LAS VEGAS, July 1 — BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce addressed more than 1,800 delegates at the 28th International Convention of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on June 30 in his role as the President of the Teamster Rail Conference, which is comprised of the BLET and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWED).
In his remarks, President Pierce thanked the International Union and Teamsters General President James Hoffa for the solidarity shown in support of the Teamsters Rail Conference.
The majority of President Pierce’s comments to the delegates involved the status of national contract negotiations under the auspices of the Rail Labor Bargaining Coalition (RLBC) — a group representing the BLET, BMWED and four other rail unions.
Pierce told the delegates that the RLBC’s level of solidarity is stronger than he has ever seen.
“In the current round of bargaining, which is now in its 18th month, the RLBC has reunited to bargain as a united coalition. When we end the company’s ability to play ‘divide-and-conquer’ we give ourselves a much better chance to produce a fair agreement for our members.” he told the delegates.
“But there is another side to coalition bargaining that is not quite as apparent — and doesn’t get a lot of recognition — yet it has just as big an impact on our day-to-day work. The bonds of Brotherhood we have built within the coalition, and which we are strengthening every day, have fostered greater solidarity among the RLBC unions than I have seen during my union career.”
Pierce said that their solidarity will be tested as the rail carriers attempt to force a concessionary contract on Rail Labor, in spite of the fact that railroad companies have made record profits in recent years. The RLBC has united with almost all other rail labor unions to voice their united opposition to the concessionary contract.
“Together, 11 unions representing 75 percent of the nation’s rail workers told the National Mediation Board loud and clear that we will not accept this contract.”
He closed by telling the delegates that Rail Labor solidarity backed by Teamster Power is the best way to win the strongest possible contract.
“To win this fight, all of the remaining rail unions must stand side by side, in solidarity, because as we all know, united we stand, divided we fall,” President Pierce said. “The part that gives me comfort is that I know that I can count on the International Union and General President Hoffa to put the full might of the great Teamsters Union behind our effort. Working together and unleashing some good, old fashioned Teamster Power, our coalition WILL prevail.”
The delegates and guests in the hall responded by giving him a long and loud standing ovation.
The work of the convention continues through Friday with 78 delegates representing the Rail Conference, made up of BLET and BMWED members from all part of the United States. The IBT membership includes approximately 1.4 million workers in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.