CLEVELAND, May 15 — The BLET’s Education & Training Department recently conducted a series of workshops to benefit the members and officers of the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern (IC&E) Railroad.
On April 2 and 3, Local Chairmen participated in a two-day workshop that covered the structure of the BLET and the job responsibilities of the Local Chairman. Representing the BLET National Division at the workshop were Vice President Mike Twombly, Education & Training Coordinator Ken Kroeger and Special Representative Miller.
On April 16, a seminar was held for Secretary-Treasurers, who were trained in the online filing of monthly dues reports. Representing the BLET National Division at the workshop were Special Representative Tommy Miller, Special Representative Dave Ditzel, and Director of Online Services Walt Schmidt.
IC&E members reaffirmed their allegiance to the BLET on March 6 by voting overwhelmingly in favor of the BLET in a representation election.
They originally joined the Brotherhood in December of 2002, and thanks to the BLET, obtained their first-ever union contract in January of 2005. These dedicated members showed their appreciation to the Brotherhood in the March 6 election, voting overwhelmingly to remain BLET members and easily rejecting a takeover attempt by another rail union.
“These workshops are just an example of the valuable services the BLET Education & Training Department provides to the membership,” said National Secretary-Treasurer Bill Walpert, who is the Director of Education & Training. “Quality membership service is one of the many reasons why our IC&E Brothers and Sisters voted to remain in the BLET.
“Our new leaders at IC&E will now be able to better represent their members thanks to these workshops, which makes the Brotherhood stronger.”