CLEVELAND, July 1 — Dennis R. Pierce is the new National President of North America’s senior rail labor organization. Pierce, 51, became the 23rd President in the 147-year history of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) today following the retirement of Paul T. Sorrow, whose distinguished railroad career spanned 45 years and included 38 years of dedicated service to the Brotherhood.
Among President Pierce’s first official acts was to convene the Advisory Board, after which he announced the following changes in leadership to the Organization’s top governing body:
• Vice President E. L. “Lee” Pruitt was elected unanimously by the Board to serve as First Vice President and Alternate President, filling the vacancy created by the promotion of Brother Pierce. Prior to his election to the BLET’s second-highest office, Brother Pruitt, 59, served as a National Vice President assigned to the Union Pacific territory.
• Don L. Moates was promoted to the office of BLET National Vice President (previously filled by Brother Pruitt). Moates, 63, was elected to the office of fifth alternate National Vice President at the BLET’s First Quadrennial National Convention in 2006. He was serving the Brotherhood as General Chairman of the CSX Western Lines General Committee of Adjustment immediately prior to his promotion to National Vice President.
President Pierce congratulated Brothers Pruitt and Moates on their promotions. He also announced that his administration and the Advisory Board are continuing on the track of reform put into place by retired President Sorrow during his tenure as BLET Chief.
“I am proud to assume the leadership of this historic Brotherhood and humbled by the challenges that lie ahead,” President Pierce said. “My administration will build upon the important internal reforms instituted by Paul Sorrow and I look forward to a continued spirit of cooperation, unity and Brotherhood by the Advisory Board and in the Organization at all levels.”
President Pierce also pledged that the new Brotherhood leaders will focus on re-energizing the BLET from top to bottom. “Armed with the painful lessons of the past few years, it’s time for the BLET to turn the corner to a brighter tomorrow; a tomorrow in which tough, experienced union leaders and energized, mobilized members fight together for the benefit of BLET members and their families,” Pierce said.
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Bio of President Dennis Pierce:
https://www.ble-t.org/people/officers/pierce.asp
Bio of First Vice President Lee Pruitt:
https://www.ble-t.org/people/officers/pruitt.asp
Bio of Vice President Don Moates:
https://www.ble-t.org/people/officers/moates.asp