Rail Conference Meets With Transportation Secretary

Leaders of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) and Teamsters met on July 15 with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. The delegation, including Teamsters Eastern Region Vice President John Murphy, BLET National President Edward Rodzwicz and BMWED President Fred Simpson, discussed issues of importance to members with the Secretary.

Also attending the meeting was: BLET First Vice President Paul Sorrow, BLET National Secretary-Treasurer William Walpert, BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative John Tolman, BMWED Director of Government Affairs Leon Fenhaus, BMWED Director of Safety Richard Inclima, BLET Director of Research and Assistant to the President Thomas Pontolillo, and BMWED Counsel Donald Griffin.

During the meeting, Rodzwicz talked about the recent changes to the Hours of Service laws and the impact this would have on BLET members. He also discussed the lack of negotiations between some carriers and the labor unions regarding the Hours of Service changes, and asked for the Secretary’s assistance in working with the carriers and unions to achieve the best possible results for BLET members.

Simpson discussed Roadway Worker protection with the Secretary, and the impact this has on his members.

Additionally, high speed rail was discussed, with the Secretary noting that there have already been 278 proposals for high speed grants made by various entities around the country as a sign of the overwhelming demand for other modes of transportation. The BLET/BMWED/IBT delegation made sure that he understood the potential impact on our membership of high speed rail, especially in light of the trends toward contracting out work from the rail labor crafts in commuter rail.

Funding for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and its on-going safety projects were also discussed, especially in light of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and the additional responsibility given to the Administration.

“It was a great feeling to have a Secretary of Transportation who really understands the needs of our workers and the importance of railroads to this country,” said Rodzwicz. “I think the commitment to fund high speed rail by this administration and its vow to protect railroad workers is a refreshing change from the past and I look forward to working with the Secretary and the FRA in the future.”