LAS VEGAS, October 1 — Dennis R. Pierce was elected by acclamation to his second full term as President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen this morning at the union’s Third National Convention in Las Vegas. Additionally, all Advisory Board members were elected without opposition. Their terms of office will begin on January 1, 2015.
“It’s an honor for me to be your National President for another four years,” President Pierce said. “I have every confidence we will leave here stronger than when we arrived. And when we go home to our Divisions, let us make every effort to make our union the strongest it can be.”
The following officers of the Advisory Board were reelected by acclamation:
E. Lee Pruitt, First Vice President and Alternate President; John P. Tolman, Vice President and National Legislative Representative; Marcus J. Ruef, Vice President; Michael D. Twombly, Vice President; Gil L. Gore, Vice President; Michael D. Priester, Vice President; Cole W. Davis, Vice President; and Richard C. Gibbons, Vice President.
Vice President Stephen J. Bruno was elected by acclamation to the office of National Secretary-Treasurer, filing the position vacated by William C. Walpert, who is retiring. Also, Brother James P. Louis, General Chairman, Conrail (SAA/CSX–Northern District), was elected by acclamation to the office of National Vice President, filling the office currently held by Brother Bruno.
Earlier in the week, delegates voted to amend the BLET Bylaws to establish three new Trustee positions to audit the books of the National Division on a monthly basis. Elected by acclamation to those positions were: David P. Estes, Secretary-Treasurer, Amtrak General Committee of Adjustment; Mark L. Wallace, General Chairman, Norfolk Southern–Southern Lines; and Matt O. Wilson, General Chairman, BNSF/MRL General Committee of Adjustment.
Twelve alternate officer positions also were filled by acclamation today. They are as follows: David P. Estes, Alternate Secretary-Treasurer; Vincent G. Verna, 1st Alternate Vice President and National Legislative Representative; Paul Piekarski, 2nd Alternate Vice President and National Legislative Representative; Mark. L Wallace, 1st Alternate Vice President; Matt O. Wilson, 2nd Alternate Vice President; Warren Dent, 3rd Alternate Vice President; William Lyons, 4th Alternate Vice President; Kevin J. Moore, 5th Alternate Vice President; Randy Fannon, 6th Alternate Vice President; Alan Holdcraft, 7th Alternate Vice President; A. Dan Cook III, 8th Alternate Vice President; and Garrison Best, 9th Alternate Vice President.
Earlier in the day, delegates watched a video presentation from FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo, who described improvements in railroad safety. Robert C. Lauby, FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer, addressed the delegates in more detail on behalf of Administrator Szabo. Lauby discussed the safety of shipping crude oil by rail and also the safety culture at Metro North Commuter Railroad, which led to the FRA’s “Operation Deep Dive” safety investigation. Lauby also praised the BLET’s involvement in the Rail Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) process as well as the union’s support for implementation of Positive Train Control.
In the afternoon session, delegates enjoyed a presentation by Antonio Christian, Director of the Teamsters Human Rights Commission. Brother Christian discussed the Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund, promoting diversity within the Teamsters, and various Teamsters community outreach initiatives.
Delegates rounded out the afternoon with further deliberations and consideration of recommendations made by the BLET Bylaws Committee.
Additional news updates, photos and videos will be made available on the BLET convention website and the National Division Facebook page.