(The BLET Pennsylvania Legislative Board issued the following news release on June 4.)
HARRISBURG, Pa. — At the onset of the 2008 General Election Campaign, the Pennsylvania Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has announced its endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President.
BLET members are endorsing Senator Obama because of his support of labor, minimum wage and other issues concerning union members.
“We are impressed with Senator Obama’s track record of voting in compliance with labor initiatives,” said Ken Kertesz, Chairman of the Pennsylvania BLET Legislative Board. “He will fight for important issues like security, fair wages, and affordable healthcare.”
Obama promises to ensure workers the right to unionize and organize as well as protecting striking workers and raising the minimum wage. In the past, he has worked towards these goals. In 2007 he introduced the Patriot Employer Act that gives a tax credit to employers who keep jobs in the United States, pay decent wages or provide healthcare to employees.
Other labor unions have endorsed Senator Obama for President, including the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the United Steel Workers (USW). These unions cite the same reasons for endorsement as the BLET. It has become increasingly clear to union officials that having Senator Obama as President would be in the best interest of all labor unions.
The Pennsylvania Legislative Board of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) represents 1,300 employees of Class I freight railroads and commuter lines, including: Norfolk Southern; Canadian Pacific; Canadian National; CSX Transportation; Amtrak; and SEPTA. The Pa. BLET merged with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and is also a member of the Pa. AFL-CIO. More information on the Pa. BLET can be found by going to its website: http://www.pslb-blet.org/.