ST. LOUIS, Mo., September 9 — More than 350 members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen convened here today for opening ceremonies of the 79th annual Southwestern Convention Meeting (SWCM).
As with last year’s SWCM in New Orleans, the SWCM attendance is the highest of any of the BLET’s four regional meetings this year.
Sister Heather R. Carnahan, a member of BLET Division 442, sang the National Anthem following presentation of the flags. Brother Ulysses Evans, BLET Division 42, delivered the invocation. Brother Mike McGill, Division 42, presided over the 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. SWCM Arrangements Chairman David Grimes, Local Chairman of Division 42, led the group in a moment of silence in honor of Brother Chance J. Gober, BLET Division 182, a Union Pacific locomotive engineer who was killed in the line of duty on August 17, 2014.
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce introduced members of the BLET Advisory Board and National Division Staff who were in attendance. His remarks touched upon the War on Workers and the need for solidarity in the labor movement.
“As railroad workers we live in very challenging times,” President Pierce said. “The carriers confront us at every turn, seeking to change our workplace not for our betterment, but instead for their own profit.
“But what we face is just one example of what is happening throughout our great nation today. There is an attack on working class Americas — both union members and non-union members alike — the likes of which haven’t been seen in several generations.”
To counteract the War on Workers, President Pierce urged all workers and all unions to pull together for their common interests.
His remarks were echoed by three members of the Missouri State Legislature who addressed attendees during the morning session: Gina Walsh, Missouri State Senator; Jacob W. Hummel, Missouri State Representative; and Bob Burns, Missouri State Representative. They all spoke about the importance of unions — and an involved, active membership — in counteracting the War on Workers. Additionally, Rep. Burns presented Brother Grimes with a proclamation from the Missouri House of Representatives honoring Brother Grimes for his many contributions to the Brotherhood over the years.
Brian May, a representative of Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon’s office, read a letter of greeting from the Governor, praising BLET members for their professionalism and the important role they play in the nation’s economy.
John Murphy, Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and Director of the Teamsters Rail Conference, spoke about the importance of high-speed rail in California and its impact on the rest of the United States.
The sixth guest speaker of the day was Jim Kabell, President of the Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska Conference of Teamsters, a three-state coalition of Teamsters in the Midwest.
Anita Caruso, National President of the BLET Auxiliary, also addressed the group and introduced the National Officers of the Auxiliary who were in attendance.
The meeting kicked off yesterday with an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) workshop. Members will participate in additional educational opportunities throughout the remainder of the week, including specialized training for BLET Legislative Representatives, Secretary-Treasurers and Local Chairmen. There also will be informational presentations on the BLET health & welfare plan and the Federal Railroad Administration, as well as a workshop on the BLET’s national mobilization network.
The 79th annual SWCM concludes with a dinner banquet and dance the evening of September 10. Next year, the SWCM will be held in Tulsa, Okla.