Transport unions commit to solidarity

On December 6 and 7, four unions met to discuss issues and methods of improving the working and living conditions of their memberships.

The BLE, its affiliated American Train Dispatchers Department, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, and Transport Workers Union made specific commitments to work together collectively for such improvements and to develop an ever-closer relationship.

"These issues are the building blocks to a new alliance that will lead rail workers into the 21st Century," said BMWE President Mac Fleming.

"We are pleased with the results and the determination of the parties in working together immediately on these critical issues. It builds a solidarity that has been lacking in Rail Labor for years," BLE President Ed Dubroski said.

"Working together voluntarily and collectively makes each union more able to provide for their members and starts a process which will lead to ever closer ties," said TWU President Sonny Hall.

"Our members need the backing of a larger group to advance their own interests and this kind of development will lead to such backing," said ATDD President Leo McCann.

Combined the unions represent over 200,000 transportation wokers, 85,000 of whom are railroad employees in the United States and Canada.

© 1999 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers