(The Associated Press distributed the following article on December 5.)
WASHINGTON — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers union have voted overwhelmingly to merge with the Teamsters on Jan. 1.
Teamsters President James P. Hoffa announced the vote results Friday. U.S. members approved the merger, 81 percent to 19 percent. In Canada, the vote as 63 percent to 37 percent.
“The Teamsters have always had a vision for a seamless transportation union giving workers real power on the job and in the political arena. This historic merger brings us closer to our union’s vision,” Hoffa said.
The merger is part of a Teamsters’ effort to unite rail and transportation labor. Hoffa said some AFL-CIO unions are discussing potential mergers with Teamsters, including the Brotherhood of Maintenance Way Employees.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has 32,000 members in the United States and 4,000 in Canada. The Teamsters union has 1.4 million members.