The BLET Education & Training Department wrapped up its Legislative Representative Workshop in mid-May at Teamsters headquarters in Washington, D.C. The workshop for BLET Legislative Representatives (LRs) taught them how to become better lobbyists on behalf of the union. In addition to the 25 in-person attendees, many other LRs participated via Zoom during the classroom sessions.
The workshop featured presentations by Rep. Dina Titus (NV-1), ranking member of the Railroad Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; and Rep. Sara Elfreth (MD-3), the daughter of a retired BLET member. Additional speakers included Surface Transportation Board member Robert Primus and former Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Amit Bose. BLET National President Mark Wallace also held discussions with the Legislative Reps about the union’s upcoming priorities at both the federal and state levels.
Participants spent an intensive week with two visits to Capitol Hill. Among their actions, they observed a Senate Committee Confirmation Hearing for David Fink, the Trump administration’s nominee to serve as Administrator of the FRA (see related article below). On a later visit to the Hill, they met with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for the interests of BLET members. Topics of discussion included: protecting American rail jobs at the southern border, two-person train crews, and ensuring adequate staffing and funding for the Railroad Retirement Board.
“It is always a great opportunity to have Division LRs come to Washington to learn about the BLET’s work in the nation’s capital,” said Vince Verna, BLET Vice President and National Legislative Representative. “The goal is to have LRs learn about their duties and responsibilities and take back a first-hand perspective of what needs to be done at the federal level. It is also a great opportunity for the BLET to have more members and local leaders go to Capitol Hill and tell the story of the locomotive engineer and trainmen to members of Congress. I applaud our LRs and State Legislative Board Chairmen who took the time to travel to Washington for the BLET.”
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