It’s my honor and privilege to serve as the new National President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
Like many of you, I come from a family of railroaders. My father started his railroad career 65 years ago and the BLET has been an important part of my family’s story for decades. Working for the railroad under a union contract positively changed my father’s life and the trajectory of our entire family, giving us opportunities that never existed before.
After being the first in my family to graduate from college, I proudly chose to follow my father’s path to the railroad and into the cab as a locomotive engineer. From the very beginning I felt a desire to help the working men and women represented by the BLET.
It’s easy to take pride in the BLET. Our union has a rich history. In fact, BLET is the oldest union in the United States, founded 162 years ago this week.
I celebrate the past, but I’m very focused on the future. From my vantage point, this won’t always be an easy run. We will have our share of challenges. For example: BLET is in difficult national negotiations with the largest freight railroads; the new administration in Washington threatens to roll back federal regulations designed to protect the public and our members, such as allowing Mexican train crews to travel far beyond the border; important legislation related to rail safety has stalled and needs to be moved in both Washington and state capitals; economic pressures due to a possible recession and uncertainty over tariffs will create employment pressures; federal cuts to transportation funding will be issues at Amtrak and commuter railroads; and this month we will likely be on strike at New Jersey Transit, the nation’s third-largest commuter railroad.
We will succeed if we are unified. Our strength comes from BLET’s membership working together as one. We are not like the rail carriers or other corporate entities. BLET is a group of individuals with shared interests — we are the union. This includes all members, not just the loudest voices on social media or those who support us at every turn, but also the majority who seldom speak up but are glad to have a union job and the benefits and protections that come with it.
I want to congratulate Gary Best on becoming our new First Vice President. Gary, along with National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes and the entire Advisory Board are a great leadership team. Together, with you, as a union we are prepared to meet the challenges of today and into the future.
In solidarity,
Mark