RENO, Nevada — Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa opened the Second National Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) today in Reno, Nevada, addressing more than 500 delegates representing rail engineers and trainmen on national freight rail lines, Amtrak and commuter rail systems across the country.
“When you voted to merge with us back in 2004, it made us the largest transportation union in the world,” General President Hoffa told the BLET delegates attending the four-day convention. “Because of you, we represent the roads, the skies and the rails. The merger has meant that the BLET is stronger and we’re making sure that it keeps growing for another 100 years.”
Hoffa noted that the Obama administration has proposed $8 billion in funds for high speed rail, which will mean more new rail jobs and future growth opportunities.
“We are going to continue growing and building, and it’s all going to be done by union members,” Hoffa said. “So let’s make sure we vote this November so that we can ensure that the funds for rail and that job creation plans in general that the Democratic Congress and the White House are pushing keep moving forward.”
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said: “It was quite an honor for me, and for the delegation, that General President Hoffa took the time from his very busy schedule to travel to Reno and kick off our Convention. BLET members have benefited tremendously from our partnership with the Teamsters, and I am confident that we have contributed to the IBT’s strength, as well.”
The BLET was the first rail union to merge with the Teamsters in 2004 and formed the basis for the Teamsters Rail Conference. The BLET represents more than 55,000 engineers and trainmen through the United States. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, founded in 1903, represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.Teamster.org for more information.
Photos of the event are available on the BLET National Division’s Flickr account:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bletunion