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Conference call brings mobilizers together

Close to 150 members of the BLE's Mobilization Network learned about the Statement of Principles first-hand in a conference call with BLE President Clarence Monin on December 2.

The call was part of a continued effort by the BLE to tell members about the proposed formation of a new organization with the UTU.

The following are actual membership questions and President Monin's responses, taken from a transcript of the 45-minute conference call.

Prior to the conference call, members of the BLE National Mobilization Team, along with U.S. and Canadian Special Reps, are briefed by the President during a meeting in Cleveland on December 2. From left: BLE Canadian Special Rep Darrell Arnold; U.S. Special Rep Ron Dean; U.S. Special Rep John Tolman; National Mobilization Team Member Curtis Driggers; National Mobilization Team Member Gene Imler; and BLE Canadian Special Rep Bob Toole.

Kelly Trautman of BLE Division 892 in Portland, Ore., asked about the UTU's superior numbers. "What's to stop them from out-voting us whenever they please?" she asked.

"They can't, because these Principles, which both we and the UTU have agreed to use for drafting the foundation documents for a new organization, prohibit it," Monin said. "Majorities of both unions, voting separately, must approve any collective bargaining agreement." (See Point 1, Exhibit F)

Mike Thielen of Division 620 in Alliance, Neb., asked about the UTU's petition to the National Mediation Board. "They haven't withdrawn their petition before the Board, have they? Don't they still have that gun pointed to our heads?"

"I suppose they can reinstate their petition to the Board at some later date," Monin said. "But, right now, that gun is holstered. Just like our Article XX sanctions are. But this is about far more than trust. There's still a lot more work to do to make sure these principles are carried out."

Paul Fessenbecker, local chairman of BLE Division 404 in Chicago, expressed concern that the new organization would not provide members with the democratic rights they now enjoy in the BLE. "I've been hearing this deal will cost us some of our democratic rights. Can you shed a little light on that?"

"I can say that these Principles will create an entirely new union that will be rooted in the democratic traditions that have made the BLE culture different from so many other labor organizations," Monin said. "Recall, initiatives, the right to instruct delegates to conventions will all be in there. Our members have a proud history of ensuring that their voices are heard. That history will be preserved and woven into the foundation documents that we need to draft by next October in order to create this organization." (See Point 7, Exhibit E and Point 1, Exhibit F)

Mileposts in the creation of a new organization

 

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