WSLB Commets on Proposed SMART-TD Crew Consist |
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Brothers and Sisters, I would like to say that as Locomotive Engineers we know from working experience that running a train from one destination to another safely takes two crew members. Our National President, Dennis Pierce, stated, “The BLET’s goal is protecting two-person crew”. The SMART President, John Previsich, stated, “Safe, secure rail operations require two-person crews”. At this time the Wyoming State Legislative Board would like to go on record stating that it is our responsibility to educate our brother and sisters on the rails, the public and our Legislative Representatives as to why having two-crew members on a train is important to all our safety. Make no mistake, the President of the BLET, Dennis Pierce, purposed that there are three avenues to protecting a two-person crew: regulation, legislation, and collective bargaining. A sympathizing BNSF General Committee proposed agreement should not derail our objectives, but it should unite our shared belief in safety and what is right for ourselves and our communities. This opportunity should be used to educate those that are newly hired and to remind senior union brother and sisters that we need two persons on a train crew to run a train safely and they should use their voice to vote accordingly. Those voting on this proposed agreement need to keep in mind that they will be representing all of us. Next we need all of our railroad brothers and sisters to register to vote and have their local Divisions update and prepare there mobilization networks for the upcoming tasks of passing two-person crew Legislation Federally and in our state. We can pass two-person crew legislation if we are motivated and united in our task. This one person crew agreement has a snap back clause that will make it null and void if regulation or legislation is passed requiring two-persons on a train crew. My response to that is let’s make our voices heard by supporting and getting legislation passed for two-person crews or by voicing our opinions that the FRA mandate the two-person crew for safety and make this bad precedent null and void. We need to be the Snap Back against one person crews. If we let this agreement set president in our industry it will affect the safety of the public, coast jobs that help maintain that safety and could possibly affect railroad retirement. I’m asking that all of our union membership take this situation seriously and get involved by registering to vote, voting for labor friendly indorsed candidates, standing by for mobilization alerts and contacting your congressman or state legislator when asked to help educate them on rail safety. Please attend your local union meeting to help plan and organize our response as an organization and be informed. We can determine the outcome of our industry’s safety by being involved. Be United and Stand together strong. In Unity, Cory L. Runion WYSLB & Region 4 Chairman |
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