investigations, he supervised the development and implementation of the training program established for STF members. Dubroski also was among those who put National Transportation Safety Board officials through the BLE training program.

"The Safety Task Force was an important step for our Brotherhood," he said. "Prior to that time, there was no means to ensure that the locomotive engineer's perspective was considered in determining the cause of major accidents. Thanks to the Safety Task Force, the National Transportation Safety Board has made numerous recommendations that form the cornerstone of the BLE's safety agenda."

In 1991, Dubroski was elected to the position of General Secretary-Treasurer, the union's chief financial officer. As GST, Dubroski reactivated the BLE Job Bank, which provides members with information as to which railroads are hiring locomotive engineers.

In 1996, Dubroski was elected by acclamation to the union's second highest position, First Vice-President and Alternate President, at the union's Sixth Quinquennial Convention, held in Detroit. He became International President on July 31, 1999, during one of the most trying periods in the BLE's history.

At each rung of the leadership ladder, Dubroski has focused on improving the lives of the BLE's rank-and-file members who elected him.

"I have worked hard to improve on-the-job safety, benefits and pay," he said. "I will continue to work diligently on these issues."

During his 22 months as International President, the BLE has dramatically cut expenses to free up more money for member services. Dubroski also negotiated an agreement that would have provided unprecedented levels of protection for both Canadian and U.S. BLE members in the event of a merger between BNSF and the Canadian National Railway. Dubroski has also worked extensively with the Federal Railroad Administration to improve safety.

"What has most impressed me in recent years is the increasing respect that the BLE has earned throughout the government and the railroad industry," said Dubroski. "They see the strength of our membership and know we are a force to be reckoned with. Nobody can take the BLE for granted, and they know that we will fight to the last man for what we believe in."

One accomplishment Dubroski is especially proud of is the growing BLE membership. "Our active membership has grown annually for more than 10 consecutive years," said Dubroski, "which means that we are doing many things right."

When it comes to role models in the world of labor, Dubroski patterns his leadership style after two men that he admires - AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and former Polish President and Solidarity labor leader Lech Walesa.

"I think that Walesa and Sweeney are both great men," said Dubroski. "During the Solidarity movement, Walesa brought together all of the labor unions in Poland, and I think Sweeney is working hard to do the same thing here. I think Walesa showed that a nation's workers can do great things if they work together in solidarity with each other."

For nearly the entire time Dubroski has been a leader in the BLE, he also has fulfilled a role that is equally as important - that of loving husband and doting father. In September, he and his wife, Genevieve, will celebrate 35 years of marriage. They are the proud parents of a daughter, Jennifer, and a son, Edward. Both of their children have degrees in education.

President Edward Dubroski holds a unique place in BLE history. His election by the rank-and-file membership is more than an interesting footnote in the BLE's storied history. He accepted the challenge of the times and made history at a time when the future of our organization was at risk.

Photo caption: From left: Edward Dubroski, BLE International President, Lech Walesa, Solidarnosc Union Leader and former Polish President, and John Sweeney, AFL-CIO President, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the solidarity movement on Sept. 8, 2000.

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