BLE campaigns to stop remote control
legislation
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) announced on March 6 that
it is mounting an all-out campaign to amend state legislation that would
open the door for more railroad accidents, and cost the state hundreds of
jobs and millions in lost tax revenue.
BLE International President Edward Dubroski said that his union, which
represents the federally-certified workers who operate locomotive engines,
would begin a concerted public education and lobbying campaign intended
to alert the state legislature and Nebraska citizens about major flaws in
L.B. 185 that threaten the public's safety.
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BLE, carriers resume negotiations
The BLE's National Wage Committee is back at the table with the National
Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC) on the national track of the bargaining
round that began on November 1, 1999.
A two-day bargaining session was held in Washington, D.C., on February
22-23. This was the first face-to-face meeting between the parties since
last Fall, when the BLE rejected the tentative UTU agreement that was presented
to the Committee.
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BMWE lawsuit ends BNSF's covert
genetic testing
The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes announced on February
12 that its lawsuit against the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad has
resulted in a federal court order requiring BNSF to immediately cease and
desist coercive genetic testing of its employees.
On Feb. 9, 2001, the BMWE filed a lawsuit against BNSF and Athena Diagnostics
seeking "to remedy the illegal, compulsory regime of genetic testing
of injured employees" by the BNSF.
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NMB majority refuses to budge
on TRRA
In yet another split decision, the National Mediation Board denied the
relief sought by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers in its motion for
reconsideration of the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA)
case.
Historically, the NMB has refused to create a new craft or class unless
the data show significant cross-utilization of employees. The current NMB
majority, however, continued its use of flawed logic by once again ruling
that cross-utilization is not a significant factor in craft consolidation.
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