CLEVELAND, July 30 — The following statement by BLET National President Don M. Hahs is in response to recent articles posted on the UTU website, including one titled “Thompson: We won’t go to the bottom of the BLET roster:”
“It appears that the UTU spin-doctors are at it again. Frank Wilner, who used to be the spin-doctor for the Association of American Railroads, is now working for the UTU. The problem with the UTU’s current spinning is that it is so inaccurate that it can only be considered ludicrous and ridiculous. Untrue statements in the UTU’s most recent post include comments that the BLET was offered 50% of remote control jobs prior to the signing of the letter of intent by former UTU President Boyd in September of 2001. This is totally untrue. In previous articles posted on the UTU website, the UTU spin-doctors have made the ridiculous comment that the Teamsters intend to take over the Railroad Retirement fund, which is totally untrue and impossible without an act of Congress.
“In posting these untrue, misleading and ridiculous articles, the UTU is insulting the intelligence of its own members.
“I do not intend to address all of the ridiculous stories that have been posted on the UTU’s website. The UTU is, no doubt, extremely concerned about its future, due to the fact that more than 200 members per month are leaving the UTU for the BLET to enjoy the benefits of our affiliation with the Teamsters.
“Rather than spending the time to respond to each and every ridiculous allegation coming from the leadership of the UTU, the leadership of the BLET will continue to focus on collective bargaining strategies, safety and improving the working conditions for our members — what a real union is supposed to focus on.”