News Clips

Summer 2002
Volume 109 - No. 2

BLE News Clips

"We're not against technology. We just think the engineers should have the opportunity to be trained to handle the controls." - BLE Division 81 Local Chairman Randy Schneider, on the issue of remote control technology. Lawrence (Kansas) Journal-World. May 30, 2002. circ. 65,605.

"Locomotives without trained and certified engineers will be operating without anyone physically on board. These remote control operations present a serious safety threat to all rail employees, as well as their families, and will certainly place the general public in harm's way." - BLE-UP General Chairman Mike Young, on the reason for his committee's suit again Union Pacific. Denver Post. May 20, 2002. circ. 586,485.

"You need to seek mergers with organizations that have bigger numbers to get the political clout you need and help with national negotiations." - BLE International President Don M. Hahs, on the reasons the BLE chose the International Brotherhood of Teamsters as a possible partner in a merger or affiliation. Progressive Railroading. May 2002. circ. 25,045.

"We've opened a line of communication with the Teamsters organization, and we are pursuing a merger or affiliation. We would hope to have a rail division maintaining the BLE name, maybe other rail organizations would choose to come in under that umbrella." - President Hahs on the possible Teamster merger. Associated Press. April 2002. circ. millions.

"I think there are a lot of safety issues involved here, particularly when hazardous materials are moved through the metropolitan area. The company said the track record of remote control is good, but they've had problems in Des Moines." - BLE Division 491 Local Chairman Roger Martin, on the hazards of remote control operations. Kansas City Star. May 21, 2002. circ, 281,945.

"The BLE is happy to be a full partner with BNSF when it comes to safety. Accidents cost BNSF millions of dollars each year, but they cost our members their lives. The joint agreement - ratified by BLE members and negotiated by the four BLE general chairmen, with the assistance of the International Division of the BLE - will allow our members to fully participate in creating a safer working environment." - BLE International Vice-President Stephen Speagle, on the BLE-BNSF Safety agreement. Dow Jones News Service. June 24, 2002. circ. 788,000.

"The company is privately held, so they reveal no information whatsoever ... They have always run a very tight financial ship and all we hear about is that times are tough and business is off. They squeeze all the time." - Delaware & Hudson/Springfield Terminal General Chairman M.D. Twombly, on the BLE's relationship with Guilford Transportation. (Portland, Maine) Press Herald. May 14, 2002. circ. 75,485.

"This agreement mirrors the success we had in negotiating a new compensation model for our members on CN's Wisconsin Central Division. This innovative approach to rail industry wage and working conditions will improve labor relations on the railroad and secure a better balance between work and home life for our members." - BLE International Vice-President R.K. Radek, on the agreement between the BLE and CN for the Illinois Central properties. Dow Jones News Service. June 11, 2002. circ. 788,000.

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