Former BLE International President Clarence V. Monin passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 26. He was 84 years old. He served in the union’s highest office from 1996-1998.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Monin family in their time of loss,” said BLET National President Mark Wallace.
Monin began his railroad career as a trainman on the Louisville & Nashville (L&N) Railroad in 1964. He was accepted into the railroad’s first Apprentice Engineer training class in May 1966, and earned promotion to locomotive engineer in October 1966, when he joined the BLE. He was a member of Division 78 in Louisville, Ky.
Monin was elected to serve the BLE as International Vice President (1985-1991) and First Vice President (1991-1996). Among his numerous assignments as a member of the BLE Advisory Board, he served as head of the union’s Education and Training Department and Chairman of its Safety Task Force. Prior to serving on the Advisory Board, Monin was elected to three terms as General Chairman of the L&N General Committee of Adjustment (now the CSX Transportation-Western Lines GCA).
During his tenure as International President, Monin launched the union’s Department of Internal Organizing, Mobilizing, and Strategic Planning.
In his later years, Monin was a founding member of the Railroad Worker Benefit Foundation, which has a mission of providing aid and assistance to railroad workers who have suffered career ending injuries. If you are aware of a fellow railroad worker who has recently suffered a career ending injury on the job, please message the Foundation at: railwatch.2@gmail.com.
Please click here to read his full obituary.