CLEVELAND, December 30 — BLE International President Don M. Hahs issued the following statement today.
It is with great optimism that I look forward to 2004.
There will be many new and positive changes in our organization to go along with the New Year.
First and foremost, there’s the merger with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. We’ll take advantage of the IBT’s wealth and influence as we work to grow our new organization, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
Growth through organizing will be a major goal of the BLET. Already working jointly with the Teamsters, we have successfully organized seven different shortline railroads and have introduced more than 700 new members to the House of Labor.
We also have a new national contract for the New Year. Our members will soon receive retroactive payments in addition to general wage increases. In the meantime, we are already making preliminary plans for our next new contract and are preparing to serve Section 6 notices in November of 2004.
Our Brotherhood has suffered several losses in the past year. It is with fondness that I recall Brother Rodney Stutes, 56, who was a member of the National Mobilization Team and Safety Task Force, and Darrell Blake, 58, who was chairman of the West Virginia State Legislative Board. Retired Santa Fe General Chairman Charlie McDaniel, 75, passed away on September 14. Former International President Robert E. Delaney, 84, passed away on August 20 and former International Vice-President George DeBolt, 70, passed away on June 10.
The Brotherhood also lost two members to tragic accidents in the performance of their duties in 2003. Brother L.W. “Wayne” Edenfield, 53, was killed on May 6. He was a member of Division 35 in Jacksonville, Fla. Brother Art P. McKay, 51, was killed in the line of duty on May 14. He was a member of Division 843 (Prince George, B.C.).
In spite of our sadness, we must not forget these Brothers. Let us remember our friends and Brothers in the New Year as we continue our fight for improved safety on North America’s railroads.
In spite of numerous obstacles, our Brotherhood has endured for more than 140 years. With a positive outlook and a new alliance with the Teamsters, I am confident our Brotherhood will see at least 140 more.