The BLET National Division has prepared a video featuring highlights from several speakers at the union’s Eastern Regional Meeting last week in Washington D.C.
The 8-minute video features the meeting’s opening ceremony and includes messages from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.); BLET National President Eddie Hall; Surface Transportation Board Chairman Robert Primus; Association of Flight Attendants International President Sara Nelson; U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.); FRA Administrator Amit Bose; Railroad Retirement Board Labor Member John Bragg; and Teamsters Rail Conference Director Mike Smith.
The fiery speech by AFA President Nelson was a favorite with the audience. Go here to watch highlights of Nelson’s address.
Since last week, Senator Sanders has published two videos on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) highlighting some of his remarks to the BLET audience regarding PSR and wealth inequality in America. A video of his full remarks is available here.
Senator Sanders also discussed rail workers’ ongoing struggle to secure paid sick leave. The fight continues for BLET members at three Class I railroads: CSX, CPKC, and Canadian National, which have refused to provide this basic necessity.
Major themes throughout the speeches included PSR, rail safety, the upcoming round of national negotiations, quality of life agreements, and the carriers’ refusal to join the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) in spite of promises to do so (PDF).