The BLET is urging all active and retired members throughout the United States to join our effort to protect the U.S. border from Mexico and save American jobs.
Two Class I railroads —Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Union Pacific (UP) — are moving forward with plans to take jobs away from American train crews by bringing trains from Mexico into the United States, operated by Mexican train crews. Not only does this move by two of the largest railroads directly threaten the jobs of American locomotive engineers, it also undermines critical protections established under U.S. labor and transportation laws.
Mexican train crews are taking trains a few miles inside the border — now. How far will they be allowed to go in the future? We must put a stop to this unfair and unsafe practice.
Last week, more than 3,000 messages were sent by BLET members living and working along the southern border to members of Congress, alerting them about this dangerous practice and the threat it poses to border security and the economic security of our members. But more help is needed to make sure that the voices of American railroaders are heard. The BLET is expanding the union’s mobilization efforts to include all active and retired members regardless of where they live in the United States. Family members, friends, and members of the BLET Auxiliary are asked to participate as well.
We need to stand together and let Congress know: “Our national rail system has long served as a backbone of commerce and community across the country. It must not be compromised by efforts to erode labor standards or outsource safety-critical work to foreign labor, especially inside our own borders.”
Please visit the Take Action area of the BLET National Division website. Once there, the site will provide guidance on how you and other BLET activists can connect with the appropriate member of Congress including and, with a few clicks, send a message pushing back against these job and safety giveaways.
Click here to Take Action: https://ble-t.org/take-action/#/19