CLEVELAND, April 16 — General Secretary-Treasurer Bill Walpert, who heads the BLE’s Education and Training Department, announced that a few spots still remain for next month’s Local Chairman Workshop at the George Meany Center in Silver Spring, Md.
The BLE’s Education & Training Department is presenting the five-day workshop from May 11-16. Those who successfully complete the class are eligible to receive an $85 per day stipend from the North American Railway Foundation (NARF).
Among other assignments, the workshops will include presentations on BLE organizational structure and functions, representing members at disciplinary and decertification hearings, union leadership skills, claim and grievance handling, and writing and editing skills. Participants also will learn how to effectively use the BLE arbitration database. A highlight of the workshop is when attendees participate in a simulated disciplinary hearing.
These classes are not just for new Local Chairmen, and the BLE encourages all Local Chairmen to attend one of these workshops. If you are not a local chairman and wish to attend the class you must have the permission of your Local Chairman to attend.
Participants are responsible for their transportation costs, room and board. The $425 per week stipend covers the cost of room and board if participants agree to have a roommate. Single rooms are available for $135 per day. The BLE pays the cost of tuition, instructors, books and other materials.
Registration is on a first come, first served basis with class size limited to the first 25 who register. To register, please contact Ken Kroeger of the BLE Education & Training Dept. at (216) 272-0986 or kroeger@ble.org.