CLEVELAND, May 22 — Members of the BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen (NASLBC) concluded their 38th annual meeting on May 7, 2013. This year’s meeting was held in Detroit, Mich., to coincide with the Brotherhood’s 150th anniversary celebration.
The NASLBC has met annually since 1975 to hear from each State Chairman about railroad related safety and health issues as well as their state’s political climate.
Members conducted elections and elected the following officers to lead the NASLBC: Chairman Tim Smith (California State Legislative Board Chairman); 1st Vice Chairman Paul Piekarski (Illinois SLBC); 2nd Vice Chairman Tim Craver (Virginia SLBC); Secretary-Treasurer Ken Kertesz (Pennsylvania SLBC); and Alternate Secretary-Treasurer James Rigsby (Georgia SLBC). The following Regional Chairmen were also elected: Region 1 Tim Hanely (Ohio SLBC); Region 2 Terry Todd (Arkansas SLBC); Region 3 David Brown (Minnesota SLBC); and Region 4 Cory Runion (Wyoming SLBC).
Several new State Legislative Board Chairmen were seated for their first NASLBC meeting, including: Alan Humphries (Idaho); B.J. Trumble (Michigan); D.B. Kenner (Montana); Patrick Lynch (New Mexico); Terry Schulenberg (Oklahoma); Shahraim Allen (Washington); and James Tiede (Kansas). Brother Matt Parker, new Chairman for the state of Nevada, was recognized but unable to attend.
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce, Vice President & National Legislative Representative John P. Tolman, and Vice President Stephen J. Bruno made presentations to the NASLBC members on behalf of the BLET National Division. President Pierce thanked the Chairmen for their service to the Brotherhood stating, “A strong legislative department is critical in our struggle to defend the working class and the right of all working class Americans to belong to a labor union. Whether it is at the national level or the state level, our legislative officers are on the front line in this war on all workers and we must rededicate ourselves to that battle.”
On May 5, NASLBC members were honored to hear a presentation from U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He spoke for 30 minutes and, at age 79, announced his decision to retire and not seek reelection next year. He was presented with a commemorative BLET mantle clock in honor of his service and his commitment to organized labor.
Also on May 5, NASLBC members enjoyed a presentation by U.S. Congressman Gary Peters (D-MI), who sits on the House Financial Services Committee. He spoke on many issues, including his support of freight rail and the advancement of high-speed rail. As with Senator Levin, Congressman Peters was presented with a BLET mantle clock in honor of his dedication to organized labor.
On May 6, NASLBC members heard from their final guest speaker — Walt Barrows, Labor Member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board. Barrows spoke on general issues and the financial soundness of the RRB and its Trust Fund.
The various committees of the Association also met and conducted their business for the year. The group will re-convene in 2014 for their 39th annual convention in Indianapolis, Ind.