LAS VEGAS, July 1 — A resolution to support high-speed rail and the union jobs that should go with it was passed on June 30 by 1,800 delegates to the Teamsters 28th International Convention with full support from its 70,000-member Rail Conference.
The resolution states in part that: “the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and its affiliates will support the development, funding and building of a high-speed passenger rail system in this country, and ensure the jobs created by such a system will be safeguarded for railroad workers as currently defined by federal law.”
In addition to calling for all high-speed rail jobs to be union jobs, the resolution addresses specific concerns voiced by Rail Conference members BLET and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED).
For BLET members, the resolution states that: “any high-speed passenger rail train that operates in this nation must have a certified and trained locomotive engineer in its cab to ensure its safe operation.”
And for BMWED members, the resolution states that: “any corridor must be constructed and maintained by professional, qualified maintenance of way workers to ensure the highest safety standards.”
Fred Simpson, President of the BMWED and IBT International Vice President, rebuked politicians such as Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), who want to privatize Amtrak. Simpson said Mica’s latest proposal “would give away America’s most successful rail corridor to his political friends, and provide them with massive government subsidies.”
“There is no tax savings to the American people in this scheme,” Simpson said. “It will not produce improved passenger service, good paying jobs, or economic growth. But it will transfer our tax dollars into the pockets of Wall Street speculators and corporate profiteers.”
Dennis Pierce, President of the Teamsters Rail Conference and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said current plans in Congress to privatize Amtrak would exempt employees of the privately owned railroads from important labor protections, such as the Railway Labor Act, Railroad Retirement Act and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act.
BLET Amtrak Vice General Chairman Craig McDowell also spoke in favor of the resolution, terming high-speed rail “a cornerstone for economic recovery and the rebirth of the middle class in America.”
According to the Teamster Constitution, the International Convention, held every five years, is the supreme policy-making body of the union with the power and authority to modify the Constitution, establish programs, address fiscal issues and set priorities. This week, delegates will consider a number of constitutional measures and resolutions. Delegates also have the important task of nominating candidates for the International offices of General President, General Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President and Trustees.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hard-working men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
The Teamsters Rail Conference represents more than 70,000 men and women working in the railroad industry as locomotive engineers, conductors, trainmen and maintenance of way employees.
A copy of the high-speed rail resolution is on the Teamster website:
www.teamster.org/content/high-speed-rail-0