Summer 2003
Volume 110 - No. 2
Summer 2003
Volume 110 - No. 2
Communications
A fighting union, BLE must stand for what's right
Dear Editor,
I have two things to write about. First, I would like to add on to the current debate about health and welfare issues that are affecting our jobs. I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in 2001 and had corrective surgery performed in 2002. The costs of this procedure alone exceeded $4,000. Most of these costs were hospital costs, even though I only stayed one night. In fact, the hospital made more money than the surgeon. This was just the surgery - I still had numerous office visits and three sleep studies performed before and after the surgery. One can only imagine how expensive this whole thing was.
This is just one example of added health care costs incurred by railroaders because of our demanding schedule, which is why I cannot agree more with the other members whom have previously sent in letters to the editor regarding health and welfare. The CEO of Norfolk Southern just got a 55 percent pay hike, in addition to the millions that he gets from sitting on the boards of directors of such companies as Caterpillar Tractor and Texas Instruments. If the railroads are so overburdened with rising health care costs and other employee expenses, how is it that these CEOs keep getting such incredible raises? I will only believe the company needs help when the CEO has to give up - voluntarily - his million-dollar bonus.
The second issue that I would like to discuss is remote control. Remote control is beginning to get out of hand. I must say that Norfolk Southern doesn't seem to be jumping into the technology like CSX, UP or KCS, but it is still bad for our members. The UTU is right - you cannot stop technology, but I think you can slow it down. The fact that the BLE and UTU continue to fight each other does not help matters, but I do not think that the two organizations need to merge in order to work together. But that is in the past and we need to look ahead. All I keep hearing from the UTU, the railroads, the AAR and the FRA is how safe these things are, which is the umbrella under which the UTU is selling the remotes to the railroad and the general public. If you listen to these organizations talk, it is like flat switching with radio or hand signals was getting guys killed by the thousands. If that is true, then how are there so many senior railroaders still alive today, especially since many of these guys never used radios to begin with? Also, there were nearly double the guys on the crew who relayed hand signals to the head end, so, consequently, there was double the chance for a misinterpreted hand signal.
No, remote control is not about safety, it is about labor costs. The BLE went the right direction in Montana by ensuring that two engineers were on the job, instead of the UTU route, which has provisions for one conductor. I compare the whole thing to laying off pilots and computerizing airplanes to fly while the flight attendant is responsible for take-offs and landings.
Locomotive engineers may never get remote control, but I think we can leash it up. Many communities are taking a stand against it, but these bans and resolutions are nothing but paper to the railroads because these communities cannot interfere with interstate commerce. These bans do relieve the community of any liability resulting from accidents involving remotes. Also, the ban points fingers to the state and lets the state know that their communities will not tolerate the remote and something needs to be done, since the FRA has failed to do its job by only issuing "recommended guidelines." That is the intent of these bans, so the more communities that jump on the bandwagon, the better off we all are.
In closing, I would like to say that I think we are a fighting union, but we can only get stronger if we stop bowing down before greed consumed CEOs and anti-labor judges. If we want a good agreement that takes us forward instead of back, then we need to let these people know. If it comes down to a strike, then we will strike, even if a Presidential Emergency Board gets appointed. A strike sends a powerful message even if it only lasts 24 hours, because 24 hours of delayed trains can cripple the railroad overnight.
Safety first on remote control
(Editor's note: The following letter by BLE Iowa State Legislative Board Chairman C.E. Hintz was published in the April 14, 2003 edition of the Des Moines Register.)
In response to a most informative article about remote control locomotives (RCL) by Jason Clayworth in the April 5 business section ("Labor Union Protests Remote Control Trains"), I would like to make the following points:
Since the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) realized that the implementation of RCL was imminent, our message has steadfastly centered on safety.
Certainly, it was the responsibility of our members to fight for the right to retain qualified locomotive engineers at the controls of a locomotive, but our original and continuing stress has been safety to the communities and railroad employees.
Historically, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the railroads have been slow to incorporate new technology into the industry. Now comes something as new and potentially dangerous as RCL, and the FRA has only issued non-binding "guidelines" on their operation.
The railroads have seized this opportunity to turn our neighborhoods into laboratories for their experiments with this technology.
In the past year, almost one accident per week has been documented nationwide with the use of RCL, not including numerous small incidents that go unreported. On Feb. 16, an employee's death occurred involving this equipment.
To date, at least 15 cities and counties have passed resolutions that oppose the operation of RCL in their jurisdiction. These cities have realized that these operations were initiated without public knowledge.
Blast from the past
(Editor's note: A retired BLE member sent the following letter to BLE International Vice-President Stephen Speagle.)
Dear Brother,
Congratulations on your new position in the BLE. I am writing to let you know that I was born in Decatur, Ill. on February 20, 1918. After serving for five years with the 14th Air Force in Southeast Asia, I went to Detroit, Mich., where my brother lived to look for a job.
I hired out on the New York Central as a fireman in April 1946. I was promoted in 1950. I became a member of BLE Division 1 in 1947. I retired February 20, 1978 at the age of 60. I have been retired for 25 years.
The BLE is a great organization. A few years ago, I attended the BLE Southeastern Meeting Association in Biloxi, Miss. I enjoy my newsletter and BLE Journal. I have enjoyed the benefits of the BLE and I wish you and the BLE great success for 2003.
Thanking you and knowing that a Decatur BLE officer is serving the BLE,
Thank you, BLE
Dear Editor,
My name is Curtis W. Hamilton. I am going into the 6th grade and I am a very big railroad fan. My great-grandpa was a railroader and my dad is now a railroader.
The reason for this letter is, a few weeks ago, I sent the BLE office a letter asking you to send me anything that I could add to my railroad fan items.
I would like to say thank you. I got the packet in the mail on June 20 and, when I opened it up, I was yelling 'Thank you!' This was more than I was looking for. I know this was a small thing to you, but this made me very happy and proud to wear the BLE items and I am telling anyone who asks how I got my items.
Once again, thank you!
Your friend and future BLE member,
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Editor, Locomotive Engineers Journal
1370 Ontario St., Mezz.
Cleveland, OH 44113
Letters may be edited for content and space considerations.
© 2003 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers