CLEVELAND, July 6 — Dennis R. Pierce has been reelected to another three-year term as General Chairman of the BNSF-MRL General Committee of Adjustment at meetings in Las Vegas on July 3. Pierce, a member of Division 98 (Lincoln, Neb.), was elected by acclamation.
Matt O. Wilson of Division 104 (Spokane, Wash.) was elected to the office of First Vice-Chairman; Steve Bratka of Division 98 (Lincoln, Neb.) won election to the Second Vice-Chairman position; and Don May of Division 104 (Spokane) was elected Third Vice-Chairman.
James H. Nelson of Division 644 (Galesburg, Ill.) was reelected without opposition to the office of Secretary-Treasurer of the Committee. Joe Zawada of Division 232 (Laurel, Mont.) will fill the position of Alternate Secretary-Treasurer.
Alternate vice-chairmen were also elected. They include: Don L. Helander of Division 499 (Whitefish, Mont.), First Alternate Vice-Chairman; Rick A. Olson of Division 746 (Mandan, N.D.), Second Alternate Vice-Chairman; and Charlie E. Sheets of Division 13 (LaCrosse, Wisc.), Third Alternate Vice-Chairman.
The meetings began on June 28 with 44 delegates in attendance. The delegates have considered numerous issues, including some amendments to the General Committee bylaws.
The delegates also participated in an educational workshop for Local Chairmen presented by the BLET Education & Training Department, which helped the attendees hone their skills for use in representing members in company fact-findings.
Delegates also heard a detailed financial report by GCofA Secretary-Treasurer Jim Nelson.
BLET National President Don Hahs addressed the group and took questions on July 1. He was accompanied by BLET First Vice-President Ed Rodzwicz, who also gave a report.
Teamsters International Vice-President John Murphy of Boston presented delegates with a comprehensive report on the status of BLET-Teamster initiatives. The report included a detailed PowerPoint presentation.
Delegates also heard reports from BLET Designated Counsel, BRCF, LE&CMPA and ORBA Financial Services.