LAS VEGAS, September 29 — BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce delivered his state of the union speech today to conclude the morning session of the BLET’s Third National Convention.
“We are a much stronger Brotherhood today than we were four years ago,” he said. “Since January of 2011 we have added over 1,800 dues paying members — which represents a 6% increase — and the number of dues paying members has increased in 32 of the past 45 months… But we’re going to need to further increase and focus our strength to face some serious challenges in the coming years.”
President Pierce addressed several key issues of national importance to BLET members, including two-person train crews.
“To be sure, the carriers are focused on crew size, as the Positive Train Control implementation deadline approaches and H.R. 3040 gathers additional co-sponsors,” he said. “This important safety issue polls very well for us with the public, and this is to our advantage. Nevertheless, you can expect the carriers to look for any chink in the armor they can find.”
He also touched upon several regulatory issues, including cab safety and security, Positive Train Control, conductor certification, Hours of Service and fatigue, and confidential close call reporting systems. He thanked the BLET’s National Legislative Office for their efforts to advance the Brotherhood’s position on these issues, particularly Vice President and National Legislative Representative John Tolman and Director of Regulatory Affairs Vince Verna.
President Pierce also highlighted work of various Brotherhood departments, including the Safety Task Force, Arbitration Department, Public Relations Department and Education and Training Department.
In terms of Education and Training and the new BLET Training Center, President Pierce said: “We now have the capability to live stream training classes on the Internet, and we are in the early stages of creating an online curriculum that will cover the existing slate of classes, and in the next four years will be expanded to include education and training on what it means to be a BLET member.”
President Pierce discussed the upcoming round of national bargaining: “BLET-represented railroad workers deserve real general wage increases without those wages being watered down by added health care costs,” he said. “So that means the battle lines are drawn.”
Morale among BLET members has increased since the 2010 national convention, President Pierce said, thanks in part to actions of the BLET National Division.
“Over the past four years we’ve invested significant resources to combat apathy and energize BLET members … from our membership cards … to the ‘Proud to Be American, Proud to Be Union’ campaign … to the use of our Brotherhood’s 150th Anniversary as an educational and motivational tool,” President Pierce said. “At each step of the way we saw an increase in participation, a yearning for more knowledge and information, and an improved effectiveness as a union.”
While these efforts have largely been successful, the National Division is still working to increase turnout and participation in officer elections and contract ratification votes.
President Pierce concluded his state of the union speech with a get out the vote message regarding the upcoming November elections. “Stand with your union on election day, and help us elect politicians who will truly represent working class Americans … after all, the lifestyle you save may be your own.”
President Pierce received a standing ovation following his presentation.
Additional news updates and photos will be made available on the BLET website and the National Division Facebook page.