CLEVELAND, April 26 — Terry Briggs was reelected to another term as Chairman of the Texas State Legislative Board at Quadrennial meetings in Austin on April 24-25.
It is the second full term as Chairman for Brother Briggs, who is a member of BLET Division 530 in Commerce, Texas. He became chairman in 2001 after Raymond Holmes won election to the office of International Vice President & U.S. National Legislative Representative. Briggs won his first full-term election in 2003.
Also elected were: 1st Vice Chairman Catarino “Cat” Garcia of BLET Division 566 (Del Rio, Texas); 2nd Vice Chairman Tom G. Keith of BLET Division 187 (Fort Worth, Texas); Alternate 2nd Vice Chairman Tony Brown of BLET Division 857 (Tyler, Texas); and Secretary-Treasurer James Ussery of BLET Division 834 (Mineola, Texas).
The 38 delegates in attendance heard presentations from National President Don M. Hahs, First Vice President Ed Rodzwicz, and National Legislative Representative John Tolman. President Hahs discussed the tentative national contract; First Vice President Rodzwicz discussed the BLET’s recent testimony before the House Subcommittee on Railroads regarding fatigue and human factors accidents; and Vice President Tolman discussed the pending Rail Safety Improvement Act.
The delegates also lobbied in favor of House Bill 1083 at the state capital in Austin. A BLET-backed safety measure, H.B. 1083 would require drug and alcohol testing for limo drivers who transport train crews to and from off duty locations. The bill would require pre-employment drug screenings, as well as random and post-accident testing.
The Texas State Legislative Board began working on this measure after a fatal accident in August of 2005. Two train crew members were riding in a company-provided limo to an off duty location when the accident happened near Coleman, Texas. Both crew members were severely injured in the crash, including the engineer, who sustained career ending injures. The limo driver’s cousin, who was riding in the van, was killed. Post accident testing revealed that the driver tested positive for methamphetamines. The driver survived the crash, but is now in prison.
“These carry-all drivers are unregulated by any railroad safety regulations,” Chairman Briggs said. “Our delegates are lobbying for H.B. 1083 to make sure that this type of tragic accident never happens again.”