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september/ october Daily news updates 2008 www.ble-t.org ocomotive LEngineers& Trainmen News Published by the BLET, a division of the Rail Conference,• International Brotherhood of Teamsters ELECTION 2008 John McCain’s health care plan proposal a disaster for BLET members, absentee voting information, legislative board endorsements and more. pgs.8 - 11
Deadly Hurricanes Flexible Ike and Gustav ravaged Louisiana and Texas. Spending Account will provide real savings egistration for the money- saving Flexible Spending Account (FSA) begins next month, and BLET mem- bers are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable new health andR welfare benefit. The program al- lows BLET members to pay for doctor co-pays and other medical expenses with pretax dollars. A partial list of items that qualify for this type of payment includes: Doctor co- pays; Drug Co-pays; Dental Co-pays or other dental expenses not covered in our dental plan; Vision Co-pays or addition- al cost for eye care not covered under the national plan; and Over the counter med- Disaster Relief ications, such as cold medicine, decon- gestant medicine, aspirin, Tylenol or their generic brands. At the Union Pacific Railroad, South- ern Region General Chairman Gil Gore is a staunch supporter of the program. He encourages all BLET members to ke’s sign up. I “I have a personal experience with the medical portion of the FSA,” Brother Gore Aftermath said. “The program has helped tremen- Many BLET members are rebuilding their lives dously with braces and other major den- tal work for my children not covered by with assistance from other BLET members our health insurance.” and the Teamsters Disaster Relief fund. Brother Gore gave braces and ortho- dontist work as an example. He said the pg.6 courtesy of FEMA FSA could really help BLET members who Photo: have children save money. “If you have some major dental work scheduled (such as braces for your kids) BLET members at Norfolk Southern ratify new contract up to $3,600 of that expense can be paid embers of the Brotherhood of and 1,091 against. Members will also re- The agreement provides for substantial with pretax dollars,” he said. “If you are Locomotive Engineers and ceive lump sum bonus payments totaling improvements in lifestyle related areas and in a 25%–33 % tax bracket, that amounts Trainmen have overwhelming- $4,700 — a signing bonus of $1,200 plus holds the line on health and welfare cost to as much as a $1,200 reduction in the Mly ratified a new contract agreement with an additional lump sum payment of $3,500 sharing. The agreement also institutes an federal taxes that you pay. Norfolk Southern. by January 1, 2009. important Scope Rule that protects the “We planned ahead to have our chil- The six-year agreement governs about “Substantial wage increases of 19 per- work of locomotive engineers in the face dren’s dental work done at the proper time 4,800 engineers and provides for general cent put NS engineers in line with engi- of new and changing technologies. “We to get maximum benefit from the plan,” wage increases of 19 percent in addition neers covered by the National Agreement want to stress that the agreement does not he said. to bonuses that members can earn based as of July 1, 2009,” said BLET General serve to eliminate any positions in any In much the same way that a 401k pro- on the company’s financial performance. Chairmen Ray Wallace, Willard Knight other craft,” the General Chairmen said. Continued on page 11 • It was ratified by a vote of 1,894 in favor and Cole Davis, negotiated the contract. Continued on page 3 •
METROLINK TRAGEDY: Labor Day 2008 Your Rights, Accident claims 25 lives Celebrating our Your FELA BLET Engineer Robert M. Sanchez holiday in Douglas, Joseph L. Bauer Jr. provides • among the dead pg4 Wyoming pg2 an overview of FELA pg7• [2 www.ble-t.org ] Engineers& Trainmen News
Labor Day 2008 Not just another day in Douglas, Wyoming or most folks, Labor Day is a Gary Trauner also spent a good holiday that marks the end deal of time with guests. The 49- F of the summer season. But year old Wyoming Democrat is that’s not the case in towns and cities running for the U.S. House of Rep- throughout the United States where resentatives. In a short time, guests trade union members gather to cele- learned that Gary is a husband, brate “their” day. father, businessman, entrepreneur, Don Hill, event co- Such was the case for BLET mem- community volunteer, and former organizer gets the first burgers going on bers in Douglas, Wyo., on Labor Day elected official residing in Wilson, the grill. 2008. Wyo. Eighteen years ago, he and As do many other Divisions his wife Terry chose Wyoming as throughout the U.S., BLET Division 31 the place they wanted to live and has held a union Labor Day picnic raise a family; they are now the for several years. The last two were proud parents of two Wyoming held in conjunction with Local 257 of born-and-raised young boys — the United Transportation Union. “It ages 14 and 8. just made sense to combine the pic- Division 31’s members work for nic with the UTU,” said Division 31 the Union Pacific Railroad out of Bill, Local Chairman Don Hill. “We work Wyo., some 35 miles from Douglas on the same trains, we can certainly (where most of the members reside), get together for a Labor Day picnic.” and the Division is a part of the UP Terry Jones, a candidate for the Wyoming House speaks to the crowd. The 2008 picnic was an all day Northern Lines General Committee family affair. of Adjustment. Bruce D MacArthur, “The burgers started grillin’ about General Chairman of the committee, 10 a.m. and we didn’t finish until was also in attendance. His office after 6 that day,” said Brother Hill, is in Clinton, Iowa, and visited with who was one of the organizers of the guests and their families. Steve Dyer, LR for Division 31 staples a poster for event, along with Shawn VonWald, As holidays go, Labor Day has Terry Jones, BLET member running for the Wyoming House. shop steward of UTU Local 257. “We a lot of “seniority.” It originated in had a good turnout with over 150 1882 as the Central Labor Union people being served, and lots of kids, (of New York City) sought to create There’s more where that came from. Shawn VonWald (left), UTU 257 local steward serves up who had a great time. We have 70 a “day off for the working citizens.” a hot bratwurst to an eager youngster who was pools working in place now, and al- Congress made Labor Day a fed- one of the first in line , as Don Hill, Local Chairman for BLET Division 31 looks on. Both were joint most half were able to lay off, which eral holiday on June 28, 1894, two organizers of the event. left about 20 pools working at any months after the May Day riots of one time during the day, so it worked 1894. All 50 states have since made out pretty nice for most everyone to Labor Day a state holiday. get to the picnic at one time or anoth- Labor Day has been celebrated They’re not really checking the line-up on the lap er during the day,” he said. on the first Monday in September in top computer, but the weather forecast. Don Hill “We roasted a 200 pound pig, the United States since the 1880s. (center at the computer) is show with Dennis Duran on the left, and Tim Skinner on the right, S/T of went through about 90 pounds of The form of the celebration of Labor Division 31. hamburger, 300 bratwursts, and Day was outlined in the first propos- lots of salads, chips, sodas and cold al for the holiday: a street parade beer,” he said. “We started plan- to exhibit to the public “the strength A red-white-and-blue friendship. Division 31 ning for the picnic sometime in June. and the esprit de corps of the trade President Glenn Dalton (left) shown with Terry Jones, who is running for the Wyoming State House, It takes a lot of work, but it is great and labor organizations,” followed and to the right Cory Runion and in the red shirt, to see the members and their families by a festival for the workers and his son Brandon get together, especially for the kids.” their families which became the pat- Even the weather seemed to co- tern for a Labor Day celebrations. operate for a time in Douglas, Wyo., Speeches by prominent men and but a late afternoon shower, try as it women were introduced later, as Engineer Trent Young (left) has a conversation might, could not dampen the spirits of more emphasis was placed upon the with Engineer Cory Patterson, both members of Division 31. guests. Later, as if to make amends, economic and civil significance of the sun broke out and shown again the holiday. Still later, by resolution near the end of the picnic. of the American Federation of Labor Political candidates paid visits convention of 1909, the Sunday pre- to the picnic in Douglas, Wyo., as ceding Labor Day was adopted as they were no doubt doing elsewhere labors Sunday and dedicated to the Locomotive Engineer Fred Green makes sure his throughout the United States on La- spiritual and educational aspects of grandson Connor has a snack bor Day. the labor movement. Terry R. Jones, BLET member and “The Labor Day picnic is getting to Chairman of the Wyoming State Legis- be a popular event with the members lative Board, is a candidate for the Wy- of both unions here in Douglas,” says oming State House running in District 3 Brother Hill. from Wheatland, Wyo. He attended In conclusions, as if to reaffirm the the picnic and visited with guests. “In future of the labor movement itself, he this campaign, I got my work cut out for said confidently, “You can bet your Never late for dinner. Cade Mariner gives a me,” he said. “It won’t be easy, but I’m bottom dollar we’ll be here next year “thumbs up” as he digs into his burger. Cade’s Division 31 Local Chairman Don Hill (left), is shown father Dave, is a locomotive engineer and member with UP General Chairman Bruce MacArthur gonna give it all I got.” to do it again.” • of Division 31 (center) and Division 31 President Glen Dalton. [september/october 2008 3]
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Norfolk Southern contract calendar Continued from page 1 • & events The balance of the Agreement provides that: October 17 Effective January 1, 2009, conditions eligibility for the Thoroughbred Performance U.S. Railroad Retirement Board Informational Conference, Bonus on accumulation of an agreed to num- Pittsburgh, Pa. ber of starts based on type of service and, The U.S. Railroad Retirement for through freight service, length of the Board will host a free informational trip. Establishes two levels of bonus poten- conference at the Greater Pennsyl- tial eligibility tied to two levels of start at- vania Regional Council of Carpen- tainment. Does not affect the bonus poten- ters Union Hall, 650 Ride Rd., in tial for 2008 payable in 2009. Provides for Pittsburgh, Pa. Registration for each an opt-out of the bonus program that can program begins promptly at 8 a.m. be exercised at the end of 2014. The conferences run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Per Railroad Retire- The wage increases begin on July 1, From left: Ray Wallace, BLET General Chairman; Steve R. Budzina, NS Assistant VP Labor Rela- ment Board request, elected BLET 2009 and continue for six years according officials only! to the following schedule: tions, Harold R. Mobley, NS VP-Labor Relations; Chris S. Decker, NS Assistant Director, LR; Cole Davis, BLET General Chairman; and Willard Knight, BLET General Chairman. July 1, 2009 — 5%; July 1, 2010 — 3%; October 24 July 1, 2011 — 5%; July 1, 2012 — 2%; U.S. Railroad Retirement July 1, 2013 — 2%; July 1, 2014 — 2% Board Informational Conference, Wichita, Kan. and Pineville, N.C. The above represents a simple total of The U.S. Railroad Retirement 19% increases, which when compounded Board will host two free informational total 20.5%. conferences on October 24. The first is in Wichita, Kan., at the Holiday Inn Effective January 1, 2010, the current Select, 549 S. Rock Road. The sec- weekend differential payments of $30.00 ond is in Pineville, N.C., at the Quali- in through freight and $7.00 in other than ty Inn and Suites (9840 Pineville-Mat- through freight services are raised to thwes Road). Time of both meetings is $45.00 and $21.00 respectively. These are the same as above. substantial increases to these differentials Reviewing the contract prior to signing are Ray Wallace, Willard Knight, Cole Davis that help to recognize the negative aspects and Harold R. Mobley. October 31 of the “railroad lifestyle.” U.S. Railroad Retirement Board Effective September 1, 2008, the Car- pecially those who are “on the bubble” be- Informational Conference, Beginning in 2010, the Carrier will rier’s portion of the disability premium pay- tween train and engine service, and repre- Philadelphia, Pa. designate six (6) “Extra Pay (EP) Days.” ment is raised from $13.00 to $44.00, which sents another lifestyle improvement. The U.S. Railroad Retirement On these specially designated days, which will allow the employee’s share to return to Board will host a free informational the Carrier will choose regionally on days the $13.68 level it was at before the premi- Health and Welfare coverage for NS conference at the Sheet Metal Work- they typically experience difficulty in crew- ums were recently raised. engineers continues to be tied to National ers Local 19 Union Hall, 1301 S. ing through freight assignments, employ- Handling, and NS engineers will be pro- Columbus Blvd. Time of the meeting ees in through freight service working on Effective January 1, 2010, raises the tected against short term increases in H&W is same as above. these days will be paid time and one half Trainer (Coach) allowance from $15.00 to cost premium sharing in the same manner for the service performed, as well as an $20.00. as the National Agreement provides for based November 2-6 additional basic day. This should harmo- on the 2009 cost sharing rate. BLET Education & Training nize the desires of employees who want to Effective upon the implementation of Department Local Chairman be off on special days with those who would the appropriate technology, establishes a Moratorium provision expires on No- Workshop rather make extra money, and represents Standing Bid system for the assignment of vember 1, 2014; however, the Parties may Space is limited for this workshop, another incremental reform of the railroad permanent vacancies. Engineers will main- always negotiate sooner if they mutually which will be held on the campus of lifestyle. tain a standing bid with their desired assign- agree to do so. the National Labor College in Silver ments listed in their order of preference. Spring, Md. Register online through Effective January 1, 2010, the away from When and where operative, the system will The negotiating committee consisted, the BLET website at: http://www.ble-t. home meal allowance is raised from $9.00 make assignments every Monday at 12:01 p.m. variously, of: Ray Wallace, GC Southern org/lc; or call Ken Kroeger, Coordi- to $12.00. The system also will accelerate the assign- Lines; Bill Thompson, VGC Southern Lines; nator of the BLET Education & Train- ment of permanent and subsequently gener- Mark Wallace, VGC Southern Lines; Cole ing Dept., at (216) 272-0986. Effective January 1, 2010, the 401(k) ated vacancies, thus placing engineers on Davis, GC Northern Lines/WLE; Willard match is raised to 30%. their most desired job sooner than the pre- Knight, GC Eastern Lines; Kevin Peek, June 7-12, 2009 vious methods of having to run bulletin VGC Eastern Lines; and Marcus Ruef, VP 82nd Annual Southeastern Effective September 1, 2008, the Des- periods for all subsequent vacancies, but assigned to NS. Meeting Association, ignated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineer does not disturb any rules concerning dis- “This is a tremendous accomplishment Gatlinburg, Tenn. (DSLE) rate is raised to $275.00. placement rights or temporary vacancies. that these officers should be rightly proud The members of BLET Division of,” said Vice President Marcus J. Ruef, 239 in Knoxville, Tenn., are host- Effective January 1, 2010, the waiting Effective January 1, 2010, limits the who assisted General Chairmen Wallace, ing the 82nd annual SMA from time for held away payments will be lowered number of times per month to three (3) that Knight and Davis in the negotiations. Oth- June 7-12, 2009, at the Park from 16 to 14 hours, a long sought improve- the Carrier can reduce the number of posi- er members assisted in various capacities Vista Hotel & Convention Center ment for those members who have to stay at tions on a Guaranteed Extra Board. This such as preparing materials to be used in in Gatlinburg, Tenn. More infor- away from home terminals, and another in- will help to stabilize the work lives of young- the informational meetings held at vari- mation to come. In the meantime, cremental reform of the railroad lifestyle. er employees assigned to these boards, es- ous points on the system. • please visit the Park Vista Hotel & Convention Center BLET f ast f acts website, www.parkvista.com 1,340,387 carloads of freight originated on July 5-9, 2009 71st Annual Eastern Union U.S. railroads in August 2008. That includes: Meeting Association, 603,229 33,172 77,245 Philadelphia, Pa. 55,126 EUMA Arrangements Chairman coal metallic ores motor crushed Sean Simon is proud to host the 71st 126,342 15,794 vehicles and stone, sand, annual EUMA in historic Philadel- chemicals coke equipment and gravel phia. A room rate of $169 per night has been secured at the Hyatt at Penn’s Landing. More details to come 11,399,000 carloads of freight Overall, soon. In the meantime, you may originated on U.S. railroads in the first down 0.5% email Brother Simon at EUMA2009 eight months of 2008. from July 2008 @aol.com, or visit the Hyatt website, www.PennsLanding.Hyatt.com. [4 www.ble-t.org ] Engineers& Trainmen News
O b i t u a r i e s
In the Line of Duty: Robert M. Sanchez rother Robert M. Sanchez, a member of BLET Division 20 in Los Angeles, was killed in the line of duty on September 12 Bwhen his Metrolink train collided head on with a Union Pacific freight train near Crestline, Calif. a role in the accident. Friends of Brother He was one of 25 people killed in the Sanchez have told the media he struggled crash, which is being described as the with diabetes. worst train disaster in California in the The NTSB has also subpoenaed Broth- last 50 years. More than 130 people were er Sanchez’s cell phone records to deter- injured. mine whether or not he was sending and Brother Sanchez, 46, worked as an receiving text messages while on duty. engineer for the last 12 years, according Media reports indicated Brother Sanchez to Tim Smith, chairman of the BLET’s may have been in touch with teenage rail California State Legislative Board. He fans while on duty. joined the Brotherhood on July 1, 1998. “Rob seemed to really enjoy being a Chairman Smith told the New York railroad engineer,” Chairman Smith said. Times that Brother Sanchez called regu- “If he was texting those teenagers, he’d larly with concerns over safety issues, like have to have loved his job and wanted to broken or misplaced track flags. He said share it with people. Someone who’s a At the scene of the Metrolink tragedy Brother Sanchez had volunteered for malcontent is not going to reach out to training on safety regulations at a union those enthusiasts.” conference in July. their families. sist the NTSB in its investigation. STF Soon after the crash some rail buffs “If he didn’t care about being safe, or “Our hearts are with Brother Sanchez, Members Ben Blissett and Scott Palmer posted a video tribute on YouTube with was reckless, he wouldn’t have come to his family and friends,” President Rodz- are representing the BLET during the footage taken the previous week. The that conference,” Smith said. “He did care wicz said. investigation. video shows a smiling Mr. Sanchez along about safety, and I admire him for that.” The National Transportation Safety Due to its tragic nature, the accident his route, driving the same locomotive Ed Rodzwicz, National President of Board is investigating the accident and has garnered significant levels of media and passenger cars that collided with the the BLET, extended deepest condolences will not issue a probable cause determi- attention. The NTSB is investigating the freight train.
to the family and friends of Brother San- nation for several months. fact that Brother Sanchez worked a split “You take care, Rob,” said a message BLET Safety Force Member Task Scott Palmer chez, and sympathies to those injured in The BLET Safety Task Force was dis- shift on the day of the fatal accident to at the end of the tribute. “God speed and
the crash, and also to the victims and patched to the scene immediately to as- determine whether or not fatigue played God bless you.” • Photos: Ed Rodzwicz statement on Metrolink accident he following statement is Scott Palmer are actively work- have occurred had the Metrolink al government to redouble their and friends at this time.” from Ed Rodzwicz, the ing with the National Transpor- system been using positive train efforts to eliminate the risks that The BLET represents over president of the Teamsters tation Safety Board to deter- control technology. This safety positive train control technology 38,000 men and women as lo- Rail Conference and National mine the causes of the tragic system is designed to keep trains is designed to address.” comotive engineers and trainmen President of the Brotherhood of accident, which occurred last from colliding by preventing “Our thoughts and prayers working on freight, passenger Locomotive Engineers and Train- Friday on the Metrolink line in them from inadvertently passing are with the families of those and commuter rail lines across men (BLET) about the Metrolink Chatsworth, California. All of a stop signal.” who perished or were injured the United States. The BLET and railroad accident in Chatsworth, our members know that railroad “We have long supported as a result of this deadly acci- the 32,000 members of the Calif.: “A rush to judgment is jobs are inherently dangerous the development and implemen- dent. The Metrolink engineer Brotherhood of Maintenance of never beneficial in a situation jobs, but an accident such as tation of positive train control operating the train was a dedi- Way Employes Division constitute such as this. BLET Safety Task this can be avoided.” technology, and we urge the cated union member and our the more than 70,000-member Force Members Ben Blissett and “This accident would not railroad industry and the feder- thoughts also are with his family Teamsters Rail Conference. • Former Kentucky SLBC Tommy Mayne, 1951-2008 ommy Mayne, former Chair- handled. I will always remember him for in that state and around the country, man of the Kentucky State Leg- his wonderful sense of humor. He was a through his work with the National Con- islative Board, passed away un- dedicated Brother, but also a loving father ference of State Legislatures. I will person- expectedly at a hospital in Corb- and husband. He was very proud of his ally remember him though for the smiles in,T Ky., on September 8. daughter Samantha.” he brought to our organization. Tommy He was the husband of Sondra Mayne For many years, he was a leader of the will be missed by me, and many others, and the father of Samantha Mayne. BLET’s National Association of State Leg- for his sense of humor and practical jokes, Brother Mayne, 56, was born Decem- islative Board Chairmen. He also repre- but most of all for his commitment to the ber 9, 1951, and was a member of BLET sented the BLET at the National Confer- BLET. He will be sadly missed and fondly Division 463 in Corbin, Ky. He first joined ence of State Legislatures, a bipartisan remembered.” the Brotherhood on September 19, 1974. organization that serves the legislators During his tenure as State Chairman, In 2006, he was elected Alternate Vice and staffs of the nation’s 50 states, its Brother Mayne worked tirelessly for the President and National Legislative Rep- commonwealths and territories. He also members he represented. He lobbied state resentative at the BLET’s First Quadren- served as Vice-President of the Kentucky and national legislative officials on nu- nial National Convention in Las Vegas. State AFL-CIO for transportation merous issues, including: improved lodg- “We are shocked and saddened at the Tommy received a Purple Heart med- ing facilities for train crews; remote con- sudden loss of Brother Tommy Mayne,” al for his U.S. Army service during Viet- trol safety improvements; and increased said BLET National President Ed Rodz- Tommy Mayne at the BLET’s First nam. He was a 32nd degree Mason in the rail security. wicz. “He was well liked and respected by Quadrennial Convention in 2006 Hugh Harris Lodge #938 F&AM and He was one of several BLET leaders all his co-workers and by elected officials Shriner with the Oleika Temple. who played a key role in passage of the throughout the United States. He was a its inception in 1994 to 2007. He was re- “I am stunned and saddened at the sud- Railroad Retirement and Survivors’ Im- dedicated leader who spent countless hours elected to the Chairman’s job numerous den death of a great Brother,” said BLET provement Act of 2001, a significant piece in the legislative arena fighting for work- times over the years, most recently by Vice President and National Legislative of national legislation that lowered the place safety and quality of life improve- acclamation in October 2006. Representative John Tolman. “Tommy was retirement age for all railroad workers in ments for locomotive engineers and train- “Tommy Mayne was a Brother in the an asset to the Brotherhood. He accom- the United States. men. He will be sorely missed.” truest sense of the word,” said BLET Na- plished a lot in his years as the Kentucky “I extend deepest sympathies to the Brother Mayne was a founding mem- tional Secretary-Treasurer Bill Walpert. State Legislative Board Chairman, but what family of Tommy Mayne on behalf of the ber of the Kentucky State Legislative “He always put the Brotherhood and its he will be remembered most for is the re- 55,000 men and women of the BLET,” Board and served as its Chairman from membership first in every assignment he lationships he formed with the legislators National President Rodzwicz said. • [september/october 2008 5]
In the Line In the Line of Duty: of Duty: R.D. Pendarvis Philip T. Myers rother Richard D. “Ricky” Pen- The accident occurred at 9:20 a.m. on trophe.” Enid is about 35 miles south darvis, a member of BLET Di- August 29, about three miles south of of Medford. BLET member working as an vision 523 in Chickasha, Okla., Medford, Okla., in Grant County. The When time permitted due to his ca- employee of the Indiana Rail was killed in the line of duty on truck driver had just filled his tanker with reer demands as a locomotive engineer, Road died on September 10 BAugust 29 when his Union Pacific loco- propane at the Conoco-Phillips LP un- Brother Pendarvis attended church after a tanker derailed at low motive collided with a propane tanker derground storage facility south of Med- with his family members at Grace Aspeed from a rail spur at a Terre Haute truck near Medford, Okla. ford before the accident. The truck was Christian Fellowship. He sang in the company that makes railroad ties. The collision triggered a massive on the train tracks when the 76-car train choir and was an usher. Philip T. Myers, 42, was a member of explosion and also caused the death struck it. He was a veteran of the United BLET Division 204 in Linton, Ind. He of conductor Larry B. Williams, a The locomotive event recorder indi- States Navy and served aboard the joined the BLET on January 1, 1998. He member of the United Transportation cated Brother Pendarvis sounded the USS Talbot for several years prior to began working for the Indiana RR in Union, and truck driver Dennis Wayne horn and was trying to stop the train just receiving an honorable discharge. 2006, and prior to that, was employed by Etherton. prior to impact. Mike Honigsberg, emer- Brother Pendarvis was a highly com- the Candian Pacific Railway. Brother Pendarvis, 52, joined the gency management director for neigh- petent engineer who was well respect- Brother Myers is the fourth BLET BLET on April 1, 2004. He is surved by boring Garfield County, said Brother ed by his coworkers, who say he en- member to die while on duty in 2008. his son, Travis and his mother Julie Pendarvis and Conductor Williams were joyed “seeing the world” from the cab “This is a terrible tragedy,” said BLET Lonewolf; two step-children Shamieka heroes for their last-second attempts to of a locomotive. National President Ed Rodzwicz. “I ex- and Donte; one step-grandson Kobe; halt the train. National President Ed Rodzwicz ex- tend deepest sympathies Brother Myers’ his childhood sweetheart Kym; his par- “In my opinion, that was a heroic tended his deepest sympathies to the family and friends.” ents Jean and James Guesby; father Wil- effort because if they didn’’t, there family of Brother Pendarvis on behalf Brother Myers was taken to Terre liam Marvin Craine Sr. and a host of was nothing to stop that train between of the 55,000 members of the Brother- Haute Regional Hospital after the acci- aunts, nieces, nephews, counsins, friends here and Enid,” he said. “They prob- hood of Locomotive Engineers and dent, which happened on the property of and co-workers. ably prevented another major catas- Trainmen. • Tangent Rail Products, in Terre Haute. According to Vigo County Coroner pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr, Myers was pronounced dead at the hospital from blunt force trauma to the head. The accident happened about 10:30 a.m. Myers was part of a two-man work crew on the Tangent rail cars, pushing a line of cars down the rail spur. A locomotive engineer was in the en- gine, which was pushing the line of cars, while Myers was on the lead car up at the front. Myers was observing the path to make sure it was clear. For a still-unknown reason, the car derailed, and Myers was pinned between it and a load of cross ties, one of the prod- ucts made at that location. “It is a tragic situation and all of us are in shock and we are deeply saddened,” said Chris Rund, a spokesman for the Indiana Rail Road. “We are a smaller re- gional railroad company and our em- ployees are a little more tightly knit than you might find on a larger railroad, so this has been very impactful for all of us. Our hearts are with the family.” Indiana Rail Road operates a 500-mile route rail service in Indiana and Illinois. The company has headquarters in In- dianapolis. Myers hired out on the Indiana Rail Road in 2006 and began his railroad ca- reer with the Canadian Pacific Railroad in 1992. Brother Myers was born Sept. 28, 1965, the son of Gary and “Marty” Martin My- ers. He graduated from Clay City High School, Class of 1984. He had worked in the railroad industry for 16 years, most recently as a locomotive engineer for Indiana Rail Road. Prior to 2006, he worked for CP Rail. He had been a member of the Clay City Veterans of Foreign Wars post, and had been an active member of the BLET and Teamsters. He enjoyed being a “shade tree” me- chanic, and loved going to truck pulls with his son. Family was very important to Phil- ip and he was very proud to be a father and grandfather. He was a member of the Free Methodist Church in Clay City. Survivors include his son, Kevin My- ers and wife Misty of Clay City; daughter Whitney Myers, also of Clay City; grand- daughter, Peyton Myers; his father, Gary Myers; grandmother, Frances Martin of Bowling Green; sister, Shannon Myers of Clay City; two brothers, Joe Myers of Terre Haute, and Grady Myers of Lafayette, La.; the mother of his children, April Count- [6 www.ble-t.org ] Engineers& Trainmen News
Disaster Relief
Washout repair Union Pacific Railroad workers repairing an area washed out by flooding Helping near a street crossing on Galveston Island. hands The BLET’s BNSF/ATSF General Committee of Adjustment has established a relief fund to help BLET members impacted by Hurricane Ike. any members’ homes and belongings were severely damaged or outright de- stroyed by the Hurricane. MAccording to General Chairman Pat Williams, members in Beaumont, Texas, were hit particularly hard. These affected members are doing their best to provide the bare minimum of care and protection for their families. BLET members across the property have volunteered to travel to Beaumont to help with repairs. Others are coming into the
area to hold down railroad jobs while the courtesy of FEMA affected members are unable to work
because of the problems they and their Photos: families are dealing with. The Carrier is doing almost everything in their power to help alleviate some of Disaster Relief assistance in Louisiana, Texas the problems by agreeing to guarantee he Teamsters Disaster Relief forms (including all requested documen- all the pools and other jobs so there will Fund is accepting applications tation) must be returned to the Teamsters be income for these families. In addition for assistance from members in by Wednesday, October 15, 2008. to this, they have opened the Hardship Louisiana and Texas after hur- If you were a victim of Hurricane Ike, phone lines again to allow all BNSF em- ricanesT Gustav and Ike caused significant then the completed “Request for Help” ployees to receive money and other kinds property damage in September. forms must be returned to the Teamsters of aid during these trials. They have pret- The assistance is available in Texas for by Tuesday, October 28. ty much suspended all work rules, so to Hurricane Ike only; assistance is avail- speak, to help protect these brothers by able in Louisiana for damage caused by “Request for Help” forms are available allowing others to be called around rath- Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike. son Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livings- on the BLET website. er than having to lay off. For Hurricane Ike, assistance is avail- ton, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Cou- “The willingness of all our members able to individuals and households in the pee, Rapides, Sabine, St. Bernard, St. Hurricane Ike assistance for Louisiana stepping forward to help amazes me to say following Louisiana counties: Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, residents: http://www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/ the least,” General Chairman Williams Acadian, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cam- St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terre- LAikedisasterrelief.pdf said. “All these brothers and sisters are eron, Iberia, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, La- bonne, Vermilion, Vernon, West Baton more worried about those affected than fourche, Plaquemines, Sabine, St. Mary, Ter- Rouge, West Feliciana Parishes, St. Tam- Hurricane Ike assistance for Texas resi- they are about themselves and money. rebonne, Vermilion, and Vernon Parishes. many and Tangipahoa. dents: http://www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/ “I have a challenge for each and every Also for Ike, assistance is available in If you or someone you know needs TXikedisasterrelief.pdf one of us that have not had this misfor- the following Texas counties: help, please call the Teamsters Disaster tune to make at least a minimum con- Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Relief Fund office at: (202) 624-8971. If Hurricane Gustav assistance for Louisi- tribution of $100 to aid these members Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, you were a victim of Hurricane Gustav, ana residents: http://www.ble-t.org/pr/ and their families,” he said. Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jeffer- then the completed “Request for Help” pdf/LAdisasterrelief.pdf Brother Williams has worked with his son, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Mont- Secretary-Treasurer Roland Kleinsorge to gomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, set up a fund to accept donations to help Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Locomotive Engineers & Conductors these BLET families. Anyone wishing to Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, and Wash- donate can send a check, in any amount, ington Counties. Mutual Protective Association made out to “BLET BNSF/ATSF GCA - Ike Finally, for victims of Hurricane Relief Fund” to the following address: Gustav, assistance is available to indi- 4000 Town Center • Suite 1250 • Southfield, MI 48075-1407 viduals and households in the following (800) 514-0010 • (313) 962-1512 BLET BNSF/AFSF GCA Louisiana counties: – Ike Relief Fund Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assump- Fax: (877) 633-1910 • E-Mail: [email protected] • Web: www.lecmpa.org c/o Roland Kleinsorge tion, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Cameron, 5505 N. Jesse Drive East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evan- San Bernardino, CA 92407-2517 geline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jeffer-
Railroad worker relief fund seeks donations s in 2005 after Hurricanes Katrina Mail to: Aand Rita, a Railroad Relief Fund has Southern Region Railroad Relief Fund been set up to benefit the Southern Re- c/o Kathie Bailey-Todd gion BLET members who have been se- 10051 Barr Lake Dr. riously impacted by Hurricane Gustav Houston, TX 77095 and now Hurricane Ike. More than $15,000 was raised in Wells Fargo Branch Deposits: 2005 for those that were affected by Southern Region Railroad Relief Fund Hurricanes’ Katrina and Rita. BLET mem- Account # : 3597720238 bers are asked to help out our brothers and sisters who need all the help they Wire Transfer Information: can get right now. Call or Email for wire transfer information Below is the information to send do- nations to the relief fund: If anyone has any questions or needs more information, please feel free to Make checks payable to: contact Kathie Bailey-Todd, at (713) Southern Region 298-9255 or via email at kdbailey- Job Protection Headquarters for Transportation Employees Railroad Relief Fund [email protected] Since 1910 [september/october 2008 7]
>> Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA)-An Overview
of railroad workers nation- ages. However, there is also ployee. These include giving wide, it not only created a an exception to this rule of the claim agent a statement Your Rights. system where injured work- comparative fault. of any kind (oral or taped), ers could receive compensa- One way to prove fault is seeing a doctor chosen by tion for their injuries, it also to prove that the railroad the railroad (rather than a Your Protection. provided railroad companies violated a Federal workplace doctor of your choosing), with a uniform liability stan- safety regulation or statute. doing a reenactment of your dard applicable to working FRA standards and OSHA injury, receiving advance- Your FELA. conditions and employee regulations are examples of ments from the claim agent, ailroad workers safety in the job. The FELA such safety laws. Specific to and many others suggested face a danger- affirmatively requires that the operation of trains, the by the railroad too numer- ous work envi- railroads provide their work- Locomotive Inspection Act ous to mention here.. Thus, ronment that is ers with a reasonably safe and the Safety Appliance it is important that an in- filled with po- place to work at all times and Act can provide legal re- jured railroad employee ob- tential hazards. As a result, in all situations. However, sponsibility on the railroad tain legal representation as “The FELA at the turn of the century, in the FELA also places respon- if an injury is caused by the quickly as possible following 1908 Congress passed the sibility on the employee for violation of these regula- an injury. Your union has affirmatively Federal Employer’s Liability working safely as well. tions. If a violation of such a determined that certain at- Act (known as “FELA”) for Unlike worker compensa- safety regulation or statute is torneys are competent to requires that the protection of the thou- tion systems, the FELA re- proven to cause an injury, handle FELA cases and has sands of railroad workers quires that a railroad em- then in most cases there will designated them to represent railroads provide employed nation wide. The ployee prove that the rail- be no reduction of the members of the BLET. Such FELA established and con- road was negligent before he amount of damages for the attorneys have demonstrated their workers with tinues to provide a Federal or she can recover monetary employee’s fault. a proficiency in handling system of legal recovery for damages suffered as a result One significant advantage FELA cases for engineers a reasonably safe railroad workers and their of an injury. That is, the em- of the FELA over a worker and trainmen, and should be families, for injuries or ployee must prove that the compensation system is the employed to protect your deaths suffered by a railroad railroad was at fault and that right of the injured employee rights and the future of in- place to work at employee who is hurt or the negligence caused his to be compensated for the full jured railroad employees killed while on the job. If injury in whole or in part. extent of his damages on an and their families. all times and an equipment defect causes Without proving fault, the individual basis by a jury at injury or death to a railroad employee cannot recover. In trial. Such damages may in- Submitted by: in all situations.” employee, the employer will addition, the employee’s clude past lost wages, future likely be liable for those in- damages will be reduced by lost wages, past pain and suf- juries or death under the the amount of fault on the fering and future pain and FELA, for failure to properly part of the employee, if the suffering. This is in sharp maintain its equipment, employee was at fault himself contrast to the method of us- failure to properly inspect or herself. For example, if an ing a chart to put all similar its equipment and the work employee is injured and is injuries in the same amount environment and in some found to be 10% at fault him- of damages in a worker com- Joseph L. Bauer, Jr. cases be exposed to absolute self, then recovery will be for pensation system. Bauer & Baebler, P.C. liability for the equipment 90% of his or her damages. As with any legal pro- 1716 South Broadway defect itself. Likewise, if the employee is ceeding, there are numerous St. Louis, MO 63104 When Congress enacted 90% at fault, then recovery traps and pitfalls to be (800) 682-4529 the FELA for the protection will be for 10% of the dam- avoided by an injured em- [email protected]
2009 Fees Objector Policy d. Social activities and union business meeting expenses; c. Each party to the arbitrator shall bear their own costs. The appel- e. Publication expenses to the extent coverage is related to charge- lants shall have the option of paying a pro-rata portion of the arbitra- 1. Employees Rights able activities; tor’s fees and expenses. The balance of such fees and expenses shall a. Any employee covered by a union or agency shop agreement f. Expenses of litigation related to collective bargaining, contract be paid by the BLET. in the United States has the legal right to be or remain a nonmember of administration and internal governance; d. A court reporter shall make a transcript of all proceedings be- the Union. Nonmembers have the legal right (1) to object to paying for g. Expenses for legislative and administrative agency activities to fore the arbitrator. This transcript shall be the official record of the pro- Union activities not related to collective bargaining, contract adminis- effectuate collective bargaining agreements; ceedings and may be purchased by the appellants. If appellants do not tration and grievance adjustment, and to obtain a reduction in fees for h. All expenses for the education and training of officers and staff purchase a copy of the transcript, a copy shall be available for inspec- such activities; (2) to be given sufficient information to intelligently de- intended to prepare the participants to better perform chargeable ac- tion at the National Division during normal business hours. cide whether to object; and (3) to be apprised of internal Union proce- tivities; e. Appellants may, at their expense, be represented by counsel or dures for filing objections. Employees who choose to object have the i. All costs of strikes and other lawful economic actions. other representative of choice. Appellants need not appear at the hear- right to be apprised of the percentage of the reduction, the basis for the ing and shall be permitted to file written statements with the arbitrator calculation, and the right to challenge these figures. 5.Determination of Chargeable Share instead of appearing. Such statement shall be filed no later than fifteen b. To the extent permitted by law, nonmembers may not participate The BLET shall perform an independent audit of the records of the (15) days after the transcript becomes available, but in no case more in Union elections as a voter or as a candidate; attend Union meetings; National Division. The BLET shall determine the percentage of expendi- than thirty (30) days after the hearing closes. serve as delegates to the Convention, or participate in the selection of tures that fall within the categories specified in Section 4. The amount f. Fourteen (14) days prior to the start of the first hearing, appel- such delegates; or participate in the process by which collective bar- of expenditures that fall within Section 4 shall be the basis for calcu- lants shall be provided with a list of all exhibits intended to be intro- gaining agreements are ratified. lating the reduced fees that must be paid by the objector. The audit- duced at the hearing and a list of all witnesses intended to be called, ing firm conducting the annual audit of the BLET National Division shall except for exhibits and witnesses that may be introduced for rebuttal. 2. Publication of Policy give an opinion concerning the adequacy of the escrow amounts main- On written request from an appellant, copies of exhibits (or in case of The fees objector policy shall be published annually in the BLET’s tained pursuant to Section 10, and later will verify the existence and the voluminous exhibits, summaries thereof) shall be provided to them. Ad- newsletter in the month preceding the objection notice period and audits of money in any escrow account. ditionally, copies of exhibits shall be available for inspection and copy- mailed annually to each objector. It shall also be provided to each new ing at the hearing. employee when s/he first becomes subject to a union shop agreement. 6. Report of Chargeable Share and Basis of Its Calculation g. The National Division shall have the burden of establishing that The BLET shall report the determination no later than September 30. the reduced fees set forth in the report are lawful. 3. Making Objection Known This report shall include an analysis of the major categories of union ex- h. If the arbitrator shall determine that more than one day of Objecting nonmembers shall provide notice of objection by notify- penses that are chargeable and nonchargeable. A copy of the report hearings is necessary, hearings all be scheduled to continue from ing the National Secretary-Treasurer of the objection by first-class mail shall be sent to all nonmembers whose timely objections have not been day to day until completed. The parties to the appeal shall have the postmarked during the month of November preceding the calendar revoked. right to file a brief within fifteen (15) days after the transcript of the year to which s/he objects, or within (30) days after s/he first begins hearing is available, but in no case no more than thirty (30) days paying fees and receiving notices of these procedures. The objection 7. Challenge Procedure after the hearing closes. The arbitrator shall issue a decision with- shall contain the objector’s current home address. Nonmembers wish- Each person entitled to receive the BLET’s report may challenge in forty-five (45) days after the submission of post-hearing briefs or ing to continue their objection from year to year must renew their objec- the validity of the calculations by filing an appeal with the Nation- within such other reasonable period as is consistent with the rules es- tion each year as specified in this paragraph. Objections may only be al Secretary-Treasurer. Such appeal must be made by sending a tablished by the AAA. made by individual employees. No petition objections will be honored. letter to the National Secretary-Treasurer postmarked no later than i. The arbitrator shall give full consideration to the legal require- October 31. ments limiting the amounts that objectors may be charged, and shall set 4. Major Categories of Chargeable Expenses forth in the decision the legal and arithmetic basis for such decision. All objectors shall pay their fair share of expenses germane to col- 8.Arbitration of Challenges lective bargaining including: a. After the close of appeals period, the National Secretary-Trea- 9. Payment of Reduced Fees a. All expenses concerning the negotiation of agreements, practic- surer shall provide a list of appellants to the American Arbitration As- Objectors shall pay reduced monthly fees based on the most recent es and working conditions; sociation (AAA). All appeals shall be consolidated. The AAA shall ap- report pending determination of the objection year’s chargeable ratio. b. All expenses concerning the administration of agreements, prac- point an arbitrator pursuant to its Rules for Impartial Determination of tices and working conditions, including grievance handling, all activi- Union Fees. The AAA shall inform the National Secretary-Treasurer and 10. Escrow of Disputed Funds ties related to arbitration, and discussion with employees in the craft or the appellant(s) of the arbitrator selected. All monthly fees paid by objectors shall be placed in an interest-bear- class (or bargaining unit) or employer representatives regarding work- b. The arbitration shall commence by December 1 or as soon there- ing escrow account pending final determination of the chargeable share. ing conditions, benefits and contract rights; after as the AAA can schedule the arbitration. The arbitrator shall have Escrowed funds shall be disbursed to objectors and the Union upon issu- c. Conversion expenses and other union internal governance and control over all procedural matters affecting the arbitration in order to ance of the arbitrator’s decision or fifteen (15) days after the conclusion management expenses; fulfill the need for an informed and expeditious arbitration. of the appeal period if there are no challenges to the determination. [8 www.ble-t.org ] Engineers& Trainmen News
ELECTION
he Brotherhood of Locomo- the carriers, the Federal Railroad Ad- tive Engineers and Trainmen ministrator, who oversees the work- F is joining the International place safety of BLET members, and Brotherhood of Teamsters and the the members of the National Media- rest of the labor movement in the tion Board, who can force the rail- United States by endorsing Barack roads to bargain in good faith.” Obama for President. Also included in this voter guide “We believe Senator Obama is are state-level candidates who have the best candidate to fight for the been endorsed by the BLET, as well rights of the 55,000 men and women as instructions on how to vote by of the Brotherhood of Locomotive absentee ballot. Engineers and Trainmen,” BLET Na- “You can exert a strong influence tional President Ed Rodzwicz said. on your family’s economic future “The next President will make sev- when casting your vote in Novem- eral decisions and appointments that ber, and we believe Senator Obama will have a major impact on the rail will fight to make the right decisions industry. The next President will ap- when it comes to doing what’s right point the members of the Surface for all rail workers,” President Rodz- BLET Member Carl Fields (right) hosted Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa during a recent visit to Illinois to campaign on behalf of Barack Obama. Transportation Board, who regulate wicz said.
McCain health care plan a disaster for BLET members n preparation for national bargaining dollars. Second, the value of the carrier’s that will begin late next year, the Na- contributions would be included in each tional Division has begun research member’s taxable income. onI a number of subjects that must be For someone in the 25% marginal tax considered as the BLET’s bargaining strat- bracket — which includes single people egy is shaped. A review of the health care with a taxable income in excess of $31,850, “reform” plan offered by Presidential can- and married people filing jointly with a didate John McCain uncovered some taxable income over $63,700 — the total facts that should worry BLET members income tax impact is over $4,500. For and all railroad workers. someone in the 28% marginal tax brack- In contrast to the health care plan et — which includes single people with proposed by BLET-endorsed candidate a taxable income in excess of $77,100, and Barack Obama, the cornerstone of the married people filing jointly with a tax- McCain plan is to end the tax deduct- able income over $128,500 — the total ibility of employer-sponsored coverage. income tax impact is over $5,100. This move would have a significant im- Promoters of the McCain plan point pact on our coverage under the nation- to $2,500 individual and $5,000 family al industry plan. tax credits that are included in the plan. This year, each railroad’s total contri- However, it is unclear whether workers bution toward the various elements of our who receive employer-sponsored health national freight benefits package — includ- benefits will be entitled to the tax credit. ing short-term disability — exceeds $15,000 What is clear is that, in either case, the per BLET member. Enactment of the Mc- railroads’ costs will rise significantly, and Cain plan would subject the carriers to your taxes also will increase steeply. Medicare and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 “John McCain claims that — as he puts and Tier 2 taxes on this sum. Depending it — ‘opening up the health insurance upon an individual’s taxable income, car- market to more vigorous nationwide com- rier costs could rise over $3,000 per em- petition, as we have done over the last ployee. This would be the equivalent of a decade in banking, would provide more 19.75% increase in the carrier’s cost. choices of innovative products less bur- Each member also would be subject to dened by the worst excesses of state-based additional Medicare and Railroad Retire- regulation,’” said BLET National Presi- ment taxes of up to $2,000 or more. BLET dent Ed Rodzwicz. members would be further impacted in “In other words, he’s going to bring to the two other ways. First, the “pre-tax” status nation’s health care system the same chang- of the $166.25 monthly employee pre- es that produced the current crisis on Wall mium contribution and the carrier’s $40 Street and throughout the global financial monthly short-term disability contribu- sector,” added Rodzwicz. “This proposal is tion would end, and those contributions a disaster for BLET members, for American would have to be made with after-tax workers, and for the country.” • [september/october 2008 9]
Democratic National Convention Representatives of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers and Trainmen converged on Denver in August to participate in the 2008 Democratic National Conven- tion. BLET officers were able to witness the delegates en- dorse Barack Obama and Joe Biden as candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. While in Denver, the BLET representatives were also able to participate in valuable face-to-face meetings with key leaders of the House and Senate, including Senator Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey. Also, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters made their pres- BLET First Vice President Paul Sorrow, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa, BLET Vice President Stephen D. Speagle and Senator Frank ence known in Denver, and several BLET officers were and BLET National Secretary-Treasurer Bill Walpert Lautenberg (D-NJ) able to participate in important meetings with Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. •
General President Hoffa with Robert F. Hagan, a member of BLET Division 757. Brother Hagan also holds elected office, serving as State Senator Lautenberg with BLET Vice President & National General President Hoffa with Herbert Harris Jr., Chairman of the BLET’s Representative of Ohio’s 60th Congressional District. Legislative Representative John P. Tolman District of Columbia Legislative Board.
7pm Election Day Kansas Absentee Voter Guide Absentee Ballot Request: Absentee voting information for BLET members State Election Website: Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s Received noon November 3, 2008 Railroading is a demanding occupation that often requires locomotive en- http://election.dos.state.fl.us/ General Election: Tuesday, November Absentee Ballot Return: Supervisor of Elections: 4, 2008 Received before close of polls gineers and trainmen to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Due http://election.dos.state.fl.us/SOE/ Absentee Ballot Request: State Election Website: to the importance of the upcoming November elections, the BLET urges its supervisor_election_list.shtml Received October 31, 2008 www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm members to vote by absentee ballot in case they are on duty or away from Absentee Ballot Return: home on Election Day. Georgia Absentee Voter Guide Received 7pm election day Michigan To that end, the BLET’s National Legislative Office in Washington, D.C., Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s State Election Website: http://www. Absentee Voter Guide issued the following Absentee Voter Guide for BLET members. The following General Election: kssos.org/elections/elections.html CAUTION: First-time voters who register state-by-state guide gives members an idea of what they need to do in order Tuesday, November 4, 2008 County Election Officials: h t t p:// by mail MUST vote in person the first time to make sure their vote is cast in the November elections: Voter registration: www.kssos.org/elections/elections_regis- they vote. They may not vote by absen- Postmarked by October 6, 2008 tration_ceo.asp tee ballot. This restriction does not apply Absentee ballot application: to overseas voters, voters who are handi- Alabama Absentee Ballot Request: Received by October 31, 2008 Kentucky capped or voters who are 60 years of Absentee Voter Guide Received October 28, 2008 Absentee ballot due: Received by Absentee Voter Guide age or older. (Voting in person on one La s t u p d a t e d Ju l y 25, 2008 if ballot is mailed 7pm Election Day Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s governmental level clears the restriction Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s Received October 31, 2008 State Election Website: General Election: on the other levels. For example, if a voter General Election: November 4, 2008 if ballot is picked up in person http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/ Tuesday, November 4, 2008 subject to the restriction votes in person at Absentee ballot application: Absentee Ballot Return: Received Absentee Ballot Request: a school election, the voter would be free received by October 30, 2008 7pm Election Day Idaho Absentee Voter Guide Received by Ocotber 28, 2008 to obtain an absentee ballot for the first Absentee ballot due: postmarked by State Contact Information: Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s Absentee Ballot Return: state election in which he or she wishes to November 3, 2008 (by mail) - received by http://www.elections.colorado.gov/ General Election: November 4, 2008 Received by November 4, 2008 at 6pm participate.) 5pm on November 3, 2008 (in person) County Clerk and Recorders: Absentee Ballot Request: Received State Election Website: h t t p://e l e c t . Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s http://www.elections.colorado.gov/ by October 29, 2008 ky.gov/ General Election: November 4, 2008 Arizona Absentee Voter Guide DDefault.aspx?tid=147 Absentee Ballot: Received by 8 PM on Absentee Ballot Request: Received Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s election day, November 4, 2008 Louisiana by November 1, 2008 - 2pm Primary Election: Connecticut Voter Guide State Elections Website: http://www. Absentee Voter Guide Absentee Ballot Return: Received by Tuesday, September 2, 2008 Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s idsos.state.id.us/elect/eleindex.htm CAUTION: If you are a first time vot- 8pm on Election Day General Election: Voter registration: er in your parish, and you registered by State Election Website: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 postmarked by October 21, 2008 Illinois Absentee Voter Guide mail, you must vote in person the first time http://www.michigan.gov/sos Absentee Ballot Request: Absentee ballot application: NOTE: If you are a first-time voter and you vote. You may vote on Election Day Received by October 24, 2008 no specific deadline, but allow enough you register by mail, you must vote in or during the early voting period, but you Minnesota (for general election) time for them to mail you the ballot and person the first time you vote. You cannot cannot vote by absentee ballot. Absentee Voter Guide Received by August 22, 2008 for you to mail it back. vote by absentee ballot. You can vote on Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s (for primary election Absentee ballot due: r election day or you can vote absentee-in- General Election: November 4, 2008 General Election: Tuesday, November Absentee Ballot Return: eceived by 8pm Election Day person at your local local election author- Absentee Ballot Request: Received 4, 2008 Received by 7pm Election Day State Elections Website: ity anytime between September 25 and October 31, 2008 Absentee Ballot Request: No dead- http://www.azsos.gov/election/ http://www.ct.gov/sots/site/default.asp November 3, 2008. Call ahead to con- Absentee Ballot Return: Received line, but allow enough time for them to firm location and hours of operation. November 3, 2008 mail you the ballot and for you to mail Arkansas Delaware Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s State Election Website: http://www. it back. Absentee Voter Guide Absentee Voter Guide General Election: November 4, 2008 sos.louisiana.gov/tabid/68/Default.aspx Absentee Ballot Return: Received by Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s Absentee Ballot Request: Received close of polls on Election Day General Election: Absentee ballot application: by October 30, 2008 Maine Absentee Voter Guide State Election Website: http://www. Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Received by October 31, 2008 Absentee Ballot Return: Received by Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s sos.state.mn.us/home/index.asp Absentee Ballot Request: Received Absentee ballot due: close of polls on Election Day General Election: November 4, 2008 by October 28, 2008 (by mail or fax) Received by 8pm on Election Day State Election Website: Absentee Ballot Request: No spe- Mississippi Voter Guide Absentee Ballot Return: State Elections Website: http://www.elections.il.gov/ cific deadline, but allow enough time for Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s Received by 7:30 pm on November 4, http://elections.delaware.gov/ Local Election Authorities: them to mail you the ballot and for you to General Election: Tuesday, November 2008 (by mail - CANNOT fax ballot) County Department of Elections: www.elections.il.gov/ElectionAuthorities/ mail it back. 4, 2008 Received by close of business November http://elections.delaware.gov/locations. ElecAuthorityList.aspx Absentee Ballot Return: Received by Absentee Ballot Application: At 3, 2008 (in person shtml 8pm on Election Day least two weeks before the election http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections. Indiana Absentee Voter Guide State Election Website: Absentee Ballot Return: Received html District of Columbia Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s w w w.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/ 5pm November 3, 2008 (by mail) Absentee Voter Guide General Election: November 4, 2008 Received noon November 1, 2008 (in California Absentee Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s Absentee Ballot Application: Maryland Voter Guide person). Voter Guide General Election: Tuesday, November Received by October 27, 2008 Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s State Election Website: http://www. Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s 4, 2008 Absentee Ballot: Received by close of General Election: Tuesday, sos.state.ms.us/ General Election: Tuesday, November Absentee Ballot Application: Re- polls on November 4, 2008. November 4, 2008 Voter Registrars: http://www.sos.state. 4, 2008 ceived by October 28, 2008 Website: www.indianavoters.com or Absentee Ballot Application: 4:30 ms.us/Elections/VoterRegistrars.asp Absentee Ballot Application: Re- Absentee Ballot Due: Postmarked by http://www.in.gov/sos/elections p.m. on October 28, 2008 (mailed) ceived by October 28, 2008 (general November 4, 2008 11:59 p.m. on October 28, 2008 (faxed). Montana election) State Election Website: http://www. Iowa Absentee Voter Guide Absentee Ballot Return: 8 p.m. elec- Absentee Voter Guide Absentee Ballot Return: Received by dcboee.org/ Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s tion day (in person) Postmarked on or be- Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s 8 pm on Election Day General Election: November 4, 2008 fore election day (by mail) General Election: Tuesday, November State Elections Website http://www. Florida Absentee Voter Guide Absentee Ballot Request: Received State Election Website: 4, 2008 sos.ca.gov/elections/elections.htm Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s by 5 PM on October 31, 2008 http://www.elections.state.md.us/ Absentee Ballot Request: Received County Election Officials: h t t p:// General Election: November 4, 2008 Absentee Ballot: Postmarked before by May 30, 2008 www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_d.htm Voter registration: Postmarked by election day; received by noon Massachusetts Absentee Ballot Return: Received be- October 6, 2008 on November 10, 2008 Absentee Voter Guide fore close of polls Election Day Colorado Absentee Voter Guide Absentee ballot application: State Election Website: Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s State Election Website: h t t p://s o s . Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s Received by October 29, 2008 www.sos.state.ia.us General Election: mt.gov/ELB/Voter_Information.asp General Election: November 4, 2008 Absentee ballot due: Received by Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Continued on next page • [10 www.ble-t.org ] Engineers& Trainmen News
Absentee voting Continued from previous page • Nebraska Absentee http://www.sos.state.nm.us/ Oklahoma Absentee Ballot Request: tary, residing overseas, physically handi- Voter Guide County Clerks Information: Absentee Voter Guide Received 3pm on election day (yes, really) capped, age 65 or over. This restriction Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s http://www.sos.state.nm.us/ La s t u p d a t e d Au g u s t 04, 2008 Absentee Ballot Return: Received by doesn’t apply if you are voting a “presi- General Election: sos-CClerk.html Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s close of polls on election day dential only” ballot. Tuesday, November 4, 2008 General Election: November 4, 2008 State Election Website: Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s Absentee Ballot Request: New York Absentee Ballot Request: Received http://www.sdsos.gov/ General Election: Tuesday, Received 4pm October 27, 2008 Absentee Voter Guide October 29, 2008 November 4, 2008 Absentee Ballot Return: La s t u p d a t e d Au g u s t 05, 2008 Absentee Ballot Return: Tennessee Absentee Ballot Request: Received 8pm election day Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s Received 7 pm Election Day Absentee Voter Guide Received by October 28, 2008 State Election Website: General Election: State Election Website: CAUTION: If you register to vote by mail Absentee Ballot Return: Received by http://www.sos.state.ne.us/ Tuesday, November 4, 2008 http://www.ok.gov/~elections/ you must vote in person the first time you close of polls on Election Day Absentee Ballot Request: County Election Boards: http://www. vote. You cannot vote by absentee ballot. State Election Website: Nevada Absentee Voter Guide Received by October 28, 2008 ok.gov/~elections/cebinfo.html Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms La s t u p d a t e d Ju n e 18, 2008 Absentee Ballot Return: State Contact Information General Election: T Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s Postmarked by November 3, 2008 uesday, November 4, 2008 Washington Voter Guide General Election: State Elections website: Oregon Absentee Voter Guide Absentee Ballot Request: Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s Tuesday, November 4, 2008 http://www.elections.state.ny.us/ Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s Received October 28, 2008 General Election: Tuesday, Absentee Ballot Request: General Election: November 4, 2008 Absentee Ballot Return: November 4, 2008 Received 5pm October 28, 2008 North Carolina Absentee Ballot Request: Received by close of polls Absentee Ballot Request: Absentee Ballot Return: Absentee Voter Guide Received by October 31 State Election Website: No specific deadline, but allow enough Received 7pm election day Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s Absentee Ballot Return: http://www.state.tn.us/sos/ time for them to mail you the form and for State Election Website: General Election: November 4, 2008 Received by 8pm Election Day election/index.htm you to mail it back http://sos.state.nv.us/elections/voter/ Absentee Ballot Application: State Election Website: Absentee Ballot Return: Received between September 15th and http://www.oregonvotes.org/ Texas Absentee Voter Guide Postmarked on or before New Hampshire October 28, 2008 County Election Offices: Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s Novemer 4, 2008 Absentee Voter Guide Absentee Ballots Due: Received by www.oregonvotes.org/other.info/clerk.htm General Election: State Election Website: La s t u p d a t e d Ju l y 03, 2008 5pm the day before the election Tuesday, November 4, 2008 http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/ Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s Absentee One-Stop Period: Pennsylvania Absentee Ballot Application: General Election: October 16, 2008 - November 1, 2008 Absentee Voter Guide Received by October 28, 2008 West Virginia Voter Guide Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Elections Website: General Election: November 4, 2008 Absentee Ballot Return: Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s Absentee Ballot Request: http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/ Absentee Ballot Request: Received by close of polls, Election Day General Election: No specific deadline, but allow enough County Board of Elections: Received by October 28, 2008 State Election Website: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 time for them to mail you the ballot and http://www.app.sboe.state.nc.us/ Absentee Ballot Return: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/ Absentee Ballot Request: for you to mail it back. NCSBE/about/directors.asp Received by 5pm October 31, 2008 voter/index.shtml Received by October 29, 2008 Absentee Ballot Return: State Election Website: http://www.votexas.org/ Absentee Ballot Return: Received by 5pm on Election Day North Dakota http://www.votespa.com Received by close of polls State Election Website: Absentee Voter Guide Utah Absentee Voter Guide State Election Website: http://www.sos.nh.gov/electionsnew.html La s t u p d a t e d Au g u s t 05, 2008 Rhode Island Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s http://www.wvsos.com/elections/ Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s Absentee Voter Guide General Election: November 4, 2008 New Jersey General Election: Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s Absentee Ballot Application: Wisconsin Absentee Voter Guide Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Statewide primary: Received by October 31, 2008 Absentee Voter Guide La s t u p d a t e d Au g u s t 01, 2008 Absentee Ballot Request: No spe- September 9, 2008 Absentee Ballot Due: Postmarked Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s cific deadline, but allow enough time for Absentee Ballot Request: Received by November 3, 2008 and received by General Election: General Election: them to mail you the ballot and for you to by 4pm on October 14, 2008 noon November 10, 2008 Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Tuesday, November 4, 2008 mail the voted ballot back Absentee Ballot Return: Received by Elections Website: Absentee Ballot Request: Absentee Ballot Request: Absentee Ballot Return: 9pm on Election Day www.leaveyourprint.com or Received by 5:00 PM October 30, 2008 Received by October 28, 2008 by mail; Postmarked November 3, 2008 General Election: November 4, 2008 www.elections.utah.gov Absentee Ballot Return: OR Received by November 3, 2008 State Election Website: State Election Website: Received by 8:00 PM election day by 3pm IN PERSON http://www.nd.gov/sos/electvote/ http://www.elections.state.ri.us/ Vermont State Election Website: Absentee Ballot Return: County Election Officials: Absentee Voter Guide http://elections.state.wi.us/index.asp Received by November 4, 2008 by 8pm http://www.nd.gov/sos/forms/ South Carolina Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s State Election Website: doc/county-elec-officials.rtf Absentee Voter Guide General Election: Tuesday, Wyoming www.NJElections.org Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s November 4, 2008 Absentee Voter Guide Ohio Absentee Voter Guide General Election: November 4, 2008 Absentee Ballot Request: Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s New Mexico Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s Absentee Ballot Request: Received 5pm November 3, 2008 General Election: Absentee Voter Guide General Election: November 4, 2008 Received by October 31 Absentee Ballot Return: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 La s t u p d a t e d Au g u s t 05, 2008 Absentee Ballot Request: Asentee Ballot Return: Received by Received 7pm election day Absentee Ballot Request: Ma i l -In De a d l i n e s Received by noon November 1, 2008 close of polls election day State Election Website: h t t p:// No specific deadline, but allow General Election: November 4, 2008 (Saturday before election day) State Election Website: vermont-elections.org/soshome.htm enough time for them to mail you the Voter registration form: postmarked Absentee Ballot Return: www.scvotes.org ballot and for you to mail it back by October 7, 2008 Postmarked prior to election day and Virginia Absentee Ballot Return: Absentee ballot application: received within ten days of election day South Dakota Absentee Voter Guide Received by 7:00 PM election day received by October 30, 2008 State Election Website: Absentee Voter Guide WARNING: If you register to vote by State Election Website: Absentee ballot due: received by http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/voter/ Ma i l -in De a d l i n e s mail, you must vote in person the first time http://soswy.state.wy.us/Elections/ 7pm on Election Day RegisteringToVote.aspx General Election: you vote unless you are a full time college Elections.aspx OR http://vote.wyoming.gov/ State Elections Website: Tuesday, November 4, 2008 student, absent due to active duty mili- BLET Legislative Board Endorsements 2008
Alabama 7 — George Miller US House Georgia 8 — Melissa Bean (D) 1 — Jerry Moran (R) 8 — Nancy Pelosi Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 9 — Jan Schakowsky 2 — Nancy Boyda (D) US Senate US Senate 9 — Barbara Lee 1 — Diana DeGette 10 — Dan Seals (D) 3 — Dennis Moore (D) Vivian Figures Jim Martin 10 — Ellen Tauscher 6 — Hank Eng 11 — Debbie Halvorson (D) 4 — Donald Betts Jr. (D)) US House 11 — Jerry McNerney 7 — Ed Perlmutter US House 12 — Jerry Costello (D) Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 12 — Jackie Speier Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 13 — Scott Harper (D) Kentucky 3 — Joshua Segal (D) 1 — Bill Gillespie 13 — Fortney ‘Pete’ Stark District of Colom- 14 — Bill Foster (D) US Senate 4 2 — — Nicholas Sparks (D) 14 — Anna Eshoo bia Sanford Bishop 16 — Robert Abboud (D) Bruce Lunsford 5 — Parker Griffin (D) 15 — Mike Honda US House 3 — Stephen Camp 17 — Phil Hare (D) US House 7 — Artur Davis (D) 16 — Zoe Lofgren Eleanor Holmes-Norton 4 — Henry C. “Hank” John- 18 — Colleen Callahan (D) 17 — Sam Farr son, Jr. Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e Arkansas 18 — Dennis Cardoza Florida 5 — John Lewis Indiana 1 — Heather Ryan 20 — Jim Costa 6 — Bill Jones 2 — David Boswell US Senate US House US House 23 — Lois Capps 7 — Doug Heckman 3 — John Yarmuth Mark Pryor Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 26 — Russell Warner 8 — Jim Marshall 6 — Ben Chandler 1 — James Bryan 1 — Peter Visclosky (D) US House 27 — Brad Sherman 10 — Bobby Saxon Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 2 — Allen Boyd 2 — Joe Donnelly (D) 28 — Howard Berman 11 — Hugh “Bud” Gammon Louisiana 1 — Marion Berry 3 — Corrine Brown 3 — Michael Montagano (D) 29 — Adam Schiff 12 — John Barrow US Senate 2 — Vic Snyder 4 — Jay McGovern 4 — Nels Ackerson (D) 30 — Henry Waxman 13 — David Scott — Mary Landrieu 4 — Mike Ross 5 — Ginny Brown-Waite 5 — Mary Etta Ruley (D) 31 — Xavier Becerra 6 — Tim Cunha 6 — Barry Welsh (D) US House 32 — Hilda Solis Idaho 7 — Faye Amritage 7 — Andre Carson (D) Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e Arizona 33 — Diane Watson 8 — Alan Grayson US Senate 8 — Brad Ellsworth (D) 2 — William Jefferson US House 34 — Lucille Roybal-Allard 9 — Bill Mitchell Larry LaRocco (D) 9 — Baron Hill (D) 3 — Charlie Melancon Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 35 — Maxine Waters 10 — C.W. Young 4 — Paul Carmouche 1 — Ann Kirkpatrick (D) 36 — Jane Harman House 11 — Kathy Castor Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e Iowa 6 — Don Cazayoux 2 — John Thrasher (D) 37 — Laura Richardson 12 — Doug Tudor 1 — Walt Minnick (D) 7 — Don Cravins, Jr. 3 — Bob Lord (D) 38 — Grace Napolitano US Senate 13 — Christine Jennings 2 — Deborah Holmes (D) 4 — Ed Pastor (D) 39 — Linda Sanchez Tom Harkin (D) 14 — Robert Neeld Massachusetts 5 — Harry Mitchell (D) 40 — Christina Avalos 15 — Stephen Blythe 6 — Rebecca Schneider (D) 42 — Edwin Chau Illinois US House US Senate 16 — Tim Mahoney i s t r i c t 7 — Raul Grijalva (D) 43 — Joe Baca, Sr. US Senate D — Ca n d i d a t e Senator Edward Kennedy 17 — Kendrick Meek 8 — Gabrielle Giffords (D) 44 — Bill Hedrick Richard Durbin 1 — Bruce Braley (D) Senator John Kerry 18 — ILeana Ros-Lehtinen 47 — Loretta Sanchez 2 — Dave Loebsack (D) California 19 — Robert Wexler US House 3 — Leonard Boswell (D) US House 48 — Steve Young Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 20 — Debbie Wasserman- 4 — Becky Greenwald (D) Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e US House 50 — Nicholas Leibham 1 — Schultz Bobby Rush (D) 5 — Rob Hubler (D) 1 — John Olver Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 51 — Bob Filner 2 — 21 — Lincoln Diaz-Balart Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D) 2 — Richard Neal 1 — Mike Thompson 3 — 22 — Ron Klein Dan Lipinski (D) Kansas 3 — James McGovern 3 — Bill Durston Colorado 4 — 23 — Alcee Hastings Luis Gutierrez (D) US Senate 4 — Barney Frank 4 — Charles Brown 5 — US Senate 24 — Suzanne Kosmas Rahm Emanuel (D) Jim Slattery (D) 5 — Marty Meehan 5 — Doris Matsui 6 — Mark Udall 25 — Mario Diaz-Balart Jill Morgenthaler (D) 6 — John Tierney 6 — Lynn Woolsey 7 — Danny Davis (D) US House Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 7 — Edward Markey [september/october 2008 11]
8 — Michael Capuano 4 — Ike Skelton 10 — Donald Payne (D) 3 — Jane Mitakides 16 — Bruce A. Slater Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 9 — Stephen Lynch 5 — Emmanuel Cleaver 12 — Rush Holt (D) 4 — Mike Carroll 17 — Tim Holden 1 — William (Bill) Day 10 — William Delahuntt 6 — Kay Barnes 13 — Albio Sires (D)) 5 — Bob Latta 18 — Tim Murphy 2 — Glenn Nye 7 — OPEN 6 — Charlie Wilson 19 — Phillip J. Avillo, Jr. 3 — Bobby Scott Michigan 8 — Joann Emerson New York 7 — Steve Austria 4 — Andrea Miller US Senate 9 — Judith Baker 8 — Nicholas Von Stein Rhode Island 5 — Tom Perriello US House 9 — Marcy Kaptur 6 — Sam Rasoul Carl Levin (D) US Senate Montana Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 10 — Dennis Kucinich Senator Jack Reed 7 — Aniti Hartke 1 — Tim Bishop (D) US House US Senate 11 — Marcia L. Fudge Senator Sheldon Whitehouse 8 — Jim Moran 2 — Steve Israel (D) Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e Max Baucus 12 — Dave Robinson 9 — Rick Boucher 3 — Peter King (R) 13 — Betty Sutton Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 10 — Judy Feder 1 — Bart Stupak (D) 1 — Patrick Kennedy 2 — Fred Johnson (D) Nebraska 4 — Carolyn McCarthy (D) 14 — Steven C. LaTourette 11 — Gerry Connolly 5 — Gary Ackerman (D) 15 — Mary Jo Kilroy 2 — James Langevin 3 — Henry Sanchez (D) US Senate 4 — Andrew Concannon (D) 6 — Gregory Meeks (D) 16 — John Boccieri Washington Scott Kleeb (D) 7 — Joseph Crowley (D) US House 5 — Dale Kildee (D) 17 — Tim Ryan US House 8 — Jerrold Nadler (D) Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 6 — Don Cooney (D) US House 18 — Zack Space Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 9 — Anthony Weiner (D) 1 — Patrick Kennedy 7 — Mark Schauer (D) 2 — James Langevin 1 — Jay Inslee (D) 8 — Bob Alexander (D) 2 — Jim Esch (D) 10 — Edolphus Townes (D) Oklahoma 2 — Rick Larsen (D) 3 — Gail Kopplin (D) 11 — Yvette Clark (D) 9 — Gary Peters (D) US Senate Tennessee 3 — Brian Baird (D)* 10 — Robert Denison (D) 5 — Heath Mellow (D) 12 — Nydia Velazquez (D) Andrew Rice 4 — George Fearing (D) 12 — Sander Levin (D) 7 — Jeremy Nordquist (D) 13 — Mike McMahon (D) US Senate 5 — Norm Dicks (D) US House 13 — Carolyn Cheeks Kilpat- 9 — Gwen Howard (D) 14 — Carolyn Maloney (D) Bob Tuke 7 — Jim McDermott (D) 11 — Brenda Council (D) 15 — Charles Rangel (D) Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e rick (D) 1 — Georgianna W. Oliver 8 — Darcy Burner (D) 14 — John Conyers (D) 15 — Richard Register (D) 16 — Jose Serrano (D) Texas 9 — Adam Smith (D) 17 — 2 — Dan Boren 15 — John Dingell (D) 17 — Richard (Bob) Geise (D) Eliot Engel (D) US Senate 18 — Carl Lorenzen (R) 18 — Nita Lowey (D) Oregon Rick Noriega Minnesota 21 — Ken Haar (D) 19 — John Hall (D) West Virginia 25 — Travis Wagner (D) 20 — Kirsten Gillibrand (D) US Senate US House US Senate 27 — Dan Marvin (D) 21 — Michael McNulty (D) Jeff Merkley Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e US Senate Al Franken 29 — Susan Scott (D) 22 — Maurice Hinchey (D) 4 — Glenn Melancon Jay Rockefeller 23 — Michael Oot (D) US House 7 — Michael Skelly US House 39 — Rex Moats (D) 1 — David Wu US House 24 — Michael Arcuri (D) 9 — Al Green i s t r i c t 1 — Tim Walz 41 — Kate Sullivan (D) 2 — Greg Walden D — Ca n d i d a t e 25 — Dan Maffei (D) 10 — Larry Joe Doherty 2 — Steve Sarvi 49 — Leroy Louden (R) 3 — Earl Blumenauer 1 — Alan Mollohan 26 — Alice Kryzan (D) 12 — Tracey Smith 3 — Ashwin Madia 4 — Peter DeFazio 2 — Anne Barth 27 — Brian Higgins (D) 13 — Roger Waun 4 — Betty McCollum New Hampshire 5 — Kurt Schrader 3 — Nick J. Rahal 28 — 15 — Ruben Hinojosa 5 — Keith Ellison US Senate Louise Slaughter (D) 6 — Elwyn Tinklenberg 29 — none 16 — Silvestre Reyes Wisconsin — Senator Judd Gregg Pennsylvania 17 — Chet Edwards 7 — Collin Peterson — Senator John Sununu US House 18 — Sheila Jackson Lee House 8 — Rep. James Oberstar Nevada Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 20 — Charlie Gonzalez US House US House 1 — Robert A. Brady 22 — Nick Lampson 2 — Tammy Baldwin Mississippi i s t r i c t Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e D — Ca n d i d a t e 2 — Chaka Fattah 23 — Ciro Rodriguez 3 — Ron Kind 1 — Shelley Berkley US Senate 1 — Carol Shea-Porter 3 — Kathy Dahlkemper 24 — Tom Love 7 — David Obey 2 — Jill Derby Seat 1 — Thad Cochran (R) 2 — Paul Hodes 4 — Jason Altmire 25 — Lloyd Doggett 8 — Steve Kagen Seat 2 — Ronnie Musgrove (D) 3 — Dina Titus New Jersey 5 — Mark B. McCracken 27 — Solomon Ortiz Wyoming US House North Dakota 6 — Bob Roggio 28 — Henry Cuellar Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e US Senate 7 — Joe Sestak 29 — Gene Green US Senator 1 — Travis Childer (D) — Frank Lautenberg (D) US House 8 — Patrick J. Murphy 30 — Eddie Bernice Johnson Chris Rothfus At large Earl Pomeroy US House 9 — Tony Barr 32 — Eric Roberson US Senator Missouri 10 — Chris Carney Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e Ohio (unexpired term: 4 years) US House 2 — Frank LoBiondo (R) 11 — Paul E. Kanjorski Virginia Nick Carter Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 3 — John Adler (D) US House 12 — John Murtha US Senate US House— 1 — Lacy Clay 6 — Frank Pallone (D) Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 13 — Allyson Schwartz Mark Warner Di s t r i c t — Ca n d i d a t e 2 — Bill Haas 8 — William Pascrell (D) 1 — Steve Driehaus 14 — Mike Doyle US House At Large - Gary Trauner 3 — Russ Carnahan 9 — Steve Rothman (D) 2 — Victoria Wulsin 15 — Sam Bennett
Flexible spending account Flexible Spending Benefits Continued from page 1 • In much the same way that a 401k pro- gram allows individuals to use pre-tax gram allows individuals to use pre-tax dol- dollars to save for retirement, the Rail- road Employees Flexible Benefits Program lars to save for retirement, the Railroad Em- allows members to use pre-tax dollars to ployees Flexible Benefits Program allows pay for certain medical expenses or de- members to use pre-tax dollars to pay for pendent care expenses. The current 2008 plan allows members to save anywhere certain medical expenses or dependent from $120 to $5,000 per year for depen- care expenses. dent care expenses, or $120 to $3,600 per However, the program will be lost year for medical expenses. It is expected the dollar amounts will change under the if less than 5% of active BLET members upcoming 2009 plan year. participate. Registration packets will be Just like 401k contributions are auto- mailed to all BLET members in October. matically deducted from your paycheck, membership contributions to the Flexible The BLET National Division has estab- Spending Account are withheld from lished an Information Center on its website your paycheck. Your contributions to the at: www.ble-t.org/fsa plan are spread out over 12 monthly pay- ments (in other words, if you elect the Visit this website for late-breaking reg- 2008 maximum of $3,600, then you would istration information. Don’t let this money- place $300 per month into your Flexible saving program come to an end! Spending Account). If you elected the 2008 minimum of $120, then you would have $10 per month deducted from your OTCMedFSA.pdf ter medications, which would yield you al Agreement stipulates that the BLET must pay and placed into your Flexible Spend- The plan also has a “use it or lose it” a net savings of $40 for the year if you reach at least 5% participation by the year ing Account. You can receive payment provision. For example, if you sign up for were in a 33% tax bracket,” Brother Gore 2009 in order to retain this benefit. This from the account when you present a bill $2,000 in flex spending deductions and said. “My wife and I have put the maxi- is a big reason why the BLET is strongly via a claim form. You must furnish re- only have expenses equal to $1,900, then mum in her flex spending account for encouraging its members to participate in ceipts to be reimbursed for the expense. you would only be able to collect $1,900 the last eight years and been able to pro- the Flexible Spending Account program. “It also allows you to pay for all of your of the $2,000 you put into your account. vide receipts to receive a total refund ev- “This is a benefit that will put real dol- co-payments on doctor visits and for pre- But if you were in a 33% tax bracket, that ery year. lars into your pockets and I encourage scription medicine,” Brother Gore said. would still net you $533 in savings for the “Our over the counter medicine for you all to enroll at an amount you are Additionally, some over the counter year ($633 tax savings minus the $100 our family in the year 2006 came to $217. comfortable with to see how the plan medications can be paid for using the Flex- left in the account = $533 net savings). If you are on maintenance medications works,” Gore said. ible Spending Account. United HealthCare “While I know the ‘use it or lose it’ this program can put real dollars into Enrollment opportunity for the Flex- has provided a list of medications that it function of the plan can be scary, you your pocket allowing you to pay your co- ible Spending Account (FSA) should ar- will reimburse under the Flexible Spend- can easily meet the minimum deduction pays with pretax dollars.” rive in your mailbox soon from United ing Account: http://www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/ of $120 for the year just on over the coun- Side Letter 8 of the 2007 BLET Nation- HealthCare. • [september/october 2008 12 ]
A message from Photo of the Month Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa
Election Day and Our Country’s Future Everything Teamsters are doing in this election cycle, from phone banking to house visits to voter education and more, is done with Canadian Pacific Railway’s Spirit Train is moving the Olympic Spirit through Canada to generate buzz for the 2010 one goal in mind: getting people to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The railroad is one of many sponsors for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter polls on Election Day – Tuesday, No- Games. The CP Spirit Train began its run in Port Moody on September 21, and traveled across six provinces, finishing its adven- Rick Robinson/CPR vember 4, 2008. ture in Montreal on October 18. Photo: Time and again, just a few votes on NS tentative agreement; Conference call for PLB 7166; PLB 7151, Chicago; Va- have made the difference in elections. Advisory Board August Activity cation day; International Western Convention, San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Democratic You can bet there were plenty of peo- In accordance with the BLET Bylaws, summaries of BLET National Convention, Denver. ple in Florida in 2000 kicking them- Vice-President E.L. “Lee” Pruitt — Assisted general chairmen & members AdvisoryBoard members’ activities are published monthly: selves after George W. Bush was de- of: UP-Western Lines; UP-Western Region; UP-Central Region; UP-Southern Region; clared the winner there, hence winning National President Edward W. Rodzwicz— National Division office: UP-Tacoma Belt; UP-ED GCofA mtgs., Las Vegas (Young GCofA mtgs); San Antonio General supervision of BLET activities; General office duties; Various correspon- Yard negotiations, UP-SR GCofA, Las Vegas (assisting GC Gore-enhanced customer the presidency. Washington state is dence & phone calls; President, Teamsters Rail Conference; UP-Eastern Region gen- service); Arbitration Board 7158, UP-SR GCofA, San Antonio; Vacation; Interna- another great example. In 2004 Chris- eral committee mtg.; Kansas State Legislative Board mtg.; Town Hall mtg., Kansas tional Western Convention, San Luis Obispo, Calif; Various office paperwork, filing, tine Gregoire won the governor’s race City; FRA meeting; International Western Convention; Democratic National Con- telephone correspondence, etc; Arbitration Board 7228, UP-WR GCofA, Assisting by a scant 129 votes. vention. GC Dayton. First Vice-President and Alternate President Paul T. Sorrow—Per- Vice-President & National Legislative Representative John P. Tol- This election is expected to be an- formed various duties in Office Administrator capacity; Various duties assigned man — Assigned to BLET Washington, DC office; BLET Security Officer; General other close shave, and it is my hope to First Vice President; Various correspondence and telephone communicatioins; Office Duties, telephone, correspondence; Coordinate content of NLO website; that members of the Brotherhood of Lo- General supervision of Special Representatives; SBA awards 1116, Jacksonville, Continued coordination w/ IBT Government Affairs Dept.; Coordinated PAC con- comotive Engineers and Trainmen will Fla.; Bob Godwin Memorial golf tournament, Forestville, N.Y.; North Dakota State tributions; Kansas State Legislative Board mtg., Kansas City; North Dakota State Legislative Board mtg., Mike Muscha, Bismarck, N.D.; 68th Annual International Legislative Board mtg., Bismarck, N.D.; International Western Convention, San Luis join me in voting for Barack Obama. Western Convention, San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Democratic National Convention, Obispo, Calif.; BLET State Legislative Board conference call; Attended various func- When the Teamsters Union endorsed Denver. tions at Democratic National Convention, Denver. Sen. Obama, it was only after a National Secretary-Treasurer William C. Walpert—General supervi- Vice-President Marcus J. Ruef — Assigned to Amtrak; Port Authority Trans lengthy process where we came to the sion of BLET financial, record depts.; ND office; BLET Education & Training Dept.; In- Hudson (PATH); Long Island Railroad (LIRR); Southeastern Pennsylvania Transporta- ternal Organizing, Mobilizing & Strategic Planning Dept.; Safety Task Force; Meet- tion Authority (SEPTA); New Jersey Transit (NJT); MNR; Norfolk Southern-All General conclusion that only he could provide ings with vendors and financial institutions; Standard Building operations oversight; Committees; Wheeling & Lake Erie; and NYAL; Discuss Norfolk Southern tentative working families with very real and Eastern Union Meeting Association, Huron, Ohio; Union Pacific-Southern Region agreement; NS-N conference call; Prepare for NS-S GCofA mtg. to discuss tenta- very necessary change. GCofA mtg., New Orleans, La. tive contract; NS-S GCofA mtg., Asheville, N.C.; Present NS tentative agreement to So many issues important to working Vice-President Richard K. Radek— ND Office; BLET Decertification Hel- NS-S GCofA for Q&A by local chairmen; Discuss SEPTA arbitration issues, confer- pline services; Director of Arbitration Dept; National Railroad Adjustment Board ence call; NS-E conference call w/ GCof A to discuss tentative agreement; NS-E, families and the Teamsters Union hang (NRAB); Illinois Central; Wisconsin Central; Indiana Harbor Belt; METRA; Belt Rwy. study upcoming arbitration cases; Study PLB cases for hearing in NYC, PATH. in the balance during this election. of Chicago; Chicago Central & Pacific; Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range; Routine Vice-President Dennis R. Pierce — Assigned to all CSX General Commit- What’s at stake? The Employee Free office duties, Chicago; Public Law Board establishment, Metra, Chicago; NRAB tees — Eastern Lines, Western Lines, Northern Lines, Conrail (SAA/CSX-Northern Choice Act. The fate of the Mexican case prep. w/ Doug Davidson; NRAB Arbitration, Sec. 3 mtg.; New secretary job District) — and Indiana Rail Road, Alabama State Docks; Special projects, BNSF briefing; Mtg. W/ G. Faulkner, Cleveland; NRAB arbitration, various GcofAs; Mtg. GCofAs; General office duties; CSX-BLET General Chairmen’s mtgs., Jacksonville, truck program. Amtrak funding. Trade w/ L. Pruitt & J Dayton, re: PLB, UP, Rosemont, Ill; LMDR mtg. prep, CN/WC, Green Fla.; NS-Southern GCofA contract mtg., Asheville, N.C.; CSX interdivisional service policies. The list goes on and on. Bay, Wisc.; WC labor/management DR mtg.; FRA Part 240.409 dockets: EQAL mtg., Huntington, W.Va.; International Western Convention, San Luis Obispo, Calif; The upcoming election is about Vice-President Merle W. Geiger Jr.— Assigned to: BLET Trainmen’s De- Democratic National Convention, Denver. more than who has the better personal- partment; Kansas City Southern; Texas-Mexican Rwy.; Midsouth Rail; Southrail; Vice-President Mike Twombly — Assigned to Delaware & Hudson; Spring- Gateway Western; CP Rail System/U.S.; Portland & Western RR; Great Western RR; field Terminal; St. Lawrence & Atlantic; Montreal, Maine & Atlantic; Union Railroad; ity and who can generate better sound Utah Railway; Charity event and mtgs. w/ GC Parker and Division 612 (KCS), Lake Birmingham Southern; New York, Susquehanna & Western; New England Central; bites. It’s about the future of our coun- Charles, La.; Mtgs. w/ GC Clark and Division 244 (Tex Mex), Laredo, Texas and South Buffalo Rwy.; Iowa, Chicago & Eastern; Indiana & Ohio; Indiana Southern; try and the health of the American la- Houston, Texas; Vacation; Research, correspondence and general office duties. Louisville & Indiana; Meridian Southern; Talleyrand Terminal Railroad; Springfield bor movement. That future should not Vice-President Stephen D. Speagle—Assigned to Burlington Northern Terminal conference; Office calls and administration; Union Railroad PLB 7006, Santa Fe, Montana Rail Link, Pacific Harbor Line, Missouri & Northern Arkansas Pittsburgh; Montreal, Maine & Atlantic contract negotiations, Bangor, Maine; Inter- be left in the hands of someone like (M&NA), National Wage/Rule Committee; General office duties; Conference call national Western Convention, San Luis Obispo, Calif. John McCain, who recently said he “doesn’t really understand economics” and that “the fundamentals of the econ- Locomotive Engineers And Trainmen News PERIODICALS omy are strong.” Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers And Trainmen No matter what the polls are say- POSTAGE ing leading up to Election Day, it is es- A Division Of The Rail Conference, PAID AT sential that each and every one of us International Brotherhood Of Teamsters CLEVELAND, OH get to the polls and vote. As Election BLET Publications Committee: Day approaches I hope you will eval- Edward W. Rodzwicz, National President Paul T. Sorrow, First Vice-President & Alternate President uate your state and local candidates William C. Walpert, National Secretary-Treasurer with the same scrutiny with which we John P. Tolman, Vice-President & National Legislative Rep. evaluated the candidates for president. John V. Bentley Jr., Editor We can’t afford four more years of an- www.ble-t.org (216) 241-2630 ti-worker politicians taking America in COPYRIGHT 2008, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED VOLUME 22 NUMBER 9 & 10 Sept/Oct 2008 the wrong direction. LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & TRAINMEN NEWS (ISSN 0898-8625) is published monthly by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen, 1370 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113-1702. Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to James P. Hoffa Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen News — BLET Records Department, Te• a m s t e r s Ge n e r a l Pr e s i d e n t 1370 Ontario Street, Mezzanine Cleveland, OH 44113-1702. 09-10/08•