BOSTON, July 28 — Approximately 200 members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and their families convened here yesterday morning for opening ceremonies of the 77th annual and final Eastern Union Meeting Association (EUMA).
EUMA Chairman Mark Kenny opened the ceremonies while Arrangements Chairman Kevin Moore welcomed all members, families and guests to Boston.
After presentation of the flags, the Boston Police Gaelic Column performed introductory music on the bagpipes to kick off the meeting. Sereena Hogan, National President of the BLET Auxiliary, presided over the traditional empty chair ceremony. An empty chair, as well as various tools of the engineers’ craft, were left at the front of the meeting hall to honor the Organization’s departed Brothers and Sisters.
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce introduced members of the BLET Advisory Board and National Division Staff who were in attendance. President Pierce spoke briefly about the nation’s political climate, the upcoming presidential election, and the current round of national bargaining.
Guest speakers included: International Brotherhood of Teamsters Vice President John Murphy, who is also Director of the Teamsters Rail Conference; Congressman Mike Capuano (D-MA); IBT International Vice President Sean O’Brien, who is also President of Teamsters Local 25; and Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Steven Tolman, brother of BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative John Tolman.
Monday afternoon concluded with a closed meeting for BLET members and open meetings for the BLET Auxiliary. Members will take advantage of numerous educational opportunities throughout the remainder of the week. Workshops will feature specialized training for BLET Legislative Representatives, Secretary-Treasurers and Local Chairmen. These workshops will also include an overview of the BLET’s Mobilization network. An information seminar with the Federal Railroad Administration is also on the educational agenda.
This will be the final EUMA convention. Delegates to the Third National Convention changed the BLET’s regional meeting structure so that there will be two annual regional meetings sponsored by the National Division beginning next year.
Photo highlights of the 2015 EUMA can be found on the National Division’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/BLETNational.
The 77th and final EUMA will conclude with a dinner banquet the evening of July 29.