Locomotive Engineers belonging to BLE Division 435 in Hamlet, S.C., combined work and play during their two-day annual meeting in October.
The leaders of Division 435 provided a wide range of informational seminars in conjunction with the BLE Education & Training Department, and later sponsored a round of golf for those who participated in the training. About 196 BLE members and their spouses participated in the programs.
From left: John Ruppe, Vice-Local Chairman of Division 435 (Charlotte, N.C.); Stan Shadrix, Local Chairman of Division 598 (Greenville, S.C.); George Mangum, Local Chairman of Division 314 (Rocky Mountain, N.C.); and Robin Wise, past Secretary-Treasurer of Division 435 (Charlotte, N.C.).
International officers gave presentations updating engineers on the BLE-United Transportation Union negotiations, Single Agreement negotiations, the Conrail acquisition, and the BLE-GIA mobilization network. Fran Driggers, who coordinates the mobilization network for the GIA in the Southeast Region, worked with Suzanne Dawkins to organize the wives and families of Hamlet's locomotive engineers.
At the banquet later that evening, International Vice-Presidents Paul
Sorrow and Bill Walpert presented several BLE membership pins, ranging in
years from five to 50. Door prizes were given away, and Engineer Robin Wise
and his wife Gayle won the grand prize -- a brand new color TV.
On the second day of training, Vice-President Walpert gave a presentation in his role as head of the Education & Training Department. He presented database training utilizing the BLE's website, explained individual International Division office functions, and listed many educational materials and opportunities available to BLE members.
"We arranged our schedule to provide an opportunty for all members to attend," said Curtis Driggers, member of the BLE National Mobilization team and local chairman of Division 435's Eastern Lines. "Members working all shifts and most assignments were able to participate."
Brother Driggers thanked Brothers Sorrow and Walpert, Coordinator of the Education & Training Department Larry James, and Special Representative Sonny Hamm for their assistance.
He also thanked the members and ladies of Division 435 who planned and organized the activities.
International Vice-President Bill Walpert, far left, gives a presentation on behalf of the BLE's Education & Training Department.
Several members were honored for decades of faithful membership to the BLE. Pictured here with International Vice-President Paul Sorrow, left, are three Brothers who were honored with Membership Pins for 45-years of continuous service to the BLE. From left: Dan Bennett; A.K. Gregson; and Bill Byrd. Not pictured is Brother Jack Holt, another long-time BLE member who was honored with a 50-year pin.
Vice-General Chairman Bill Hannah (seated, left) reviews an agreement while Wade Miner (standing) and General Chairman Lee Pruitt compare notes. Both Hannah and Pruitt were reelected by acclimation during the three-day meeting in Reno, Nev.
Members of the Union Pacific Western Lines (former Southern Pacific) General Committee of Adjustment held their Triquennial Meeting in Reno, Nev., from October 19 to 21. Incumbent General Chairman Lee Pruitt was reelected by acclimation, as was Vice-General Chairman Bill Hannah. The new SP Vice-General Chairman is Craig Carstenson. Other GCofA officers to win by acclimation are: Chuck Fleming, EP&SW Vice-General Chairman and Vic Secretary-Treasurer; and General Secretary-Treasurer Tommy Gowan.
Delegates attending the meeting are picture above. Front row, from left: Gowan, Div. 591; Fleming, Div. 591; and Hannah, Div. 56.
Second row: Skip Czadzek, Div. 161; Pruitt, Div. 126; Carstenson, Div. 415; and Buzz Reeves, Div. 692.
Third row: Randy Saunders, Div. 5; Dee Eckersley, Div. 55; Jim Ambrose, Div. 158; Mike Ashbridge, Div. 277; and Doug McEntire, Div. 664.
Fourth row: Joe Grizich, Div. 588; Tom Fooshee, Div. 123; Dave Bednarczyk, Div. 425; and Wade Miner, Div. 476.
Fifth row: Tom Shuck, Div. 126; Tony Ortiz, Div. 22; Brad Wilson, Div. 283; and Ken Kroeger, Div. 28.
END OF PAGE 3