News Updates
BMWED Safety Alert
November 10, 2009New Rule To Benefit Rail, Plane Unions
November 3, 2009BMWED Representatives Meet to Finalize National Bargaining Demands
October 21, 2009BMWED National Division President Freddie Simpson convened a meeting on October 21, 2009 for the purpose of reviewing membership surveys and finalizing bargaining demands that will be served on the nation’s freight railroads in November. The national contract with most freight railroads will expire January 1, 2010 and the next round of bargaining will begin.
Metrolink Engineers Union Sues to Block Surveillance Cameras in Locomotives
October 21, 2009The union representing Metrolink engineers today filed a federal lawsuit to halt the video-surveillance systems recently installed in all of the commuter rail line’s locomotives.
Metrolink installed cameras as a direct response to the deadly 2008 Metrolink crash in Chatsworth that killed 25 people and apparently involved an engineer who earlier had been text messaging on his cellphone.
Metrolink officials said the purpose of the video recording, which cost $1 million to install in all locomotives, was to ensure that engineers adhered to agency bans on cellphones, text messaging and allowing unauthorized passengers in the cab.
However, Paul T. Sorrow, acting president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, called the cameras an “invasion of privacy" that violated federal law as well as the terms of the union’s contract with Metrolink.
Sorrow said Metrolink could have taken much less intrusive measures, including installing a cellphone-jamming system that blocks all calls and texting.
“Instead of being driven by political expediency, Metrolink needs to consider a realistic solution to the problem that does not rely upon a huge waste of existing limited tax funds," Sorrow said.
A spokeswoman for Metrolink said the agency had not yet been served with the suit.
“Metrolink is disappointed that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has taken this action instead of supporting our efforts to advance the safety of passenger train service," said spokeswoman Angela M. Starr. "This program is a vital piece of Metrolink's safety program and was undertaken with the goal of enhancing the safety of our passengers and [the Metrolink agency] and contractors' employees.”
The article, written by Phil Willon, originally appeared in the LA Times on October 20, 2009.
BLET Acts To Halt Video Surveillance
October 20, 2009BMWED Members Ratify New Agreement With Iowa Interstate Railroad
October 13, 2009BLET Will Host Training Workshop for Local Chairmen in November, 2009
September 22, 2009The workshop will be held November 8-13 at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Md. Bill Walpert, BLET National Secretary-Treasurer & Director of the Education & Training Department, said the workshop is specifically designed for newly-elected local chairmen.
85 Percent Majority Of BLET Members Ratify CSXT Contract
September 11, 2009- 1 of 7
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