CLEVELAND, June 30 — The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers merger with the Teamsters has resulted in increased strength and greater resources for both rail unions. Both the BLET and BMWED have retained their independent characters, structures, bylaws, autonomy and history. Yet, they have gained the asset of being divisions in the Teamster Rail Conference, and as such, the ability to tap into the resources and expertise of one of America’s largest unions.
Both the memberships of the BLET and BMWED voted overwhelmingly to merge with the Teamsters. They did so knowing full well that they would gain political, financial and organizing strength being part of a larger transportation union. Since the merger, the Teamsters have supported organizing projects with both unions, produced organizing materials and provided daily support to organizers in the field.
The Teamsters are committed to strengthening all of rail labor. Rail carriers may continue their mantra of wanting reduced crew consists and increasing the use of technology, but we know that the most efficient and safe way of running a rail line is with a complete crew on-board and a full complement of track forces to maintain the rail line. James R. Hoffa, the former general president, envisioned an all inclusive transportation union – representing ports, airlines, trucking and rails. The creation of the Teamster Rail Conference is an important component of that vision.
A workplace flyer of this Fact Sheet is available on the BLET website at: https://www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/Autonomy.pdf