LAS VEGAS, September 30 — BLET National Secretary-Treasurer William C. Walpert delivered a heartfelt and emotional retirement speech yesterday during the afternoon session of the BLET’s Third National Convention.
Brother Walpert is retiring effective January 1, 2015, following a railroad career that began in 1973. His first railway position came as a fireman for the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad in Ft. Worth, and his promotion to locomotive engineer for Frisco came in 1974. He joined BLET Division 172 (Ft. Worth, Texas) on Nov. 1, 1973, transferring to Division 604 (Sherman, Texas) in 1991.
“I have always striven to stay true to the course set by our founding Brothers 151 years ago,” Brother Walpert said. “I am mindful of the fact that I am a custodian and hope to leave the Brotherhood better than I found it. I have made decisions based on duty, honor and Brotherhood.”
Brother Walpert has served as the BLET’s National Secretary-Treasurer for 13 years, having been elected in 2001. He spoke about the financial good health and viability of our Brotherhood, as well as our growing membership, which has led to renewed strength.
During his tenure, the BLET launched ST Report, its revolutionary online dues and reporting system for Secretary-Treasurers. The BLET’s Education and Training Department also grew to one of the best in the rail industry, especially with the launch of the BLET Training Center this summer.
“My duties as Director of the BLET Education and Training Department is something I am most proud of,” Brother Walpert said. “In my heart I am a locomotive engineer and an educator.”
Also during the afternoon session, delegates heard from John Murphy, Teamsters Rail Conference Director and International Teamsters Vice President. Vice President Murphy urged the delegates and guests to vote in the upcoming mid-term elections and to make certain that Democrats keep control of the Senate.
“Corporate billionaires are bound and determined to see the extinction of unionized labor in this nation,” Murphy said. “This is the reality of the new Republican party today. It is their intention to deny you the right to bargain collectively and to deny you the right to representation. The future of the American worker is on the line.”
Brother Mark Kenny, BLET Division 11 and Chairman of the Work Committee, gave the report and recommendations of his committee. He also introduced Committee Members D.K. Brown, Division 517, S.J. Caruso, Division 183, T.L. Bryant, Division 532, M.C. Kronyak, Division 235, and Liaison K.N. Confer, BLET Special Representative and Director of Organizing. The Work Committee’s report was adopted without debate.
The remainder of the afternoon was devoted to the report of the BLET Bylaws Committee, which consists of Chairman J.L. Dayton, Division 236, and Committee Members J.W. Dent, Division 620, Division P.T. Driscoll, Division 382, L.R. Fannon Jr., Division 37, Liaison J.F. Fink, BLET National Division Director of Bylaws Administration, and Liaison T.A. Pontolillo, BLET Director of Research and Assistant to the National President.
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