INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, January 21 — Brother Shahraim C. Allen was reelected by acclamation to his third term as Chairman of the Washington State Legislative Board at the Board’s quadrennial meeting on December 10, 2020.
Brother Allen is a third-generation railroader and a member of BLET Division 238 (Tacoma, Wash.). In 1994, he hired out as a switchman for the Burlington Northern, earning promotion to locomotive engineer on December 20, 1995. Brother Allen joined the Brotherhood on June 1, 2001. He was first elected Chairman of the Washington State Legislative Board at its quadrennial meeting in 2012, and then reelected by acclamation at its 2016 quadrennial meeting.
Also elected were: 1st Vice Chairman Dylan D. Elkins, Division 443 (Spokane, Wash.); 2nd Vice Chairman Dave M. Beech, Division 518 (Seattle, Wash.); Secretary-Treasurer Tristin DeYoung, Division 238 (Tacoma, Wash.); and Alternate Secretary-Treasurer Dylan D. Elkins, Division 443 (Spokane, Wash.). Elected to serve as Trustees were: Allan D. Manson, Division 892 (Seattle, Wash.); Dakota L. Poole, Division 58 (Wishram, Wash.); and Dave M. Beech, Division 518 (Seattle, Wash.). Brother Allen noted that Sister DeYoung is the only woman currently serving as a Secretary-Treasurer of a State Legislative Board in the entire BLET.
Representing the BLET National Division at the meeting were: BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce; Vice President and National Legislative Representative Vincent G. Verna; Director of Political and Legislative Affairs Robert F. Hagan; and Administrative Assistant to the National Legislative Office Carlos Barrett Sr.
Additional BLET guests included: Retired BLET Vice President and National Legislative Representative John Tolman; General Chairman Steve Leyshon, UP-Western Region GCA; Arkansas State Legislative Board Chairman (SLBC) Wayne Denson; California SLBC Ryan Snow; Colorado SLBC Paul Pearson; Florida SLBC Brendan Sullivan; Georgia SLBC Dwayne Massengale; Indiana SLBC Shane Hubbard; Iowa SLBC Michael Walker; Louisiana SLBC Richard Barnett; Maryland SLBC Dave Dinges; Missouri SLBC Calvin Groose; Montana SLBC D.B. Kenner; Nebraska SLBC Pat Pfeifer; New Mexico SLBC Eric Gabaldon; Texas SLBC Gary Pedigo; Utah SLBC Scott Weeks; Virginia SLBC Tim Craver; and Wisconsin SLBC Chuck Schulz. Brother Hubbard served as Parliamentarian during the meeting.
Additional guests included: Washington State Senator Patty Kuderer (48th District); Washington State Representative Bruce Chandler (15th District); Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti (former Representative, 30th District); Former Washington State Representative Art Want (27th District); Washington State Representative Mari Leavitt (28th District); and Drumfire Public Affairs Vice President Sam Jefferies.
“I congratulate Brother Shahraim and all officers of the Washington State Legislative Board, and I thank them for their willingness to serve our Brotherhood,” BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said. “Under Brother Shahraim’s leadership, the Board has helped secure passage of important safety legislation that has improved the quality of life for BLET members living and working in Washington State. I have every confidence they will continue their excellent work and will continue to raise the bar when it comes to the safety of our Brothers and Sisters in Washington State.”
The Brothers and Sisters of the Washington State Legislative Board successfully lobbied for passage of a two-person crew bill, which was signed by Governor Jay Inslee on March 27, 2020, and helped to secure passage of one of the nation’s most comprehensive train crew transportation laws, which was signed into law by Governor Inslee on May 16, 2017.
During his opening remarks to the delegates assembled for the 2020 quadrennial meeting, Brother Allen encouraged all members to remain politically active and to continue fighting for what is right in spite of heightened anti-union actions by the carriers and certain government agencies.
“It is imperative that we do more now — than ever before — to inform our State and Congressional leaders of what is taking place in our industry, and how they can further assist in the protection of railroad workers and public safety through established legislation,” Brother Allen said. “There is no time like the present to take full advantage of the potential opportunities that lay ahead.”
The Washington State Legislative Board represents more than 1,000 active and retired members from 9 different BLET Local Divisions.