This flying saucer replica, named "Starhopper," was one of the more interesting displays at the AFL-CIO's Union Industries Trade Show in Atlantic City. It was built by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Representatives from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers explained
the trials and rewards of working in the railroad industry at the AFL-CIO's
annual Union Industries Show in Atlantic City.
They also gave convention-goers firsthand experience behind the throttle of a locomotive cab mock-up, which made the BLE site one of the busiest at the four-day event.
Larry James, Coordinator of the BLE Education & Training Department, and Mo Morrow, BLE International Division Assistant Chief of Staff, were the BLE representatives.
The BLE booth received visits from U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Mort Downey and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka.
AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka, center, takes a seat behind the throttle of the BLE's locomotive cab mock-up at the AFL-CIO's Union Industries Show. From left: the BLE's Mo Morrow; Brother Trumka; and the BLE's Larry James.
The show featured over 300 labor unions and is the largest job fair in the United States. It is also the largest "Made in the USA" exhibition of union workers' skills and services.
The show provides young people with a firsthand look at the wide range of good union jobs that are available for those who prepare for them.
According to the AFL-CIO, more than 400,000 spectators visited the exhibition, which was produced by the AFL-CIO Union Label and Service Trades Department.
The BLE presence at the exhibition enabled the Brotherhood to implement
part of its Strategic Plan, created by BLE members through a series of focus
group meetings in 1997.
Strategic Initiative 4.6 calls upon BLE leaders to, "Strengthen the linking of BLE's promotional efforts to public relations and marketing efforts of the AFL-CIO, CLC, and other unions."
The Strategic Initiatives adopted by the BLE Advisory Board in December of 1997 define individual steps the union must take to fulfill its overall Mission Statement, which describes the purpose or reason an organization exists.
The BLE's Mission Statement is, "The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers exists to promote and protect the rights, interests, and safety of its members through solidarity, aggressive representation, and education."
The locomotive cab mock-up used by the BLE was provided by Baultar Inc., a company which manufactures locomotive seats and flooring.
From left: Coordinator of the BLE Education & Training Department Larry James; U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Mort Downey; and BLE International Division Assistant Chief of Staff Mo Morrow.
Representatives from the Canadian locomotive seat and flooring manufacturing company Baultar Inc., who donated the mock locomotive cab to the BLE for use at the AFL-CIO exhibition. From left, Luc Roberge and Len Woolgar.
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