From left: USWA Local 240 President Richard Walker accepts a $300 check from BLE Division 301 Legislative Rep Michael W. Roop and Division 301 Vice Local Chairman Gary Myers.

The Brothers of BLE Division 301 (Roanoke, Va.) recently donated $300 to help striking members of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 240 in their struggle against Rubatex Incorporated.

The steelworkers, based in Bedford, Va., have been on strike for more than 100 days, which is the longest strike in the plant's history.

Division 301 Legislative Representative Michael W. Roop reports that the strike is for better working conditions, elimination of mandatory overtime (which exceeded 36 hours per week before the strike) and retention of retiree benefits.

"The members of Division 301 want to demonstrate by our actions that the BLE is concerned with promoting trade unionism and labor issues," Brother Roop said. "We feel that this type of action promotes union solidarity, not only within the AFL-CIO, but within the rail industry as several donations were received by UTU members."

Roop also reports that Rubatex has threatened to permanently replace USWA strikers with replacement workers, and that USWA Local 240 has filed several unfair labor charges against Rubatex.

© 2000 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers