CLEVELAND, March 2 — Walter A. Barrows, the candidate unanimously endorsed by the BLET and the Teamsters Rail Conference Policy Committee, has been nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as the Labor Member of the Railroad Retirement Board.
Brother Barrows is Secretary-Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS). He was elected to this position in 1999 and reelected in 2002, 2006, and 2010.
“I congratulate Brother Barrows on this well-earned nomination,” said Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President and President of the Teamsters Rail Conference. “Walt’s expertise and his long service as a Trustee for the Railroad Retirement Investment Trust make him by far the most qualified person for this important position.”
Regarding Brother Barrows and other nominees, President Obama said, “I am honored that these talented individuals have decided to join this Administration and serve our country. I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”
The nomination now goes to the Senate for confirmation.
About Brother Barrows
Brother Barrows began his railroad career in 1974 with the Norfolk & Western Railroad and held numerous positions in the railroad’s signal department. Within his union, in Locals 199 and 228, he served as Local Chairman, Local President, and Recording-Financial Secretary. Brother Barrows also served the BRS as the General Chairman and General Secretary-Treasurer for the Norfolk Southern General Committee. Prior to being elected Secretary-Treasurer, he served as a Trustee on BRS’ Grand Board of Trustees.
Since 1999, Brother Barrows has served as a labor member on the joint health care subcommittee to oversee the Railroad Employees’ National Health and Welfare Plan. In the current round of national railroad bargaining, he chairs the Health Care Committee for the six unions in the Rail Labor’s Bargaining Coalition. In 2004, 2007, and 2010 he was elected as a labor trustee to oversee the National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust Fund.
The Teamsters Rail Conference Policy Committee is comprised of members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, both divisions of the Rail Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.