Solid, Solid, Solid Solidarity

Summer 1999
Volume 106 - No.2

13 million union members are with us

Marching with BLE members are Transportation Communciations Union President Robert Scardelletti and Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees President Mac Fleming

Rail union officers were among the crowd that took to the streets of Washington July 6, marching with BLE members in the fight to preserve our craft. At the rally, they condemned the actions of the UTU leaders, praised the fortitude of BLE members, and confirmed their support whatever it takes to win.

It was a stark reminder to UTU that AFL-CIO sanctions open up the UTU raids by other unions. The UTU represents yardmasters, bus driver and a small number of airline pilots. If the UTU has a fight off other unions at its flanks, it will weaken its ability to conduct a full-tilt campaign on the Union Pacific.

In an unprecedented move, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney sent a letter to the National Mediation Board requesting that the UTU's petition be dismissed. He described UTU's actions as a violation of Article XX of the Federation's constitution and reminded the NMB that it "has a longstanding policy of deferral to the Article XX process."

Here's what some of the international union presidents had to say at our rally:


Mark Filipovic

"I'm speaking to you on behalf of 600,000 machinists, and let me tell you, brothers and sisters, we are behind you, not 100 percent, but a hundred and ten percent! All of rail labor, especially the Transportation Trades Department, is telling the NMB that we are opposed to what's going on."
 Mark Filipovic, VP, Railroad Coordinator, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

"I'm a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Committee, and that means you have 13 million workers with you! We can get through this. Even if the NMB does rule against [us], the BLE can still survive."
 Robert Scardelletti, President, Transportation Communications International Union.


Dan Pickett

"I have just one final message for the UTU: Charlie Little, stop your attempt to raid the BLE and get back in step with labor, particularly rail labor, and help us fight our common enemy, the railroads."
 Mac Fleming, President, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees.

John Steger

"No organization, no union has the right to be a wolf in sheeps clothing and do the bidding of your employer. My message to BLE members, well ... correcting this problem [with the UTU], it's a four letter word. It's 'work' ... [You] have to write, have to call and stay on top of the political aspects."
 John Steger, Vice President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

"This fight is not just about the BLE. This fight is about all crafts in the rail industry and it may have an impact on all unions period. We have to stand up, we have to be together, and we have to let the UTU know that we're united together."
 Dan Pickett, President, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen.