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BLE UP CENTRAL REGION NEWS….

Monday May 17, 2004

Seventh Circuit rejects carrier appeal for continuing restraining order concerning remote control operations

US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit rejected the carriers appeal and affirmed the decision of US District Judge Gottschall to dissolve the preliminary injunction in the remote control case.

Thursday April 29, 2004

Union Pacific Central Region Officers Elected

St. Louis, MO April 29 – General Chairman Charles R Rightnowar was reelected, First Vice Chairman Ronnie Rhodes was reelected, the Second Vice Chairman is Robert (Bob) Law, the Third Vice Chairman is David Grimes, the General Secretary Treasurer is Bill Gaddy, the Alternate General Secretary Treasurer is Kyle Bagby, the Executive Committee at Large Members are Nate Krig and Russ Gifford.

Thursday, April 22, 2004

BLET calls for corporate governance reform at Union Pacific

CLEVELAND, April 22 -- Roughly 19 million shares (9.5% of voting shares) were cast in support of a Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) shareholder proposal at the Union Pacific Corporation’s annual shareholders meeting in Salt Lake City last week.

The BLET proposal sought to replace executive stock options with restricted shares that vest over at least three years. The restricted shares would be awarded based on operational performance measures disclosed to shareholders, would yield no dividends or proxy voting rights before vesting, and must be retained for the executive's tenure with the company.

"With rampant reports of operational problems, staffing shortages, remote control accidents at Union Pacific, the Board of Directors should be looking for ways to more closely link executive compensation with performance," said Don Hahs, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a Division of the Teamsters Rail Conference.

"BLET members have more at stake than most shareholders," said Mack Hunt, the BLET member who presented the proposal at the shareholder meeting. "It is important we demand accountability from management." Brother Hunt is a Union Pacific Engineer and serves the Brotherhood as Secretary-Treasurer of Division 713 in Salt Lake City.

In addition to the BLET's proposal, shareholders had the opportunity to vote on another proposal introduced by the Laborers' Union which called on the company to disclose political contributions.

Thursday, April 22, 2004

March 27, 2004

BLET continues fight for remote control safety improvements

CLEVELAND, March 26 -- Leadership of the United Transportation Union reinforced their reputation as a “company union” earlier this week by jointly lobbying with rail carriers to block the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen’s (BLET) efforts to improve the safety and security of remote control train operations.

Using false and misleading information, the UTU leaders also employed “scare tactics” in an effort to portray the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen in a negative light.

Earlier this week, the BLET worked with Teamster and TTD lobbyists to craft language for an amendment that would boost the safety of remote control train operations. Currently, the operation of remote control trains in the United States is unregulated, creating a safety and security gap in a time of increased terrorist threats.

The industry has also been plagued by a number of very serious remote control train accidents in recent months, including one accident where a UTU member’s foot was amputated and another where a UTU member was killed.

The BLET amendment would have provided a safety net for workers by legislating improved training for remote control operators in the absence of enforceable federal safety regulations.

The UTU leadership, in an attempt to portray the BLET and its safety efforts in a negative light, issued a news release claiming that the amendment would cause UTU members to lose their jobs.

In reality, there is a dangerous shortage of rail workers throughout the United States, particularly locomotive engineers, trainmen and conductors. The Union Pacific Railroad just announced plans to hire nearly 4,000 new workers this year alone.

Intelligent rail workers were able to see through the UTU leadership’s false claim that jobs were at risk by the BLET amendment. It was just another case of the UTU leaders using scare tactics that insult the intelligence of their own members.

Before the BLET amendment was even introduced, BLET leaders knew it would be withdrawn. The original intent was to introduce the amendment and attach it to a transit spending bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. Leaders of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure asked all legislators on the Committee to refrain from trying to attach any amendments to the bill because of its importance and the need to pass it quickly. As a result, more than 25 amendments were withdrawn, including the BLET amendment.

In other words, withdrawing the amendment had nothing to do with the efforts of the UTU.

Even though the amendment was never introduced, Congressman Mike Capuano (D-MA) agreed to read a statement into the record supporting the BLET’s position on remote control. He criticized the Federal Railroad Administration for inaction, failure to enact enforceable safety regulations, and the threat this oversight poses to rail safety and national security.

The UTU leadership’s efforts revealed something else that each and every railroad employee should know. For years, many have referred to the UTU as the “company union.” A few years ago, for example, when the railroad carriers wanted to implement remote control technology without enforceable safety regulations, they turned to the UTU -- their old friend who comfortably resides in management’s hip pocket.

So earlier this week when word of the BLET amendment leaked, the UTU once again played the role of company lap dog. The UTU signed a joint letter with the Association of American Railroads opposing the BLET amendment. The joint UTU-AAR letter supported the status quo on remote control and was sent to leaders of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

A copy of the letter is available below so members can see how the AAR and its lap dog union, the UTU, work together so comfortably. A portion of the letter reads, “Experience has shown that remote control is safer than conventional operations.” It’s unbelievable that UTU leaders would agree to this statement when their own members are being maimed and killed by remote control operations, but sadly, they did.

In conclusion, the facts are clear: The UTU leadership claimed the BLET amendment would cause loss of jobs in an industry that needs to hire thousands of new workers, which is untrue. The UTU leadership claimed that the BLET amendment was withdrawn due to the UTU’s political influence, which is untrue. And in the end, the UTU’s leadership showed their true colors and provided clear evidence that they are in bed with the rail carriers. Instead of fighting for improved remote control safety, they are working jointly with the rail carriers against it. They do not have the best interest of their members at heart.

The BLET had hoped to take the high road, but the UTU leadership has chosen to make political hay out of this issue in an attempt to portray the BLET in a negative light. We cannot and will not allow their misleading statements and distortions go unchallenged.

The text of the letter is below. A copy of the letter with signatures reproduced is available on the BLET website as a PDF at:


http://www.ble.org/pr/pdf/aarutu.pdf

March 23, 2004

The Honorable Don Young
Chairman
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
U.S. House of Representatives
2165 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable James Oberstar
Ranking Member
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
U.S. House of Representatives
2163 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar:

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the United Transportation Union (UTU) are writing in opposition to an amendment by Congressman Capuano that would effectively prohibit the use of remote controlled locomotives. The amendment is expected to be offered during markup of the TEA-LU reauthorization.

The Capuano amendment would do nothing to promote railroad safety. The amendment would have the opposite effect since remote control is safer than conventional operations. Experience has shown that remote control reduces yard accidents and injuries. Train accident rates in Canadian rail yards have been cut by almost half over the past decade where remote control has been used. U.S. railroads have also experienced a decline in accident and injury rates using remote control compared to conventional yard operations.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is closely monitoring the use of remote control technology. FRA regulations already govern the training of employees operating remote control devices as well as device inspection. Moreover, FRA Administrator Allan Rutter has stated, “Based on safety data gathered to date, there is nothing to indicate that remote control operations should be banned from use.”

Remote control is not a safety issue -- it is a collective bargaining issue involving a dispute over the assignment of work. In 2002, railroad reached agreement with the UTU over implementing the technology. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) challenged this agreement because it wanted the remote control jobs. After losing its challenge, BLE began claiming that remote control operations were not safe, seeking to usurp FRA’s authority in this area. Ironically, BLE has signed agreements giving it control over remote control implementation on at least two large regional railroads. On these railroads, BLE is not challenging the safety of remote control.

AAR and UTU urge you to vote “no” on the Capuano amendment.

Sincerely,

/s/ Edward R. Hamberger
President and CEO
Association of American Railroads

/s/ James Brunkenhoefer
National Legislative Director
United Transportation Union

Friday, March 26, 2004

March 1, 2004 BLET conducts planning session

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Advisory Board of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a division of the Teamsters Rail Conference, conducted its first strategic planning session last week. The Union's approach for collective bargaining, safety, and security were among key topics at the meeting. A significant point during the three-day session was the structure of the Trainmen Department within the BLET.

James P. Hoffa, Teamsters General President, and Don Hahs, National President of the BLET, issued the following joint statement:

"The Trainmen Department will respond to the increasing demand we have received from trainmen since the merger of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Teamsters earlier this year. This new department structure will signal to workers within that craft that we have heard, loud and clear, their desire to have the powerful representation provided by the Teamsters."

BLET Vice President Merle Geiger will head the department. "The Union is committed to preserving craft lines and protecting seniority for all trainmen," Mr. Geiger said.

"Assurances on maintaining contract provisions for trainmen are pivotal in demonstrating our commitment to the craft. We extend the same assurances and brotherhood to them as we do all rail employees," said Don Hahs, National President of the BLET.

During the three-day strategic planning session, the Advisory Board focused on issues related to collective bargaining, remote control operations, railroad security, fatigue and safety.

"The IBT envisions a complete transportation union. Welcoming trainmen into our great union is a significant move toward fulfilling that vision," said James P. Hoffa, Teamsters General President.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States and Canada.

February 27, 2004 BLET Executive Committee endorses John Kerry for President

CLEVELAND, February 27 -- The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen announced today that its Executive Committee voted unanimously to endorse Senator John F. Kerry for President of the United States.

The Executive Committee decision follows an online poll in which a wide majority of BLET members chose Senator Kerry as their favorite among the Democratic candidates.

Senator Kerry has won 18 of 20 Democratic primaries and caucuses, and has a commanding lead in the race for the Democratic nomination. He has also won the endorsement of the AFL-CIO and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

One of the major factors in the BLET’s endorsement of Senator Kerry is his support for full funding of Amtrak.

"For 18 years in the Senate, John Kerry has been a friend of working families," said BLET National President Don M. Hahs. "We believe that he will continue to support working men and women and will provide the best opportunity for Amtrak’s long-term survival."

On February 17, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced their endorsement of Kerry at a rally in Milwaukee. The IBT, along with the 18 other member unions of the Alliance for Economic Justice, rallied with Kerry in support of job creation and workers.

"Working families need a fighter like John Kerry in the White House," said James P. Hoffa, Teamsters General President. "With a President Kerry, we will develop a pro-worker agenda and defeat President Bush’s assault on America’s jobs and America’s working families.

"We look forward to working with our next President -- John Kerry -- to create jobs, fix the health care system, negotiate fair trade agreements and protect workers pensions," Hoffa added. "Working families will play a pivotal role in the fall election and we look forward to the campaign to put a pro-worker President in the White House."

John Kerry has a 90 percent AFL-CIO voting record over an 18-year Senate career. He has fought to raise the minimum wage, cosponsored bills that would outlaw striker replacement and would provide workers with Family and Medical Leave to spend time with a new child or care for a family member.

He has helped beat back Republican efforts to gut OSHA, weaken worker safety rules and cut funds from worker training and employment programs.

February 24, 2004 BLET members killed in collision

CLEVELAND, February 24 -- Two members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen were killed in an accident on Saturday, February 21.

Engineer Anthony C. Rodella, 57, and conductor Jeffrey S. Bohler, 32, were killed in the collision of two Union Pacific freight trains in Carrizozo, N.M. Rodella and Bohler were both members of BLET Division 192 in El Paso, Texas. Brother Rodella joined the BLET in 1974 and Brother Bohler became a member in 2003.

The National Transportation Safety Board launched an investigation of the accident Sunday morning, assisted by the BLET Safety Task Force.

Saturday, an empty auto-rack train operated by Rodella and Bohler was en route from Mira Loma, Calif., to Kansas, officials said. It was moving onto a siding in Carrizozo at about 8 a.m. when it collided with a train carrying grain headed from Kansas to El Paso.

On behalf of the 30,000 men and women of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, BLET National President Don M. Hahs sent his deepest condolences to the Rodella and Bohler families. President Hahs has ordered the BLET flag to be flown at half-staff over the BLET’s Cleveland headquarters in honor of the two brothers.

"I am deeply saddened by the deaths of Brother Rodella and Brother Bohler," said President Hahs. "The deaths of their fellow workers impact the hearts and minds of all railroad workers, and I know that I speak for all the BLET members when I send my sympathies to these families."

The BLET Safety Task Force was established for the purpose of participating in accident investigations conducted by the NTSB with the goal of contributing to both the accident cause-finding phase, and the safety recommendation phase from the view point of locomotive engineers and trainmen.

Twelve members of the BLET have been killed in on-the-job accidents since 1999.

February 17, 2004 Improved vision care benefits now available

CLEVELAND, February 17 -- The newly ratified BLET National Agreement provides an improved vision care plan.

BLET members were formerly covered by the Railroad Employees National Vision Plan and are now covered by the VSP Standard Plan. This new plan is automatically available for any BLET member working under the National Agreement.

Among the improvements, the VSP Standard Plan increases frame allowances from $75 to $115, and pays for lenses up to 61 mm in full (55 mm with previous plan). In addition, the VSP Standard Plan offers a more extensive network of providers.

A chart comparing the VSP Standard Plan with the former plan can be viewed by following this link: http://www.ble.org/pr/pdf/vsp.pdf

February 10, 2004 UTU evicted in Michigan

CLEVELAND, February 10 -- Due to its unaffiliated status, the United Transportation Union (UTU) was evicted from its offices in the Michigan State AFL-CIO building in Lansing, Mich.

The Michigan AFL-CIO evicted the UTU’s Michigan Legislative Board effective January 1 after requests from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 43, IBT Local 614, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.

Brother Greg Powell, Chairman of the BLET Michigan State Legislative Board, notified the Michigan AFL-CIO of the UTU’s unaffiliated status late last year. He and Dave Fernald, First Vice Chairman of the BLET Michigan State Legislative Board, also held meetings with members of the Michigan AFL-CIO Executive Board.

Brother Powell thanked Cecil Powell, President of Teamster Local 614, and Bill Black, Legislative Representative of Joint Council 43, for their assistance. The two bodies passed a resolution to withhold funds from the Michigan AFL-CIO until the unaffiliated union was evicted from the premises.

In early 2002, the Western Nebraska Central Labor Council voted unanimously to evict UTU representatives from its headquarters in Alliance, Neb., due to the UTU’s status as a non-affiliate.

The UTU withdrew from the national AFL-CIO on March 15, 2000, to avoid potential financial sanctions resulting from its constant raiding attempts.

February 6, 2004

Teamsters Canada Rail Conference scores sweeping victory over UTU at CP Rail

CLEVELAND, February 6 -- A plan by United Transportation Union leaders to raid the former Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers on the Canadian Pacific Railway has backfired on the aggressor union, resulting in a total and sweeping victory for the newly formed Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC).

The UTU leadership successfully convinced the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to force an election at the Canadian Pacific Railway in spite of protests from the BLE. In fact, an impartial umpire with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) ruled that UTU’s actions constituted a raid under the CLC Bylaws.

“Nevertheless, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference fought an uphill battle and turned the tables on the aggressive UTU leadership, claiming a total victory,” said Don M. Hahs, National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. “The TCRC members were outnumbered and caught off guard by an underhanded attack -- that began on a legal holiday when offices were closed -- but still managed to pull off this amazing win.

“We did not seek this election -- it was forced upon us by the UTU leadership and the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. The UTU leaders lit the fuse on a plan they thought would destroy the BLE. Instead, it blew up in their faces.”

The UTU leadership forced the issue, believing it could easily win an election based on its larger membership numbers. There are approximately 1,700 engineers at CP and approximately 2,800 trainmen, who were represented by UTU.

As part of the election, employees were required to answer two questions.

The first question for the 4,500 to vote on was whether to keep the Canadian Council of Railway Operating Unions (CCROU), the joint BLE-UTU negotiating committee. The voters said no by about 30 votes.

The second question was, “Which union do you want to represent you?”

Of the 4,449 eligible voters, 3,173 cast votes. A majority 1,687 selected the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference over the UTU.

“In a unit dominated by trainmen represented by UTU, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference won by 201 votes,” said Gilles Halle, President of TCRC. “As a result, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference not only kept the 1,700 engineers, it added 2,800 trainmen.

“We thank all those who supported us and want to assure all our new trainmen members that we will work for a smooth transition that respects current agreements and seniority rules,” Halle continued. “If and when any change is made, it will be done in consultation with the affected members.”

“Teamsters Canada Rail Conference will shortly become the principal interlocutor during negotiation between CN, CP and its workers,” said François Laporte, from Teamsters Canada’ national office. “We will be able to sit quickly at the negotiation table with management and get the best collective agreement. The era of divided workers in the railway industry is over; we are now united.”

IBT General President James P. Hoffa congratulated Gilles Halle and Bob Bouvier, President of Teamsters Canada.

“The strong vote for the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference demonstrates that employees at Canadian Pacific want the best representation available and that they trust the Teamsters to provide that,” Hoffa said. "We are creating one umbrella for workers so that they win the best contracts, best benefits and the respect and dignity that they deserve."

In closing, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference applied recently for certification to represent members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way (BMWE) at CP and is awaiting the Canadian Industrial Relation Board’s decision. Furthermore, a similar request will be made for members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way (BMWE) at CN, which allow further unification of railway workers in Canada.

December 05, 2003 Members approve IBT merger

CLEVELAND, December 5 -- Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers have overwhelmingly approved a merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, joining the largest and most powerful transportation union in North America.

Ballots were counted today and election results certified by the American Arbitration Association. The vote in the United States was 81 percent in favor of merging and 19 percent against with 47 percent of eligible members voting, and the vote in Canada was 62.4 percent in favor and 37.6 percent opposed with 56 percent of eligible members voting.

BLE members in Canada will now be members of Teamsters Canada and will be a part of the Canadian Rail Conference.

"The membership has spoken and we are pleased with their decision to merge with the Teamsters," BLE International President Don M. Hahs said. "Our members will soon see the benefits of belonging to the largest, most powerful, and politically influential transportation union in North America."

The merger will become effective on January 1, 2004, and the BLE will become the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), a division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Rail Conference.

"Today, two great unions begin a partnership to strengthen our ability to represent workers across the transportation spectrum," said Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa. "The Teamsters have always had a vision for a seamless transportation union giving workers real power on the job and in the political arena. This historic merger brings us closer to our union's vision."

The addition of "Trainmen" to the name of the new organization is a significant step, BLE President Hahs said.

"The doors are now open and the structure in place," he said. "Throughout negotiations, it was our intent and the Teamsters' intent to allow the new organization to represent trainmen under the umbrella of the IBT Rail Conference. We welcome trainmen with open arms."

The structure of the current BLE will basically remain intact, but some changes will be made as the BLET expands to incorporate additional trainmen members.

"The IBT's current Locals and Joint Councils are pretty much autonomous under the International IBT, and the BLET will also have autonomy," President Hahs said. "We will continue to elect our own officers and have our own conventions."

Current members and any new members who join the BLET will be able to utilize the immense resources of the IBT, President Hahs said.

"There are a number of member services, which the BLE presently purchases from outside sources, that will now be available through IBT departments," President Hahs said. "It's a win-win for both organizations."

The BLE and IBT have already enjoyed a great deal of success in organizing shortline railroads throughout the United States. Over the past year, the two organizations have worked jointly as the IBT-BLE Rail Operating Employees' Council. The group has successfully organized seven different shortline properties since July of 2002, bringing nearly 700 new members into the House of Labor.

The victories include the New York & Atlantic Railway; the Great Western Railway of Colorado; St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad; Utah Railway; the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad; the Indiana Southern Railroad; and the Texas-Mexican Railway.

BLE would be the first railroad union under the new IBT Rail Conference, and others may follow. Other AFL-CIO affiliated rail unions have contacted the IBT regarding possible mergers, and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes is currently in merger discussions with the IBT.

It is expected that rail workers will be able to negotiate stronger contracts by presenting a united front under the IBT Rail Conference.

On February 26, 2002, the BLE Advisory Board unanimously approved a motion that allowed the BLE Executive Committee to explore a possible merger with the Teamsters. On September 6, 2002, the BLE and IBT announced the appointment of four joint committees charged with the task of drafting a Merger Agreement for the two organizations, and formal discussions began on October 3.

"I thank all members of the joint committees for their diligent work in preparing the merger documents," President Hahs said. "None of this would have been possible without their hard work to create documents that were acceptable to the membership."

The four committees were Constitution & Bylaws, Legislative, Finance and Canada.

The Constitution & Bylaws members were: Ed Rodzwicz, First Vice-President & Alternate President (Committee Co-Chairman); Leo McCann, President, American Train Dispatchers Department, BLE; Paul T. Sorrow, Vice President; Dale McPherson, Vice President; Larry Sykes, General Chairman, Norfolk Southern; Tony Smith, General Chairman, CSXT; Gil Gore, General Chairman, Union Pacific; Rick Gibbons, General Chairman, BNSF; Mark Kenny, General Chairman, Amtrak; and Bob Evers, General Chairman, Long Island Rail Road.

The Legislative Committee members were: Raymond Holmes, BLE Vice-President & U.S. National Legislative Representative (Committee Co-Chairman); Jim Keele, Kansas State Legislative Board Chairman; George Newman, Massachusetts State Legislative Board Chairman; and Tim Smith, California State Legislative Board Chairman.

The Finance Committee members were: Bill Walpert, General Secretary-Treasurer (Committee Co-Chairman); Paul Wingo, International Vice-President; Jim Nelson, Secretary-Treasurer BNSF-Northern Lines General Committee of Adjustment; and Steve L. Christian, Secretary-Treasurer, Arkansas State Legislative Board.

The Canada Committee members were: Gilles Hallé, BLE Vice-President & Canadian Director (Committee Co-Chairman); and George Hucker, BLE Vice-President & National Legislative Representative-Canada.

The BLE conducted a poll of its membership in the spring of 2003, which revealed that a 78 percent majority of the membership favored a merger with the IBT.

On July 10, 2003, the BLE Advisory Board unanimously approved the merger documents. Ballots were mailed on October 20.

Founded on May 8, 1863, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers is the senior rail labor organization in North America.

Friday, December 05, 2003

November 21, 2003

Tentative national contract available

CLEVELAND, November 14 -- A copy of the BLE’s tentative national agreement with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee is now available on the BLE website at:
http://www.ble.org/pr/pdf/bleakg.pdf

Specific details regarding the contract are available in a five-page synopsis, which is made available in accordance with Section 43(a)-Standing Rules of the BLE Constitution & Bylaws. The synopsis can be found at:
http://www.ble.org/pr/pdf/synopsis.pdf

In addition to the synopsis and the contract itself, a list of agreed-to Questions and Answers will be provided to the membership. It will be posted on the BLE website as soon as one outstanding issue with the carriers is resolved.

Friday, November 14, 2003

October 31, 2003

BLE, Tex-Mex sign landmark remote control agreement

CLEVELAND, October 31 -- The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has reached a landmark contract agreement with the Texas-Mexican Railway that allows for the safe implementation of remote control operations and provides major pay raises.

"It's a good agreement," said BLE Tex-Mex General Chairman George Leyendecker. "There's nothing like it in the land."

The agreement, ratified by an 81 percent majority of workers, gives remote control assignments to both locomotive engineers and conductors. Job protections are written into the contract for both crafts, assuring that no current employees will lose their jobs or be furloughed due to remote control implementation.

"Not only did we reach an agreement with management regarding the implementation of remote control operations, it is our opinion that we established an operation that is vastly superior to the agreement that the Class One properties reached and implemented with the United Transportation Union," BLE International Vice-President Merle Geiger said.

"The BLE still has some very grave concerns over the manner in which remote control locomotive operations have been introduced into the industry," he continued. "The Organization still believes that the Federal Railroad Administration has not done its duty in setting forth regulations regarding the operation of remote control and in establishing the proper training of remote control operators. This Organization will continue in its endeavor to convince the FRA to do its job and to not continue to sit on the sidelines on this most important matter."

Geiger and Leyendecker were part of a successful negotiating team that also included Mike Clark, Juan Garza Jr. and David Snow -- members of BLE Division 244 (Laredo, Texas) who work as conductors for Tex-Mex.

"With three conductors and two locomotive engineers on the Negotiating Committee, this was a total team effort," Brother Leyendecker said. "All credit and accolades should go to the negotiating committee as a whole."

Vice-President Geiger explained the BLE/Tex-Mex agreement, which will allow remote control assignments to be handled much more efficiently than on the Class One railroads.

"What the BLE was able to accomplish in the Tex-Mex agreement is to return to the historic manner in filling these assignments," Vice-President Geiger said. "We have placed a qualified locomotive engineer in the Lead Remote Operator position and conductors will fill the Remote Operator position. On Tex-Mex there no longer are any 'yard assignments,' per se. Yard assignments on this property have been replaced by TSE (Traveling Switch Engines). In addition to performing work outside of terminal limits, they handle all of the switching formerly performed by yard assignments.

"BLE assignments will be much more productive than remote control yard operations under the UTU agreement. BLE members assigned to remote control operations will have a much greater flexibility in performing their duties."

With a federally certified locomotive engineer on the job, the Tex-Mex crews will have the flexibility to operate trains by traditional methods or by remote control, depending on which method is more efficient in any given situation.

"The operators under the BLE Agreement will have the flexibility to operate in the traditional mode when it makes sense to do so and will alleviate some of the safety concerns that we have with the remote control operations in place on the Class Ones," Vice-President Geiger said. "Further, the carrier will have the flexibility to use remote control crews to do traditional work, such as dogcatching, staging trains outside the terminal, and doing outside terminal work that requires a certified locomotive engineer at the controls of the locomotive."

Train crews will be compensated handsomely for their increased flexibility and efficiency. General Chairman Leyendecker summarized the pay issue by stating that some crew members could receive pay increases of 45 percent when they go into remote control operations. Vice-President Geiger explained in more detail.

"In exchange for the additional flexibility that the BLE Agreement gives the Tex-Mex, the carrier agreed to compensate the engineer and the conductor as though they were working conductor-only assignments under the UTU Crew Consist and TSE Agreements including all Crew Consist payments, Foot Board Yardmaster payments and Air Pay. The BLE has tapped into the UTU Crew Consist allowances for engineers," Geiger said.

"Payments will be based on the engineer and conductor seniority date. For Pre-85 employees that equates to approximately an additional $100 per day in addition to the basic day. For Post-85 employees it equates to approximately $40.00 in addition to the basic day. Further, both crew members will receive an additional 45 minutes at the daily basic rate of pay and the Lead Operator position will receive the Engineer Certification Allowance."

Vice-President Geiger also explained the superior job protections outlined in the Tex-Mex agreement.

"The BLE has established true employee protection based solely on the implementation of remote control on the property," he said. "All employees on the roster at the time of signing receive said protection. Prior to any protected operating employee being furloughed, said employee will have the right to mark up as a brakeman to one of these Remote Control assignments. When an employee marks to the brakeman position, the Remote Control Assignment automatically reverts to a regular TSE and the assignment remains as such until the employee filling the brakeman position is able to hold a job elsewhere at which time the assignment will automatically revert to a Remote Control Assignment."

Vice-President Geiger recognized Tex-Mex General Manager James Riney and Labor Relations Officer Lynn Lambert for their efforts.

"For if not for their vision and courage in the face of pressure from other carriers, we would not have been successful in reaching this landmark agreement," he said. "There were certain people within the NCCC who stated that it would be a waste of time on the part of Tex-Mex management because they would never be able to reach an agreement with the BLE on remote control. Obviously we have proven that element wrong."

In addition to Brothers Leyendecker, Clark, Garza and Snow, Vice-President Geiger also thanked Brother Tommy Miller, the BLE's Director of Organizing, for helping to get the agreement ratified.

"His hard work in this endeavor proves, again, his value and commitment to our Organization," Geiger said.

Brother Miller, who helped to organize the Tex-Mex property last year, said unity was the key to success.

"This is what happens when we can be on the same page and all work together toward one common cause for the benefit of everyone," he said. "We have one of the best agreements in the country as far as remote control is concerned, and I thank everyone for participating in the meetings to explain the agreement in Houston, Laredo and Corpus Christi."

St. Louis is the 38th community to adopt a remote control safety resolution

CLEVELAND, October 23 -- St. Louis, Mo., has joined 26 other cities and 11 counties in adopting a remote control safety resolution.

The Board of Aldermen approved the resolution on October 15. The Aldermen cited the amount of hazardous materials moving through their city as one of the reasons that they adopted the resolution. The resolution asks the Federal Railroad Administration to review their policies regarding remote control operations.

Missouri State Legislative Board Chairman Mickey Gage presented the BLE's position on remote control locomotives to the Alderman. He was assisted by David Grimes, local chairman of BLE Division 42 (St. Louis). Chairman Gage's daughter, Sarah, also assisted with the presentation.

In addition to St. Louis, 26 U.S. cities have adopted similar resolutions: Baton Rouge, La.; Detroit, Mich.; Shreveport, La.; Marysville, Mich.; Boston, Mass.; Cleveland, Ohio; Pine Bluff, Ark.; North Little Rock, Ark.; Beardstown, Ill.; Bakersfield, Calif.; Woodbridge, N.J.; Maple Heights, Ohio; Alliance, Neb.; Evansville, Ind.; Dupo, Ill.; Durand, Mich; Flat Rock, Mich.; Woodhaven, Mich; Flint, Mich.; Sparks, Nev.; Commerce, Calif.; Clinton, Iowa; Montebello, Calif.; Saginaw, Mich.; Mankato, Minn.; and Wamac, Ill.

Also, 11 counties have passed similar remote control resolutions. They are: Douglas County, Wisc.; West Baton Rouge Parish, La.; Point Coupee Parish, La.; Cuyahoga County, Ohio; Huron County, Ohio; Erie County, Ohio; Whitley County, Ky.; Unicoi County, Tenn.; Contra Costa County, Calif.; Knox County, Tenn.; and Clinton, County, Iowa.

Eight AFL-CIO state federations have also passed remote control resolutions. They are: Arizona, Texas, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Missouri, North Dakota and Nebraska.

For a PDF of the St. Louis resolution, click here:
http://www.ble.org/pr/pdf/stlouis.pdf

BLE reaches tentative national contract.

CLEVELAND, October 9 -- The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has reached a tentative agreement with the National Carriers Conference Committee, BLE International President Don M. Hahs announced today.

The tentative agreement covers work rules, wages and health care. Current plans are to discuss terms of the proposed agreement with BLE General Chairmen and State Legislative Board Chairmen at a meeting in Cleveland on October 21.

Following the meeting with the General Chairmen and State Legislative Board Chairmen, details of the agreement will be made available as it undergoes the constitutionally required ratification process.

Rail union officials plead not guilty

Suspects accused of bribery plot

By HARVEY RICE
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

The current and former presidents of the nation's largest railroad operating union pleaded not guilty Monday in a federal court in Houston to accusations that they sought bribes from attorneys in return for access to union workers injured on the job.

Byron Alfred Boyd Jr., 57, of Seattle, Wash., international president of the United Transportation Union, and retired President Charles Leonard Little, 69, of Leander, were released on $100,000 bond after pleading before federal Magistrate Judge Marcia Crone.

John Russell Rookard, 57, of Olalla, Wash., Boyd's assistant, also was released after pleading not guilty and posting a $100,000 bond. Ralph John Dennis, 51, of Boone, Iowa, former union director of insurance, is scheduled to appear before Crone today at 2 p.m.

The four were indicted last week by a federal grand jury on charges of racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and commercial bribery in connection with an alleged scheme to solicit bribes from attorneys who sought special access to union members.

The indictments follow a five-year investigation that began in Houston.

If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each racketeering charge and 10 years and a $250,000 fine for each of mail fraud charge.

Prosecutors also are seeking the seizure of at least $477,100 in cash proceeds from the alleged scheme. If the money has been disposed of, prosecutors intend to seize personal property of equal value, according to the indictment.

"We cannot and will not tolerate union officials who abuse their positions of trust for personal gain," U.S. Attorney Michael Shelby said.

The union, with headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, has about 125,000 members nationwide in the railroad, bus, mass transit and airline industries.

In a statement issued by the union, Boyd said, "I have every intention to pursue this matter to a final and full conclusion that completely exonerates me."

Boyd's attorney, Robert Sussman, said his client would continue as president while fighting the charges.

David Gerger, attorney for Little, and Cary Feldman, attorney for Rookard, also said their clients would be vindicated.

All three surrendered voluntarily early Monday at the FBI office in Houston.

The indictment alleges that as president, Boyd and Little had the authority to determine the attorneys included on the union's designated legal counsel list, an allegedly coveted designation because it gave attorneys easier access to injured union members in potentially lucrative damage suits.

The 1908 Federal Employers Liability Act allows unlimited damages for railroad workers because their jobs are so hazardous.

Although any lawyer can represent an injured railroad worker, those on the designated legal counsel list were given union membership, which means access to otherwise closed union meetings, and the imprimatur of the union.

The indictment alleges that the four union officials met secretly with attorneys to solicit and receive bribes for inclusion on the designated legal counsel list and for remaining on the list. Boyd and Little also allegedly solicited thousands of dollars in cash for their union presidential campaigns.

Of the 56 designated legal counsels listed on the union's Web site, six are in Texas and five are in the Houston area. Texas has more than any other state except Illinois, which has seven.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Gallagher said that the FBI began the investigation in Houston in 1999, but the designated legal counsel list has changed constantly during the investigation.

He told Crone that all attorneys on the designated legal counsel list were potential witnesses.

September 15, 2003 - Teamsters, BMWE discuss merger

(The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release on its website on September 15.)

WASHINTON, D.C. -- The Grand Lodge officers of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE) have voted unanimously to pursue merger/affiliation discussions with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Founded in 1887, BMWE represents approximately 40,000 workers who maintain railroad tracks, bridges, buildings and other related facilities throughout the United States and Canada.

The merger talks with BMWE follow closely the pending merger between the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Teamsters. Combining the strength and resources of the three Unions would significantly increase their power to negotiate wages, benefits and working conditions for members working in the rail industry. Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa and BLE President Donald Hahs have made reestablishing unity among rail unions a cornerstone of their efforts.

The BMWE received expressions of interest from several unions regarding the possibility of a merger. After carefully and thoroughly considering the results of exploratory meetings, the Grand Lodge officers voted to pursue discussions with the Teamsters on September 8, 2003.

Town Hall meetings set for Birmingham, Ala., and Memphis, Tenn.

CLEVELAND, September 15 -- The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers will hold four Town Hall Meetings in Birmingham, Ala., and Memphis, Tenn., next month regarding the proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The meetings will include a presentation to explain the proposed merger and the expected benefits, followed by a question and answer session.

The meetings will be held:

October 22, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Holiday Inn Airport
5000 Tenth Ave. North
Birmingham, Ala.

October 23, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Holiday Inn Airport
5000 Tenth Ave. North
Birmingham, Ala.

October 23, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
IBT Local 667 meeting hall
796 East Brooks Road
Memphis, Tenn.
(901) 396-5331

October 24, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
IBT Local 667 meeting hall
796 East Brooks Road
Memphis, Tenn.
(901) 396-5331

August 27 , 2003 - Town Hall meeting set for Kansas City

CLEVELAND, August 19 -- The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers will conduct a Town Hall Meeting in Kansas City on September 9 regarding the proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The meeting will take place at the Teamsters’ Building, 4501 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd., in Kansas City. The building phone number is: (816) 924-2000.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and will include a presentation on the IBT/BLE proposed merger. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.

So far, several BLE International officers have committed to attend the Town Hall Meeting, including: BLE International President Don Hahs; First Vice-President Ed Rodzwicz; General Secretary-Treasurer Bill Walpert; and Vice-President Steve Speagle. IBT General Counsel Pat Szymanski will represent the Teamsters.

“I encourage all of our members in the Kansas City area to make an effort to attend this important meeting,” President Hahs said. “The information provided at the meeting will assist you in making your decision on the proposed merger.”

What: BLE-IBT merger Town Hall Meeting
Where: Teamsters’ Building
4501 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd.
Kansas City, Mo.
(816) 924-2000
When: Tuesday, September 9
9:00 a.m.

August 15 , 2003 Discipline Alert

Hot Items!

After the recent roll outs in California the general directive to all UP Officers is to test for properly secured equipment. If you are leaving any equipment unattended for any length of time conduct a proper job briefing and don’t leave anything left to be assumed. Be sure to tie it down tight!

31.1.2 Locomotive Unattended
When possible, place locomotives that will be left unattended on a track protected by a derail.

The following instructions apply at all locations other than designated locomotive servicing and repair tracks (at designated locomotive servicing and repair areas, secure locomotives as instructed by local supervisors or local instructions, but not less than 1 hand brake):

On the lead locomotive consist, apply all hand brakes, on all units equipped, to hold the locomotives. Verify that hand brakes hold the locomotives by releasing automatic and independent air brakes; then reapply the independent brakes after verification. On units equipped with underslung brake cylinders (attached to brake levers between the wheels versus mounted on the truck), the brake cylinder must be cut out using the brake cylinder cutout cock, the hand brake fully tightened, and the brake cylinder cut back in. If necessary, place a wooden blocking or other appropriate blocking device under the front and back of one pair of wheels. Make sure the equipment is positioned as follows:

1. Throttle is in IDLE.

2. Reverse lever is in NEUTRAL and the handle is removed.

3. Generator field switch is OFF.

4. Independent brake is cut in and fully applied.

5. Isolation switch is in the ISOLATION position on all units in the consist.

6. Engines are shut down if required

7. Electrical cable is properly stowed, or the disconnected end is placed into a dummy receptacle or multi-unit cable holder.

8. Windows are closed and latched.

9. Securement Checklist is completed, signed, and placed in the locomotive inspection report card holder, unless otherwise instructed.

10. Automatic brakes are applied with a 20 psi brake pipe reduction.

11. Locomotive cab doors are closed.

Restricted speed continues to be an equally important topic. Remember that just running less than 20 MPH does not mean you are in compliance with the rule, you must be able to stop within one half the range of vision. Around curves and hills or in places where your vision is obstructed the speed you will have to operate at may be much slower than 20 MPH in order to be able to stop and comply with the rule. These hard to see areas will no doubt be the spots you will encounter field tests.

6.27 Movement at Restricted Speed

When a train or engine is required to move at restricted speed, movement must be made at a speed that allows stopping within half the range of vision short of:

· Train

· Engine

· Railroad car

· Men or equipment fouling the track

· Stop signal

OR

· Derail or switch lined improperly

The crew must keep a lookout for broken rail and not exceed 20 MPH.

Comply with these requirements until the leading wheels reach a point where movement at restricted speed is no longer required.

Another topic is stopping in the clear of an adjacent track to line an improperly lined switch. Even though many of us were chastised by old head conductors and brakemen for making them walk to a switch the rule says we will stop until the switch is lined. STOP AND WAIT!

8.2 Position of Switches

The employee handling the switch or derail is responsible for the position of the switch or derail in use. The employee must not allow movement to foul an adjacent track until the hand-operated switch or derail is properly lined.

Remember:

Uncle Pete is watching us from everywhere!

July 31, 2003 Quick Reference Guides are in the Mail

“Safety First” Quick Reference Guides, buttons and instructions have been mailed to all Local Chairmen and members. This information is to assist you in the performance of your duties. Please read and follow the instructions included in the mail out. If you do not receive your copy in the next week to ten days contact your Local Chairman to see if the General Committee Office has your correct address.

BLE-IBT merger documents online

CLEVELAND, July 24 -- Documents governing the proposed BLE-Teamsters merger are now available in the members area of the BLE website, in line with Section 1(e)(2) of the BLE Constitution & Bylaws.

The documents, unanimously approved by the BLE Advisory Board on July 11, were mailed yesterday to the general chairmen, state and provincial legislative chairmen, Advisory Board, and division presidents, also in keeping with Section 1(e) (2).

July 22 will be the “mailing date” that will trigger the sequence of events leading to a vote of the membership.

The documents include: Merger Agreement; IBT Constitution; IBT Rail Conference Bylaws; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Bylaws; Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Bylaws; Teamsters Canada Bylaws; and the Advisory Board Resolution Approving Merger.

A password is required to view the documents, which are located here:
http://www.ble.org/members/merger

July 1, 2003

COST OF LIVING INCREASE EFFECITVE JULY 1, 2003

Rate Tables, effective July 1, 2003

These rate tables, effective July 1, 2003, reflect a cost-of-living increase of 16 cents per hour or $1.28 per basic day ($0.0128 per mile). Not reflected in these tables is the fact that BLE members contribute 4 cents per hour or 32 cents per basic day toward Health and Welfare premiums. It also should be noted that these figures are derived from the BLE National Agreement. The rates in effect on some properties differ slightly from the published rates, because of the effect of different system agreements. Your general chairman's office should have the rates in effect on your property. Tables applicable to our property are 4, 7 & 10

. Click HERE to access the new rate tables.

July 14, 2003

ROBOT RAILROAD – SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT CBS LOS ANGELES CA. !!!!!!!!

Click on http://www.cbs2.com/specassign_video/ and select Special Assignment Robot Railroads to view the video report online.

July 10, 2003

BLE Advisory Board approves Teamster merger documents

CLEVELAND, July 11 -- In one of the most historic moments in the 140-year history of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the union’s Advisory Board yesterday unanimously approved documents that govern a merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT).

If the merger documents are approved by a membership referendum, then the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers will become the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Division of the IBT.

“The groundwork for consolidation of these two great unions has been laid and Thursday’s vote by the BLE’s Advisory Board signifies an emerging partnership between our two unions,” said IBT General President Jim Hoffa. “We believe the BLE’s membership, as well as Teamster members, will benefit greatly from this partnership now and in the future.”

“This is the right move at the right time for our organization,” said BLE International President Don Hahs. “A merger with the Teamsters will boost our collective bargaining and lobbying strength while benefiting the memberships of both organizations.”

A merger would give BLE members a voice in part of North America’s largest transportation union.

“In our new partnership we’re going to have the docks, the trucks and the trains,” Hoffa said. “And it really can’t be stated any simpler than that.”

According to Section 1(e)(2) of the BLE’s Constitution & Bylaws, the merger documents must be mailed to the union’s leadership for review (union leadership includes the Advisory Board, general chairmen, state and provincial legislative board chairmen, and all divisions). Section 1(e)(2) also requires that the documents be posted on the BLE website on the day they are mailed.

July 7, 2003

Hoffa: Unity is key to strength

BALTIMORE -- Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa spoke about transportation labor unity in the afternoon session on June 30 at the 67th annual Eastern Union Meeting Association of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

(A segment of President Hoffa’s speech at the EUMA is available for download from the BLE website. See links below.)

In his speech, President Hoffa laid out the benefits of the potential merger between the BLE and IBT. He said that corporate bullies are attacking unions from every direction and that unity is a way to "stop them in their tracks."

"Companies are willing to sacrifice American workers for a few dollars," said President Hoffa. "American workers are suffering."

President Hoffa described the issues that BLE and Teamsters are facing together, including remote control and raids by another organization.

He also noted that transportation unity has long been a dream of the Teamsters, in particular his father.

"My father, James R. Hoffa, had a vision of one union representing all transportation workers," said President Hoffa. "That is my dream also. I am a second generation Teamster and we talked labor around the dinner table as I was growing up."

Like all BLE members and Teamsters, President Hoffa said he is proud of his background and the deep traditions of his union. He said unity is the best way to preserve this heritage.

"I am proud of my heritage as a working person," President Hoffa said. "As I look around this room, I see that we share much in common. We are all working people. We share the same values and we also share the same challenges.

"Every day, there are people working in Congress to take away what you have -- there are people on Capitol Hill working against the Teamsters right now. The only way to survive this is to be united."

President Hoffa paid particular attention to the courage of BLE International President Don M. Hahs and the BLE Advisory Board for bringing the idea of the merger to the Teamsters.

"My hat is off to Don Hahs and the rest of the Advisory Board because they had the courage to start talking with the Teamsters," said President Hoffa. "The BLE is a pioneer because now we are talking to other rail unions. The BLE is leading the way."

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July 2, 2003

ANOTHER REMOTE ACCIDENT HINKLE YARD!!!!!!!!

At approximately 6 PM July 2nd a Remote Control set of locomotives that were shoving a cut of cars collided with an inbound manifest train. The cars that the remote was shoving in the collision were flat cars that were loaded with Military tanks! At least 3 box cars on the inbound train were derailed, one was demolished a witness said. At this time it's not known whether any of the flat cars that were carrying Military tanks were derailed or if any of the tanks were damaged. No one was hurt in the collision, but there was the potential for a catastrophic event. If the car that was demolished was a tank car instead of a box car and was caring hazardous material, Hinkle could have had a serious chemical spill with a unknown outcome.

June 26, 2003

BLE appeals CIRB decision

CLEVELAND, June 26 -- On June 15, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers filed for a judicial review by the Federal Court of Appeals of a decision made by the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

The decision, number 230, was rendered by Vice Chair Michele A. Pineau. The case involves a long-standing dispute over seniority rights on VIA Rail. The BLE believes that, among other things, the CIRB decision exceeded the Board’s jurisdiction.

VIA Rail and the BLE’s Canadian National General Committee of Adjustment have also appealed the decision.

BLE International Vice-President and Canadian Director Gilles Halle has issued a letter detailing the BLE’s appeal.

June 26, 2003

General Chairman Pierce clarifies MRL remote agreement

CLEVELAND, June 26 -- Dennis Pierce, BLE General Chairman on BNSF/MRL, recently sent a letter to all BLE local chairmen on the BNSF-Northlines and Montana Rail Link (MRL), which clarified the BLE’s agreements for protection and compensation for remote control on the MRL, and compared the remote control implementation on MRL to the implementation of remote control on BNSF.

General Chairman Pierce sent the letter to underscore the protective benefits outlined in the MRL agreement that the BLE negotiated and to compare them with the limited protective benefits which were negotiated on BNSF.

According to the letter, the BLE’s agreement on MRL is an attrition based model, which protects all who were employed on the effective date of the agreement. Those protected employees cannot be furloughed so long as they can hold the third position on a remote assignment. The BNSF agreement, negotiated by another union, immediately eliminated one third of the positions in yard service and implemented protective benefits in the form of guaranteed extra board slots protecting all extra service, one for each remote assignment, for a six year period.

The text of Chairman Pierce’s letter follows:

ALL LOCAL CHAIRMEN June 10, 2003
BNSF NORTHLINES/MRL File: Remote Control
MRL vs. BNSF

Dear Sirs and Brothers:

For several months now, we have witnessed the implementation of remote control operations on the BNSF property. We have also watched as remote control operations have been expanded on MRL. During this time, UTU has repeatedly chastised BLE and its agreements on MRL, and in the process, has grossly misrepresented the way in which the employees of both railroads have been affected by remote control implementation in yard service. This correspondence is to expose those UTU misrepresentations and to put forth a comprehensive comparison of the two methods of implementation based on truths rather than fiction.

Before we address the actual terms of the agreements governing protection and compensation for remote operations, it is apparent that we must address BLE’s safety concerns surrounding remote implementation. UTU has publicly attempted to prevent local, state and federal municipalities from adopting any regulation or restriction on remote controlled operation, even though many of its members have testified along side BLE members seeking to secure various forms of regulation. In one example, UTU went so far as to mail the MRL agreement to the legislators in the State of Washington, accusing that BLE would not have agreed to remote implementation on MRL if the product was unsafe. Perhaps UTU would have been better served to have studied the MRL product prior to making these accusations as the models implemented on MRL and BNSF are vastly different.

Prior to implementation of remote control operations on MRL, the Carrier invited BLE’s local representatives on MRL, BLE and UTU local representatives from neighboring BNSF locations and FRA to meet, discuss and develop the safest method of implementation. The product that resulted from these meetings, as recently described in the attached ble.org posting, includes protected zones for remote control operations in conjunction with the use of fully certified locomotive engineers as operators. MRL’s model, when compared to the BNSF model, is vastly different in terms of safety. MRL’s zones are much like blue flag or red signal protection for those employees operating remote controlled locomotives and they provide protection for those on or about other adjacent tracks as well. Although BNSF pushes its "Lock out, Tag out" campaign to insure safety, remote control operations on BNSF are the exception to this rule, often working with no one on the point of the movement and no visible zone protection. A remote controlled movement recently entered a Maintenance of Way gang’s limits in Kansas City largely due to the fact that there are no clearly protected zones for remote operations and no one was protecting the point of the movement. MRL’s model prevents accidents like the one in Kansas City and the potential injuries that accompany them. The MRL model is truly the "best practice" for safe implementation of remote operations and that is glaringly apparent. UTU has accused that BLE wants no regulation on MRL, but it has totally ignored the fact that MRL has already gone well beyond FRA’s minimal guidelines. In reality, MRL’s model, should actually be the model for regulation, not a model that requires it.

UTU has ignored all these facts in its attack on BLE’s regulatory efforts. These actions also represent a total turn around by UTU regarding the safety of remote operations. BLE participated in an implementation on MRL that was truly intended to be the safest possible; there has been no change of heart on our part. UTU on the other hand protested that even our "best practice" implementation was a safety risk to the employees in 1999 but then promptly assisted the Class I Carriers in implementing a product that is no where near as safe. That turnabout was for obvious reasons and we do not feel that those reasons included the best interests of the operating employees on BNSF.

UTU has also attempted to portray BLE’s collective bargaining agreement governing remote implementation on MRL as substandard and that accusation also fails on examination. In a recent utu.org post, UTU asserted that BLE had obtained no protection for the employees of MRL when remote control was implemented. Nothing could be further from the truth, in fact, the MRL agreement includes "attrition" based protection that protects all who were employed on the effective date of the agreement. Those truly protected employees cannot be furloughed so long as they can hold the third position on a remote assignment. To date, there have been no crew size reductions due to this attrition based model, and many of the employees protected by the MRL agreement will carry this protection for nearly 30 years. In fact, the youngest protected person employed by MRL on the date of the agreement was 25 years old at the time. He is protected and can work the third position on a regularly assigned remote job, rather than being furloughed, for a total of 35 years. Conversely, UTU not only agreed to a model that immediately eliminated one third of the positions in yard service, it agreed to protective benefits in the form of guaranteed extra board slots protecting all extra service, one for each remote assignment, for a six year period. Six years will come and go while attrition based protection on MRL will be there for the involved employees until the end of their railroad career. Again, it is no real mental challenge to see which model best protected the work rights and best interests of the involved employees.

A true comparison of the compensation related to remote control also shows which model best protected the financial interests of the involved employees. As information, the pre existing crew consist minimum on MRL was a two man minimum, engineer and switch foreman. Although MRL historically assigned a switchman as a third crew member, the agreement did not require it. BLE’s remote agreement changed these minimums, expanding the required crew size to three, two engineers and a switch foreman, the third position to eventually be reduced through the attrition model described above. The day this service was implemented on MRL, two of the three crew members were given a raise in pay; the switch foreman increased to engineer rate and the switchman increased to switch foreman rate. Conversely on BNSF, UTU assisted the Carrier in eliminating the highest paid position on the crew on day one and went to two man crews immediately. Eliminating the engineer’s position not only capped the involved employees at switch foreman and switchman’s rates, it also resulted in the cancellation of many Locomotive Engineer Training Programs on BNSF. Under the MRL model, positions in the Locomotive Engineer Training Program have increased in the past two years. In fact, the employees on MRL are currently voting on a new proposal that will afford them guaranteed access to engineer training when they have worked for approximately one year. It is clear that BLE’s model provides promotion as well as the increases in compensation that have historically accompanied promotion.

As for the actual rates that exist today on the two properties, the following break out is a side by side comparison of the elements of compensation under both models and you will see that they speak for themselves. Please remember that MRL remote control crews are not currently assigned as two man crews so the 45 minute payment is rarely applicable. Rather, there is a third employee on the assignment drawing full wages at Switch Foreman rate. At the point that the MRL’s attrition based model does create reduced crews, the following will apply. These rates reflect those currently in effect.


MRL Employee 1
Locomotive Engineer
Basic Day- 177.82
Reduced Crew 45" 16.67
Profit Sharing 19.44
Total 213.93 BNSF Employee 1
Switch Foreman
Basic Day 162.94
Short Crew Code 32 19.80
Remote Pay 46" 15.46
Total 198.20

MRL Employee 2
Locomotive Engineer
Basic Day- 177.82
Reduced Crew 45" 16.67
Profit Sharing 19.44
Total 213.93
BNSF Employee 1
Switchman
Basic Day 156.29
Short Crew Code 32 19.80
Remote Pay 46" 14.85
Total 190.94

From these numbers, it is apparent that MRL’s model provides more compensation to employees operating remotely controlled locomotives if and when crew size is eventually reduced on that property. In the interim, all remote control assignments on MRL continue to work as three man crews, with the third crew member drawing full compensation. I think that you can see that the BLE represented employees on MRL work under an agreement that they can be proud of. The operation is not only the safest possible, it provides the involved employees with the maximum compensation possible.

In closing, I am hopeful that you will find this information useful in your efforts to share the "real story" on remote control implementation. By most accounts, an attrition based model similar to the MRL product was available on the Class I properties until UTU agreed to a lesser product. As we have said before, that UTU product does not protect the best interest of the operating employees on BNSF either from a safety viewpoint or a monetary viewpoint and that is not the type of representation that anyone should be proud of. It is clear to us that UTU will continue to agree to substandard products just to retain jurisdiction over the employees that survive these same products, a true race to the bottom. There are better alternatives out there and the employees at least deserve to know that.

Fraternally,


Dennis R. Pierce
General Chairman

June 23, 2003

Arizona AFL-CIO adopts resolution questioning safety of remote control

CLEVELAND, June 23 -- The AFL-CIO Arizona State Federation has adopted a resolution calling for the State of Arizona and the Federal Railroad Administration to examine the implementation of remote control locomotives in the name of public safety.

The Arizona AFL-CIO passed the resolution on June 11, which states that "more than 40 railroad accidents have occurred in RCL operations around the United States within the past two years, during hasty, unregulated implementation of RCL operations."

The federation also cites the dangers of transporting hazardous materials and the lack of FRA oversight in remote operations among its reasons for passing the resolution.

The resolution calls for the "Arizona Corporation Commission to prohibit the use of RCL technology in switching operations until such time as: (1) A thorough risk assessment study of RCL operations has been made and published by a third party."

The resolution also states that, "railroad companies have failed to adopt and/or enforce the operational practices most critical for employee and public safety" during hasty implementation of remote control operations.

The Arizona AFL-CIO is the first AFL-CIO body to adopt a resolution calling for more stringent safety practices in the implementation of remote control. Twenty-nine communities throughout the United States have passed resolutions calling into question the safety of remote control operations.

June 14, 2003

DISCIPLINE ALERT !!!!!!!!

An engineer while working in the St. Louis Hub area operated a train from Salem, IL to Dexter, MO. The train was an auto train with a length of approximately 7500 feet and the lead engine was equipped with an integrated computer screen that shows the end on train information on it. During the trip the “FR NOCOM” light indication came and went as they almost always do in the hills and curves with a train this size. A few days after the trip the engineer was notified that he was in violation of the rules as he should have reduced speed to 30MPH immediately when the “FR NOCOM” light came on and was removed from service pending investigation.

It is the perception of many working engineers that you have sixteen minutes after the “FR NOCOM” light illuminates before you have to reduce speed. Such is not the case. We have been told that when the “FR NOCOM” light illuminates the system has already been without communication for the sixteen minutes. The delay is built into the system.

The download was done by one of the new trackside readers and reviewed by a tape reader in Omaha. The tape reader then contacted local management to access discipline.

Since the engineer continued to operate the train at 50 MPH he is considered 20 MPH over the prescribed speed and thus a FRA decertification is called for and his license is suspended under FRA regulations. Click HERE for more information.

June 10, 2003

REMOTE DEMONSTRATION IN HOUSTON ATTRACTS MORE THAN 135 EMPLOYEES AND COMMUNITY ACTIVIST

Members of the BLE, were joined by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee's representative, Houston City Council Member Ada Edwards, Chief of Staff. Labor Unions that supported the effort were:  Harris County AFL-CIO officers & staff members, Communication Workers of America, PACE, HPPOU, Houston Fire Fighters, and Carpenters. In all, over 150 union members and community activist showed up to distribute literature regarding the upcoming implementation of remote locomotive technology in the Houston Area. The event was covered by several local TV and radio stations in the area.

Advisory Board to vote on Teamsters

CLEVELAND, May 30 -- The BLE’s Advisory Board will meet in Cleveland on July 9-10 to review and vote on finalized documents relating to the proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The BLE’s top elected officers will review the proposed IBT/BLE Merger Agreement, bylaws, and various other documents in accordance with Section 1(e) of the BLE Constitution & Bylaws.

These documents are the result of work completed by the Joint IBT-BLE Subcommittees –- Constitution & Bylaws, Legislative, Finance and Canada.

A two-thirds majority of the Advisory Board must approve the documents before they can be distributed to the membership for a ratification vote.

Upon approval by the Advisory Board, the documents will be mailed to all divisions, general chairmen, state and provincial legislative board chairmen and members of the Advisory Board, and will also be posted on the BLE website. This is known as the “mailing date,” as defined by Section 1(e) of the BLE Constitution.

Ballots will be distributed to the general membership 90 days after the mailing date and ballots must be returned 45 days later, or 135 days after the mailing date.

On February 26, 2002, the Advisory Board voted unanimously to explore a merger or affiliation with the Teamsters in accordance with Section 1(e). Members of the Joint Subcommittees were announced on September 6, 2002, and they have been meeting on a regular basis ever since.

May 24, 2003

DEMONSTRATION IN FT WORTH AGAINST REMOTE TECHNOLOGY

Members of the Community, UTU and BLE gathered near Colonial Country Club and Union Pacific’s Centennial Yard to protest the implementation of remote technology. Centennial Yard has been converted to remote control by Union Pacific exposing both Union Pacific Employees and the general public to dangers associated with remote control operation. The most serious danger stems from the lack of training required by both FRA and Union Pacific to become a remote control operator. With as little as 80 hours training, crew members are operating remotely controlled locomotives handling hazardous waste and deadly chemicals in Centennial Yard located close to both Colonial Country Club and other residential areas.

May 1, 2003

BLE REQUESTS SERVICES OF MEDIATOR ON NATIONAL CONTACT

After hold an unsuccessful meeting with the NCCC, BLE International President Don Hahs has requested that the National Mediation Board appoint a mediator as provided in the Railway Labor Act.

March 23, 2003

REMOTE ACCIDENT NEY YARD IN FORT WORTH TEXAS

At approximately 4:00 am on March 23, 2003 there was a accident at Union Pacific’s Ney Yard in Fort Worth, Texas involving remote operations. It has been reported that the RCO kicked a cut of cars down toward a track from the switching lead. The RCO foreman then crawls up on the fireman’s side of a 4 car cut riding the point down the lead. He set the locomotive on a 4 mph speed. The cut kicked into the track is still fouling the lead switch on the engineer’s side. The cut impacts the fouling cars and the “brain on the train” RC locomotive interprets the impact and slow down as request for more power and throttles up to maintain the 4mph speed set by the RCO. Either the collision or the subsequent automatic “throttle up” by the RC locomotive throws the foreman against the side of the car breaking his collar bone. The foreman subsequently injures his ankle when he fell from the cut of cars. His pull away vest ripped off and the belt back unit landed on the ground. Eventually the belt pack unit sends an emergency shutdown signal, but only after the built in delay in the tilt feature has timed out. Mean while, the RC locomotive continues to apply power and shove against the derailed cars. This is truly one of the fallacies of this technology. The “brain on the train” cannot distinguish between a collision and a coupling and will continue to apply power until it reaches the 4mph or whatever speed has been requested by the operator. THIS MAY BE CHEAPER… BUT ITS CERTAINLY NOT SAFER!!!!!!!!!

March 15, 2003

PROTEST IN NORTH PLATTE NEBRASKA REGARDING REMOTE TECHNOLOGY

Members of the BLE, Teamsters and the general public gathered in North Platte Nebraska today to protest the railroad’s unsafe implementation of remote control technology in the area.

Click HERE to view slides of demonstration and press the play button at the bottom of the page.

March 11, 2003 BLE AND IBT DEMONSTRATE IN FRONT OF THE FRA BUILDING AGAINST REMOTE TECHNOLOGY In what has been described by some participants as the most powerful moment in their union experience the BLE and IBT held a joint demonstration in front of the FRA building in Washington DC today. Powerful messages were delivered by IBT President Jimmy Hoffa, BLE President Don Hahs and AFLCIO General Sec-Tres Rich Trumka to some 200 plus demonstrators and the Federal Railroad Administration on the front steps of the FRA building. Click HERE to view slides of demonstration and press the play button at the bottom of the page.

March 1, 2003

RRESQ – GIA – ENGINEERS – TRAINMEN PROTEST NATION WIDE AGAINST ABUSE BY UPRR

Protests were conducted nation wide against UPRR by members of RRESQ, the BLE GIA, Engineers and Trainmen bringing to light problems with fatigue, absenteeism, remote operations and lack of lodging provided for members forced away from home. The demonstrators passed out flyers and informational packets warning the communities of the dangers of irresponsible implementation of remote control technology. Reports from protests conducted in the following locations have been received.

February 19, 2003

PINE BLUFF ARKANSAS CITY COUNCIL PASSES RESOLUTION BANNING REMOTE TECHNOLOGY

Pine Bluff Arkansas has joined a growing list of cities across the nation recognizing the irresponsible and unsafe implementation of remote technology of Union Pacific Railroad. The Pine Bluff City Council last night passed the resolution last night requesting that the railroad immediately cease its remote operations until safety and evacuation plans could be implemented to protect the citizens of Pine Bluff.

February 4, 2003

FIRST REMOTE ACCIDENT ON BLE UP SOUTHER REGION PROPERTY

The first remote controlled accident has occurred in Ft. Worth at the Crest. Details of the accident will follow. To view photos of the derailment, see the remoteinfo.org website.

December 18, 2002

REMOTE CONTROL DEMONSTRATION SAN ANTONIO TEXAS

A concerned group of Locomotive Engineers and other activist from the labor community gathered at Sunset Station in San Antonio to protest Union Pacific’s intention to bring remote control operations to the San Antonio area in February of 2003. The event was well covered by the media. To view a slideshow of photos of the protest click see the remoteinfo.com website.

November 10, 2002

REMOTE DERAILMENT UPRR IN KANSAS CITY

Remote derailment occurred today at 3:40 am in Kansas City Kansas. RCO was pulling out of the East Bowl and ran into the side of another train derailing 9 cars and 2 units. More details as they become available.

October 31,2002

Remote Derailment North Little Rock 1630 Hours 10/25/02. The 3PM Crest Job with remote’s derailed coming out of the bowl derailing 3 cars dragging them through the master retarder and turning one car over. This put the hump out of use for about 24 hours. More details to come…Check out the remoteinfo.org web site.

October 21, 2002

Cleveland, October 17 – BLE and the Class I rail carriers involved in the dispute over the assignment of remote control technology have agreed that until the dispute is resolved in arbitration, remote control operators (RCOs) will be instructed not to operate locomotives while they are inside locomotive cabs.

This issue came to head after the BLE received numerous reports from BLE members that RCOs on the Class 1 carriers were controlling locomotive movements from inside the cabs of locomotives, often from the seat formerly occupied by the locomotive engineer. BLE filed a motion in US District Court in Chicago asking US District Court Judge Joan Gottschall to clarify that the January 16, 2002, injunction she issued against BLE did not cover such situations.

Judge Gottschall heard arguments on the BLE’s motion on October 10. The Judge said she did not foresee this situation when she issued the injunction and questioned the carriers’ counsel, “if you need somebody in the cab, why shouldn’t it be the engineer?” On October 15, the carriers agreed they would stop using RCOs to operate locomotives from the cabs until the arbitration is over. Yesterday the Judge entered an Order making that agreement enforceable in Court.

October 21, 2002

In a report from Pine Bluff, Arkansas where remotes were implemented last week a remote was worked a full 8 hour shift. The remote crew was able to hump 35 cars while during the same shift the other job with an engineer humped 185 cars. (real productive) The engineer assigned to the job the remote was being used on was not cut off at this time. He sat in the break room all night on stand by. Further implementation is scheduled for Pine Bluff this month and next in Little Rock.

In other reports from Kansas City the FRA has ruled that remotes cannot be used on the main line to make transfer jobs. Eighteen engineer switch engine jobs were put back on in Kansas City. There has been numerous reports of congestion in and around the Kansas City yards to the point of melt down.

Septmber 16, 2002

PEDESTRIAN’S LEG AMPUTATED IN REMOTE CONTROL INCIDENT

A pedestrian’s right leg was amputated at mid-thigh as he became trapped climbing between cars of a BNSF freight train in Galesburg, Il. The train was being operated by remote control at the time of the accident on August 28.

The victim, Anthony Jones is a resident of an extended care facility for people with disabilities in the Galesburg area, according to Eric Holland, an attorney with the law firm of Rathmann & Holland, LLC.

According to police reports obtained by the BLE, officers found the victim’s right leg 50 feet to the South of where his body finally came to a rest. Police also discovered toes from his right foot 75 feet north of the body.

Witnesses said the freight train had come to a halt and blocked the intersection of Mulberry and Chambers Streets in Galesburg. Jones climbed between the cars but, apparently, part of his clothing became snagged on the train and he could not free himself. According to police reports, a witness saw Jones running between the cars as the train was backing up. The witness then said Jones was pulled under the train at least twice before it came to a halt.

The train was being operated by two remote control operators at the time of the accident. The train was 5,476 feet long and consisted of 104 cars. The front remote control operator moved the train north out of the yard and then turned over control to the rear remote control operator.

After turning over control of the train’s south movement to the rear operator, the front operator was flagged down by a pedestrian and told of the man trapped between the cars. The train was then stopped and they noticed the victim alongside the tracks.

Police reports estimate that Jones became trapped where the track crossed Chambers Street. His body was found 535 feet from this reference point, while his severed leg was found an additional 50 feet south of the body.

The remote control was clearly a contributing factor in the incident, Holland said.

Holland said a locomotive engineer behind the throttle would have sounded the train’s horn before backing up into the yard, which may have given the victim enough of a warning to get away from the train before the movement started.

In addition, Holland said valuable seconds were lost when the front remote control operator signaled to the rear operator to stop the train. The time lost in communicating between the two remote control operators may have meant the difference between Mr. Jones keeping his leg and having it amputated.

According to his records, Holland said BNSF had been warned about pedestrians climbing through stopped trains at the grade crossing several times in the past.

Holland finally noted the fact that the remote control train was moving through a public highway-rail grade crossing at the time of the accident, which contradicts management claims that remote technology would be confined to yard areas only.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has conducted a series of informational demonstrations throughout the United States this summer in an effort to draw public attention to possible dangers associated with the use of remote control locomotives operated by unqualified personnel.

September 5, 2002

REMOTE ACCIDENT HINKLE OREGON 0630 HOURS

At approximately 0600 hours this morning, an accident happened that involved remote control operations at Hinkle, Oregon. It has been reported that the accident involved a head on collision between two remote control assignments with extensive damage to unit UP 539. As a result of the accident, a switchman operating one of the remote jobs has been injured. It has been reported that he was riding on a car with his arm looped through the handhold operating the remote box. Reports indicate that the switchman may have shredded the ligaments and tendons in his arm possibly ending his railroad career. More later as news comes in….

To view photos of engine UP 539 click HERE .

September 3, 2002

NEWS ARTICLE ON REMOTE IMPLEMENTATION IN THE HAYWARD DAILY REVIEW

To view article click HERE .

September 3, 2002

NEWS ARTICLE ON REMOTE IMPLEMENTATION IN WASHINGTON ON HERALD.NET

To view article click HERE .

August 31, 2002

LACK OF REMOTE CONTROL PRODUCTIVITY IN KANSAS CITY RESULTS IN DISCIPLINE CHARGES

It has been reported to this office that there are currently 3 trainmen in the Kansas City area working on remote control assignments that are being harassed and threatened with discipline for not being “productive enough” to satisfy UP management in the area while handling remote control technology. Make no mistake about it, the UTU International leadership responsible for giving the Carriers the unfettered right to implement remote technology in a cavalier fashion has placed the safety and welfare of all railroad employees (both UTU and BLE alike) at risk. Everyone, except the UTU International leadership apparently, knew that it was only a matter of time before the productivity lash was unfurled. Now the whippings will commence until the “chart masters” are satisfied or someone is seriously injured. The charges read “failure to comply with instructions given that your lack of productivity would not be tolerated”. Unfortunately there are only two words in the English language that all railroads understand… money and violence. If it doesn’t cost them any money or saves them a few bucks and no one gets hurt, then it is business as usual. More later as information comes in…

August 27, 2002

REMOTE ACCIDENT ATLANTA GA ON CSX RAILROAD ON AUGUST 8, 2002

Tilford Yard, Atlanta, Ga at 0930, 08 Aug 2002, Tilford Bowl RCO job Y192 was pulling a cut of cars out of the bowl down the East Tail track when it was struck mid consist by an RCO Training Engine, that had been lined improperly through a crossover, turning over two cars and derailing at least two other cars. A download of the RCO engine showed that it struck the consist at 7mph.

To view photos click HERE .

August 26, 2002

RAILROAD EMPLOYEE KILLED IN REMOTE ACCIDENT IN CLEVELAND

To view article click HERE .

August 25, 2002

NEW SECTION ADDED TO NEWS PAGE – CONTINUOUS UPDATED LABOR NEWS FROM LABOURSTART

In an effort to keep you up to date on the latest Labor news around the world, we have added the link above that will provide continuous news updates from the LabourStart Web site every 15 minutes. This feature will occupy the top spot on our news page with all other stories listed below in chronological order for your reference and perusal. We hope you like this feature. To read one of the stories simply click on the link above.

August 22, 2002

SACRAMENTO CA REMOTE DEMONSTRATION ON UPRR

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers today conducted a demonstration warning the commuters and public about the hazards associated with Union Pacific’s implementation of remote control technology in the Sacramento area. The demonstration included approximately 150 people who were BLE members and their families that were joined by Teamsters from the Sacramento area. The demonstrators passed out approximately 6,000 informational flyers to local commuters in the area and in front of the Amtrak station across from the Sacramento court house.
To view photos of the demonstration click HERE .
To view article in the Press Tribune click HERE .

August 14, 2002

NMB RULES IN FAVOR OF PRESERVATION OF CRAFTS ON KCS

The members of the National Mediation Board ruled unanimously that there was no blurring of craft lines between engineers and trainmen on the KCS railroad. They followed their previous decision on Union Pacific stating that only 4% of the employees were cross utilized on the KCS. The new members of the Board have begun their careers on the right foot. View the NMB ruling by clicking HERE.

August 10, 2002

REMOTE ACCIDENT KCS YARD BATON ROUGE, LA

Two remote control jobs were involved in an accident in the KCS Yard in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday August 10, 2002. One job was shoving the yard and shoved out the other end of the track resulting in a collision with a locomotive on the lead. More details as they become available. Photos of the derailment by clicking HERE.

August 6, 2002

REMOTE INFORMATIONAL PROTEST IN TWIN CITIES, MINNESOTA AREA

At 2PM CST today, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers will stage an informational protest in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) regarding the pending implementation of remote locomotive technology in the area. The demonstration is a joint action coordinated with the General Committees of the UP and BNSF and the BLE State Legislative Chairmen who will be conducting their annual meeting at this same location. The BLE ran a ¼ page safety advisory add in Sunday’s Pioneer Press warning area residents of possible problems regarding the implementation of this new technology. (Click HERE to view the safety advisory)

(Click HERE to view photos of the rally)

August 6, 2002

MORE NEWS ON REMOTE CONTROL ACCIDENTS AT HINKLE, OREGON

The below message was received from a Brother in the Hinkle, Oregon area regarding a remote accident that occurred on July 26, 2002.

On 07/26/02 the MHKSK-25 was dog caught by an extra crew.  When they arrived at Hinkle they were told by the Hinkle yardmaster to cut off the PFE cars on the head end and come up Rita's hill from the receiving yard so that they could set the Hinkle fruit train with those cars. When they got to the top end of Rita's hill, they asked the conductor (east end trim foreman) for permission to come off Rita's hill to go to the departure yard. Trim foreman told the dogcatch crew to come into the old trim tower pocket and stay in the clear of the power crossover. There were a number of witnesses to this conversation. An RCO Locomotive was then lined through the power crossover from the south side of the bowl to the trim pullback. When the remote locomotive came through the crossover it sideswiped the standing cut of PFE cars because they weren't in the clear.  Crews were not able to confirm the amount of damage because they never did see the locomotive or the sideswiped car, and once again, local company officers denied the incident occurred.  We do know the car was bad ordered and was set to another track and didn't go out with the rest of the cars.  Incident has since been reported to FRA due to likelihood that the incident was not reported.

In other remote control news out of Hinkle, BLE has learned that 2 CANAC beltpacks have been replaced.  3 locomotives have undergone repairs directly attributable to rough handling (radiators, flat spots, etc.).  The company has now determined that heat greatly affects operation of remote control - now instructed to keep air conditioner on inside an unoccupied cab.  Also, on hot days, there has been problems with locomotives communicating with wrong or undesignated device which has caused emergency shut downs.

August1, 2002

TWO NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO THE NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD

Two new members have been appointed to the National Mediation Board effective August 1, 2002. Harry Ronald Hoglander, a Democrat and Edward Joseph Fitzmaurice a Republican. Hoglander has a rich labor history serving as an executive vice president of the Air Line Pilots Association. Fitzmaurice was an airline pilot for Braniff Airlines. Hopefully these individuals with the labor background will have the intestinal fortitude to do the right thing regarding the single craft elections pending a decision at the NMB on the KCS Railroad.

July 23, 2002

BLE SPONSORS INFORMATIONAL DEMONSTRATION REGARDING REMOTE TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION IN PASCO, WASHINGTON

In association with the ICW Regional Meeting in Pasco, WA, the BLE sponsored an informational demonstration regarding the railroads haphazard implementation of remote technology in the industry. In connection with the rally, The UP, BNSF and International Division sponsored radio spots in the tri-city area to inform the general public of the dangers associated with this slipshod implementation plan. Over 200 people participated in the demonstration. The Teamsters provided one of their “show” trucks from a Local in the area as a back drop for the speakers at the rally. Leaflets were distributed to passing motorist as they moved through the busy intersection by BLE members and their families. Photos will be posted to this page as they become available.

(To view an article from the Tri-Cities Herald on the demonstration click HERE)

(To view photos of the demonstration click HERE)

July 17, 2002

FRA TO STEP UP MONITORING OF EFFECIENCY TESTING ON RAILROADS

In a letter from FRA Administrator, Alan Rutter, notice was served that FRA intended to step up their monitoring of efficiency testing on the nation’s railroads. This letter was responded to by President Hahs on July 9, 2002. What this means to all railroad employees is that with this increased focus, train crews will be tested more frequently. WORK SAFE BY THE RULES!!!!!! YOUR JOB IS AT STAKE!!!!
(To view the correspondence in PDF format click HERE)

July 15, 2002

BLE WINS REPRESENTATION ELECTION ON TEX-MEX RAILROAD

Employees on the Tex-Mex Railroad have selected the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers as their designated bargaining representative. The vote was 60 – 49 in favor of the BLE.

(To view details click HERE)

July 15, 2002

FAQ PAGE SNAFU

Brothers and Sisters, I must apologize to those who have submitted inquiries to our Frequently Asked Questions Page in the last 60 days. We set up a separate e-mail account to handle those questions, and due to an electronic snafu, (operator error) we were not getting the questions downloaded into the proper account. We are working on getting responses posted to the FAQ Page as well as responding to the individual members that submitted the questions. Again, our apologies for the snafu and we will try to avoid the same in the future.

As a side note, if you have any suggestions regarding information you would like displayed on this site, please feel free to contact us and we will try to accommodate your desires. (To send a suggestion click HERE)

July 11, 2002

INFORMATIONAL DEMONSTRATION IN BEAUMONT, TX

The BLE General Committee of Adjustment on the Kansas City Southern conducted an information picket regarding the implementation of remote technology in Beaumont, Texas on Saturday July 11, 2002. The KCS engineers were joined by members of the BLE Union Pacific Southern Region GCA. BLE members were protesting the irresponsible implementation of remote control technology on both Kansas City Southern and Union Pacific.

Click HERE to view photos of the Beaumont Informational Picket

June 25, 2002

INFORMATIONAL DEMONSTRATION IN LITTLE ROCK / PINE BLUFF AR 2:OOPM CST

The BLE Union Pacific General Committees of Adjustment conducted another informational picket in North Little Rock / Pine Bluff Arkansas today beginning at 2:00 PM Central Standard Time. In addition to the informational picket, the BLE has been running a radio spot 8 times per day during peak driving time on the three top radio stations in Little Rock since Friday June 21, 2002. Hear the recorded spot with Windows Media Player by clicking HERE (the file is over 1 meg in size, so it may take a while to load onto your computer) A new web site has also been established (http://www.remoteinfo.org) that will display information on the implementation of remote control operations on Union Pacific Railroad. This site will be updated regularly with new information as it becomes available. Photos of the Little Rock / Pine Bluff action will be posted as soon as they become available.

Click HERE to view photos of the NLR Informational Picket
Click HERE to view photos of the Pine Bluff Informational Picket

June 22, 2002

AMTRAK BOARD TO MEET MONDAY JUNE 24, 2002 ON EMERGENCY FUNDING..

BLE members must keep the messages coming to their representatives and President Bush in the face of the Amtrak Board meeting scheduled for Monday June 24, 2002 per article in the NY Times. View the article by clicking HERE

June 21, 2002

ARTICLE FROM HERMISTON HERALD ON REMOTE ACCIDENT AT HINKLE OR

View the article by clicking HERE

June 21, 2002

”RIFT ON THE RAILS” ARTICLE COMES OUT IN THE NEW ORLEANS TIMES PICAYUNE

View the article by clicking HERE

June 20, 2002

PRESIDENT HAHS ASKS MEMERSHIP FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION REGARDING AMTRAK FUNDING

“Amtrak is poised to totally shut down its entire operations next week, June 25^th and 26^th, with plans to file for bankruptcy on June 27^th” stated BLE ID President Don Hahs. “It is extremely important that you encourage the members under your jurisdiction to contact the White House and leave a message stating that they support long term funding of Amtrak. They should also contact both senators from their respective states and request that the senators oppose the administration’s position on Amtrak funding and support long-term funding for Amtrak”. We are requesting your help. You can get your contact information by clicking HERE and entering your zip code. After the effects of 9-11 there is no question that we must have a national passenger service. Please help with this important matter. The jobs of our Brothers and Sisters of the BLE are at stake. Click HERE to view Hahs’ letter in PDF format.

June 13, 2002

KANSAS CITY STAR NEWS ARTICLE ON REMOTE CONTROL ON UNION PACIFIC

View the article by clicking HERE

June 11, 2002

BLE STAGES INFORMATION PROTEST IN HOUSTON TX AREA REGARDING UP UNSAFE REMOTE IMPELEMENTATION

On June 11, 2002, at 10AM concerned Brothers and Sisters of the Houston Area BLE and GIA showed up to protest against Union Pacific Railroads unsafe implementation of remote control technology. Union Pacific has made a decision to replace federally certified locomotive engineers with a minimum of six months training with employees with no locomotive operational experience and only two weeks training. Lawsuits are currently being filed by the BLE International Division and the six Union Pacific General Committees of Adjustment in an effort to halt what the Organization feels is an implementation schedule of unproven and unregulated technology. The UP BLE Brothers and Sisters were joined by local area Teamsters who supported their cause. Photos of the event are available by clicking HERE

June 9, 2002

NEW PHOTOS AVAILABLE FROM THE LATEST HINKLE DEBACLE WITH REMOTES

On June 9, 2002 there was another accident involving remote control technology in Hinkle OR. As these accidents continue to occur, we are fortunate that no one has been seriously injured.

Click HERE to view the photos of that accident.

June 7, 2002

LANDMARK LERB DECISION ON “LITTLE RED LIGHT TEST” ON UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD

In a decision issued on June 4, 2002, the Locomotive Engineer Review Board of the Federal Railroad Administration overturned the decertification of a Locomotive Engineer at Avondale, Louisiana for failing a stop test involving Union Pacific’s infamous “little red light”. In their decision the LERB ruled that “49 CFR Part 217, FRA requires railroads to establish a program of operational tests and inspections to be conducted on their employees to ensure the employees are following all applicable operating rules. In order for a program to be acceptable, it must provide for operational testing and inspection under various operating conditions on the railroad, describe each type of test and inspection (including the means to carry it out), and state the purpose of each test as well as the frequency with which it will be conducted, see 49 CFR Part 217.9. The board finds that this particular test did not comport with the requirement that the test be conducted “under the various operating conditions on the railroad,” see 49 CFR Part 217.9(b)(1). UP’s operating rules explain that this particular type of light could simulate a car or a stop signal, but in fact, these lights are used exclusively in operating rules tests. As such, they are not part of the “operating conditions on the railroad.” This fact was noted by a UP official at the hearing. See hearing transcript at 42-43. Therefore, the Board finds that the test was invalid and the results of the test should be discarded for Part 240 purposes.” Hopefully, this will put an end to this unfair, unreasonable and unwarranted test on our property. Kudos to the members of the Locomotive Engineer Review Board for their wisdom and insight in overturning this improper decertification. Congratulations are in order for BLE Division 193 Local Chairman Shelby Lanier and Vice General Chairman Gary Perrien for their representation of Engineer Thibodeaux at the hearing. Click HERE to view the entire document in PDF format.

June 4, 2002

INFORMATIONAL PICKET CONDUCTED IN KANSAS CITY ON REMOTE SAFETY

At 1:30 PM an informational picket was conducted at Kansas City on the Union Pacific Railroad. The picket coincided with a meeting between UP Chairman Ike Evans and the Union Pacific General Chairmen. BLE ID President Don Hahs, 1^st Vice President Ed Rodiwiz and Vice Presidents Lee Pruitt and Dale McPhearson were in attendance. While this meeting was being held, we had BLE Brothers and Sisters from all over Union Pacific protesting the unsafe implementation of remote technology in Kansas City, the latest victim of remote implementation. The Union Pacific BLE members were joined by BNSF Engineers and Teamsters in the Kansas City area. Even though faced with a torrential down pour of rain, the protesters arrived on time and faced the inclement weather to get their message across. Remote control locomotives continue to be used daily in yards handling extremely hazardous materials by employees with minimal training. There were 60 protesters walking the line. To view photos of the rally, click HERE. Another remote accident occurred in Kansas City just prior to the informational pickets being established. Click HERE to view that remote accident.

June 1, 2002

AGREEMENT PROPOSED TO ALLOW SWAPPING OF TURNS IN POOL FREIGHT.

A proposed agreement has been submitted to the Local Committees of Adjustment for ratification that would allow engineers in assigned pool freight service to swap turns in the same pool for a round trip. This is being proposed to offer the membership additional opportunities for quality time off without having to lose a work opportunity. Please review the agreement by clicking HERE and attend your upcoming Division meeting to exercise your right to vote on this ratification.

May 30, 2002

UTU SIGNS TENATIVE AGREEMENT

The United Transportation Union has agreed to a tentative agreement with the NCCC. Sets new record in a race to the bottom.
(Click HERE to view or download the Agreement in PDF format)
(Click HERE to view or download the RCO Agreement in PDF format)
(Click HERE to view or download the Q&A’s of the Agreement in PDF format)

May 17, 2002

BLE ADVISORY BOARD RESPONDS TO UTU MEDIA “SPIN DOCTORS”

In a letter dated May 10, 2002 addressed to all Advisory Board Members and all General Chairmen, the BLE Executive Committee laid out the “real story” regarding information being circulated by UTU about remote technology implementation and other issues. (Click HERE to view the letter in PDF format)

JUDGE GOTTSHALL RULES ON BLE MOTION FOR FAIR ARBITRATION HEARING

(Click HERE to view news on Gottshall ruling)

May 15, 2002

UP BLE GENERAL COMMITTES OF ADJUSTMENT SEEK INJUNCTION TO STOP REMOTE IMPLEMENTATION

In a lawsuit filed today in the US District Court of Colorado, all six (6) BLE Union Pacific General Committees of Adjustment joined together seeking an injunction to halt the use of remote technology on Union Pacific Railroad. The suit was filed on behalf of the membership of all 6 Committees and the general public in an effort to stop the use of remote locomotives until safety concerns regarding remote operation can be addressed. Currently no regulations are in place governing the use of remote controlled locomotives. The FRA has only issued “guidelines” for the railroads to follow. It is the belief of all 6 Committees that this “slipshod” implementation is not only hazardous for all railroad employees but the general public as well. Newly trained employees are operating remote control locomotives in yards today handling extremely hazardous chemicals putting both railroad employees and the general public unnecessarily at risk. In addition to safety concerns regarding remote operation, BLE also has contractual concerns relating to work assigned to locomotive engineers by agreement being improperly transferred to other crafts. While a court mandated arbitration regarding the controversy is proceeding at a snails pace due to stonewalling by Union Pacific, locomotive engineer jobs are being eliminated daily. During a recent meeting in February, Union Pacific completely refused to engage in serious negotiations in reference to the implementation of remote technology or its obvious impact on locomotive engineers. The suit was filed by Susan Tyburski of the law firm Boyle and Tyburski out of Denver, Colorado. Continue to monitor this web page for the latest information concerning this important matter. (Click HERE to view the lawsuit in PDF format)
Click HERE to view article in the Omaha World Herald.
Click HERE to view the press release on BLE site.
Click HERE to view the press release in the Denver Post.
Click HERE to view the press release in the Houston Chronicle.
Click HERE to view the press release in the St. Louis Dispatch.
Click HERE to view the press release in The New York Times.

May 12, 2002

NEW AGREEMENT PROPOSED TO COMBINE FT. WORTH AND DALLAS POOLS WORKING TO HEARNE

A new agreement has been negotiated and proposed in reference to combining the TP250 RE65 and TP 215 RE85 Pools at their away from home terminal of Hearne, Texas on a first-in / first-out basis. The agreement has been provided to all DFW Hub Local Chairmen for review and hard copy ballots are in the mail. The proposed agreement will preserve engineer assignments that could have possibly been placed at risk in an arbitration venue. In addition to preserving assignments, it also provides for a minimum of 2 hours straight time travel allowance or overtime whichever is greater for all engineers regardless of hire date; it provides for up to 5 vacation splits, and allows all DFW Hub Engineers to take their entire vacation in single day increments if they so desire. Additionally, it provides for a pool freight engineer to take a single day vacation or personal leave holding his turn first out without a deduction in his New York Dock employee protection earnings. (Click HERE to view the agreement in PDF format)

May 12, 2002

NEW AGREEMENT FOR UNION OFFICERS TO HOLD TURNS WHEN DOING UNION BUSINESS

A new agreement allowing Union Officers the option to hold their turns first out when laying off for union business goes into effect on May 20, 2002. This agreement was ratified by a 2-1 margin by the 32 Local Committees of Adjustment in the BLE UP Southern Region. It allows identified officers (Division Presidents, Secretary Treasurers, Vice General Chairmen and Local Chairmen) the ability to hold their turns in order to attend union meetings, investigations, and other union business. The agreement was proposed as a cost saving measure to help keep local dues in check and reduce lost earnings responsibility for the Divisions and the General Committee of Adjustment. (Click HERE to view the agreement in PDF format)

May 9, 2002

BLE FILES MOTION SEEKING A FAIR ARBITRATION HEARING ON REMOTE TECHNOLOGY

Today the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers filed civil action against the 5 major Carriers involved in the remote technology dispute in an effort to seek injunctive relief and obtain a fair and impartial arbitration hearing regarding the implementation of remote technology in the US. The United Transportation Union has filed for third party status in this remote arbitration dispute. The Carriers and UTU have stonewalled negotiations on the arbitration process that would have lead to a speedy resolution of the matter. Their proposed plan includes a four member arbitration panel with all parties selecting a referee (BLE, UTU and the Carriers) and a fourth member to be selected in random fashion. BLE will not agree to a bias process that eliminates any chance of a fair decision. While stonewalling these negotiations, the Carriers have pressed forward with their implementation plans and proposed an agreement to UTU covering the operation of remote technology. Unable to negotiate an agreement providing for a fair arbitration process, BLE was left with no choice other than seeking injunctive relief in court. With each passing day more engineer jobs are eliminated (both BLE and UTU alike). Approximately 60 engineer positions have been eliminated across the US since remote implementation began. UTU has shown its true colors in selling out not only BLE members, but their own UTU-E (engineer) and UTU-T (trainmen) members as well. UP has pursued an aggressive implementation schedule that currently includes the Kansas City area. Yesterday, on a conference call with the affected BLE General Chairmen, President Hahs explained the current course of action and received unanimous support from all Committees to move forward in this legal action. The case should be presented to the judge next Wednesday, May 15, 2002. We will post the pleading to the court on this web site when it becomes available.

May 7, 2002

UP'S NEW EMPLOYMENT OFFICE

Check out UP's New Employment Office!! (Click HERE to view)

May 3, 2002

WHY I JOINED THE BLE

Check out this article written by IC General Chairman John Koonce!! (Click HERE to view)

APRIL 20, 2002

REMOTE ACCIDENT ON UNION PACIFIC AT HINKLE, OR

While the acronym for Remote Control Operations is generally known as RCO, at Hinkle, Oregon RCO could very well mean Routine Collisions Occur. On April 20, 2002 at about 0720, an unmanned remote control locomotive with 15 to 20 cars moving about 7 mph collided with two other yard locomotives whose engineer moments before had tied down the set and gotten off. Fortunately, there was no injury and damage minimal. Operator of the RC locomotive was a newer employee under the watchful eye of a MOT. Even though witnesses say the impact launched the standing locomotives about a unit length, the Hinkle MTO wrote the incident off as a learning experience with no discipline being assessed.

APRIL 24, 2002 3:30PM Central Standard Time

REMOTE ACCIDENT ON UNION PACIFIC AT DES MOINES IOWA

At approximately 3:30 Central Standard Time today a remote control locomotive operating in yard service in Des Moines, IA collided with a departing freight train. Fortunately, there were no injuries to anyone with the exception of some bruised egos. The crew consisted of two remote control operators and a utility man riding the point of the shove on the locomotive. The collision resulted in three cars derailed and damage to the remote control locomotive. More later as information becomes available.

APRIL 24, 2002

FRA ISSUES FINAL RULE ON LOCOMOTIVE SANITATION STANDARDS EFFECTIVE JUNE 3, 2002

The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a final rule governing Locomotive Sanitation Standards. Please note that these standards do not go into effect until June 3, 2002. (click here to view these standards in PDF format or click here to view them in HTML web page format)

"SUMMARY: FRA amends its regulations by adding standards that address toilet and washing facilities for employees who work in locomotive cabs. This rule provides exceptions for certain existing equipment and operations, and establishes servicing requirements. DATES: This final rule will become effective on June 3, 2002."

APRIL 23, 2002

UNION PACIFIC CEO EVANS AGREES TO MEET WITH BLE UP GENERAL CHAIRMEN

As a reslut of our informational picket of the Union Pacific Stockholders meeting in Salt Lake, the BLE has a commitment from UP CEO, Ike Evans, to schedule a meeting with all the BLE UP General Chairmen in the near future. Mr. Evans came to the "line" and talked with Locomotive Engineers conducting the informational picket and made a commitment at that time to meet with their respective leadership. The informational picket was a success. The cooridnation with Teamster's Local 222 in Salt Lake was an uplifting experience. (click here to view photos of the rally)

APRIL 19, 2002

BLE CONDUCTS INFORMATIONAL PICKET AT UP STOCKHOLDERS MEETING IN SALT LAKE CITY

Today beginning at 0730 hours, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, with assistance from Teamsters Local 222, staged an informational picket at the Union Pacific Stockholders meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. The demonstration was put on at the Little America Hotel, the annual location of the meeting. Informational handouts were distributed by Locomotive Engineers outlining our position on the implementation of remote technology to all the stockholders attending the meeting (click here to view the handout in PDF format.) Locomotive Engineers and Teamsters were also displaying banners and posters with slogans such as "Safe.. Productive and Proud Since 1863 The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers" (click here to view the banner slogans in PDF format). This was a coordinated effort on the part of all the BLE Union Pacific General Committees of Adjustment and the International Division of the BLE. A special note of thanks goes out to Teamsters Local 222 from the BLE UP Southern Region GCA for their support in this project. We hope that this is the first in a long line of coordinated efforts between our Organizations. PDF versions of the informational handouts and posters used were distributed to the BLE UP Southern Region Membership via e-mail. Vice General Chairmen, Gary Perrien and Rodney Stutes were in Salt Lake City representing our Committee and participating in the informational picket. Photographs will be provided of the activity as they become available

APRIL 16, 2002

REMOTE TECHNOLOGY POSTPONED ON BLE UP SOUTHERN REGION

The implementation of remote technology originally scheduled for May 12, 2002 in Ft. Worth, Texas on Union Pacific Railroad has been postponed indefinitely. A meeting with the DFW Hub Local Chairmen regarding this implementation scheduled for April 19, 2002 was also postponed until a later date. As it currently stands, BLE UP Southern Region is not scheduled to see any remote technology until sometime in the fall of 2002. This postponement should allow enough time for the arbitration on remote technology to be completed prior to any implementation on our Committee.