HURON, Ohio, July 10 — The BLET’s 70th annual Eastern Union Meeting Association continued here this week with numerous educational opportunities for BLET members and their families.
The BLET’s Education and Training Department helped coordinate and organize all of the workshops during this year’s EUMA. Members participated in workshops for Legislative Representatives, Local Chairmen, Secretary-Treasurers and Division Presidents.
In addition, other workshops included: Training for Norfolk Southern members regarding signal tapes; Updating officers regarding the filing of LM-30 reports; Safe handling of nuclear waste by rail; a Daily Locomotive Inspection workshop; and a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder workshop.
Legislative Representative Workshop
Approximately 25 BLET legislative leaders participated in a Legislative Representative workshop on July 8. Presentations were made by: John Tolman, BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative; Tim Smith, California State Legislative Board Chairman and Chairman of the National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen; and Tim Hanely, Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman.
The workshop included a special appearance by Tom Leston, a Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives who represents the 64th District. He engaged in a detailed question and answer session with BLET members regarding appropriate ways to communicate with elected officials.
Based on input from BLET members in the state, including Chairman Hanely, Rep. Leston introduced Ohio House Bill No. 442, which would require employers to allow a parent to exercise court-ordered parenting time without terminating employment, reducing pay or taking other similar action against the parent.
The legislation is of importance for rail workers — particularly those who are divorced — as it will allow them to take time off work without fear of retribution from carriers.
“It helps divorced parents secure time off work for their court appointed visitations with their children,” he said. “And it helps railroaders get parenting time off, something that is normally difficult to obtain.”
Rep. Leston said he knows the importance of union members securing time off work, as he spent time as a member of the Laborer’s Union as well as the United Steelworkers.
H.B. 442 is currently in committee and Rep. Letson is helping it work its its way through the Ohio House of Representatives. Co-sponsors for the bill include Representatives Foley, Yuko, Fende, Domenick, Gerberry, Celeste, D. Steward, Mallory, B. Williams, and Bob Hagen, a BLET member who holds elected office in the Ohio House.
Secretary-Treasurer Workshop
The BLET’s Education & Training Department conducted a workshop for Secretary-Treasurers regarding the online filing of monthly reports and the online payment of dues.
Presentations were made by: Bill Walpert, BLET National Secretary-Treasurer and Director of the Education & Training Department; Dr. Elaine Reese, Director of Tax Compliance; and Walt Schmidt, BLET Director of Online Services.
Proper filing of LM Reports, along with information regarding the new 990-N and EFTPS reports, were among the topics of discussion during the full-day class.
Members also learned proper techniques for submitting online reports and filing forms with various governmental organizations, such as the Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service.
Local Chairmen & Arbitration Workshop
One of the most important functions provided by a union is the protection of members’ rights under a union contract. The BLET’s Local Chairmen and Arbitration workshops make sure our officers are properly trained to provide the best representation possible to locomotive engineers and trainmen.
The Local Chairmen & Arbitration workshop at this year’s EUMA featured input from a professional arbitrator. The North American Railway Foundation (NARF) paid for National Mediation Board Arbitrator Joe Cassidy to participate in the workshop. He explained to members the interaction between neutral arbitrators and union advocates. Cassidy, a retired BLET National Vice President, also stressed the importance of making sure that good information is placed on the record during disciplinary hearings, and gave advice on some of the key items that neutrals look for when reviewing hearing transcripts.
BLET National Vice President Marcus Ruef presided over the workshop, and workshop presenters included: Dennis Pierce, BLET National Vice President, and Bill Thompson, Norfolk Southern-Southern Line Vice General Chairman.
Nuclear Workshop
Many BLET members took advantage of a workshop regarding the safe transport of spent nuclear fuel and other hazardous materials. Workshop presenters were: Gary Quick, a member of BLET Division 362 and a certified instructor in the Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program at the George Meany Center in Silver Spring, Md.; and Tony Dimond, a member of BLET Division 176 and Chairman of the BLET Wisconsin State Legislative Board.
Among the many items of discussion, Brother Quick talked about safeguards members can take when transporting waste shipments, and the proposed nuclear waste storage facility at Yucca Mountain in Nevada.
LM-30 Workshop
On July 2, 2007, the Department of Labor announced revisions to the LM-30 reporting requirements for union officers and employees. The Final Rule is effective for fiscal years beginning August 16, 2007 and thereafter. The current Form LM-30 may be filed for reports covering any fiscal year beginning before that date.
The EUMA Arrangements Committee organized an LM-30 training workshop in order to help union officers comply with these new reporting requirements. E.J. Leizerman of the law firm Leizerman & Associates presided over the meeting, which members said was extremely valuable and beneficial.
Upcoming Regional Meetings and Workshops
Bill Walpert, BLET National Vice President & Director of the BLET Education and Training Department, said that educational workshops are an important benefit for members and encouraged everyone to attend a workshop to learn from the important training.
He encouraged members to register and attend upcoming regional meetings, including the International Western Convention (August 17-21, San Luis Obispo, Calif.) and the Southwestern Convention Meeting (September 14-18, St. Louis, Mo.). For information on registering for these meetings, please visit the BLET website at:
https://www.ble-t.org/info/meetings
Members should also keep an eye on the BLET website for updates regarding the dates and locations of future Education and Training Department Workshops for Local Chairmen, Secretary-Treasurers and Legislative Representatives.
For photo highlights of the 70th annual EUMA, visit the BLET website at:
https://www.ble-t.org/info/meetings/euma/photos