(The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen issued the following news release on May 1.)
MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. — On March 26, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) issued a strike ballot concerning their November 1, 1999 Section 6 Notice. With almost two-thirds of the eligible voters responding, an overwhelming majority, over 95 percent, voted in favor of a strike.
For more than 100 years, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen has represented railroad signalmen throughout the United States and Canada. Signalmen perform safety sensitive work on railroad signal systems, and are responsible for the installation, testing, and maintenance of railroad signal systems and highway-rail crossing warning devices.
The BRS believes its members deserve a decent wage and benefit package, consistent with their responsibilities, skills, and dedication. In the past three and one-half years, the BRS has met on 30 occasions with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) to negotiate a fair contract. However, during that time the NCCC has resisted sincere negotiations. Instead, the BRS Negotiating Committee has been subjected to unacceptable and concessionary offers.
The NCCC s refusal of the BRS s latest offer, based on the recent pattern established by the Transportation Communications International Union s arbitrated agreement, only confirms that they are not interested in giving the BRS members the most basic of agreements. Instead, the NCCC is still demanding unacceptable concessions from the BRS and its members.
Since 2001, increased workloads and responsibilities for signalmen have been compounded by a substantial reduction of their members in the workforce. On average, the carriers would need to increase employment by 10 percent to return to 2001 levels. Despite the increased workloads, responsibilities, and changing technologies, BRS members continue to rise to the challenge with professionalism and dedication. Ignoring these facts, the carriers are still unwilling to acknowledge their contributions and negotiate a fair settlement.
In accordance with the Railway Labor Act and the BRS Constitution, strike plans will be formulated, and a strike authority issued, unless in the interim the BRS reaches an agreement on their Section 6 Notice.