CLEVELAND, October 30 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative contract with the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railway (DM&E) governing rates of pay and work rules for approximately 300 locomotive engineers, assistant engineers, conductors and brakemen.
TrueBallot, Inc., will conduct online and telephone voting for this agreement. Ballots and instructions, along with a synopsis of the agreement, are being mailed to active members working for the DM&E. Voting begins at 9 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, and ends at noon on Monday, November 30, 2015.
Members who are eligible and have not received a ratification packet by November 6, 2015, should call the National Division at (216) 241-2630, extension 222. When connected with the extension, please leave the following information:
• your name, address and phone number;
• the division to which you belong;
• the date you were promoted to locomotive engineer;
• your date of birth; and
• the last four digits of your Social Security number;
• and your email address if you would like your ballot information sent via email.
However, e-mail requests for ballots will not be accepted because personal information is required to verify eligibility before a ballot can be issued.
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce encouraged all affected members to take an active role in the voting process. “Union membership is not a spectator sport,” President Pierce said. “As a member of the BLET, it is your duty to read, understand, and vote on your collective bargaining agreement. Contract balloting is one of the most important processes in our Brotherhood, so please do your part and make your voice heard.”