PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — More than 250 BLE members gathered here this morning for opening ceremonies at the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers’ 76th annual Southeastern Meeting Association (SMA).
SMA Chairman W.M. “Bill” Overton and Grand International Auxiliary (GIA) Chairperson Delaine Morris called the meeting to order with the traditional SMA flag ceremony, in which GIA members present flags from each state belonging to the SMA.
GIA President Onita Wayland introduced her fellow GIA officers and spoke about the important role an active GIA can play in support of the Brotherhood.
BLE International President Don Hahs reported some movement in national contract negotiations with the National Carriers Conference Committee, and said negotiations will resume on July 19. Pay increases and health & welfare remain as two of the major sticking points, the President said.
He also discussed the issue of remote control operations. He said rail carriers are coming to the realization that the operations are not as efficient as first expected. The carriers originally told BLE they expected to replace nearly all traditional switching jobs with remote control jobs, but thus far have been unable to do so because of efficiency issues.
Regardless, President Hahs predicted a secure future for locomotive engineers and all other rail workers.
“Studies indicate railroad traffic will increase dramatically in the next 20 years, and there will always be a lot of work for rail workers and there is a bright future for our younger members,” he said.
The meeting will resume this afternoon with a closed session for BLE members. Tomorrow, C. Thomas Keegel, Secretary-Treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, will address BLE members regarding the proposed merger of the BLE and IBT.