Teamsters Hold 28th International Convention

Transcription

Of The International Brotherhood Of Teamsters
Number 4
July/August, 2011
TEAMSTERS ENDORSE RESOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT HIGH SPEED RAIL AND AMTRAK WORKERS
Teamsters Hold 28th International Convention
T
he International Brotherhood
of Teamsters held the 28th
International Convention in Las
Vegas, Nevada, June 27 - July 1,
2011. The Convention opened on
Monday morning with a roar as a
group of Teamsters led the opening
ceremonies by riding their HarleyDavidson motorcycles throughout
the convention hall.
More than 1800 Convention
Delegates were welcomed to
Nevada by Congressional candidate, State Treasurer Kate Marshall.
Ms. Marshall, daughter of a proud
Teamster, hopes to fill the vacancy
of Republican Dean Heller, representing Nevada’s second congressional district.
Each day of the Convention
was dedicated to reviewing passed
accomplishments, setting the
course for the future and conducting business in the interest of the
membership. A number of guest
speakers and presenters addressed
the delegates including Vice President Joe Biden who spoke on the
last day of the Convention. The
delegates also selected candidates
who will stand for election to lead
the Teamsters going into the future.
The high point for many from
the Rail Division came when
President Simpson and Northeastern Federation Vice Chairman
Renato Rufo shared the stage to
speak in support of two separate
resolutions on high speed rail, and
support for rail conference members employed at Amtrak.
The following is President
Simpson’s speech in support of
high speed rail followed by
Northestern Federation Vice Chairman Renato Rufo’s speech, and the
resolutions in support of high
speed rail and IBT Rail Conference
members at Amtrak:
PRESIDENT SIMPSON –
These are exciting times for our
Union. The case for high speed rail,
and intercity passenger service is
self- evident.
Our highways and air corridors
are at or nearing capacity. Building
more highways is simply not a
realistic alternative. Building and
operating publicly funded passenger rail service is a far more realistic and efficient alternative.
Passenger rail uses less than 20%
of the energy to operate when
compared to air and auto transportation. Some of America’s policy
makers get it. The Obama
Administration has advocated
BMWED training class participants.
Freddie N. Simpson (left) and Renato Rufo
spending 56 billion dollars, in the
near term, on the development of
ten passenger rail corridors all
across America.
Much of this money will be
spent upgrading track on existing
freight corridors to support passenger service and high speed rail. The
bulk of this work will be done by
Maintenance of Way Teamsters.
The construction and operation of
passenger rail service provides
good jobs and a good tax base for
future economic growth.
American citizens support expanded passenger rail and are
riding Amtrak in record numbers.
Amtrak is America’s railroad and is
the premier passenger rail service
provider in the United States.
Thousands of Rail Conference
Teamsters maintain and operate
the Amtrak system.
Amtrak’s next generation high
speed rail plan would develop a
220 m.p.h. high speed rail system
See Convention on Page 4
BMWED CONDUCTS INTENSE SYSTEM OFFICER TRAINING
Local and System Officers receive
Advanced Union Leadership
Training at Volunteer State
Community College
A select group of 24 BMWED
members where gathered in
Gallatin, Tennessee on August 7,
2011 to begin an intense two-week
long training program designed by
the BMWED to train the next
generation of BMWED leaders. The
training program is an extension of
the Union’s “Ten-Year Plan” to
transition the BMWED to the next
generation of leadership.
The group, made up of Local
and System officers, attended
classes at Volunteer State Community College each day for two
weeks, with night and week-end
classes also added to the curriculum.
The BMWED took advantage of
the College’s Division of Continuing
Education and Economic Development to present a number of
different courses including; computer skills, claims and grievance
writing, basic writing skills, leadership training, communication skills,
preparation and conducting discipline hearings, labor law, labor
history, bargaining economics, and
a number of other presentations
designed to enhance the participants representational skills.
One of the advantages of
utilizing the school’s facilities was
their technical services. The use of
their computer lab meant that the
students did not need to provide
their own computers, or share
computers with other students.
The school also provided a state of
the art television studio that the
BMWED used to stage and record
mock discipline hearings. This
allowed the students to review the
video and see what they did, or did
not do right, so that they could
learn from the experience.
“This course has been a great
experience for me,” said Allied Vice
Chairman Russell Farmer. “As a
fairly new system officer these
classes offered me the opportunity
See Officer Training on Page 5
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BMWED Reaches Agreement With SEPTA Through Mediated Negotiations
T
he Commuter Railroad System
Division (CRSD) of the BMWED
and the Southeastern Pennsylvania
Transportation Authority (SEPTA)
met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
on July 14, 2011, and reached a
tentative agreement. The agreement was reached after the CRSD
filed for mediation and the National
Mediation Board assigned Mediator
Gerry McGuckin to the negotiations.
The tentative agreement was
presented to the rank and file
membership who ratified the deal
effective July 31, 2011. The new
agreement covers approximately
175 members of the CRSD that
work in the track, bridge and
buildings, and utilities departments
on the former Conrail property.
The agreement contains wage
increases in excess of 12%, enhanced dental benefits, modified
paid leave, and a one-time lump
sum payment of $1,250.00. The
agreement also requires a modest
increase in cost sharing for health
and welfare benefits from CRSD
members.
National Division Vice President
Henry Wise was a member of the
bargaining committee and offered,
“From the very beginning it was
clear that the carrier had dug in and
was testing the BMWED. While it
was an uphill battle the bargaining
committee did more than just hold
their own, they delivered.”
Vice President Henry Wise,
CRSD General Chairman Sean
Gerie and CRSD Vice Chairman
Mick Barrett led the BMWED
bargaining committee.
“We went two years without an
agreement but our goals were clear
and our hard work paid off,” said
CRSD Vice Chairman Mick Barrett.
“They were well aware that we had
a newly elected General Chairman
and I could see them testing him at
every turn. I can’t stress enough
how fortunate we were to have
such a dedicated and focused
leader representing us at the table.
The proof of that is in this agreement.”
“This agreement came at a
time when we are seeing a shift in
the demographics of our member-
ship,” said CRSD General Chairman
Sean Geri. “A lot of our senior
members are at retirement age and
we are seeing new members come
through the door. I am proud to say
that this agreement benefits our
entire membership, as it should. I
would like to thank the other
members of the bargaining committee, Vice President Henry Wise
and Vice Chairman Mick Barrett,
and President Simpson who lent
his full support to our bargaining
efforts.”
The Commuter Railroad System Division also represents
members at the New Jersey Transit
Rail Operations. Negotiations on
that property will be starting in the
very near future.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES OF DECEASED RAILWAY EMPLOYEES
he John Edgar Thomson
Foundation, established in
1882 and endowed by the will of
Mr. Thomson, third President of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, offers
limited financial assistance to
daughters of a deceased parent.
The parent, regardless of gender,
must have been in the employ of
T
any railroad in the United States at
the time of death, although the
cause need not be work related.
Also, the employee must have been
considered actively employed by
the railroad even though on disability or sick leave at the time of
death. Whatever grant is awarded
usually serves to benefit all mem-
BMWE Division
JOURNAL CONTENTS
JULY/AUGUST 2011 BMWE DIVISION JOURNAL VOLUME 120 NUMBER 4
The BMWED Journal is the official news publication of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division
of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Freddie N. Simpson
Perry K. Geller, Sr.
Randall Brassell
President and Editor
Secretary-Treasurer
Associate Editor
The BMWED Journal (ISSN 1049-3021/USPS 067640) is published bi-monthly – 6 times annually at 20300 Civic
Center Drive, Suite 320, Southfield, Michigan 48076-4169. Periodicals postage paid at Southfield, Michigan and
additional mailing offices.
ATTENTION POSTMASTER
Send address changes to BMWED, 20300 Civic Center Drive, Suite 320, Southfield, Michigan 48076-4169.
Subscription Price: U.S. and Canada—$20.00 (U.S.) per year, in advance.
www.bmwe.org
Teamsters Hold 28th
International Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BMWED Conducts Intense
System Officer Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BMWED Reaches Agreement with
SEPTA Through Mediated
Negotiations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial Assistance Available for
Families of Deceased Railway
Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
JRHMSF Essay Contest Now Open . . . . . .
President’s Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Centenarians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BMWED Leadership Meets with
VSCC President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A Vice President Speaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Government Stimulus Works . . . . . . . . . . .
Secretary-Treasurer’s Report . . . . . . . . . . .
Staff Position Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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2
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2
2
3
5
5
6
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7
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bers of the family. Eligibility is
dependent upon the daughter and
the surviving parent remaining
unmarried and meeting certain
other criteria.
The monthly allowance made
under the grant may cover the
period from infancy to age 18;
under certain circumstances to age
22, to assist grantees who are
pursuing higher educational goals.
The Foundation also offers special
health care benefits.
The funding of the work of the
Foundation is completely independent of any railroad. It neither
solicits nor receives funds from the
public. Further information and
applications may be obtained by
writing to:
Sheila Cohen, Director
The John Edgar Thomson
Foundation
201 South Eighteenth Street
Suite 318
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Telephone (215) 545-6083
(800) 888-1278
Fax (215) 545-5102
E-mail: [email protected]
JRHMSF ESSAY CONTEST NOW OPEN!
The 2011 James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund Essay
Contest is now open for applications. This year, 50 students
will be awarded $1,000.00 in scholarships. The deadline to
apply is September 30, 2011. For eligibility requirements and
other details about the contest including applications, go to
www.teamster.org.
Legal Aid Program List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Why Choose a BMWED Designated
FELA Attorney? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
BMWED Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 12
Roll of Honor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
BMWED Releases Track Inspection Report . 13
Don’t Let Freight Economy
Run off the Rails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Coalition Bargaining Resolution . . . . . . . 14
BSD Local Lodge 1316 celebrates
Frerking Retirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
IBT Women’s Conference Hold
Meetings in New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Death Benefit Department . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2011 BMWED Scholarship Announcement;
Enrollment Now Open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Around the Brotherhood . . . . . . . . . . 17 - 18
BMWED Legislative Issues–
111th Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 - 20
© BMWED 2011 All rights reserved.
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BMWED JOURNAL
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PRESIDENT’S
PERSPECTIVE
Freddie N. Simpson
first time that I had publicly disagreed with another rail union in an
effort to thwart their actions. I
would like to say that it was a
tough decision for me but the truth
is – it was not. As the President of
the BMWED, and as one who
believes deeply in the labor movement, my loyalty goes to the men
and women who work between the
rails. The decision was easy for me
because I have no doubt that the
tentative national freight railroad
agreement proposed by the UTU
leadership would worsen the
working conditions of the same
men and women I have sworn to
represent to the best of my ability.
While all of the other rail craft
unions would like to see the UTU
membership reject this weak deal,
the BMWED may be the only union
that has actively put officers and
members in the field in order to get
information into the hands of UTU
members that would allow them to
make an informed decision. However, make no mistake, the BLET,
BRS, IBB, NCF&O, SMWIA, TCU,
ATDA, IAM, IBEW and TWU all join
BMWED in rejecting this deal.
Why is the UTU tentative
agreement a bad deal?
Every quarter, the nation’s
railroads seem to announce record
profits and lower operating ratios.
Simply put, the railroads today are
in better shape and their employees are more productive than they
were in 2007 when the RLBC
fter more than a quarter century as a full-time union officer, I
recently found myself at odds with my brothers in leadership
positions with the United Transportation Union (UTU). This was the
A
reached a wage deal offering 17%
over 5 years. Given those economic
facts, the UTU tentative which
provides 14.9% in wage increases
over a five year period while
making huge concessions in
healthcare is simply not something
the BMWED is prepared to do. We
shouldn’t settle for crumbs and
throw away years of hard fought
healthcare benefits at any time, but
especially not while the railroads
are seeing record profits.
The proposed UTU health
package is enough to make anyone
reject the deal regardless of the
wage package. Their healthcare
package contains provisions that
shift costs onto the backs of those
members and their families who
get sick and trades quality of care
for increased carrier (and insurance
company) profits. More than half of
the projected savings for the UTU
proposed agreement comes from
the members paying a larger share
of each healthcare service. Other
provisions include new programs
that will lower the quality of
healthcare by transferring selection
of prescription drugs from your
doctor to an insurance company.
All of this so the carrier’s can inflate
even more their already bloated
profits.
Why do we care what the
UTU negotiates?
The carriers are already calling
the UTU deal a “pattern agreement” that the other crafts must
accept. In other words, the railroads are saying the UTU just
negotiated for all of rail labor and
labor must take what someone else
negotiated. The rail industry is
notorious for cutting the weakest
craft from the herd and making a
deal that they try to force on the
rest. The UTU was an obvious
choice. The UTU is the only rail
craft that bargained outside of a
coalition and bargained independently with the carriers. Right now,
the UTU is awaiting an arbitrator’s
decision that will determine if it still
exists as a union or is merged into
the Sheet Metal Workers International Association. There is a
reason the railroads bargain as a
unit and it is the same reason the
BMWED bargains with its allies in
the Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition.
There is strength in numbers. We
proved this in the last round of
bargaining and with our brothers in
the coalition we will do it again.
Despite what the railroads
claim, the UTU deal is not a pattern.
One craft settlement out of eleven
doesn’t constitute a pattern. The
UTU leadership represents a small
fraction of railroad employees and
maintains a separate healthcare
plan from other rail crafts. Why
should the other eleven crafts
accept a subpar wage package and
concessions to their own healthcare
plans just because one union made
a bad deal? They should not, and
we will not. But we would be
fooling ourselves if we believed the
UTU deal doesn’t place another
obstacle in our way that we must,
and we will, overcome.
What comes next?
The BMWED and the RLBC,
along with the TCU coalition have
requested to be released from
mediation so that we can move the
process along. The RLBC and the
TCU coalitions have agreed to work
in tandem and will overcome the
carrier’s argument that the other
crafts should accept a similar bad
agreement.
I call on all BMWED members
to stay united and be prepared to
stand together against whatever
battle we may face in the coming
months. The railroads and their
allies in Congress are powerful, but
nothing is as powerful as working
men and women standing together
for economic justice. I have no
doubt that together we will accomplish our goal of attaining a contract that provides a fair wage and
continues to provide decent
healthcare for our members and
their families. The railroad’s record
profits were earned from the fruits
of our labor and we deserve our
fair share.
As the Journal went to press,
the UTU Agreement passed by a
slim margin.
We will continue to update the
membership through our website
and the BMWED Journal and by
whatever means are necessary.
LOCAL LODGES
Please notify the BMWED National Division of the passing of any retired
BMWED members.
Call (248) 948-1010, extension 636.
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JULY/AUGUST 2011
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CONVENTION
Continued from Page 1
connecting Washington DC and
Boston. The Amtrak proposal
will support 44,000 additional jobs
a year during construction and
produce a system that will need
120,000 permanent jobs after it is
completed.
There are similar projects in
California and the Midwest that are
already breaking ground.
Recently, our Division concluded agreements with the Union
Pacific railroad to upgrade existing
freight track for passenger use
which will add hundreds of more
members to our Union.
But these projects are under
attack by the right wing. We are
witnessing a monumental assault
on working people where our
politicians seek to take our hard
earned tax dollars and give them to
the private sector. These Public/
Private partnership schemes are a
hoax on the American taxpayer.
Just last week, Congressman Mica,
the new chair of the House Transportation committee, proposed to
transfer the entire Northeast
Corridor to private entities – a
move we strongly oppose.
Mr. Mica wants to give away
America’s most successful rail
corridor to his political friends, and
provide them with massive government subsidies. There is no tax
savings to the American people in
this scheme. And this scheme will
not produce improved passenger
service, good paying jobs, or
economic growth. But it will transfer our tax dollars into the pockets
of Wall Street speculators and
corporate profiteers.
These speculators and profiteers will seek to cut jobs, break our
unions, and ring as much profit as
possible out of the system by
selling off assets and cutting
corners on safety.
When they are done pillaging
the NEC, they will belly up to the
government trough and demand
more taxpayer dollars to line their
pockets. This cycle will continue
until they drain every last dollar
and strip the assets bare. Then they
will just walk away, and the American taxpayer will be left holding the
bag.
Private/Public partnership is
just another word for taxpayer
giveaway and corporate welfare.
Passenger rail will suffer, taxpayers
will suffer, and the Teamsters will
suffer under this ill-conceived
scheme. Our great Union represents many public workers that are
threatened every day by politicians
in the pockets of the rich with their
schemes to privatize our public
schools, prisons, police, fire departments, highways, parks and virtually every public asset. Now,
Amtrak and Rail Teamsters are also
under attack and we will not stand
by and let it occur without a fight.
I know that the Teamsters Rail
Conference and the entire Teamsters Union is behind us when we
fight for jobs on Capitol Hill. We
stand united with our brothers and
sisters in all Teamster industries,
including our Conference partners
from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
Mr. Mica’s proposed Public/
Private partnership for the NEC will
mean the death of nationwide
passenger service and will cost
thousands of Teamster jobs. We
will not let it stand unchallenged!
We are ready to fight, our membership is ready to fight, and the
Teamsters are ready to fight.
I’d like to introduce one of our
members whose job we fight for:
Renato Rufo.
Renato is a ten-year BMWED
member working as a welder who
works at Amtrak in the Boston area.
RENATO RUFO –
Hello, my name is Renato Rufo
and I’m a proud BMWED member
and Teamster. And, I am an officer
of the Northeast System Federation
representing Amtrak workers who
construct and maintain the railroad
track, buildings and bridges on the
Northeast Corridor of Amtrak.
I have worked day and night in
the dead of winter, and in the
broiling summer heat, to ensure
that Americans can safely ride the
trains to their destinations on time.
I am proud to do it with the respect
and dignity that working under a
Teamster contract provides for me
and my family.
Passenger rail is a vital part of
our economy and it is important
that we continue the policies that
keep it properly funded.
My family has a good middle
class life because of this Union and
the President’s passenger rail
support.
The investment America puts
into Amtrak is returned many times
over to the American people.
Nearly 29 million people in 46
states rode over our infrastructure
last year. We have train speeds
greater than 100 mph and our
passenger safety record is second
to none. And, we do all of this for a
mere fraction of the Federal subsidy that is provided to airlines and
highways.
I am proud of the work we do
for the American people and proud
of my Union for protecting me as I
perform this service.
Although the work we perform
is vital, and the benefits of publicly
funded passenger service speak for
themselves, some politicians still
seek to advance the agenda of the
few over the interests of the many.
President Obama has increased
public investment in passenger rail
and we have seen the results.
Amtrak’s investment of the stimulus funds has been a major success
by adding nearly 3,000 more
Amtrak jobs alone and significantly
improving the infrastructure with
the objective of ensuring more
reliable on-time performance.
So, what are the plans of the
Republicans leadership for Amtrak?
They seek to take this vital
public asset and sell it to their
friends in the private sector.
This is the same attack that is
occurring all across America on
public workers and unions in
general. It is an attack on my family
and yours. It is an attack on our
Union. It is theft of tax payer
money, and an attack on America,
and it must be stopped.
I stand before you and say,
save publicly funded passenger rail
and we will save our country and
our Union.
If the politicians wish to harm
my family and my community then
bring that fight on because, in the
end, we are the ones who maintain
this railroad. If these attacks continue then I say shut these trains
down until our work, our families
and our communities are shown
the respect we have earned.
HIGH-SPEED RAIL
WHEREAS, the Teamsters Rail
Conference, comprised of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division, supports the development of high-speed passenger rail
in America; and
WHEREAS, the development of
high speed passenger rail is threatened by many in Congress and
several of our nation’s governors,
who have politicized the issue; and
WHEREAS, the cost of a highspeed passenger rail system in this
country is estimated at $300 billion,
studies have shown that this money
will create jobs in states that need
them the most; and
WHEREAS, the federal government estimates that 47,000 jobs are
created for each $1 billion spent on
rail infrastructure projects; and
WHEREAS, the workers currently
employed on our nation’s railroads
are among the most highly skilled
and trained in the world; and
WHEREAS, these railroad
workers are covered by a host of
federal laws and regulations, promulgated to ensure safety in the
industry; and
WHEREAS, to ensure the safety
of high-speed passenger rail, any
system built must be considered a
railroad carrier under the law, so
that the workers and the communities that high-speed passenger rail
operates through are protected by
federal law; and
WHEREAS, safety will be the key
to any corridor, and the Rail Conference believes that any high speed
passenger rail train that operates in
this nation must have a certified and
trained locomotive engineer in its
cab to ensure its safe operation; and
WHEREAS, any corridor must be
constructed and maintained by
professional, qualified maintenance
of way workers to ensure the highest safety standards; and
WHEREAS, Amtrak has proven
for more than 40 years that its
workforce has the knowledge, skills
and abilities to operate a world-class
national passenger railroad system.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters and its
affiliates will support the development, funding and building of a high
speed passenger rail system in this
country, and ensure the jobs created
by such a system will be safeguarded for railroad workers as
currently defined by federal law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that
the International Brotherhood of
Teamsters and its affiliates will
support the designation of Amtrak
as operator and provider of all highspeed passenger rail service in the
United States.
IBT SUPPORT FOR RAIL
CONFERENCE MEMBERS
AT AMTRAK
WHEREAS, the future of Amtrak
is uncertain and many within the
federal government, Amtrak management, railroads, and private
industry have initiated policies and
practices which are detrimental to
members of the Teamsters Rail
Conference at Amtrak; and
WHEREAS, the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Brotherhood of
Maintenance of Way Employes
Division (BMWED) of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
are a substantial part of the Amtrak
workforce; and
WHEREAS, the Teamsters Rail
Conference and the International
Union have worked diligently to
oppose any legislation or policies
that adversely affect its Amtrak
members; and
WHEREAS, inter-city passenger
rail service in the United States,
including high speed rail, is finally
Continued on Page 5
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44
BMWED JOURNAL
“Happy Birthday” wishes to the following BMWED retirees who recently celebrated their 100th birthday:
Domingo A. Mondragon
A Broomfield, Colorado resident, Brother Mondragon celebrated his 100th birthday on August 1, 2011. Brother Mondragon is a lifetime member of the
BMWED. He retired from his position as a Section Man for the Union Pacific Railroad in 1976.
Miles B. Whitehall
An Ovid, Colorado resident, Brother Whitehall celebrated his 100th birthday on August 5, 2011. Brother Whitehall is a lifetime member of the BMWED.
He last worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a Section Foreman and retired in 1974.
James Poston
A Stamps, Arkansas resident, Brother Poston celebrated his 100th birthday on July 18, 2011. He last worked for St. Louis Southwestern Railway Company as a Section Laborer in 1974.
The BMWED extends its sincere best wishes to these retirees. Happy Birthday!
BMWED Leadership Meets with VSCC President
BMWED President Freddie Simpson and Secretary-Treasurer Perry Geller met with Volunteer State
Community College President, Dr. Warren Nichols at
the school during the recent BMWED training sessions. President Simpson and Dr. Nichols discussed
the advantages of utilizing the schools facilities for the
BMWED’s specialized training needs.
CONVENTION
OFFICER TRAINING
receiving some long-needed attention and
funding; and
WHEREAS, Amtrak is the only company in
America with a proven record of providing intercity passenger rail service in excess of 100 mph;
and
WHEREAS, the career professionals of the
BLET and BMWED in the Teamsters Rail
Conference have a proven record of building,
operating, and maintaining railroads;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the
delegates to the 28th International Brotherhood
of Teamsters Convention go on record in
support of its Amtrak members of the Rail
Conference; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the delegates support the continued commitment of the
International Union to provide the Rail Conference with the resources and legislative support
necessary to secure adequate funding for
Amtrak and resist diversion of passenger rail
funds to privatization and similar schemes not in
the public interest.
to increase my skills in a number of areas.
Although, I have been representing BMWED
members for a while now, I’m confident that
what I took back from the course will help me do
an even better job for our members. I feel
fortunate that the leadership of this Union had
the foresight to fill this obvious need.”
Volunteer State Community College worked
with the BMWED to build and develop the
curriculum. The course is timed in a manner
that takes advantage of the college’s semester
breaks and the instructors for the courses were
drawn from Volunteer State Community College,
Middle Tennessee State University, and from
within the BMWED.
“It is important that we train the next generation of union leadership if we expect our union
to grow and move forward, “offered BMWED
President Freddie Simpson. “Many of those in
leadership positions today are rapidly reaching
retirement age and we have a growing number
of young folks taking over the helm. It is incumbent on those currently leading this union to
make sure the skills needed to adequately
represent our members are provided to those
taking over.”
The BMWED has already assigned the next
group of class participants who will attend class
from October 16 - 28, 2011. Another class is
scheduled for January 8 - 20, 2012.
A complete set of Convention proceedings
can be viewed on the Teamster website at
www.teamster.org.
JULY/AUGUST 2011
Left to right: Dr. Warren Nichols, Vol State
President, Perry Geller, BMWED SecetaryTreasurer, Freddie Simpson, BMWED
President, and Hillary Marabeti, Vol State
Assistant Vice President of Continuing
Education and Economic Development.
Class prepares for second day of computer training.
Allied Vice Chairman Russell Farmer receives
BMWED Certificate of Achievement and a certificate for continuing education units earned, from
President Simpson and Secretary-Treasurer Geller.
Change of Address Request
Please remember to notify your Federation or
the National Division of any change of
address or telephone number. It is vital that
this information be kept current. Railroad
employers do not always provide this
information to the BMWED.
5
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A Vice President Speaks
Importance of a union
W
hy is it that so
many young people
have no idea the importance of a union? A lot of
older generation union
leaders are asking themselves this question.
Maybe the older generation hasn’t passed on to
them the history and
struggle of the labor
J. R. “Randy” Cook movement. Or, maybe the
BMWED
number of union houseVice President,
holds have so dwindled
Southeast Region
that we are now paying the
price. There is certainly no effort in the public
school systems to teach anything about organized labor.
Why is that? How has the word “union”
become such a dirty word?
A friend of mine recently told me about an
encounter with a young lady that asked him
what he did for a living. When he said he was a
union representative, she asked what is a union
representative. He asked if she had ever heard of
the Teamsters – the answer, no. Looking for any
kind of recognition and thinking maybe she
watched movies he asked, have you ever heard
of Jimmy Hoffa – the answer, no. Sadly, I believe
this is fairly typical among young people not
raised in a union household and not taught the
value of organized labor and collective bargaining. Would she have known who Eugene Debbs,
George Meany, Joe L. Lewis or Walter Ruther
were? Probably not.
While I know that our union, the Teamsters,
have sent labor union teaching materials to a
multitude of public and private schools, with
maybe one or two exceptions, that material has
gone ignored. Why are our schools so timid
about talking about organized labor when
almost every benefit we enjoy, union and nonunion alike, was fought for and won in large part
because of organized labor? Why are we not
teaching our children that when they start their
professional life they can thank the unions for
the forty-hour work week, vacation, sick leave,
healthcare, a safe work place, workers rights,
and yes, even their retirement benefits. Why are
they not being taught labor’s roll in issues of
human dignity, like civil rights, child labor laws
and a multitude of other issues unions aided in
bringing about?
Maybe we are just too timid in speaking out
and insisting on labor’s contribution to society
being recognized. With the trend in this country
going toward punishing working men and
women in favor of giving breaks to profiteering
corporations, it is now sink or swim for the labor
movement. We have to speak out or no one will.
With so many fake news organizations, TV
and radio, giving voice only to right wing politicians and Tea Baggers, all one hears is a constant attack on labor in favor of the corporations
that pull their strings. How did we get to the
point where we give fat cats tax breaks while
attempting to take away grandma’s social
security and healthcare.
Let’s face it, even some organized religion
has gotten in on the act, and are backing right
wing anti-labor politicians who favor the rich
and espouse “individual responsibility,” (code
words for let the poor fend for themselves).
What happened to, “He who oppresses the poor
shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is
kind to the needy honors God,” or, “I tell you the
truth, whatever you did not do for one of the
least of these, you did not do for me.”
We have to speak out in favor of working
men and women. Whether it is in church,
school, or the work place. Those who would
destroy labor unions and trample the rights of
working men and women are not the least bit
shy about their intentions. Talk to your children
now and anyone who will listen, and stress the
importance of collectively working together to
prevent a society where there are only haves
and have nots, and no middle class. If we don’t,
what chance do our children have?
Government Stimulus Works
James P. Hoffa, General President,
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
I
nfrastructure Projects Should Start Now!
The debt deal voted on by Congress in early
August looks like a tragic failure to learn the
lessons of history.
I’m afraid that too little federal spending will
strangle our economy as it did in the early ‘30s.
Back then, the country was in dire straits after
the stock market crashed and banks collapsed.
President Herbert Hoover responded to the
Great Depression by increasing federal spending, but only by a little. He refused to run a
budget deficit and rejected calls for direct federal
relief to individuals. The economy remained in a
slump throughout his presidency, which only
lasted one term.
Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in 1933 and
set in motion a massive stimulus. He ran large
budget deficits, increased corporate taxes and
made massive investments in people and
infrastructure through programs like the Works
Progress Administration.
From 1933-37, unemployment fell. The
economy grew at the fastest pace in history and
America started to climb out of the Great Depression. But then, in 1937, conservatives
persuaded Roosevelt to rein in spending. The
result, predictably, was a fall in Gross Domestic
Product. Roosevelt wisely changed course and
increased spending, which got the economy
moving and creating jobs again.
Government stimulus works, and it is nonsense to suggest that it doesn’t.
We are just now learning that the economy
was in far deeper trouble than we thought
following the meltdown of 2008. President
Obama’s stimulus worked, creating close to 3
million jobs. Unfortunately, it didn’t work
enough. The Teamsters Union and others
pushed for a larger stimulus. Obama’s top
economic advisor, Larry Summers, is now
admitting that the stimulus was too small to pull
the economy out of its doldrums.
The Bureau of Economic Affairs recently
revised GDP numbers since the crisis. They had
thought the economy shrunk by about 5.9
percent in the six months following the 2008
crisis. It actually fell 7.8 percent. Once stimulus
money began to flow and the tax cuts took effect
in the middle of 2009, the economy began to
grow again.
But now that the stimulus is winding down,
the economy is faltering. Cutting the budget is
the wrong thing to do. The Economic Policy
Institute says the debt deal will cost 1.8 million
jobs by 2012. I can only hope that they’re wrong
– and that we remember the lessons of 1938: to
change course once we realize we’ve made a
mistake.
Now that Hurricane Irene has passed, the
rebuilding of the damaged rails, bridges and
buildings will be a priority that Congress can’t
ignore. I hope these projects will be the start of
federal infrastructure projects which are far
overdue.
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6
BMWED JOURNAL
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SECRETARY-TREASURER’S
REPORT
s I write this column, Hurricane Irene is roaring up the east coast
portending destruction in its wake. States from Florida to Maine are
preparing for the worse and bracing for the storm’s fury and its aftermath.
On the front lines of this storm are thousands of municipal, state, and
federal employees who are risking life and limb to evacuate coastal
A
Perry K. Geller, Sr.
areas, engage in search and rescue,
secure abandoned buildings, clear
roadways, and restore electrical
power. These workers will not stay
at home and hunker down with
family and loved ones. They will go
to work and answer the call of duty
to serve their communities and the
public.
It is very ironic that during such
times of imminent destruction and
dire emergency, the Tea Baggers
and their political puppets have
little to say about limiting the size
of government, eliminating public
employees, and abolishing Federal
agencies such as the Federal
Emergency Management Agency,
the Army Corp of Engineers, the
Environmental Protection Agency,
and the Federal Communications
Commission.
It is easy for the Tea Party and
its near-sighted political allies to
malign municipal, state, and federal
employees when the winds are
calm, the roadways are open, and
the lights are on. After all, it has
become popular sport for the right
wing to demonize these workers as
lazy, unnecessary pariahs sucking
the taxpayer’s blood in a frenzy of
greed. However, when disaster
looms, the Tea Baggers and their
allies temporarily halt their attack
on workers and fully expect government employees to risk their
lives to protect theirs, to save their
property from the ravages of fire
and flood, and to engage in search
and rescue of family members and
pets. After all, isn’t that the
government’s job?
During both natural and
manmade disasters, government
employees are on the front lines.
One need look no further than the
recent tornadoes and floods which
ravaged the Midwest, the wildfires
that ravaged the southwest, and
the terrible disaster of September
11. No matter what your political
persuasion, no person whose life is
in danger and awaiting rescue is
hoping that the mayor, governor, or
president keeps emergency workers home as a budget cutting
measure. When your house is
burning down, you don’t wish for a
bucket brigade; you want the entire
fire department to respond with
well-trained and well-equipment
professional fire fights. And when
your home is evacuated after a
natural disaster, you don’t wish for
a minimum wage rent-a-cop, you
want city and state police and the
National Guard to protect your
property. After all, isn’t that the
government’s job?
The good news for the citizens
of our nation is that government
workers are at the ready, prepared
to do whatever it takes to protect
and serve our country and its
people. No one in their right mind,
not even the hypocrite Tea Baggers,
will be worried about tax rates
during such a calamity. No one in
their right mind will be calling for
wage and benefit cuts for workers
out on the front lines during the
storm and its immediate aftermath.
No one in their right mind will be
demanding the elimination of
collective bargaining for emergency and maintenance workers
during the height of this storm.
However, what will happen
after the storm subsides? Undoubtedly, the Tea Baggers and their
political henchmen will go right
back to maligning and demonizing
the very workers who risked life
and limb to protect people and
property; open roadways, rail lines
and airports; and restore electrical
power and other vital services
during the storm and its aftermath.
When the “smaller government
– no tax” crowd emerge from their
homes and taxpayer-funded emergency shelters, they will once again
go on the offensive, deriding “big
government,” maligning government employees, and screaming
for tax cuts and reduced spending.
They will continue to attack labor
unions and the rights of workers to
organize and collectively bargain.
And they will continue to tout the
“private sector” as the answer to
every problem, write off the poor
and destitute as simply a lifestyle
choice, and blame government
regulations for every ill.
That is, until the next disaster
strikes. Then these hypocrites will
once again look for the government
to give them shelter, rebuild their
homes, rebuild their lives, and
rebuild the infrastructure they
depend on. After all, isn’t that the
job of government?
NOTICE
Article XV, Section 8 –
Transfer Refunds
Sec. 8. Refunds of monthly
dues, fees and assessments for
those who transfer outside the
jurisdiction of BMWED will
only be allowed for the months
following the month the
applicable General Chairman
involved receives a written
request and/or a valid revocation of the Dues Deduction
Agreement wage assignment
authorization. A notice pertaining to the Brotherhood’s dues
refund Bylaws provision will be
published semi-annually in the
Secretary-Treasurer Report of
the Journal or its successor
publication.
Staff Position Opening
The BMWED is seeking applicants
to fill the position of Executive Assistant
to the Secretary-Treasurer in the
BMWED’s National Division office,
currently located in Southfield, Michigan.
The Executive Assistant to the
Secretary-Treasurer is the administrative head of the National Division
Secretary-Treasurer’s Department
which includes the sub-departments of
Membership Services, Financial Services,
Reporting Services and Information
Services as they relate to the duties
assigned to the Secretary-Treasurer by
the BMWED Bylaws.
The Executive Assistant is also
responsible for a variety of other duties,
including working with money managers,
budget projections and analysis, pension
administration and is called upon to
produce reports upon request that
analyze the financial status of the
BMWED.
Applicants for the position must have
strong communication skills, be able to
manage a staff, oversee contracts and
associated personnel responsibilities.
Applicants also must possess a strong
accounting background and computer
skills, including proficiency in software
such as Word, Excel and Quicken and
should be familiar with bonds, securities,
certificates of deposit and stocks.
Interested applicants should send a
detailed resume to:
Job Opening
c/o Perry K. Geller, Sr.,
Suite 320, 20300 Civic Center Drive,
Southfield, MI. 48076.
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JULY/AUGUST 2011
7
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Legal Aid Program List
Here is an updated list of the approved attorneys in the Brotherhood of
Maintenance of Way Employes Division’s Legal Aid Program who can be
called on for advice and assistance when needed in case of on-the-job
personal injury or death.
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division members who
are injured on the job, or the dependents of members killed as a result of
such injuries, should ascertain their rights and protections under the
Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) before attempting any settlement
with a railroad company.
Under the Legal Aid Program, in case of personal injury or death while
employed on a railroad, a Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes
Division member or his family has access to competent legal counsel in
making claims under the FELA.
The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division-approved
legal aid attorneys are well qualified to handle cases under the FELA.
Blunt & Slocomb, Ltd.
60 Edwardsville Professional Park
P. O. Box 373
Edwardsville, IL 62025
TELEPHONE: (618) 656-7744
FAX: 618-656-7849
TOLL FREE
NATIONAL: (800) 323-5538
www.bluntlaw.com
Daniel J. Downes, P.C.
60 W. Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601
TELEPHONE: (312) 781-1852
FAX: 312-781-1854
TOLL FREE (800) 624-2121
[email protected]
Daniel J. Downes, P.C.
2400 Lake Park Drive, Suite 105
Smyrna, GA 30080
TELEPHONE: (404) 872-7759
FAX: 404-872-9430
TOLL FREE (888) 753-0533
[email protected]
Hubbell Law Firm, L.L.C.
Union Station
30 West Pershing Road, Suite 350
Kansas City, MO 64108-2463
TELEPHONE: (816) 221-5666
FAX: 816-221-5259
TOLL FREE
NATIONAL: (800) 821-5257
www.hubbellfirm.com
Ingebritson & Associates, P.A.
Attorneys at Law
Suite 1025 Medical Arts Bldg.
825 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55402
TELEPHONE: (612) 340-8290
FAX: 612-342-2990
TOLL FREE
NATIONAL: (800) 282-6393
www.ingebritson.com
Jones, Granger, Tramuto & Halstead
P. O. Box 4340
Houston, TX 77210-4340
TELEPHONE: (713) 668-0230
FAX: 713-956-7139
TOLL FREE
TX ONLY: (800) 392-0620
NATIONAL: (800) 231-3359
www.jonesgranger.com
[email protected]
The Moody Law Firm
500 Crawford Street, Suite 300
Portsmouth, VA 23704
TELEPHONE: (757) 393-4093
FAX: 757-397-7257
TOLL FREE
NATIONAL: (800) 368-1033
www.moodyrrlaw.com
The Moody Law Firm
7400 Baymeadow Way, Suite 105
Jacksonville, FL 32256
TELEPHONE: (904) 256-0018
FAX: 904-256-0019
TOLL FREE
NATIONAL: (800) 368-1033
www.moodyrrlaw.com
Why Choose A BMWED Designated FELA Attorney?
In this day of specialization, most lawyers, like most doctors and other professionals,
tend to specialize. If you have tax problems, you go to a lawyer who knows the tax laws.
If you have family matters to be handled, you go to a lawyer who knows the laws about
The bearer of this credential is authorized as a representative
of approved counsel by the Brotherhood of Maintenance of
wills,
estates, probate, divorce, etc. That is why, if you’re injured on the railroad, you need
Way Employes to consult and investigate accidents involving
death or injury to our members. The credential expires on
to go to a lawyer who knows the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA).
January 1, 2012 unless revoked.
FELA became law in 1908. Under FELA, an injured railroad employee or his/her family
Issued to
survivors have the right to recover damages in court (state or federal). They have the
Title
right to a jury trial which can award damages based upon the railroad’s negligence that
Firm
resulted in the employee’s injury or death.
Signed
Choosing a Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division-designated FELA
Freddie N. Simpson/President
Perry K. Geller, Sr./Secretary-Treasurer
attorney is important because, as one court case stated, “injured workers or their
families often fall prey ... to persuasive claims adjusters eager to gain a quick and cheap settlement for their railroad employers, or to a
lawyer either not competent to try these lawsuits against the able railroad counsel or too willing to settle a case for a quick dollar.”
Since most people don’t deal with lawyers except in a time of need, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division has
a long-standing policy of evaluating FELA law firms. Using established guidelines, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes
Division chooses the best to be on its approved or designated list which is printed twice yearly in the Brotherhood of Maintenance of
Way Employes Division Journal.
Official National Division Credential
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division—IBT
Criteria used for evaluating FELA law firms include:
• Must have an established record of successful litigation experience.
• Must furnish National Division with a summary of cases handled (insofar as such disclosure is consistent with “attorneyclient” privilege).
• Must charge a contingency fee of no more than 25 percent.
• Must give injured members free advice in connection with their injury and render free assistance to them in related matters.
Because the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division recognizes the importance of competent and fair legal counsel
for its members, it regularly monitors the activities of the law firms on its list and makes changes when needed.
If you do not have a copy of the approved list of attorneys when you need it, just call your system division or federation office and
they will give you names and other necessary information. In addition, all approved attorneys are issued official Brotherhood of
Maintenance of Way Employes Division credentials each year. If an attorney contacts you, be sure to ask for his credential.
The Moody Law Firm
1201 Peachtree Street, N.E.
400 Colony Square, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30361
TELEPHONE: (404) 870-9020
FAX: 770-373-4905
TOLL FREE: (888) 358-6894
www.moodyrrlaw.com
R. Edward Pfiester, Jr.
A Law Corporation
2000 Riverside Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90039-3707
TELEPHONE: (323) 662-6400
FAX: 323-669-8549
TOLL FREE (800) 344-FELA (3352)
www.pfiesterlaw.com
Pratt & Tobin, P.C.
P. O. Box 179
Route 111 at Airline Drive
East Alton, IL 62024
TELEPHONE: (618) 259-8011
TOLL FREE (800) 851-5562
Rossi Cox Vucinovich Flaskamp P.C.
3801 E. Florida Avenue, Suite 905
Denver, CO 80210-2500
TELEPHONE: (303) 759-3500
FAX: 303-759-3180
TOLL FREE: (800) 325-4014
www.rcvpc.com
7401 Metro Blvd., Suite 148
Edina, MN 55439
TELEPHONE: (651) 688-7699
Fax: 651-688-7785
TOLL FREE
NATIONAL (866) 900-FELA (3352)
www.rcvpc.com
5000 Central Park Drive
Suite 204
Lincoln, NE 68504
TELEPHONE (402) 434-9288
www.rcvpc.com
10900 NE 8th Street
Suite 1122
Bellevue, WA 98004-4456
(425) 646-8003
FAX: 425-646-8004
TOLL FREE (866) 357-RAIL (7245)
www.rcvpc.com
Thornton & Naumes, LLP
100 Summer Street, 30th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
TELEPHONE: (617) 720-1333
FAX: 617-720-2445
TOLL FREE
NATIONAL: (800) 431-4600
www.tenlaw.com
Sign Up to Receive
BMWED E-mail Updates
Sign up to become a BMWED E-activist and
receive regular BMWED updates sent directly to
your e-mail address. Go to www.bmwe.org. It
only takes a minute and you will receive updates
important to you as a BMWED member and
Teamster.
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BMWED JOURNAL
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BMWED
DIRECTORY
THE OFFICIAL DIRECTORY OF NATIONAL DIVISION & SYSTEM OFFICERS AS OF SEPTEMBER 2011
FREDDIE N. SIMPSON
President
[email protected]
PERRY K. GELLER, SR.
Secretary-Treasurer
[email protected]
VICE PRESIDENTS
Southeast Region
J. R. COOK
11467 Coates Highway
Brethren, MI 49619
(231) 477-5722
Fax: 231-477-5723
[email protected]
Northwest Region
DAVID D. JOYNT
5350 West Valley Road
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-0816
Fax: 402-462-2747
[email protected]
Southwest Region
ROGER D. SANCHEZ
P.O. Box 2250
Porter, TX 77365
(281) 354-4812
Fax: 281-354-6613
[email protected]
Western Region
DAVID D. TANNER
P.O. Box 116
Robertson, WY 82944-0116
(307) 782-7775
Fax: 307-782-7776
[email protected]
Northeast Region
HENRY W. WISE, JR.
3465 Smith Hill Road
Slatington, PA 18080-3423
(610) 767-4940
Fax: 610-767-6452
[email protected]
Western Region
WAYNE E. MORROW
Member
P.O. Box 850
Lyman, WY 82937
(307) 787-7058
Fax: 307-787-3100
[email protected]
Southwest Region
Northeast Region
PAUL R. BEARD
Vice Chairman
6934 Ramblehurst
Sylvania, OH 43560
(419) 843-5636
Fax: 419-843-5641
[email protected]
Southeast Region
GARY L. COX
Secretary
P.O. Box 24068
Knoxville, TN 37933-2068
(865) 671-1384
Fax: 865-671-1386
[email protected]
150 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60606-4101
(312) 630-9328
Fax: 312-630-9438
WADE D. BIRNBAUM
Staff Assistant
[email protected]
JOSEPH J. KRALJIC
Legislative/Organizing Regional Assistant
220 S. Prairie Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Cell: (202) 230-7997
Fax: 605-271-2031
[email protected]
MARK R. McCARTY
Legislative/Organizing Regional Assistant
4003 Rudy Martin Drive
Owensboro, KY 42301-6646
Cell: (202) 258-1408
[email protected]
BILL R. PALMER
KEVIN EVANSKI
Chairman
P.O. Box 473
Falls City, NE 68355-0473
(402) 245-4273
Fax: 888-262-8871
[email protected]
GARY L. HART
SONIA PETTAWAY
Member, NRAB, Third Division
[email protected]
Office Manager
(202) 508-6448
[email protected]
Northwest Region
MARK S. WIMMER
Member
18921 York Street, N.W., Suite F
Elk River, MN 55330-3001
(763) 441-6355
Fax: 763-441-1741
Staff Assistant
[email protected]
RYAN D. HIDALGO
Staff Assistant
[email protected]
PETER E. KENNEDY
Staff Assistant
[email protected]
TIMOTHY W. KREKE
Public Law Board Coordinator
[email protected]
NATIONAL DIVISION
APPOINTEES
President’s Department
Southfield Office
20300 Civic Center Drive, Suite 320
Southfield, MI 48076
(248) 948-1010 or (248) 359-2 (Ext.#)
Fax: 248-948-7150
WILLIAM A. BON
General Counsel
Ext. 615, [email protected]
E. RANDALL BRASSELL
Director of Communications
242 W. Main Street, PMB 394
Hendersonville, TN 37075
(615) 521-4097
Fax: 615-824-2164
[email protected]
WILLIAM A. HILDENBRAND
Executive Assistant to President
DONNA M. HORODKO
Private Secretary
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Arbitration Department
Chicago Office
GARY W. MARQUART
Staff Assistant, Organizing
405 Rolling Hills Drive
Newton, KS 67114-4014
Cell: (316) 836-1748
[email protected]
TIMOTHY McCALL
Director of Organizing
3121 Plantation Key Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
(225) 752-3346
Cell: (225) 978-6503
Fax: 225-752-3347
[email protected]
CYNTHIA PESTA
Administrative Assistant to President
Secretary-Treasurer’s
Department
Southfield Office
20300 Civic Center Drive, Suite 320
Southfield, MI 48076
(248) 948-1010 or
(248) 359-2 (Ext#)
Fax: 248-948-7150
SYSTEM OFFICERS
AFFILIATED SYSTEM
FEDERATION
(606) 931-0115
Fax: 606-931-0008
Alton & Southern Railway Company
CSX Transportation, Incorporated
–Seaboard System Railroad, Incorporated
Clinchfield Railroad Company
MacArthur Bridge
Manufacturers Railway Company
Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad
Company
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Former – Des Moines Union Railway
Company
Interstate Railroad Company
Norfolk & Western Railway Company
Southern Railway Company
Wabash Railroad Company
Northeast Illinois Railroad Corporation (Metra)
Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis
THOMAS M. McCOY, JR.
RONALD J. COLUMBUS
General Chairman
9300 Runyon Road
Catlettsburg, KY 41129-8753
Staff Assistant
[email protected]
Executive Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer
JACK E. DAVID
DAVID PASCARELLA
RICK FORBES
ANDREW MULFORD
Staff Assistant
[email protected]
STEVEN V. POWERS
Assistant to President
[email protected]
Director, Information Systems
ANGELA KRAJEWSKI
Administrative Accountant
MARK J. SCHAPPAUGH
Staff Assistant
[email protected]
National Legislation
Department
Washington Office
25 Louisiana Ave., N.W. 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20001-2130
(202) 624-6800
Fax: 202-508-6450
LEON R. FENHAUS
Director of Government Affairs
(202) 508-6447
Fax: 202-508-6450
Cell: (605) 390-2335
[email protected]
CHRIS LEIDY
Systems Analyst
ALFRED L. WARDELL
Secretary-Treasurer
RR 1, Box 63BBB
Pamplin, VA 23958
MARY MOCHER
ALLIED FEDERATION
(800) 752-8009
(615) 338-0027
Fax: 615-338-0209
www.alliedfed.org
Staff Assistant, Financial Services
STEPHEN M. MOCHER
Government Reporting Services
MICHELLE OSBORNE
Controller
RICHARD A. INCLIMA
Director of Safety
(202) 508-6449
[email protected]
Second Vice Chairman
2400 Washington Avenue
Victoria, VA 23974-4700
(434) 696-2812
Fax: (434) 696-2914
[email protected]
National Division Auditor
P.O. Box 190
Brunswick, OH 44212-0190
(330) 460-5630
Fax: 330-460-5660
[email protected]
Director of Strategic Coordination and Research
1727 King Street, Suiute 210
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-1262
Fax: 703-563-9457
[email protected]
Staff Assistant, Government Affairs
(202) 508-6445
[email protected]
RICHARD L. PROCISE
WILLIAM J. MARTINKO
DONALD F. GRIFFIN
CHARLES R. HOGUE
First Vice Chairman
1101 County Road 2375
Moberly, MO 65270-4200
(660) 263-7480
Fax: 660-263-7481
[email protected]
JASON L. RICHERT
National Division Auditor
Ext. 622
[email protected]
CAROL SCHAEDIG
Staff Assistant, Membership Services
Appalachian & Ohio Railroad
Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad
Chesapeake & Oio Railway
CSX Transportation Incorporated
Former–Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
Baltimore & Ohio Chicago Terminal
Seaboard System Railroad
Louisville & Nashville Railroad
Seaboard Coast Line Railroad
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
Columbia, Newberry and Laurens Railroad
Atlanta and West Point–The Western
Railway of Alabama-Georgia Railroad
(including Augusta and Summerville Railroad)
Atlanta Joint Terminals
DANIEL YACK
Staff Assistant, Information Systems
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
JULY/AUGUST 2011
9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
El Dorado and Wesson Railway
Evansville & Western Railway Company
High Point, Thomasville & Denton Railroad
Huron & Eastern Railway
Kansas City Southern Railway Company
Former–Louisiana & Arkansas
Railway Company
Milwaukee-Kansas City Southern
Joint Agency
Louisiana and North West Railroad Company
Mid-Louisiana Rail Corporation
Monon Railroad
New Orleans Public Belt Railroad
Oklahoma-Kansas-Texas Railroad Company
Port Terminal Railroad Association
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
Railway (including Potomac Yard)
St. Louis Southwestern Railway Company
Southern Pacific Transportation Company
Eastern Lines
—Texas & Louisiana Lines
Texas-Mexican Railway Company
Union Belt of Detroit
Union Pacific Railroad Company
Former–Abilene & Southern Railway
Company
Fort Worth Belt Railway Company
Houston Belt & Terminal Railway
Company
Kansas, Oklahoma & Gulf Railway
Company
Missouri-Illinois Railroad Company
Missouri Pacific Railroad Company
New Orleans & Lower Coast Railroad
Company
Union Terminal Railway Company
(St. Joseph, Missouri)
Weatherford, Mineral Wells &
Northwestern Railway Company
Winston-Salem Southbound Railway
DENNIS R. ALBERS
General Chairman
111 Imperial Blvd., C-300
[email protected]
BILL R. PALMER
First Vice Chairman
P.O. Box 473
Falls City, NE 68355-0473
(402) 245-4273 Fax: 888-262-8871
[email protected]
W. G. FOEHR
First Vice Chairman
P.O. Box 1710
Waller, TX 77484
(936) 372-1906 Fax: 936-372-1909
[email protected]
TERRY W. MIRACLE
First Vice Chairman/Secretary-Treasurer
P.O. Box 452
Harrogate, TN 37752
[email protected]
PEDRO AMARO
Vice Chairman
203 E. Travis Street
Laredo, TX 78040
(956) 712-0080
Fax: 956-712-0082
[email protected]
L. A. BUCKLEY
Vice Chairman
141 Iroquois Trail
Ona, WV 25545-9740
(304) 736-2255 Fax: 304-736-2112
[email protected]
M. RUSSELL FARMER
Vice Chairman
2418 Foster Sprouse Road, N.W.
Thomson, GA 30824-3107
(706) 595-7778 Fax: 706-595-7709
[email protected]
JEFFREY T. FINCH
Vice Chairman
10822 Ambergate Drive
Humble, TX 77396
(281) 741-9562 Fax: 281-741-9586
[email protected]
DAVID R. LOPEZ
BRIAN T. POSTON
Vice Chairman
137 N. Ohio Avenue
Clarksburg, WV 26301-2230
(304) 626-3633
Fax: 304-626-3063
[email protected]
Assistant General Chairman
521 S. E. 10th Street
Newton, KS 67114-4407
SCOTTY D. NISWONGER
Vice Chairman
P.O. Box 264
Cabot, AR 72023-0264
(501) 843-8237 Fax: 501-605-8222
[email protected]
LAURENCE J. PHILLIPS
Vice Chairman
8 Washington Street, Unit C
Valparasio, IN 46383
(210) 242-8687
Fax: 219-242-8688
[email protected]
ANDREW SHELTON
Vice Chairman
613 Myatt Street
Smyrna, TN 37167-4163
(615) 220-3468 Fax: 615-220-0066
[email protected]
NATHANIEL TRAWICK
Vice Chairman
7720 Breezewood Circle
Pensacola, FL 32534-4015
(850) 474-6399 Fax: 850-474-6959
[email protected]
GREGORY S. KREIE
521 S.E. 10th Street
Newton, KS 67114-4407
Cell: (202) 230-7987
[email protected]
BESSEMER & LAKE
ERIE SYSTEM
DIVISION
Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad Company
MARK A. SHINE
General Chairman
502 Reynolds Road
Greenville, PA 16125
Cell: (724) 866-2860
[email protected]
BRYAN HILLIARD
Secretary-Treasurer
P.O. Box 43
Connoquenessing, PA 16027-0043
JACOB L. PEARS
Vice Chairman
1290 Airport Road
Stoneboro, PA 16153-1808
LARRY L. WRIGHT
Vice Chairman
68 Caudle Lane
Indiahoma, OK 73552-2247
(580) 429-3520 Fax: 580-429-3735
[email protected]
BRIAN R. THIES
Vice Chairman
2170 Lakeview Drive
Cutler, IL 62238-2202
(618) 497-2302 Fax: 618-497-2369
[email protected]
ATCHISON, TOPEKA &
SANTA FE FRISCO
SYSTEM FEDERATION
Tulsa, Oklahoma Office
(918) 446-4677
Fax: 918-446-2799
[email protected]
Newton, Kansas Office
(800) 835-2022 or
(316) 283-1470
Fax: 316-283-7264
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
Company
Former–Illinois Northern Railway
St. Joseph Terminal Railroad
Company
Burlington Northern Railroad Company
Former–Quanah, Acme & Pacific
Railway Company
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway
Company
Colorado & Wyoming Railway Company
Hutchison and Northern Railway Company
Los Angeles Junction Railway
Sand Springs Railway Company
Wichita Terminal Association
Wichita Union Terminal Railway Company
RICHARD C. SANDLIN
General Chairman
5031 S. 33rd West Ave., Suite 210
Tulsa, OK 74107
JOHN B. GARRARD
Vice General Chairman/Secretary-Treasurer
521 S. E. 10th Street
Newton, KS 67114-4407
ROY GRIFFITH
DANA R. SCONYERS
Vice Chairman
900 South Irby Street, Suite 468
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 661-2199
Fax: 843-661-2179
[email protected]
19496 S. 4094 Road
Claremore, OK 74019-1916
RANDY S. LUNOW
521 E. 10th Street
Newton, KS 67114-4407
BURLINGTON
NORTHERN SYSTEM
FEDERATION
(612) 332-7947
Fax: (612) 332-6166
[email protected]
Former–Oregon Electric Railway
Oregon Trunk Railway
Camas Prairie Railroad
Lake Superior Terminal & Transfer Railway
Company
Montana Rail Link, Inc.
Oregon, California & Eastern Railway
Company
Saint Paul Union Depot
Spokane International Railroad Company
Willamina & Grand Rhode Railroad
Company
BRUCE G. GLOVER
General Chairman
510 1st Avenue North #601
Minneapolis, MN 55403-1609
JOHN L. GELENEAU
Vice Chairman-Secretary/Treasurer
509 E. 7th Street
Morris, MN 56267-1001
(320) 585-6746 Fax: 320-585-5443
Cell: (320) 288-6769
BURLINGTON SYSTEM
DIVISION
(402) 463-0234
Fax: 402-463-0226
[email protected]
—Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
Railroad Company
Davenport, Rock Island & North Western
Railway Company
Kansas City Terminal Railway Company
Keokuk Union Depot
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway Corp.
DENNIS L. CRAFT
General Chairman
747 N. Burlington Avenue
Suite 312
Hastinghs, NE 68901
[email protected]
STACI MOODY-GILBERT
Vice General Chairperson
2845 South Meadow Lane
Hastings, NE 68901
Cell: (402) 984-8488 Fax: 402-460-4721
[email protected]
ROY L. MILLER
Vice General Chairman
4381 State Highway 156
Torrington, WY 82240-8444
(307) 532-1941 Fax: 307-532-7739
DON E. WILLING
406 N. Daviess Street
Gallatin, MO 64640
(660) 663-3995 or Cell: (402) 469-3810
Fax: 660-663-2995
[email protected]
MARK J. WEYRAUCH
P.O. Box 101
Ray, ND 58849-0101
(701) 568-2693
Fax: 701-568-2694
MICHAEL J. GARISTO
PMB 225, 936 Peace Portal Drive
Blaine, WA 98230
(604) 576-2168
Fax: 604-576-2179
DUANE L. MAIER
903 Pleasant Street
Miles City, MT 59301-3323
(406) 234-0543
Fax: 406-234-0544
Vice Chairman
P.O. Box 5
Ridley Park, PA 19078-0005
Cell: (908) 399-2186
CONSOLIDATED RAIL
SYSTEM FEDERATION
(419) 734-9811
Fax: (419) 734-7267
[email protected]
Amtrak (Albany-Rensselaer, New York Area)
Amtrak (Beech Grove, Indiana Shop)
Amtrak (Klamazoo, Michigan, to Michigan
City, Indiana Facilities)
Consolidated Rail Corporation Shared Assets
(Detroit, New Jersey, Philadelphia)
CSX Transportation, Inc.
—Consolidated Rail Lines (NYC)
Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad
Grand Trunk Rail System
Guilford Transportation Industries
(Springfield
Terminal Railway Company) Boston
and Maine Corporation
Indiana Harbor Bell “Railroad Company
Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad
Monongahela Connecting Railroad Company
—Akron, Canton & Youngstown
Railroad Co.
Lorain & West Virginia Railway Co.
New York, Chicago & St. Louis
Railroad Co. including
Nickel Plate, Lake Erie and Western
and Clover Leaf Districts,
and Wheeling & Lake Erie District
Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railway Co.
St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad Company
THOMAS J. NEMETH
CHICAGO & EASTERN
ILLINOIS SYSTEM
DIVISION
(618) 548-0363
Chicago Heights Terminal Transfer Railroad
Union Pacific System
—Missouri Pacific Railroad Company
(Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad)
L. D. RILEY
General Chairman
3626 Hotze Road
Salem, IL 62881
Phone/Fax: (618) 548-0363
[email protected]
TOM CARTWRIGHT
Vice Chairman/Secretary-Treasurer
17113 Nightingale Place
Lowell, IN 46356
(219) 696-2848 Fax: 219-696-3716
[email protected]
ALLEN R. HOHBIEN
736 Custer Drive
Mandan, ND 58554
MICHAEL BARRETT
General Chairman
58 Grande Lake Drive, Suite 2
Port Clinton, OH 43452
(216) 382-7122 Fax: (216) 382-5583
[email protected]
EDWARD W. LONG
First Vice General Chairman
3493 Webster Road
Fredonia, NY 14063
(716) 672-6322
[email protected]
MICHAEL D. FLOWERS
Second Vice General Chairman
402 East 1000 North
Alexandria, IN 46001
(765) 724-4337
[email protected]
JOHN W. GIBLIN, JR.
Secretary-Treasurer
R.R. 9, Box 9401
Moscow, PA 18444
(570) 842-3110
[email protected]
PAUL R. BEARD
COMMUTER
RAILROAD SYSTEM
DIVISION
(609) 396-8487 or
(609) 396-8488
(800) 344-2718
(in NY, NJ, DE, CE, PA only)
Fax: 609-396-8489
[email protected]
New Jersey Transit Rail Operations,
Incorporated
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation
Authority
SEAN D. GERIE
General Chairman
P.O. Box 1238
Trenton, NJ 08607-1238
DAVID L. CARROLL
STEVEN J. HOFFMAN
N 6126 Lacey Street
Spokane, WA 99208-2440
(509) 489-3080
Fax: 509-484-2068
777 Congress Street
Toms River, NJ 08753-8705
Cell: (908) 399-2187
6934 Ramblehurst
Sylvania, OH 43560
(419) 843-5636 Fax: 419-843-5641
[email protected]
PAUL KILGALLON
59 Carriage Road
Clifton Park, NY 12065-7503
(518) 371-4725
[email protected]
JEFFERY J. BAINTER
300 North Bliss Avenue
Muncie, IN 47304
(765) 759-8760
Fax: 765-759-8761
[email protected]
TIM HOFFMAN
36512 Derby Downs Drive
Solon, OH 44139-2656
[email protected]
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
10
BMWED JOURNAL
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
DULUTH, MISSABE &
MARK S. WIMMER
IRON RANGE SYSTEM DIVISION General Chairman
Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway
Company
MICHAEL W. NAGLE
General Chairman
6049 Seville Road
Duluth, MN 55811-9608
(218) 729-9786
Cell: (218) 428-7246
[email protected]
W. “BUTCH” GALBRAITH
First Vice Chairman
1508 12th Street, South
Virginia, MN 55792
Cell: (218) 750-7122
JAMES R. SONNESON
Second Vice Chairman/Secretary-Treasurer
5629 W. Arrowhead Road
Hermantown, MN 55811
ELGIN, JOLIET & EASTERN
SYSTEM DIVISION
Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Company
ROLANDO DELMURO
General Chairman
6912 Foxwood Drive
Schererville, IN 46375-4462
(219) 314-9658
[email protected]
DAVID W. CHRISTIAN
Vice Chairman
26 N. Hobart Road
Hobart, IN 46342-3356
THOMAS LEGNER
Assistant Chairman
2212 Ardaugh Avenue
Crest Hill, IL 60435
(815) 955-5354 Fax: 815-730-9816
[email protected]
JOHN WERR
Secretary-Treasurer
8630 Raintree Road
Tinley Park, IL 60487
(708) 429-4909
Cell: (708) 743-4516
ILLINOIS CENTRAL
GULF FEDERATION
(270) 247-0600
Fax: 270-247-0453
[email protected]
18921 York Street, N.W.
Suite F
Elk River, MN 55330
GENE A. BELL
18921 York Street, N.W., Suite F
Elk River, MN 55330
[email protected]
TERRENCE A. BARRETTE
Assistant General Chairman/SecretaryTreasurer
P.O. Box 468
River Falls, WI 54022
(715) 425-0297
JIM D. PETTY
P.O. Box 954
115 Walnut Street
Wilton, IA 52278
(319) 732-2574 Fax: 319-732-4158
TROY A. BLUMHAGEN
Vice Chairman
P.O. Box 161
Drake, ND 58736-0161
(701) 338-2068
NORTHEASTERN
SYSTEM FEDERATION
Amtrak (Northeast Corridor)
Amtrak (South Station, Boston,
Massachusetts)
Aroostock Valley Railroad Company
Bangor and Aroostook Railroad Company
—Consolidated Rail Corporation
—New York Connecting Railroad
Penn Central—New York, New Haven
and Hartford Railroad Company
Delaware & Hudson Railway Company
Guilford Transportation Industries
(Springfield Terminal Railway
Company),
Main Central Railroad Company,
Portland Terminal Company
Lamoille Valley Railroad Company
Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railroad
New York, Susquehanna and Western
Railroad Corporation
STUART A. HURLBURT, JR.
General Chairman
135 Mick Lane
Amtrak (New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal) Oneonta, NY 13820-4316
Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railway Company
(607) 988-7416
Cedar River Railroad
Fax: 607-988-9358
Chicago, Central & Pacific Railroad Company
Cell: (607) 435-9332
Columbus & Greenville Railway Company
[email protected]
Gateway Western Railway,
Illinois Central Railroad
DALE E. BOGART, JR.
Meridian & Bigbee Railroad Company
MidSouth Rail Corporation
503 Fernwood Avenue
Mississippi Export Railroad
Johnson City, NY 13790
Northeast Illinois Railroad Corporation
Cell: (607) 725-6331
Paducah-Louisville Railway
[email protected]
Southern Pacific, Chicago, St. Louis
Corporation
RENATO G. RUFO
—Chicago, Missouri & Western
Railway Company
161 Isabella Avenue
SouthRail Corporation
Providence, RI 02908
Terminal Railway, Alabama State Docks
(401) 421-4292
HAYWARD J. GRANIER
General Chairman
100 West Farthing Street
Mayfield, KY 42066-3244
(270) 247-0636
[email protected]
Cell: (401) 829-2909
[email protected]
JOHN P. TRACY
563 Church Hill Road
Augusta, ME 04330-8214
(207) 623-1468 Fax: 207-622-1834
Cell: (207) 215-3096
[email protected]
MIDWEST SYSTEM FEDERATION
(763) 441-6355
Fax: 763-441-1741
KENNETH E. HERRINGTON
[email protected]
Iowa Interstate Railroad L.T.D.
Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad
Company
Northeast Illinois Railroad Corporation
District
Soo Line Railroad Company
Former—Chicago, Milwaukee
St. Paul and Pacific Railroad
Company
Minneapolis, Northfield and
Southern Railway, Incorporated
36 Walnut Street
Mechanicville, NY 12118-1040
(518) 664-3557
Cell: (518) 859-6816
[email protected]
MICHAEL B. CARTER
PAUL DOMINIC
GARY L. COX
32 N. Cobble Hill Road
Wawick, RI 02886-9307
(401) 886-4747
Cell: (401) 465-1409
[email protected]
Vice Chairperson
503 Route 259
Ligonier, PA 15658
(724) 238-7505
Fax: 724-238-7506
[email protected]
SAMUEL J. ALEXANDER
JOHN MAXWELL
ANTHONY ROCHON
2 Kerry Farm Drive
Standish, ME 04084
(207) 221-2882
Cell: (207) 831-6789
[email protected]
Vice Chairperson
P.O. Box 5267
Upper Marlboro, MD 20775-1267
(301) 336-9442
Fax: 301-336-3895
[email protected]
STEVE STEARN
PENNSYLVANIA
FEDERATION
(215) 574-3515
Fax: 215-574-1910
www.pennfedbmwe.org
Akron and Barberton Belt Railroad Company
Amtrak
—Penn Central
Chicago Union Station Company
Washington Terminal Company
Canton Railroad Company
CSX Transportation, Inc.
Baltimore & Eastern Railroad
Company
Buffalo Creek Railroad
Ironton Railroad Company, the
Lehigh Valley Railroad Company
Penn Central-Pennsylvania Railroad
Company,
Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines
Monongahela Railway Company
Maryand and Pennsylvania Railroad
Company
Middle Fork Railroad Company
Norfolk Southern Railway Company
(See CSX Transportation, Inc.)
Western Maryland Railway Company
JED DODD
General Chairperson
421 N. 7th Street, Suite 299
Philadelphia, PA 19123-3925
[email protected]
THOMAS WOHANKA
Vice Chairperson
238 Garfield Avenue
Laurence Harbor, NJ 08879
(732) 673-9076
Fax: 732-566-6313
[email protected]
Vice Chairperson
P.O. Box 223
Perryville, MD 21903
(410) 658-6281
Fax: 410-658-6285
[email protected]
SEABOARD
FEDERATION
(800) 418-7223
(904) 642-8076
Fax: 904-642-7838
Amtrak
—Jacksonville Terminal Company
—Seaboard System Railroad,
Incorporated
Gainesville Midland Railroad Company
Port Everglades Railway
Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Company
(-Seaboard Airline Railroad Company)
Florida East Coast Railway
—Carolina & Northwestern Railway
Company
GEORGE C. DAVIDSON
Vice Chairperson/Secretary-Treasurer
P.O. Box 2408
Aston, PA 19014-2408
(610) 485-4365
Fax: 610-485-4369
[email protected]
C. T. BURKINDINE
Vice Chairperson
7936 Kavanagh Road
Baltimore, MD 21222
(410) 282-5194
Fax: 410-288-2768
[email protected]
CHARLES W. HANSLER
Vice Chairperson
149 Andreas Road
Andreas, PA 18211-9507
(570) 386-1155
Fax: 570-386-2811
[email protected]
C. PERRY RAPIER
Vice Chairperson
309 Tillman Avenue
Greenville, OH 45331
(937) 459-5335
Fax: 937-459-5336
[email protected]
Vice Chairman
10724 Plum Creek Drive
(865) 368-8448
[email protected]
M. L. SELLERS
Assistant Chairman/Secretary-Treasurer
P.O. Box 285
Menlo, GA 30731-0285
[email protected]
SOUTHWESTERN
FEDERATION
(620) 795-2762
Fax: 620-795-2712
Galveston, Houston and Henderson Railroad
Company
Galveston Wharves
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Company
Texas City Terminal Railway Company
LARRY L. FOSTER
General Chairman
1845 11000 Road
Oswego, KS 67356-8764
Cell: (620) 515-2664
[email protected]
TERRY D. WILLIAMS
810 South D. Street
McAlester, OK 74501-6119
(918) 429-1893
Cell: (918) 916-0866
JAMES D. KNIGHT
Gneral Chairman
2153 Broadwater Drive
WILLIAM L. GLISSON
First Vice Chairman
9212 Riverview Drive
Riverview, FL 33578
Cell: (813) 426-5338
MARK B. FERRIS
2153 Broadwater Drive
WILLIAM K. MANNING
Vice Chairperson
P.O. Box 285
Prospect Park, PA 19076-0285
(610) 461-8641
Fax: 610-461-0422
[email protected]
Gneral Chairman
P.O. Box 24068
[email protected]
SOUTHERN
SYSTEM DIVISION
(800) 537-2194
Fax: 865-671-1386
[email protected]
—Seaboard System Railroad, Incorporated
Durham and Southern Railway
Company
Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Company
—Piedmont and Northern Railway
Company
—Alabama Great Southern Railroad
Company
Atlantic and East Carolina Railway
Company
Central of Georgia Railroad Company
Chattanooga Traction Company
Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas
Pacific Railway Company
Georgia Northern Railway
Georgia Southern and Florida Railway
Company
Kentucky & Indiana Terminal Railroad
Company
Live Oak, Perry and South Georgia
Railway Company
Louisiana Southern Railway Company
New Orleans Terminal Company
Norfolk, Franklin and Danville Railway
Company
Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Railway
Company
Tennessee Railway Company
Valdosta Southern Railroad
VAE Nortrak – Birmingham, AL Plant
UNIFIED SYSTEM DIVISION
(800) 525-1833
(307) 787-7058 or
(307) 787-7059
Fax: 307-787-3100
Amtrak
Former Los Angeles Union Passenger
Terminal
Amtrak (Mechanical Facility, Los Angeles,
California)
Belt Railway Company of Chicago
Central California Traction Company
Chicago and North Western Transportation
Company
Former–Chicago Great Western
Railway Company
Chicago St. Paul, Minneapolis &
Omaha Railway Company
Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad
Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern Railway
Company
Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway Company
Minneapolis Industrial Railway
Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad
Company
Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad
Company
Harbor Belt Line Railroad
McCloud River Railroad
McCloud River Railroad
Northwestern Pacific Railroad Company
Ogden Union Railway and Depot Company
Peoria and Pekin Union Railway Company
Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railroad Company
Portland Terminal Railroad Company
San Diego & Arizona Eastern Transportation
Company
Sierra Railroad Company
South Omaha Terminal Railway Company
Southern Pacific Transportation Company,
Western Lines
—Pacific Lines
Stockton Terminal & Eastern Railroad
Tucson, Cornelia and Gila Bend Railroad
Union Pacific System
Former–Mount Hood Railway Company
Sacramento Northern Railway
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
JULY/AUGUST 2011
11
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Tidewater Southern Railway Company
Western Pacific Railroad Company
Yakima Valley Transportation Company
Utah Railway Compay
VAE Nortrak – Cheyenne, WY Plant
Valley & Siletz Railroad Company
RICARDO CANCHOLA
TONY D. CARDWELL
Vice Chairman
P.O. Box 939
Elverta, CA 95626-0939
(916) 419-7754 Fax: 916-419-2066
[email protected]
Vice Chairman
5729 Main Street #238
Springfield, OR 97478
(541) 505-9348 Fax: 541-505-9654
[email protected]
W. E. MORROW
JEFF RANKIN
GALEN E. OWEN
General Chairman
P.O. Box 850
Lyman, WY 82937
(307) 787-7058
Fax: 307-787-3100
[email protected]
Vice Chairman
P.O. Box 733
Marshalltown, IA 50158-0733
(641) 753-9060 Fax: 641-753-9607
[email protected]
Vice Chairman
P.O. Box 305
Trenton, MO 64683-0305
(660) 359-2551 Fax: 660-359-2174
[email protected]
LOUIS R. BELOW
DAVID R. SCOVILLE
BRIAN J. RUMLER
Vice Chairman
P.O. Box 141845
Spokane Valley, WA 99214
(509) 227-7295 Fax: 509-474-0386
[email protected]
Vice Chairman
235 Nature Valley Place
Owatonna, MN 55060-1385
(507) 446-0901 Fax: 507-446-0903
[email protected]
First Vice Chairman/Secretary-Treasurer
P.O. Box 629
El Dorado, CA 95623-0629
(530) 622-7535 Fax: 530-622-7569
[email protected]
RODNEY D. MULDER
4705 Dover Drive
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 292-7691 Fax: 515-292-1034
[email protected]
WISCONSIN CENTRAL
SYSTEM DIVISION
(920) 494-BMWE (2693)
Fax: 920-494-2694
[email protected]
Wisconsin Central
JOE LETIZIA
General Chairman
912 Redwood Drive
Green Bay, WI 54304
Cell: (715) 572-7127
JOHN G. DAKE, JR.
N1557 State Road 73
Wautoma, WI 54982
(920) 948-8931
MIKE GEKAS
THOMAS DAFFINSON
Vice Chairman
P.O. Box 1658
LaGrande, OR 97850-1658
(541) 962-7695 Fax: 541-963-4103
[email protected]
Second Vice Chairman
P.O. Box 413
Osseo, WI 54758-0413
(715) 597-2611
Pages 9 - 12 contain
the official directory
of the National
Division and System
Officers of the
BMWED as of
September, 2011.
The directory is
published twice
annually.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
STATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORS
ALABAMA
JAMES “TERRY” FRANKS
361 8th Avenue East
Guin, AL 35563
(205) 468-2171 Cell: (205) 269-5720
[email protected]
IDAHO
ALAN E. HEMMERT
P.O. Box 355
Paris, ID 83261-0355
(208) 945-0949 Cell: (208) 390-1934
[email protected]
ARIZONA
GREGORY S. KREIE
521 S.E. 10th Street
Newton, KS 67114-4407
(316) 283-1470 Fax: (316) 283-7264
Cell: (202) 230-7987
[email protected]
ILLINOIS
JOHNNY OETH, III
131 West Miners
Box 170
Wataga, IL 61488-0170
Cell: (309) 221-2319
[email protected]
ARKANSAS
SCOTTY D. NISWONGER
P.O. Box 264
Cabot, AR 72023-0264
(501) 843-8237 Cell: (501) 605-3193
[email protected]
INDIANA
JEFFREY J. BAINTER
300 N. Bliss Avenue
Muncie, IN 47304
(765) 759-8760 Fax: 765-759-8761
Cell: (202) 258-1507
[email protected]
CALIFORNIA
FREDERICK W. HUGG
3635 Charqui Court
Oroville, CA 95965
(530) 534-4844 Fax: 530-534-4844
Cell: (530) 370-8682
[email protected]
IOWA
RON HOFFMAN
1607 9th Avenue, S.W.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
(319) 364-2180 Cell: (319) 270-3618
[email protected]
COLORADO
JOHN E. RUTHERFORD
1704 Raton Avenue
La Junta, CO 81050-3423
(719) 384-9685
[email protected]
KANSAS
ROBERT STORER
2641 N. Donmyer Road
Solomon, KS 67480
(785) 655-2771 Cell: (785) 452-8610
[email protected]
CONNECTICUT
DAVID CERRITO
18 John Street
Branford, CT 06405
(203) 315-8311
KENTUCKY
MARK R. MCCARTY
4003 Rudy Martin Drive
Owensboro, KY 42301-6646
Cell: (202) 258-1408
[email protected]
DELAWARE
GUY DOUGLAS
7 Berwick Court
Newark, DE 19702
(302) 836-0662 Cell: (302) 250-3804
[email protected]
FLORIDA
WILLIAM L. GLISSON
9212 Riverview Drive
Riverview, FL 33578
Cell: (813) 426-5338
[email protected]
GEORGIA
MARCUS HOOD
3470 Georgia Highway 15 North
Warthen, GA 31094-4024
(478) 552-0727 Fax: 478-533-1758
Cell: (706) 832-1606
[email protected]
LOUISIANA
JACK W. MYERS
6827 N. University Avenue
Carencro, LA 70520-5244
(337) 896-4197 Cell: (337) 781-1129
[email protected]
MAINE
JOHN P. TRACY
563 Church Hill Road
Augusta, ME 04330-8214
(207) 623-1468 Fax: 207-622-1834
Cell: (207) 215-3096
[email protected]
MARYLAND
STEVE STEARN
P.O. Box 223
Perryville, MD 21903-0223
(410) 658-6281 Fax: 410-658-6285
[email protected]
MASSACHUSETTS
JAMES A. TEAGUE
33 Dinley Street
Dracut, MA 01826
(978) 710-3429 Cell: (617) 293-9031
[email protected]
MICHIGAN
ARCHIE LHAMON
55647 Giddings Court
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-2263 Fax: 269-668-4360
Cell: (269) 370-7104
[email protected]
NEW YORK
ROBERT M. WINTER
5590 Robinson Road
Sodus, NY 14551-9702
(315) 483-4324 Fax: 315-483-4324
NORTH CAROLINA
WARREN D. EARNEST
1423 Weststone Drive
Charlotte, NC 28208
Cell: (704) 756-7135
Fax: 704-392-5967
[email protected]
MINNESOTA
MICHAEL DeROSA
2236 Maple Lane
Maplewood, MN 55109
(651) 777-8205 Cell: (651) 253-1773
[email protected]
NORTH DAKOTA
DOUGLAS M. ERHART
1203 27th Street, N.W.
Mandan, ND 58554
(701) 663-1633 Fax: 701-663-5714
Cell: (701) 226-2703
[email protected]
MISSISSIPPI
MURPHY EVANS, JR.
2405 Whitetail Circle
West Point, MS 39773
(662) 494-8592 Cell: (662) 425-5659
[email protected]
OHIO
THOMAS J. NEMETH
4486 Emerson Road
South Euclid, OH 44121-3928
(216) 382-7122 Fax: (216) 382-5583
[email protected]
MISSOURI
CHARLES E. FORBES, JR.
1388 S.W. Heartwood Drive
Lee’s Summit, MO 64081
(816) 600-5394 Fax: 816-600-5394
Cell: (816) 289-1284
[email protected]
OKLAHOMA
LEONARD W. TREKELL
421 Colorado
North Enid, OK 73701
(580) 233-2548
[email protected]
MONTANA
LYLE LAMBERT
201 Flynn Avenue, W.
Bainville, MT 59212
(406) 769-2611 Cell: (406) 489-0438
[email protected]
NEBRASKA
SPENCER MORRISEY
P.O. Box 156
548 Jackson
Tecumseh, NE 68450
(402) 335-2181 Fax: 402-335-4021
Cell: (402) 335-7181
[email protected]
NEVADA
VACANT
OREGON
MIKE GEKAS
P.O. Box 1658
1414 Z Avenue
LaGrande, OR 97850-1658
(541) 962-7695 Fax:541-963-4103
Cell: (202) 731-8229
[email protected]
PENNSYLVANIA
WILLIAM K. MANNING
P.O. Box 285
Prospect Park, PA 19076-0285
(610) 461-8641 Fax: 610-461-0422
Cell: (610) 322-7071
[email protected]
NEW HAMPSHIRE
VACANT
RHODE ISLAND
MICHAEL BESSETTE
261 Ann Street
Cumberland, RI 02864
Cell: (401) 575-0854
NEW JERSEY
KEVIN HUSSEY
12 Steinhardt Avenue
Old Bridge, NJ 08857
(732) 251-8486 Fax: (732) 251-6460
[email protected]
SOUTH CAROLINA
BRYANT D. MOSES
705 S. Church Street
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 669-8177 Cell: (843) 618-3473
[email protected]
NEW MEXICO
FRANK DAVID
P.O. Box 416
Vanderwagen, NM 87326-0416
(505) 778-5794 Cell: (505) 979-1093
[email protected]
SOUTH DAKOTA
JOSEPH J. KRALJIC
220 S. Prairie Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
(605) 334-7626 Fax: 605-271-2031
Cell: (202) 230-7997
[email protected]
TENNESSEE
SAMUEL J. ALEXANDER
10724 Plum Creek Drive
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 531-9865 Fax: 865-671-1384
Cell: (865) 368-8448
[email protected]
TEXAS
RICKY J. RICHARD
5307 Lyre Street
Orange, TX 77630
(409) 735-9386 Cell: (409) 749-0663
[email protected]
UTAH
PHILLIP O. SCOTT
2002 S. 1840 W.
Syracuse, UT 84075
(801) 525-1958 Cell: (801) 390-7239
[email protected]
VERMONT
VACANT
VIRGINIA
GREGORY L. MARSTON
400 Melody Lane
Crewe, VA 23930-1066
(434) 645-7496 Fax: 434-645-1859
Cell: (434) 298-6941
[email protected]
WASHINGTON
RUSS PITNER
220 86th Street, N.W.
Tulalip, WA 98271
(360) 659-4411
[email protected]
WEST VIRGINIA
DAVID R. LOPEZ
137 N. Ohio Avenue
Clarksburg, WV 26301-2230
(304) 626-3633 Fax: 304-626-3063
[email protected]
WISCONSIN
MICHAEL J. KOZIARA
909 Eastwood Street
Holmen, WI 54636
Cell: (608) 317-9755
[email protected]
WYOMING
KRISTINA DELGADO
P.O. Box 1761
Casper, WY 82602-1761
(307) 234-6510 Fax: 307-234-6510
Cell: (307) 259-8643
[email protected]
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
12
BMWED JOURNAL
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
ROLL OF
HONOR
10
MERIT
Nathan W Anderson
David M Bradford
Larry N Dunlap
David J Himel
Roy D Ling
Shawn W Loyd
Virgle C Mc Glothlin
Jason S Muir
Kim Mustache Jr
Cedric E Price
Michael Serda
year
AWARD
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AF-SW
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
20
MERIT
J W Charley
Raymond J Eslinger
Garry R Haskie
Terry R Haskie
Anderson Y Joe
Richardson N Kee
A Mailboy
Frankie Mailboy
Steve L Mc Adams
Kenneth Miller
Antonio Sanchez
Alex Thomas
A Alarcon
Clarence Alire
Greg M Allen
Perry J Anthony
Randy E Archibeque
PAUL E Archie
Jose L Arevalo
Robert L Arline
K N Bacon
Marcus P Beck
Thomas Y Begay
Julis M Begay
K F Bell
Ted W Benson
Henry Bitsui
Robert J Bonesteel
Karl J Boney
D L Bradshaw
Michael D Church
Steven E Delgado
Jesus F Delgado
Stanley M Devenport
Mark A Dorrell
Todd A Duncan
Donald W Dyer
Dennis E Farley
Gene C Filyaw
1999
2000
2001
2000
2000
2001
2000
2001
2000
2000
2000
year
AWARD
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
30
MERIT
2406
2417
2418
2411
2417
1048
2418
2418
2417
2418
2419
2400
2418
2417
2417
2400
2417
2400
2400
2421
2400
2418
2418
1990
1990
1990
1990
1990
1990
1990
1990
1990
1991
1990
1990
year
AWARD
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
USD-W
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
2415
2419
2413
2413
2416
2416
2412
2411
2407
2410
2417
2400
2412
2404
2417
2419
2411
2415
0779
2418
2404
2412
2402
2418
2415
2410
2411
1980
1980
1980
1980
1980
1980
1980
1980
1980
1981
1980
1981
1980
1980
1980
1981
1981
1980
1981
1981
1980
1980
1980
1980
1981
1981
1980
David G Flores
Ervin Foster
C J Franklin
Gene Gallegos
Arthur N Garcia
L R Gene
Edison Gene
Michael O Gillette
Jesse C Gomez
Russell W Gray
Gary D Gromer
D A Guillen
Kevin L Harris
Noel A Hart
Robert Hernandez
Donald L Holt
Ronald W Holt
D P Howard
Joe Ike Jr
Wilsom Joe
Haskie Johnson
Robert P Johnson
Edward Jones
Raul J Juarez
D A Landeros
Todd W Laney
James Lee
Doug A Liverman
D W Long
J R Malone
Jesse R Martinez
William J Matney
Cortney C Mc Ginnis
S C Mora
L F Mueller Jr
Sergio F Murillo
Delbert Nez
K P Noe Jr
Junior P Orejel
Mario S Ortiz
Danny R Paddock
J L Paniagua
M F Parker
Leon E Parnell
Kenneth W Phillips
Pete P Place
Raymond A Rael
G P Rafael
Jesse M Rivas
Darrell A Robinson
Kenneth L Rodriguez
Alfonso M Rodriguez
Anthony F Rodriguez
Robert E Rodriquez
Danny R Rollins
Melvin J Sartain
B L Seldon Sr
Terry R Stewart
J Torres Jr
A J Trevino
Andrew P Trevizo
Terry Tsosie
Andrew F Venezia
Donald R Vinson
Willie W Wheeler
Larry D Williams
Jeff Yazzie
Johnson Yazzie
Arturo P Zubia
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
BURL
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
PENN
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
PENN
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
40
MERIT
B L Baca
Charles G Campbell
Cecil M Collins
Roland G Davis
Scott L Hallgren
Richard A Johnson
Manuel P Marcial
Richard C Odom
John Watkins
John R Wicke
2412
2417
2417
2414
2416
2400
2417
0798
2416
2403
2417
2418
2404
2409
2404
2417
2417
2411
2400
2417
2417
2409
2400
2419
2410
2404
2400
2418
2404
2412
2410
2417
2413
2413
2414
2408
2400
2417
2418
2404
2417
2410
2410
2418
2410
2413
2414
2410
2412
2415
2414
2412
2404
2412
0361
2402
2410
3043
2410
2418
2418
2400
3043
2421
2413
2421
2417
2417
2415
1980
1981
1981
1980
1980
1981
1980
1980
1980
1980
1981
1981
1980
1980
1980
1981
1981
1981
1980
1980
1980
1980
1980
1980
1980
1980
1980
1981
1980
1980
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1981
1980
1980
1980
1981
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1980
1980
1980
1980
1981
1981
1980
1980
1977
1981
1981
1981
1980
1976
1980
1980
1981
1980
1980
1980
year
AWARD
AT&SFF
PENN
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
BURNOR
AT&SFF
AT&SFF
ASF
PENN
AT&SFF
2416
3043
2419
2402
1280
2404
2419
0224
3043
2421
1970
1970
1970
1970
1971
1970
1970
1971
1970
1970
BMWED Releases Track Inspection Report
On August 3, 2011,
BMWED President Freddie
Simpson transmitted a copy
of the Brotherhood’s Track
Inspection Report to Secretary of Transportation Ray
LaHood; FRA Administrator
Joseph Szabo; the Chairman
and Ranking Member of the
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure;
the Chairman and Ranking
Member of the House Subcommittee on Railroads,
Pipelines, and Hazardous
Materials; and the Chairman
and Ranking Member of the
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law
110-432, required the Secretary of Transportation to
prepare “a report containing
the results of a study to
determine whether – (1) the
required intervals of track
inspections for each class of
track should be amended; (2)
track remedial action requirements should be amended;
(3) different track inspection
and repair priorities or
methods should be required;
and (4) the speed at which
railroad track inspection
vehicles operate and the
scope of the territory they
generally cover allow for
proper inspection of the track
and whether such speed and
appropriate scope should be
regulated by the Secretary.”
FRA developed a survey
and sent it to a number of
randomly selected track
inspectors. On May 2, 2011,
the Secretary of Transportation transmitted a copy of
FRA’s report to the Chairman
and Ranking member of the
Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure; and to the
Chairman and Ranking
member of the Senate
Committee on Commerce,
Science and Transportation.
The FRA Track Inspection
report is available on the
FRA website and can be
viewed on-line at: http://
www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/
TrackInspectionTimeStudy
FR62911.pdf.
In response to this Congressional mandate for FRA
to conduct a track inspection
study, BMWED President
Freddie N. Simpson directed
the Brotherhood’s Department of Safety to develop and
conduct our own independent
survey of BMWED members
employed as track inspectors.
The survey was conducted in
order to provide BMWED
track inspectors a means to
express their views and
opinions about track inspection issues, and to provide the
union with comparative data
independent of the Congressionally-mandated FRA study
on track inspection.
The National Division
worked in cooperation with
the General Chairmen and
System Officers to compile a
mailing list of track inspectors to receive the BMWED
survey. The survey was
developed in-house and
mailed to 1,543 BMWED
track inspectors who are
qualified and designated to
inspect track under (49 CFR)
§213.7 of the federal Track
Safety Standards. 454
BMWED track inspectors —
roughly thirty percent (30%)
—completed and returned
their surveys by the August
31, 2009, deadline.
BMWED developed its
independent Track Inspection
Report to provide lawmakers
and regulators with a
broader perspective regarding the real world challenges, pressures and
barriers affecting track
inspectors’ ability to fulfill
their safety critical responsibilities. President Simpson
stated in his transmittal letter
to the Secretary, “I trust that
the relevant and timely
information contained in the
enclosed BMWED Track
Inspection Report will assist
the Department of Transportation in its work and further
its understanding of the
issues and challenges related
to track inspection. We
respectfully request your
good office to consider this
report “other relevant
information” as contemplated by Section 403(b)(4) of
the Rail Safety Improvement
Act of 2008.”
A copy of the BMWED
Track Inspection Report is
posted on the BMWED
website at: http://
www.bmwed.org/news/2011/
Track_Inspector_Report_
070611.pdf.
President Simpson said,
“I wish to personally thank
the hundreds of BMWED
track inspectors who took the
time to participate in the
survey and share their views
and opinions. With the FRA
and congressional lawmakers looking to amend the
Federal Track Safety Standards related to track inspection, the information and
insights provided by our
members through the survey
report provides invaluable
member-driven data which
will be used by BMWED to
influence a positive outcome
for our track inspectors in the
upcoming regulatory and
legislative proceedings.”
Change of Address Request
Please remember to notify your Federation or the National Division of any
change of address or telephone number. It is vital that this information be
kept current. Railroad employers do not always provide this information
to the BMWED.
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JULY/AUGUST 2011
13
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Don’t Let Freight Economy Run off the Rails
Even as the U.S. economy shed
more than 3.3 million jobs during
2009 and 2010, railroad employment shot up by 5.2 percent—a
trend industry experts expect will
continue.
That’s why budget cuts recently
proposed by the head of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee come at an especially
bad time. In particular, Rep. John
Mica’s (R-FL) proposed elimination
of a surface transportation grant
program could have dire consequences.
Eliminating the $1.5 billion
TIGER program (for Transportation
Investment Generating Economic
Recovery), which has provided a
crucial boost to freight rail transportation, threatens the momentum
of this job-creating industry at a
critical moment for our national
economic recovery.
As U.S. Chamber of Commerce
head Thomas Donohue said earlier
this year, “Congress should develop a comprehensive freight
program to ensure adequate
capacity, reduce congestion and
increase throughput.” He cautioned
that “to rebuild America, we need
more than good ideas. We need
money. Every option—from federal
funding to private investment—
must be on the table.”
The $265 billion freight rail
industry is a particularly smart
choice for public investment in a
period of tight budgets because it
The following resolution,
authored by the Teamster Rail
Conference, was introduced by
BLET President Dennis Pierce
during the 28th International
Convention;
COALITION
BARGAINING
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the cornerstone for
successful collective bargaining
can turn small public investments
into major economic gains.
Demand for freight rail is
growing, as total freight shipments
are projected to rise by 61 percent
in the next 30 years. The freight rail
industry has steadily increased
investments in infrastructure
before, during, and after the recession. Indeed, its companies now
pump 17 percent of their own
revenues into capital projects—one
of the highest capital investment
rates in the U.S. economy. And
while its workers represent just 1
percent of the American workforce,
the industry contributes 2 percent
to annual gross domestic product.
But some ongoing public
investment is needed to keep this
job-creating train running strong.
That’s because existing public
structures sometimes impede
freight rail growth. We need to
raise bridges to permit double
stacking of cargo cars. We need to
widen tunnels to permit larger
loads. And we need new spurs to
connect to warehousing facilities,
which will increase the job-creation
benefits of these investments.
Maintaining the TIGER program
through 2035 would allow us to
meet the $35 billion in public
funding needs estimated by the
American Association of State
Highway Officials.
Continued public investment
would also create jobs at a time of
persistently high unemployment.
has historically been unity in
purpose and solidarity in action;
and
WHEREAS, as one of the oldest
industries in the United States, the
railroad industry, was organized
along craft lines and continues to
have a dozen unions representing
railroad workers; and
WHEREAS, railroad carriers for
generations have preyed on weak
or vulnerable unions to establish
“pattern settlements” that fail to
accord members of stronger unions
their just due; and
WHEREAS, coalition bargaining can
be an effective tool to defeat
And these are good jobs. The
average railroad worker in 2008
was paid $54,760, compared with
$42,270 a year for the average
American worker. “With record
unemployment, federal policies to
protect and increase the supply of
good jobs should be our nation’s
top priority. Limited federal investments in freight rail mean more
jobs that pay a decent wage for
Americans,” said Fred Simpson,
vice president of the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, which
represents 70,000 rail workers, and
president of its Brotherhood of
Maintenance of Way Employes
Division. “We support the massive
investments being made by the
operators but there is a limited and
important role that the federal
government can play that will
create jobs and increase the use of
freight rail in America.”
The benefits go beyond the rail
workers themselves. For every $1
billion in freight rail capital investment, an estimated 7,800 direct and
indirect jobs are created. The
indirect jobs are concentrated in
the manufacturing sectors that
build locomotives, railcars, and
factory machinery. Taking respending into account, this $1
billion investment yields between
12,300 and 26,600 jobs throughout
the economy, according to a 2010
report by the Blue Green Alliance, a
partnership of labor unions and
environmental groups.
The benefits of the industry are
not just economic. Moving cargo
by rail is also better for the environ-
ment. It is more fuel efficient and
produces less pollution than truck
transport. “While accounting for
nearly half of total U.S. freight tonmiles, rail currently contributes
only about 11 percent” of pollution
coming from all rail, ship, and truck
freight transport, reports the
BlueGreen Alliance.
To be sure, public funding
cannot and should not take the
place of rail companies’ investments. The industry should continue to rely primarily on private
funding. With profits rising to $9.2
billion in 2010, this is a sector wellequipped to satisfy the bulk of its
capital improvement needs. But
where existing infrastructure
inhibits growth, public funding is
necessary to propel the industry.
As they consider whether
cutting infrastructure spending is a
smart move, House Republicans
should listen to the business
community. “We must avoid
cutting off our nose to spite our
face,” the Chamber’s Donahue told
senators earlier this year. “Without
proper investment and attention to
our infrastructure, the United
States’ economic stability, potential
for job growth, global competitiveness, and quality of life are all at
risk.”
management’s efforts to divide and
conquer their workers; and
workers who are least able to
bear that cost; be it therefore
WHEREAS, Teamster Rail Conference affiliates the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), and the Brotherhood
of Maintenance of Way Employes
Division (BMWED) created and led
the Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition
(RLBC) in the last round of national
bargaining to create a pattern
settlement that was based on
strength, rather than weakness; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters congratulates the Rail Conference
and its BLET and BMWED affiliates for their leadership in Rail
Labor bargaining; and
WHEREAS, the RLBC is currently
leading the struggle to defeat the
railroads’ attempt to shift the cost
of health care from an industry
enjoying record profits to the
This article was written by Julia
Kantor and Donna Cooper and
published July 20, 2011. Kantor is
an intern and Cooper a senior
fellow at the Center for American
progress. The article was provided
by permission of the authors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that
the International Brotherhood of
Teamsters supports the Rail
Conference in its efforts to form
and lead bargaining coalitions
whenever its affiliates believe
doing so promotes the best
interests of their members.
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14
BMWED JOURNAL
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BURL Local Lodge 1316 celebrates Frerking Retirement
urlington System Division Local Lodge 1316 met recently
in Tecumseh, Nebraska. The members held their regular
quarterly meeting and then a retirement farewell for Robert
“Bob” Frerking.
Brother Frerking started his career with the Burlington
Northern Railroad on November 8, 1974. He first served as
Secretary-Treasurer for three years prior to being elected
Local Chairman, a position he held for more than 32 years.
BURL Vice General Chairperson Staci Moody-Gilbert offered,
“Bob was a fantastic officer and a great asset to us all. The
work he did for his Local and the System was above and
beyond.”
B
Bob Frerking, center, with members and guests of Local Lodge 1316.
IBT Women’s Conference Hold Meetings in New York
M
embers of the Teamster Women’s
Conference didn’t let Hurricane Irene
stall their meetings in New York. The
organization convened their meetings on
August 26 in spite of the storm. The annual
meetings were scheduled to be held in New
York City for August 26 - 28, 2011.
Members of the BMWED Women’s
Caucus were in attendance and in full force.
BMWED Committee on Diversity
attends Teamster
Women’s Conference
WE WANT TO
HEAR FROM
YOU
If you have a special hobby or talent,
hold public office, or have a story you
would like to share, we would like to
hear from you. Share your story with
our BMWED Brothers and Sisters in
the BMWED Journal.
Please send us your pictures and brief
details along with a name, address
and telephone number.
You may email, or send by U.S. Mail
to
[email protected]
Or,
BMWED Journal
c/o Randall Brassell
242 West Main Street #394
LOCAL LODGES SEND US YOUR PICTURES
If your local lodge has a special event
that you would like covered, or you would
just like to see your local lodge members in
the Journal, send us a picture with a brief
description of the meeting or event. The
details should include your name, telephone
number, local lodge number and system
federation.
The picture – along with the details – may
be sent by e-mail or U.S. mail to the following addresses:
[email protected]
or
BMWED Journal
c/o Randall Brassell
242 West Main Street, #394
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JULY/AUGUST 2011
15
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BMWED MEMBERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
2011 BMWED SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT; ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN
Pursuant to BMWED Resolution
# 43 adopted by the 2006 Convention, two annual scholarships in the
amount of $2,000.00 each will be
awarded in November to BMWED
members or eligible dependents,
with preference given to applicants
enrolled or scheduled to enroll in
an accredited college or university
in the pursuit of labor-related
studies. The annual scholarship
award is designed to encourage
and recognize the achievements of
BMWED members and their dependents, and to assist them in obtaining a college education.
President Simpson stated, “I
am proud of our delegates and
their willingness to help educate
BMWED members and their families as a means to advance Labor’s
agenda and protect the rights of
working people. The BMWED
Scholarship program is intended to
assist members and dependents in
achieving their educational goals.
This is an especially important
benefit to BMWED families in light
of the escalating cost of higher
education. For many working
families, the cost of a college
education has become largely
unaffordable. The BMWED scholarship is intended to help educate the
future leaders or our nation and our
unions, and will serve to strengthen
the recognition of Organized
Labor’s continuing contributions to
our society and the preservation of
the middle class.”
ELIGIBILITY:
Applicant must be: (1) a dependent of a BMWED member in good
standing who is a high school
senior enrolled or planning to enroll
in an accredited college or university, or a full-time undergraduate or
graduate student enrolled at an
accredited college or university; or,
(2) a BMWED member in good
standing enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at an
accredited college or university.
Preference will be given to
applicants pursuing the study of
labor-related subjects or pursuing a
degree in labor-related subjects.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
To apply for the BMWED scholarship, an applicant must meet all
the eligibility requirements and
submit via mail the following: (1) A
completed application form (available on line at www.bmwe.org); (2)
Most recent academic transcript (if
applicable); (3) College entrance
examination, i.e., ACT and/or SAT
scores (if applicable); (4) A list of
extra-curricular, community service
and/or union activities; (5) A
statement of 300 words or less
written by the applicant outlining
his or her employment history and
career goals; and, (6) A statement
of 300 words or less written by the
applicant explaining how the
BMWED has impacted his or her
life.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Three (3) applications verified
to meet all necessary criteria will be
selected by random draw from the
pool of applications received by the
close of business on October 31,
2011. The selected applications will
DEATH BENEFIT DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF DEATH BENEFIT CLAIMS PAID DURING MAY AND JUNE, 2011
NAME
CITY/STATE
VIRGIL AGGAZIO
BENNIE ANTONIEWICZ
BERNARD C. BARKOW
ROBERT L. BOOKER SR.
ROBERT O. BOWLES
ARLINGTON BRADFORD
MATT FIORETTI
LLOYD J. HUSTON
CARL A. LEWIS
PERCY LEWIS
MADISON H LLOYD JR.
WINTER MC CARTY
WILLIAM MILLER
JOSEPH A. PUCKA
HOWARD C. TAYLOR
JOHN TYMENSKI
JOSEPH R. WALL
PITTSBURG, PA
ANTIGO, WI
ATHENS, WI
BARTLETT, TN
POMEROY, OH
PORTLAND, OR
AUBURN, WA
LODI, OH
TRENTON, NE
GALVESTON, TX
WAYCROSS, GA
SAN MARCOS, TX
WILMINGTON, DE
WINAMAC, IN
TUNNELTON, WV
HIBBING, MN
PHENIX CITY, AL
LODGE/SYSTEM/RR
2775
0425
1662
2600
1509
1763
0389
1432
1214
1099
2163
0366
3095
3043
1064
0706
0804
CRSF/LIFE
USD/LIFE
MIDW/LIFE
ATSFF/LIFE
AF/LIFE
BURNOR/LIFE
BURNOR LIFE
AF/LIFE
BURL/LIFE
SW FED LIFE
AF/LIFE
AF/LIFE
PENN/LIFE
PENN/LIFE
AF/LIFE
BURNOR LIFE
SOU/LIFE
D.O.D.
05/15/11
03/25/11
04/12/11
04/09/11
08/25/10
05/20/11
05/22/11
05/01/11
04/03/11
05/20/11
03/22/11
04/12/11
04/18/11
06/10/10
06/18/05
05/21/11
04/20/11
PAID MAY 1, 2011 TO JUNE 30, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
8,500.00
AMOUNT PREVIOUSLY PAID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45,354,807.75
TOTAL AMOUNT PAID TO DATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45,363,307.75
NUMBER OF CLAIMS PAID – 17
REPORT OF DEATH NOTICES RECEIVED DURING MARCH AND APRIL, 2011
JOHN C. HARRIMAN
THOMAS M. KAMINSKI
EMERSON MOLLOHAN JR.
ROBERT J. SANFORD
FOSTORIA, OH
CALUMET CITY, IL
MT HOPE, WV
CLEVELAND, OH
1664
0694
0551
1432
CRSF/NS
ICGF/IC
ASF/NS
AF/CSXT
02/06/11
05/10/11
05/08/11
03/29/11
be copied and distributed to the
BMWED Vice Presidents who will
independently review and rank
each application on a scale of 1 - 3,
with 3 being the highest ranking
and 1 being the lowest ranking.
The two applicants garnering the
highest aggregate rankings will
receive notice of the scholarship
award in November. Any tie in
ranking score will be decided by
the National Division President
based upon his final review of the
tied applications.
The BMWED Scholarship
award check will be made out
directly to the college or university
where the award recipients are
enrolled or accepted for enrollment. Upon notification of the
award, it will be necessary for the
recipients to furnish the National
Division President with information
to facilitate the issuance of each
award check payable to the accredited college or university where the
applicants are accepted or enrolled.
Application materials must be
submitted by mail and be received
by BMWED at the address below
no later than the close of business
October 31st. Faxed or emailed
applications will not be accepted.
Please submit to:
BMWED Scholarship
Attn: Rick Inclima
International Brotherhood
of Teamsters
25 Louisiana Ave., NW, 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20001
Application forms and a complete description of application
procedures and eligibility requirements can be downloaded from the
Brotherhood’s website at
www.bmwe.org. Any questions
regarding the BMWED Scholarship
or the application procedures may
be forwarded via e-mail to BMWED
Director of Safety Rick Inclima at
[email protected] or by calling
202-508-6449.
Note: Pursuant to Teamster policy,
delivery of any package or mail by
non-union carriers will not be
accepted by the Teamster’s shipping/receiving department. Therefore, to assure delivery please mail
through the United States Postal
Service [USPS] or United Parcel
Service [UPS].
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
16
BMWED JOURNAL
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the Brotherhood
Local Lodge 1426 Supports the Stop the War on
Workers Campaign
BNSF Local Lodge 1426 met July19, 2011, in Everett, Washington. During
the meeting, the members of the lodge voted unanimously to pass a
resolution in support of the “Stop the War on Workers” campaign.
BURL Local Lodge 509 Holds Annual Picnic
Members of BURL Local Lodge 509 held their third annual meeting and
picnic at Stoddard Park in Stoddard, Wisconsin on July 9, 2011. The
members, their families, retirees and guest played games, reminisced, and
just enjoyed each others company.
Members of Local Lodge 1426
BMWED System Officers Receive NTSB Training
A number of BMWED System Officers received training from the National
Transportation Safety Board, July 20 and 21, 2011. The purpose of the
training was to prepare the BMWED officers for possible participation in
rail accident investigations. The training was held at the NTSB facility in
Auburn, Virginia.
Lodge 509 members and guests.
Pennsylvania Federation Holds Convention
Officers and delegates of the Pennsylvania Federation gathered in Atlantic
City, New Jersey the first week of August to review their accomplishments
and set the course for the future. Newly-elected General Chairman Jed
Dodd chaired the Convention.
Above: Pennsylvania Federation convention delegates, officers and guests.
Left to right: Renato Rufo, Staci Gilbert, Mike Carter, Dave O’Connor, Brian
Thies, Roy Griffith and Russell Farmer.
Unified System Division Member Vincent O’Toole
Wins Honors
Vincent O’Toole, a member of USD Local Lodge 1133, and a member of
the Marysville, Kansas, Moose Lodge 1403, recently received their
highest honor, the Pilgrim Degree of Merit. It is the highest honor that
can be bestowed on a member and is held by less than one-half
percent of the 800,000 members of the Loyal Order of Moose.
Left: President
Simpson
swears in
newly-elected
officers.
The honor is awarded by the fraternity for exceptional devotion to the
principals and ideals of caring for children and seniors.
Congratulations Brother O’Toole!
Continued on Page 18
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JULY/AUGUST 2011
17
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Around the Brotherood, Continued from Page 17
AT&SFF Local Lodge 2408 Hold Quarterly Meeting
AT&SFF Local Lodge 2408 held their regular quarterly meeting June 18,
2011 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. During the meeting, members elected their
Local State Legislative Representative who will attend the Oklahoma State
Legislative Convention.
Allied Federation Local Lodge 993 President Honors
Constitution Week
On September 17, 2011 it will be
the 224th anniversary of the signing of the
U. S. Constitution. At the request of the
Frederick, Maryland Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Local
Lodge 993 President Ricky Miles was
joined by Secretary-Treasurer Michael
Peterson in proclaiming Constitution
Week September 17 - 23.
Constitution Week is an American
observance to commemorate the adoption of the United States Constitution. The
observance runs annually from September 17 to September 23. It was officially
enacted on August 2, 1956 by President
Dwight D. Eisenhower from a congressional resolution petitioned by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The
purpose of the observance week is to
promote study and education about the
constitution which was originally adopted
by the American Congress of the Confederation on September 17, 1787.
Left to right: President Ricky
Miles and Secretary-Treasurer
Mike Peterson.
Local Lodge 2408 members and guest
Midwest System Federation Local Lodge 1903 Meets
Georgia State Legislative Convention Convened
Georgia State legislative Board delegates met in Macon, Georgia on
August 27, 2011 to elect a BMWED State Legislative Director and Assistant
Director. Tom Boyd, a member of Allied Local Lodge 2163 was elected as
the new Director and Allied Local Lodge 665 member Wayne Foreman was
elected to the Assistant Director position.
MIDW Local Lodge 1903 held its regular quarterly meeting on August 23,
2011, in Michigan City, Indiana. BMWED President Freddie Simpson and
Midwest System Federation General Chairman Mark Wimmer were both in
attendance and addressed the members.
Members of Local Lodge 1903 are all employed by the Northern Indiana
Commuter Railroad.
Local Lodge 1903 members and guest.
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18
BMWED JOURNAL
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PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNS DEBT LIMIT PACKAGE INTO LAW
BMWED Legislative Issues – 111th Congress
O
n Tuesday, August 2, 2011,
President Obama signed into
law a national debt limit and deficit
reduction package to avert an
unprecedented government default. The Senate passed, 74-26, the
measure (S 365) earlier that day,
with 6 Democrats and 19 Republicans voting against it. The House
previously passed the bill on
Monday, August 1, by a margin of
269-161, with 95 Democrats and 66
Republicans voting against it.
President Obama said in a White
House Rose Garden speech regarding the legislation, “It’s an important step to ensuring that as a
nation we live within our means.”
As negotiated by House and
Senate leaders as well as President
Obama, the package raises the
current $14.3 trillion debt ceiling
through 2012 and immediately cuts
$900 billion in expenditures over
the next decade, although $500
billion of the $900 billion will be
subject to a congressional resolution of disapproval.
In addition, the “debt limit”
legislation requires the appointment of a 12-member Joint Select
Committee on Deficit Reduction
(Committee) with the task of
recommending more than $1.5
trillion in further cuts to the national budget for Fiscal Years 2012
to 2021. It also requires congressional votes on a proposal for a
balanced-budget constitutional
amendment which has very little
chance of passing the Senate on
the required 2/3 vote.
The law shaves spending by at
least $2.1 trillion, with the bulk of
the cuts made through a relatively
complex budgetary process set up
by the bill. The Committee consists
of an equal number of Republican
and Democratic members and is
charged with the task to recommend legislation to trim future
deficits by at least $1.2 trillion. The
compromise package requires the
Committee complete its deliberations by November 23, send its
recommendations to Congress by
December 2, and calls for final
votes by Congress on the proposal
by December 23, 2011. If the
Committee’s plans flounder with
more congressional “stalemate,”
automatic cuts are built in equally
reducing defense and non-defense
spending. Social Security, Medicaid, programs for the low-income
families, and civilian and military
retirement are exempt from this
trigger.
The members of this so-called
“Super Committee,” are Sen. Patty
Murray, D-Wash., Co-chairwoman;
Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Tex, Cochairman; Sen. Max Baucus, DMont., Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif.,
Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., Rep.
James Clyburn, D-SC; Sen. John
Kerry, D-Mass., Sen. Jon Kyl, RAriz., Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio,
Sen. Patrick J. Toomey, R-Penn.,
message that you and the rest of
middle class Americans are doing
their part and it is time get the
more fortunate on board. Go to
www.senate.gov and
www.house.gov to find and contact
your U.S. Senators and Representative.
LAWMAKERS EXTEND
(YET ANOTHER) SHORT
TERM FAA
AUTHORIZATION
The latest of 20
extensions of FAA authorization (PL 112-21)
expired on July 22.
Unfortunately, Congress
failed to resolve a “standoff” over the Federal
Aviation Administration
(FAA) authorization until
August 5, 2011 causing a
14 day shutdown. Due to
the impasse, the FAA
furloughed some 4,000
Director of Government Affairs
employees and shut
Leon Fenhaus
down hundreds of airport
construction projects, imperiling
Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., and Rep.
the jobs of approximately 70,000
Chris Van Hollen, D-MD.
construction workers.
Congressional Quarterly ofMeanwhile, the Federal Treafered the following assessment;
sury was unable to collect the
“The 12 panel members bring a
excise taxes that fund the aviation
wealth of legislative, political and
system, at a cost estimate of $25
negotiating experience to the table
million to $30 million a day. Essen– as well as established positions
tial Air Service was the hostage
on the central elements at stake in
taken in this latest blatant disregard
the coming debate, particularly
for bipartisanship. Transportation &
taxes, defense and entitlement
Infrastructure Chairman John Mica
spending.” Time will tell if this
insisted that this $12 million annual
assessment proves accurate, or
program must be ended in order to
not.
obtain House passage.
Meanwhile, 74,000 individuals
DEBT DEAL AND TRANSPORTATION
lost
2 week’s pay, and the Federal
The debt ceiling bill does not
Treasury
lost $300,000,000 to
contain any specific reductions for
$520,000,000
in lost revenue. Job
transportation spending, although
creation,
principle,
or politics? You
considering the cuts it contemdecide.
plates to domestic discretionary
Senate Majority Leader Harry
spending there very well could be
Reid,
D-Nev., stated a bipartisan
cuts in the future.
deal
was
reached to reopen the
Senate Majority leader Harry
Federal
Aviation
Administration
Reid, D-Nevada, and President
and
restore
the
government’s
Obama, are pushing for the Comauthority to collect airline excise
mittee to eliminate tax breaks for
taxes and fund airport construction.
the extremely wealthy, oil compa“I am pleased to announce that
nies, and offshore banking shelters.
we
have
been able to broker a
This would create additional
bipartisan
compromise between
income for the nation to partner
the
House
and the Senate to put
with the debt reductions without
74,000
transportation
and construcdecimating the programs directly
tion
workers
back
to
work,”
Reid
affecting the less fortunate and
said.
working families.
“This agreement does not
Of course, we have to hope and
resolve
the important differences
help our congressional leaders get
that
still
remain. But I believe we
the message. You can “help” by
should
keep
Americans working
contacting your own Senators and
while
Congress
settles its differRepresentative and deliver the
ences, and this agreement will do
exactly that.”
The agreement appears to
hinge on an agreement by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to
use the waiver authority granted
him by the House-passed FAA
extension permitting him to waive
Essential Air Service subsidy cuts
for certain communities.
“This is a tremendous victory
for American workers everywhere,”
said LaHood, who has stepped up
pressure on Congress to settle the
impasse. “From construction
workers to our FAA employees,
they will have the security of
knowing they are going to go back
to work and get a paycheck – and
that’s what we’ve been fighting for.
We have the best aviation system
in the world and we intend to keep
it that way.”
WHY SHOULD WE CARE?
Obviously this partial shutdown
had a negative impact on our
nation’s high unemployment
numbers affecting all of us in one
way or another. But just as important is the fact that airline employees, including those represented by
the Teamsters, are subject to the
Railway Labor Act and National
Mediation Board just as are we
railroad employees.
LABOR DISPUTE
In the background of the FAA
stalemate between the Congressional Republicans, Democrats and
President Obama is a fight over a
labor provision in the longer term
multi-year FAA authorization.
Although not contained in the
current short term extension,
language in the multi-year Housepassed bill (HR 658), which is
awaiting a formal conference to
reconcile differences with the
Senate-passed version
(S 223), would repeal a 2010 National Mediation Board rule that
made voting to be part of a union
more democratic.
In 2010, the NMB decided to
change the ancient rule that provided non-voters were to be
counted as “No” votes in representation elections. The new and much
more sensible democratic NMB
rule provides that only those who
actually cast a vote will be counted
with a simple majority of those
voting determining the outcome.
The House version of the FAA
funding authorization would
Continued on Page 20
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JULY/AUGUST 2011
19
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BMWED Legislative Issues
reverse the NMB rule to once again
count those not voting as “No”
votes making it more difficult to
win a representation election, join a
union and have collective bargaining rights.
The Senate version of the FAA
funding authorization does not
reverse the NMB’s democratic and
common sense decision to count
only those actually voting. That is
the stalemate preventing a long
term FAA reauthorization and why
you should be interested in the FAA
legislation. President Obama has
vowed to veto the FAA bill if it
comes to him with the anti-union
NMB rule reversal language.
State Hot Topics
Ohio—The War on Workers resulted in the Ohio Legislature
passing and Governor Kasich
signing into law SB 5 restricting
collective bargaining rights for
state employees.
These actions resulted in the
citizens rallying around a referendum calling for the law to be placed
on the November ballot. More than
10,000 volunteers collected in
excess of 915,000 valid signatures,
when only 231,149 signatures were
required. The referendum of SB 5
will appear as Issue 2 on the
ballots.
Oregon—Congressman David Wu
(D) resigns leaving a vacant seat in
Oregon’s 1st congressional district.
Washington State—Amtrak has
been awarded funding to purchase
2 state of the art passenger train
“sets” to operate in the Northwest
corridor along I-5 between Oregon
and Washington.
Wisconsin—Wisconsin voters
responded to Governor Walker’s
War on Workers by recalling 9 State
Senators. The elections have been
completed. Wisconsin voters
soundly rejected Governor Walker’s
agenda by re-electing the 3 Democratic incumbents and replacing 2
of the 6 Republicans.
The Wisconsin Senate now
consists of 17 Republicans and 16
Democrats with 1 Republican
having stood opposed to the
Governor’s agenda.
DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN
INDEPENDENT VOTER EDUCATION
DRIVE—This is the Teamster’s and
BMWED’s political action fund.
Individually, we do not have the
money to effectively support the
campaigns of those candidates
who have consistently demonstrated support for issues important to working people and our
families.
As railroad employees subject
to the Railway Labor Act, National
Mediation Board, Federal Railroad
Administration, Department of
Labor Whistle Blower Protection,
the Railroad Retirement Act, and
the Affordable Health Care Act, it is
clear we need our combined
financial resources when assisting
the election campaigns of those
who fight to protect the decades of
gains we benefit from today. How
do we provide that assistance? By
registering to vote, becoming
familiar with the issues, and supporting friendly candidates, putting
up signs, volunteering to help with
the campaigns and with money!
Unfortunately, but very, very
true, campaigns require money, a
whole lot of money. Voluntarily
contributing to DRIVE allows us to
collectively raise resources and that
attracts the attention of politicians
making critical decisions on our
behalf. None of us can afford that
kind of money on our own.
Solution—if every member of
the BMWED/IBT donated as little as
$1 per month, our collective contribution would exceed $30,000 per
month. At $5 per month, we would
raise more than $150,000 monthly
to support those who watch out for
and vote our pocket book issues.
Contact your local lodge Chairman or the Washington, DC office
at 202-508-6445 to obtain a DRIVE
deduction authorization card and
begin making a difference.
Final Note—To help understand the
importance of political action funds
all you have to do is go to
www.opensecrets.org or
www.fec.gov to see how much
money railroad officials, managers,
chief executive officers, and board
members give to their political
action funds and contribute directly
to candidates for office. This is
public information and demonstrates how important it is to the
companies BMWED members work
for to have political action funds
with substantial amounts of money
to donate to their political ends.
During the 2008 – 2010 election
cycles BNSF, CSX, KCS, NS and
UPRR PACs and management
employees contributed a total of
$9,817,352 to congressional campaigns. Do you believe they did so
in their best interest, or yours?
Periodicals Postage
PAID
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division
20300 Civic Center Drive
Suite 320
Southfield, Michigan 48076-4169
Southfield, Michigan
and additional offices
recycled paper
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BMWED JOURNAL

Teamsters Hold 28th International Convention

Transcription

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