CLEVELAND, October 12 — The BLET’s 2nd National Convention kicked off on Monday October 4, 2010 and concluded on Thursday October 7, 2010. The Convention was a Bylaws and Nominating Convention in the build up to this November’s historic rank-and-file election of National Division officers. While they are in session at the Convention, the delegates constitute the governing body of the BLET.
“Being a delegate is a not only an honor for any member, it is also one of the most important roles that any member will play,” BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said. “The Bylaws that control our internal governance are 147 years old. They are a living document and a testament to the member delegates who have worked so hard to insure that our internal rules represent the interests and needs of our membership.”
National President Pierce chaired the Convention, staying with the delegates on the convention floor until their deliberations were concluded.
“My goal at the convention was to insure that each and every delegate knew that their participation in this proud process was welcome,” said President Pierce. “Our BLET delegates were elected by the rank and file membership of their respective Local Divisions and they deserve our full respect and support in this their most important mission. My hat is off to the delegates who took the time to stay on the floor of the convention and work long, hard hours to make sure that BLET is headed in the right direction.”
The convention also included remarks from several guest speakers, all of whom are well known friends of the working men and women of America. Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa addressed the group as did United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts. Both Presidents brought the delegates to their feet, re-energizing all in attendance.
President Pierce also addressed the delegates regarding the state of the Brotherhood, while BLET National Secretary-Treasurer Bill Walpert gave his financial report to the body.
As part of the nomination process, 18 candidates for National Division office ran unopposed and were elected by acclamation. The following Advisory Board officers will be sworn in on January 1, 2011:
• Lee Pruitt, First Vice President and Alternate National President;
• John Tolman, Vice President & National Legislative Representative;
• Mike Priester, Vice President #1;
• Cole Davis, Vice President #2;
• Steve Bruno, Vice President #3;
• Mike Twombly, Vice President #5;
• Willard Knight, Vice President #6; and
• Gil Gore, Vice President #7.
The following Alternate Vice Presidents will also be sworn in on January 1: Jim Nelson, Alternate National Secretary-Treasurer; Rick Gibbons, Alternate Vice President #1; Tony Smith, Alternate VP #2; Jim Louis, Alternate VP #3; Matt Wilson, Alternate VP #4; Billy Lyons, Alternate VP #5; Mike Tanner, Alternate VP #6; Ken Kroeger, Alternate VP #7; Rich Dixon, Alternate VP #8; and Matt Thornton, Alternate VP #9.
Two candidates were nominated in each of the four remaining races for National President, National Secretary-Treasurer, National Vice President #4 and Alternate National Vice President & National Legislative Representative. A ballot for those races will be mailed to eligible members on November 15, 2010 and must be returned by December 15, 2010.
“The Brotherhood will be running a Get Out The Vote, or GOTV campaign with the goal that all members will participate in this historic rank and file election of officers,” President Pierce said. “Please remember to mail your ballot when it arrives.”
Additional coverage of the BLET’s Second National Convention will appear in the next issue of the monthly newsletter, as well as the Winter 2010 issue of the Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen Journal.