CLEVELAND, March 30 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and nine other rail unions were informed by BNSF Railway late yesterday afternoon that the railroad was reversing its decision to implement a new, highly-invasive medical information rule.
Earlier this year the unions protested directly to the company and then, when the company refused to reconsider, filed uniform charges of systemic discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of affected members.
Apparently, the specter of having to come up with a legal justification for its challenged action brought the carrier to its senses. BNSF is immediately suspending enforcement of its new rule, and is expected to announce reversion to its former policy some time next week, according to information provided to the general chairmen and each union’s counsel.
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce was pleased with this development. “I want to thank our officers, as well as General Counsel Mike Wolly and his partner Margo Pave, for stepping up in defense of BLET members, and that BNSF has reconsidered its ill-advised actions,” Pierce said. “This shows the power we have when rail labor unions work together toward a common goal, and I am proud to have been part of the coalition that fought for this victory.”