THE LOCOMOTIVE NGINEER ENEWSLETTER · NOVEMBER 2001 Ballot deadline: Dec. 10 BLE members to vote again BLE members who have not received their ballots in the BLE-UTU merger referendum should call on proposed merger with UTU the following number to request a replacement: Members will face one of the big- The tally was certified by the AAA. gest decisions in the 138-year history The referendum had been finalized on (800) 529-5218 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- September 17, but the counting of the gineers this month when they receive ballots was delayed by a lawsuit ballots to vote on a proposed merger brought by three BLE officers. Members can also call this number to request additional copies of with the United Transportation Union. The lawsuit challenged the voting the proposed Unification Agreement and Constitution. The ballots were mailed on Novem- process used by BLE in the first refer- ber 7 and are due by December 10 to endum, in which ballots were mailed on the American Aribtration Association August 6. The UTU vote was not (AAA), the neutral third party retained challeged in the lawsuit. However, that situation never arose as BLE’s National Mobilization Team are to tablulate the results. As a result of an out-of-court settle- the ballots were destroyed before they conducting informational workshops If a majority of members approve ment reached by attorneys represent- were counted. thorughout the U.S. and Canada. Spe- the merger, the Unification Agreement ing the BLE and the three officers, the If approved, the merger would cre- cial “get out the vote” flyers have also and Constitution of the newly estab- BLE agreed to destroy all ballots cast ate the AFL-CIO’s second-largest been posted on bulletin boards in the lished union will become effective Janu- in the first referendum and re-ballot the transportation union and largest rail- yard offices, and are available for print- ary 1, 2002. membership using new, secret ballots. road union, with nearly 200,000 active ing from the BLE website. The merged union would be named The BLE also agreed to allow both and retired members. Side Letter #1 In addition, the BLE has estab- United Transportation Union-Brother- U.S. and Canadian ballots to be counted of the Unification Agreement confirms, lished a toll-free hotline for members hood of Locomotive Engineers (UTU- together. In the first referendum, Ca- “the officers of (the) New Organization who have not received their ballots, or BLE), and the logos of both unions nadian ballots were cast and counted shall promptly apply for membership in for those who need a new copy of the would be retained. separately. If a majority of Canadian the AFL-CIO and the CLC.” The new Unification Agreement and Constitu- In a vote certified on October 29, members had voted against the merger union would be based in Cleveland. tion. That number is: (800) 529-5218. members of the UTU voted to approve while a majority of U.S. members voted Due to the extreme importance of For late-breaking information on the merger by an almost six-to-one ra- in favor, then the Canadian BLE mem- this referendum, the BLE is working to the proposed merger of the BLE with tio. The UTU vote was 23,368 in favor bership would not have been a part of make sure that there is a high voter the UTU, members are encouraged to of the merger and 4,146 opposed. the newly formed union on Jan. 1, 2002. turnout. As a result, members of the visit <www.ble.org>. • Homeland Security Anthrax scare slows S. 697 action Following a temporary suspension of lobbying ate office buildings — two days later. efforts as a result of the September 11 terrorist at- In spite of these obstacles, Rail Labor lobbyists tacks on the United States, Rail Labor resumed the have secured 75 Senate cosponsors for the bill. BLE fight for passage of S. 697 in early October. lobbyists are working in conjunction with a coalition However, lobbying efforts for the Railroad Retire- of lobbyists representing all of rail labor. ment and Survivors’ Improvement Act of 2001 have At meetings with Senate representatives on No- been hampered by the recent anthrax scare in Wash- vember 6, a number of options were discussed with ington, D.C., and the close of several House and Sen- Senate leaders, including making S. 697 a part of a ate office buildings. wrap-up bill that may be considered at the end of the A letter carrying anthrax was opened in the of- current legislative session. fice of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) To make sure the bill is acted upon this year, BLE on Oct. 15, forcing the shutdown of the entire Hart Senate building — and all five other House and Sen- See Railroad Retirement, Page 4 BLE gets Meridian Southern organizing win BLE International President Don M. Hahs met with Employees of the Meridian Southern Railway While the BLE could savor the organizing victory, Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, right, unanimously selected the Brotherhood of Locomotive President Hahs said the Brotherhood still has much on October 23 in Washington, D.C. Mineta attended a Engineers as their collective bargaining representa- more work ahead of it. meeting of the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades tive on October 15. “Anytime workers at a shortline railroad feel they Department, where he discussed homeland security BLE President Don. M. Hahs congratulated the need to be organized, I believe the BLE has an obli- with President Hahs and the other leaders of the BLE’s Department of Internal Organizing, Mobiliz- gation to do so,” President Hahs said. “There are ap- nation’s rail and transportation unions. ing and Strategic Planning for the successful orga- proximately 60,000 employees in the shortline indus- nizing campaign, and singled out Special Represen- tative Tommy Miller for his efforts. See Meridian Southern, Page 4 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Since 1863, a tradition of forward thinking Page 2 Locomotive Engineer Newsletter · November 2001 BLE NEWS BLE regional meetings set for 2002 With 2001 drawing to a close, BLE reservation deadline is May 24, 2002. dian currency). For more details, con- the EUMA in order to receive the dis- members are making vacation plans for A dinner cruise is being planned as tact Chairman Amaya by calling (509) counted room rate. 2002. part of the festivities. Space is available 628-8844. Tentative activities include golf Many BLE members prefer to on a first-come, first-served basis, so IWC 2002, the “Unlimited Conven- tournament, formal banquet, visit to spend their vacations honing their you must register as soon as possible tion,” will coincide with the “Unlimited Steamtown National Historic Site, and skills at one of the many workshops of- if you are interested. Hydroplane” race series. Guests can a minor league baseball game. For de- fered at the BLE’s annual regional Hotel reservations can be made by extend their stays a few days to enjoy tails, contact Brother Kertesz by phone meetings. Others attend to rekindle old calling (800) 468-2722 (in Virginia the Columbia Cup hydroplane race, one at (570) 675-2417 or by e-mail at: friendships. Either way, the BLE’s four please call (800) 422-4747). For a pre- of the fastest sports on the planet. <[email protected]>. regional meetings provide a popular va- registration form, contact SMA 2002 cation destination for members and Chairman T.C. Emory at 4912 Euclid August 18-23 September 23-26, 67th Annual their families. Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23462; or via e- Eastern Union Meeting Association Southwestern Convention Meeting What follows is a tentative agenda mail at: <[email protected]>. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Fort Worth, Texas for the 2002 regional meetings. All Arrangements Chairman Ken Chairman Mark Banton and mem- dates and locations published below July 21-25, 62nd Annual Kertesz and members of BLE Division bers of BLE Division 500 host the 2002 are final; however, certain activities and International Western Convention 263 host the 2002 EUMA in Wilkes- SWCM, to be held at the Radisson Ho- events listed are subject to change due Kennewick, Wash. Barre, Pa., at the Woodlands Inn & Re- tel (815 Main Street Fort Worth, TX to unforeseeable circumstances. Hosted by Chairman William sort. 76102). Reservations can be made by Amaya in the Tri-Cities area of Wash- Nestled in the Northeastern calling (817) 870-2100. June 16-20, 2002 ington State, the 2002 IWC is a conven- Poconos, members will enjoy a dis- The tentative agenda is as follows: 75th Southeastern Meeting tion you will not want to miss. counted room rate of $95 per night (plus Monday, September 23: convention reg- Association Guests will stay at the Westcoast tax) for a single or double. Room rates istration and golf tournament (8 a.m.); Virginia Beach, Va. Tri-Cities Hotel at: 1101 N. Columbia include a fully cooked breakfast each September 24: opening ceremony and Chairman T.C. Emory is hosting the Center Blvd., Kennewick, WA 99336, morning and a shuttle service to and barbecue dinner; September 25: work- 2002 SMA at the Virginia Beach Resort and reservations can be made by call- from the Wilkes Barre-Scranton Inter- shops and formal banquet; and Septem- Hotel & Conference Center from June ing (509) 783-0611. Mention the BLE national Airport. ber 26: closed meeting and SWCM busi- 16-20, 2002. Discount room rates of $99 convention to receive discounted room Reservations can be made by call- ness meeting. For more details, contact per night have been secured and the rates of $85 per night (U.S.