By Dennis R. Pierce
National President,
E. Lee Pruitt
First Vice President, and
Williams C. Walpert
National Secretary-Treasurer
CLEVELAND, December 22 — When the members of your current Executive Committee were sworn in on January 1, 2011, none of us had any idea of the challenges that were waiting for us throughout the year. From attending rallies in state capitols to testifying at Congressional hearings on Capitol Hill to intensive labor negotiations, the year 2011 was loaded with challenges that taxed the will and strength of us all.
A month after swearing in, organized labor fell under attack from extremist politicians in Wisconsin and Ohio. In spite of the severity of the attacks against the rights of unions to collectively bargain, it was heartening to see how quickly labor, and BLET members in particular, rose to the occasion.
Many BLET members in Wisconsin stepped to the front lines in the War on Workers and rallied with that public sector unions who were under attack. In Ohio, many members joined the fight at rallies in the state capitol. We applaud each and every one of you for putting up the good fight.
And when your elected leaders were not in the trenches showing solidarity with other labor unions, we were fighting for your rights on Capitol Hill. We testified before Congress regarding ways to improve the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008. We testified again regarding the important role railroad safety regulations play in the day-to-day working lives of our members. We also worked on countless behind the scenes issues, including a petition to improve numerous locomotive safety standards.
Your elected leaders were also kept busy at the negotiating table. Countless hours and resources were exhausted in national negotiations on a contract that will impact the majority of our members in one way or another. We participated in on-property negotiations at the Union Pacific Railroad all throughout the year, not to mention numerous contract ratifications on various commuter (MBCR) and short line (Maine, Montreal & Atlantic) railroads.
You were there with us throughout the year, thanks to your participation in our Mobilization network. The BLET ramped up our mobilization efforts this year, and your participation helped to energize the entire organization from coast to coast. Your participation will be even more necessary in the coming days as we come to a final resolution of our national contract settlement.
Looking back, the year 2011 has been a whirlwind of activity. And as the year draws to a close, your Executive Committee would like to take the time to thank you for your participation. Let us take time during this holiday season to pause, catch our collective breaths, and reenergize ourselves for the coming year. Please take the time to focus on the important things in life — your health and your family and friends. Your BLET Executive Committee wishes each and every one nothing but the best this holiday season.