Long Island milestones - Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and ...

[ 2 www.ble-t.org ]Engineers&Trainmen NewsIC&E workers maintainBLET membershipEmployees of the Iowa, Chicago &Eastern Railroad (IC&E) reaffirmedtheir allegiance to the Brotherhoodof Locomotive Engineers and Trainmentoday by voting overwhelmingly in favorof the BLET in a representation election.IC&E workers originally joined theBrotherhood in December of 2002, andthanks to the BLET, they obtained theirfirst-ever union contract in January of2005. These dedicated members showedtheir appreciation to the Brotherhood byvoting 164-88 to remain BLET members,clearly rejecting a takeover attempt bythe United Transportation Union.First Vice President Paul Sorrow, headof the BLET’s Organizing Departmentand Short Line Department, gave specialrecognition to Vice President Mike Twomblyfor his hard work and dedication.BLET Co n t r a c t NegotiationsContinued from page 1 •>>Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA)Abe Lincoln rodeto the rescue ofinjured railroaderbrahamLincoln’s workas a lawyer forrailroads iswell known.But a new book on Lincoln’s25-year legal career showsthat Lincoln was also one ofthe first attorneys in thecountry to champion aninjured railroad employee.Back in 1854 – whenrailroads were just beginningto use employees as easilydisposable pieces of equipment– Lincoln sued GreatWestern Railroad Companyfor a severely injured brakemannamed Jasper Harris.According a three-pagecomplaint that is in Lincoln’shandwriting, Harris’ right legwas amputated above theknee because of an accidentthat was caused by thenegligence of a fellowemployee named GeorgeArmstrong.Closing the complaint,Lincoln asked the court togive Harris $10,000 incompensation. That would benearly two million dollarstoday.Although the pleadingwas signed on behalf of the“These dedicated members showedtheir appreciation to the Brotherhoodby voting to remain BLET members.”number (found on the mailing label of themonthly Newsletter) or their Social SecurityNumber and their date of birth.Deadline to complete the random surveysis April 15, 2009. Deadline to completethe online survey is April 30, 2009.Labor contracts or collective bargainingagreements do not expire under theRailway Labor Act, but become amendableat the end of their term. The currentBLET National Contract was ratifiedin June of 2007, and the wageincreases were retroactive to July 1, 2005.Part of the 2007 National Agreementwas a standard moratorium clause underwhich the parties agreed not to seekany changes for a defined period of time.law firm of Lincoln &Herndon, historians haveverified that the handwritingbelongs to Lincoln.This was a tough case forany lawyer, even a legendarytrial and appellate advocatelike Lincoln.The first problem was thatthe Federal Employers’Liability Act did not exist in1854, and Illinois had ahorrible law — called“contributory negligence”— that made it extremelydifficult for plaintiffs to winnegligence cases.In addition to provingthat the accident that injuredHarris was caused by thenegligence of a GreatWestern employee (hisco-worker Armstrong), thecontributory negligence rulemeant that Lincoln had toalso prove there was absolutelyno carelessness byHarris. If Harris was evenone-percent at fault incausing the accident, thecontributory-negligence rulemeant he would havereceived nothing.Making a bad situationworse, a few months afterLincoln sued Great Westernthe Illinois Supreme Courtadopted “the fellow-servantrule.” Under the fellow-servantrule, an injured employeewas absolutely prohibitedfrom suing his employer foran accident that was causedby the negligence of aco-worker.The fellow-servant rulewould have killed Harris’lawsuit — even if it survivedthe defense of contributorynegligence.We are not sure exactlyhappened in Harris versusGreat Western. The oldrecords say the case wasdismissed — at Harris’request. And this was a fewmonths before the IllinoisSupreme Court adopted thefellow-servant rule.Reading between the lines,Great Western probablysettled the case to avoidfacing the formidable Lincolnin court.Although it looks likeJasper Harris received some“This was an extremely difficult, hardfought representation election, and it isthanks in part to Brother Twombly thatthe BLET was successful,” First Vice PresidentSorrow said.He also thanked Tommy Miller, BLETDirector of Organizing, for his superbeffort.“Things were looking bleak untilTommy Miller showed up on the scene,”Sorrow said. “He virtually lived on therailroad throughout the entire representationelection.“But most importantly, I wish to thankour loyal and dedicated members in KansasCity, Mo., Mason City, Iowa, Savannah,Ill., Quad Cities, Iowa, and all acrossthe railroad for supporting the Brotherhoodin the face of an aggressive foe.”Organizers Bob Kreuzer and Bob Ramshawalso lent assistance from the TeamstersRail Conference.The Iowa Chicago & Eastern Railroadbegan operations is 2002 with 1,400 milesof track in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouriand Wisconsin. IC&E’s main linesextend from Chicago to Kansas City, Mo.,and from Sabula, Iowa along the MississippiRiver northwesterly to Minneapolis-St. Paul using trackage rights over theCanadian Pacific from La Crescent, Minnesota,to the Twin Cities. Branch lines(known as the “Corn Lines”) extend fromMarquette, Iowa, west to Mason City andSheldon, and from Austin, Minn., to Jacksonand to Rosemount. •The National Agreement becomesamendable on January 1, 2010, and theparties agreed in 2007 that notices canbe served 60 days before the Agreementbecomes amendable.“Thanks in advance for participatingin this survey and helping to shape ourbargaining goals for the upcominground,” BLET National President EdRodzwicz said. •money, the lethal combinationof the fellow-servant ruleand the doctrine of contributorynegligence continued tounfairly block other railroadersfrom obtaining justcompensation for on-the-jobinjuries — until the FELAwas enacted in 1908.A tremendous victory forrailroaders, the FELAabolished the detestablefellow-servant rule and theodious defense contributorynegligence.If you want a copy of thecomplaint Lincoln wrote forJasper Harris, send a note tojfarina@hoeyfarina.com. Iwant to make this remarkabledocument widely availablebecause, as Designated LegalCounsel, I am proud to followin Abe Lincoln’s footsteps asan advocate for injuredrailroaders.Submitted by:James L. FarinaHoey & Farina542 South Dearborn,Suite 200Chicago, IL 60605Phone: (312) 939-1212or (888) 425-1212Fax: (312) 939-7842Email: jfarina@hoeyfarina.comwww.hoeyfarina.com2009Calendar& EventsRailroad Retirement BoardInformational ConferencesThe U.S. Railroad Retirement Board holdsfree information conferences for railroaders.Conference registration begins at 8 a.m., withthe programs beginning promptly at 8:30 a.m.and ending at 12:30 p.m.May 1, 2009Ashland, Neb.Eugene T. Mahoney State Park,7840 W. Park HighwayMay 1, 2009Kansas City, Mo.Embassy Suites Hotel,7840 NW Tiffany Springs ParkwayMay 8, 2009Lakewood, Colo.Holiday Inn Lakewood,7390 West Hampden Ave.May 8, 2009Independence, OhioHoliday Inn Cleveland South, I-77and Rockside Road, 6001 Rockside RoadMay 15, 2009Philadelphia, Pa.Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 Union Hall,1301 S. Columbus Blvd.May 15, 2009Little Rock, Ark.Holiday Inn Airport, Kittyhawk South,3201 Bankhead DriveMay 29, 2009Billings, Mont.Wingate by Wyndham, 1801 Majestic LaneJune 7-12, 200982nd SMA, Gatlinburg, Tenn.John Mason, Local Chairman of BLET Division239 (Knoxville, Tenn.), is Chairman of the 2009SMA in Gatlinburg, Tenn. It will be held at the ParkVista Hotel & Conference Center (705 CherokeeOrchard Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738; Phone:(865) 436-9211). The room rate is $103 per night.Contact Mason at: (865) 523-2684 email: scooterloco@comcast.netor LNM67@comcast.net.July 5-9, 200971st EUMA, PhiladelphiaBrother Sean Simon, Vice President of BLET Division226 (Newark, N.J.), is Arrangements Chairmanof the 2009 EUMA in Philadelphia, Pa. It willbe held at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’sLanding (201 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA19106: Phone: (215) 928-1234. The room rate willbe $169 per night. To contact Simon, call (609)558-6405 or email: EUMA2009@aol.com.July 29-August 1, 2009Military Railway Service ReunionOrganizers are planning a large reunion ofMRS veterans who served during WWII and Korea,which will be held at Ft. Eustis, Va., as partof the Army’s Transportation Corps week. EmailMark Metz for details: m-m-e@comcast.net.September 13-16, 200975th SWCM, Kansas City, Mo.Mike Zenner, Secretary-Treasurer of BLET Division130 (Kansas City, Kan.), is Hosting Chairmanof the 2009 SWCM in Kansas City, Mo. It will beheld at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center (2345McGee St., Kansas City, MO 64108: Phone: (816)421-1234). The room rate will be $139 per night.To contact Brother Zenner, call (816) 804-9107oremail: zmike5@kc.rr.com. Visit the SWCM websiteat: www.bletswcm.org.Lincoln photo: iStockLIRR cover images : Locomotive 99 — courtesy of the Ron Ziel Collection; LIRR engineers — International Brotherhood of Teamsters; Towerman — James V. Osborn, 1925. Courtesy of the Queens Borough Public Library,Long Island Division, Ron Ziel Collection; Dashing Dan and Dottie — NY Transit Museum; Brighton Beach — print by William J. Rugen, 1890. Courtesy of the Queens Borough Public Library, Long Island Division,William J. Rugen Photographs (Black and white images provided to the BLET by Roxanne Robertson of the New York Transit Museum.)

3[april 2009]Photo: International Brotherhood of TeamstersPhoto: iStockPreserving jobs, protecting livesBLET-PAC donations helpprotect livelihoods — and livesCan you afford$1 per month?By John P. TolmanBLET Vice Presidentand National LegislativeRepresentativeApproximately onethirdof BLETmembers give tothe BLET-PAC. Arobust PAC wouldconsist of one half our membersgiving $5 per month, or all ofour members giving $1 permonth. In fact, encouraging eachmember to give $1 per month isthe goal of a campaign that weare instituting this summer.I would like to take this opportunityto thank all of thosewhose names are printed in thisissue for contributing to theBLET-PAC. I would also like toencourage all members to giveif you are not already donating,and to continue or increaseyour support if you are alreadygiving. One dollar from eachb y Se r e e na Ho g a n,BLET Au x i l i a r y Vi c e Pr e s i de n t/Na t i o n al Le g i sl a t iv e Re pres e ntati v eJohn Tolman, BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative,during a recent meeting with newly-elected President Barack Obama.Supporting the PAC helps the BLET earn face time with politicians tolobby on behalf of issues that are important to BLET members.member every month can makea big difference.It is vital to the politicalstrength of the BLET to have astrong, effective political actioncommittee. A strong BLET- PACThere are a number of citizens acrossthe country who believe we shouldnot have to give money to politicians’re-election campaigns in order to havebetter access to them. Unfortunately, untilmajor league reforms are put intoplace, that’s the reality of the world welive in. When we help re-elect those whoare willing to support our issues, BLETmembers have a much better chance ofseeing the changes for the better regardingworkplace safetyand improvement toquality of life issues.When a BLET membersigns up to givecontributions to theBLET PAC, it’s not justthe BLET memberswho benefit. Their spouses and familiesalso benefit from the union’s ability tosee our friends hold elected office, notjust at the National level, but also theState level. As Auxiliary members andspouses, perhaps we can take a momentto examine our budgets to see if there isgives us a powerful voice in thepolitical process to elect politicianswho will respond to ourinterests; influence legislationand regulations to take our concernsinto account; and stopYour PAC contributions make a differenceJoining the BLET PACis as easy as 1, 2, 3!Here’s how to jointhe BLET-PAC inthree easy steps:any wiggle room allowing a donationto the PAC. The larger the monthly donation,the better the ability our organizationhas to help those who can helpus, but every dollar counts. Your DivisionLegislative Representatives should havePAC applications available, or you cancontact your Division Secretary-Treasurerto sign up.Please think about the differencewe can help make and, if your familyis not already contributing to the PACfund, we encourage you to check outthe advantages and the importanceof doing so. •Get a PAC Authorization Check Off card from yourDivision’s Legislative Representative or go online towww.bletdc.org, under the drop down menu “Take Action,”click on BLET PAC. When prompted, fill in the username“signup” and the password “bletdc.” Then print the filledout card.After you fill out the form online or in this issue,give one copy to your Division Secretary-Treasurer.Mail one to the BLET National Legislative Office inWashington, D.C. (25 Louisiana Ave NW, 7th Floor,Washington, D.C. 20001).Your Division Secretary-Treasurer will then beginautomatic payroll deductions and the National LegislativeOffice will send you confirmation of the receipt of your cardand a BLET-PAC pin.those who try to take away ourjobs, harm rail safety or infringeupon our rights as workers.We need all of our membersto participate in these effortsbecause the BLET- PAC hascontinued to be one of the bestways to protect our jobs andadvance pro-rail labor policies.It is no secret that politicianslisten more to those who arethe strongest and the loudest,and if we are to continue beingheard, then we must maintainand increase contributions tothe PAC. If we can walk into ameeting and say that 100 percentof BLET members haveunited to contribute to theBLET-PAC, then politicianswould understand that thereare thousands of voices backingus up. We would be an evenmore powerful force.Railroad lobbyists have wellfundedand powerful PACs. Inthe 2008 election cycle, the ClassI railroads donated more $7 milliondollars to candidates in orderto advance their agenda. Wework to counter their agenda asmuch as we can but in order togo from defense to offense, weneed the support of all of ourmembers. We cannot simply reactwhen important issues arise.We must get in the game earlyand help set the agenda.While our contributions aresmall in comparison to the railroads,the BLET- PAC moneycollected has been used to electworker-friendly governors andstate legislators. And because50 percent of this money goesto the National PAC, it alsohelped to elect Barack Obamaas President, gain the Democratsa majority of seats in theU.S. House and Senate.The money our members donateto the BLET-PAC helps usto protect the safety, livelihoodsand lives of members, theirfamilies and all workers nationwide.We all need to supportthe PAC. Please give to theBLET-PAC. •BLET PAC fundc o n t r i b u t o r s— calendar year 2008BLET Editor’s Note:The following is a list of totalcalendar year contributionsto the BLET PAC fund byBLET members in 2008. It isbased on monthly reportsfiled by Division Secretary-Treasurers. There may besome discrepancies in a member’soriginal monthly commitmentand the total amountshown; for example, if you aregiving at the President’s Clublevel ($50 per month), but beganyour payroll deductionafter January 2008, then youwill be shown at the Vice-President’s Club level ($20 permonth) because your totalyear contributions did notreach the $600 yearly level.)Additionally, delays in filingmonthly reports may accountfor discrepancies in this listPresident’sAdvisory Council$100 per month($1,200 or more)John F Collins, Div. 421Brian P. Gallagher, Div. 752Ronald K Huff, Div. 746Michael R. Muscha, Div. 671Richard A Olson, Div. 746John P. Tolman, Div. 57President’s Club$50 per month($600-$1,199)Darrell N Azarcon, Div. 692Steven J Benson, Div. 739Terry D Briggs, Div. 530Ben L Blissett, Div. 301David K Brown, Div. 517Theodore J Carter, Div. 158P C Chaput, Div. 57Kent N Confer, Div. 623Paul T Currier, Div. 28James A Daddino, Div. 269Richard J Dame, Div. 587Susan L Doak, Div. 623Don H Douglass, Div. 721Anthony M Dimond, Div. 176Michael Elliott, Div. 238Robert B Engelhard, Div. 75R H Evans Jr., Div. 57Steve D Facklam, Div. 130Doug E Finch, Div. 098Stephen J Frankowiak, Div. 96Michael Gannon, Div. 11Merle W Geiger Jr., Div. 758Craig A Gilchrist, Div. 298Robert F Hagan, Div. 757Timothy R Hanely, Div. 36C L Harris, Div. 28Thomas F Hebert Jr., Div. 312Orvilee D Hill, Div. 31Peter P Hinckley, Div. 144Ronald K Huff, Div. 746Garry N Johnson, Div. 28Terry R Jones, Div. 044David G Kearsing, Div. 46Brian P Kelley, Div. 502Mark B Kenny, Div. 11Kenneth W Kertesz, Div. 263John G Krueger, Div. 107William A Lander, Div. 28Dan J Lauzon, Div. 57Robert H Linsey, Div. 659James P Louis, Div. 421Thomas W McRill, Div. 777Richard G Mize, Div. 104Sean H Morgan, Div. 65William J Munger, Div. 439Jimmy A Olson, Div. 160C A Parrish, Div. 28Toni L Pepper, Div. 107Paul S Piekarski, Div. 683Dennis R Pierce, Div. 687Edgar L Pruitt, Div. 126Gregory D. Powell, Div. 920Richard K Radek, Div. 404Marcus J Radek, Div. 143Christopher M Riley, Div. 75Thomas E Roberts, Div. 601Edward W Rodzwicz, Div. 325C A Roy, Div. 57Douglas A Sautner, Div. 746Paul T Sorrow, Div. 498Steve D Speagle, Div. 155Robert S Svob Jr., Div. 28Roy C Taylor Jr., Div. 28Terry L Todd, Div. 585Michael D Twombly, Div. 191W E Vail, Div. 28F A Verna, Div. 28Vincent G Verna, Div. 28John T Voss, Div. 75Fred W Waldsmith, Div. 415William C Walpert, Div. 604Clarence E Way, Div. 512Mathew J Wiggins, Div. 28Steve J Young, Div. 585Vice-President’s Club$20 per month($240-$599)Dean E Altringer, Div. 160M D Anderson, Div. 333Paul R Ansberry, Div. 158Continued on next page •

[ 6 www.ble-t.org ]Engineers&Trainmen NewsRepresentative’s Club Continued •M T Brand, Div. 275Steven M Brandenburg, Div. 402Leon C Brannock, Div. 766Jeffrey C Brannon, Div. 88Robert L Brashears, Div. 182Bobby L Breaux, Div. 206Michael S Breaux, Div. 383Rodney E Breaux, Div. 383Eric P Breaux, Div. 383Edmund P Breaux Jr., Div. 383Louis J Breaux Sr., Div. 383Douglas O Bredeson, Div. 549R L Breeden, Div. 301Thomas C Brennan, Div. 146Thomas B Brewer, Div. 103Paul A Brewer, Div. 285Corney D Brewer, Div. 383Randy F Bridge, Div. 11Donald J Bristow, Div. 660Robert L Britt, Div. 858Lester A Broner Jr., Div. 197Robert L Brooks, Div. 30James M Brooks, Div. 87Roy L Brooks, Div. 858Don Juan L Broughton, Div. 197Michael J Brousil, Div. 32Richard D Brown, Div. 607Claude H Brown, Div. 74Glen W Brown, Div. 231Brady B Brown, Div. 383Gregory F Brown, Div. 779James J Brown, Div. 867P B Brummett, Div. 153Ernest E Bruner, Div. 134Michael J Brungard, Div. 231Greg S Bryant, Div. 115Mark E Buchanan, Div. 65David A Buchholz, Div. 6Brook L Buchholz, Div. 671Mike J Bullmore, Div. 134R L Burkart, Div. 303Terry J Burke, Div. 6Jamie R Burke, Div. 107Edmund P Burke, Div. 133Kent D Burkett, Div. 107J W Burkhart, Div. 153James A Burris, Div. 624Garland C Burt, Div. 182Arzie Butler, Div. 156Mark S Butler, Div. 156Tom R Butler, Div. 647Doug K Butler, Div. 766John L Butler Jr., Div. 647R T Buttrey, Div. 261Tom J Buyan, Div. 83Charles S Byars, Div. 871Alan R Callow, Div. 656Keith J Calvert, Div. 383R V Cameron, Div. 511Carl S Camp, Div. 511Gary M Campbell, Div. 42Varian D Campbell, Div. 78Craig S Campbell, Div. 325Richard G Canady, Div. 238Alejandro A Cano, Div. 65George M Cantu, Div. 863Nicholas P Capriglione,Div. 286R J Carbonara, Div. 231Terry L Carkeek, Div. 120J R Carlin, Div. 511Jim V Carlson, Div. 766J A Carlson, Div. 153Ricardo O Carpintero, Div. 96Mike A Carr, Div. 622Brian P Carr, Div. 692Lou A Carrillo Jr., Div. 28Noel C Carstenson, Div. 415John H Carter, Div. 81Wendell M Carter, Div. 134Anthony B Carter, Div. 182R D Carter, Div. 205James D Carter, Div. 779S J Caruso, Div. 183Lou R Casanova, Div. 446Colonel W Caskey, Div. 219Guy I Cassidy, Div. 155Martin Cassidy, Div. 231Jesus Castillo, Div. 197James H Castleberry, Div. 578Thomas B Castro, Div. 660Louie R Cathemer, Div. 28Rick R Cavalier, Div. 2Bob G Cavanagh, Div. 629Milton B Caylor, Div. 383Robert P Cecil, Div. 120Tracy E Chadd, Div. 261Mark S Chalupa, Div. 231Don J Chamberlain, Div. 155Mike W Chamberlain, Div. 298R M Chambers, Div. 443Tim S Chase, Div. 383Kc C Chasek, Div. 622Mike S Chavez, Div. 134James M Cheeley, Div. 332Edgar R Cheetham, Div. 11Mark F Chenchar, Div. 115Paul R Chesley, Div. 671Scott B Chesney, Div. 373Demetrius L Chism, Div. 238Terry D Chitwood, Div. 623John P Chouinard, Div. 216Brian K Christiansen, Div. 349Raymond Ciancia, Div. 373Aaron W Cirwithen, Div. 11B K Clark, Div. 443John C Clark, Div. 125Christopher F Clark, Div. 779K W Clarke, Div. 518Travis C Clarke, Div. 134Garris G Claxon, Div. 190V M Clayton Jr., Div. 216Scott M Cleveland, Div. 98J E Click, Div. 548G L Cline, Div. 739C R Cobb, Div. 86James R Coenen, Div. 671Bradley R Cogdill, Div. 502Jeffrey D Cole, Div. 482Jordan D Coleman, Div. 65Mark Collins, Div. 65Tom L Collins, Div. 261Steve P Collins, Div. 398Jeff E Commerford, Div. 130Darrell Compton Jr., Div. 944Michael L Conner, Div. 692Jimmy R Conner, Div. 446D M Conners, Div. 777Robert F Conrad, Div. 237Dale C Cook, Div. 706Albert D Cook III, Div. 1Albert D Cook Jr., Div. 2J R Cooper, Div. 88Linda L Cooper, Div. 94Larry L Cordes, Div. 523John A Corneglio III, Div. 156Mike D Costello, Div. 527Ray L Cota, Div. 56John T Cotton, Div. 779Ron A Couch, Div. 831Dave W Covey, Div. 622Cleveland C Cox, Div. 158Ray R Cox, Div. 766Kenneth D Coxey, Div. 158Thomas P Craig, Div. 607Phillip R Crannick, Div. 83S C Cravens, Div. 415Michael M Creedon, Div. 263Brian E Cripe, Div. 155Bill D Crisp, Div. 155Alan D Crockett, Div. 502Martin G Crothers, Div. 231David R Croucher, Div. 607John W Crow, Div. 182G R Crowley, Div. 57James F Cuddington Jr., Div. 779Mike D Cudney, Div. 81Christopher J Cundari, Div. 682Michael R Cunningham,Div. 134Jethro Curtis, Div. 11Ladon F Dane, Div. 42Francisco C Daniel, Div. 158Frank P Daniel, Div. 197Richard J Darcy, Div. 373Robert E Darling, Div. 28Davy Dauchan, Div. 65Michael J Daus, Div. 263Chad M Davidson, Div. 155William R Davis, Div. 198J L Davis, Div. 86William H Davis, Div. 182William E Davis, Div. 336T J Davis, Div. 511Terry D Davis, Div. 717Rudolph M Davis Jr., Div. 766Thomas E De Haven, Div. 587Nathan A Deckard, Div. 285Steven P Degeneffe, Div. 6Lance A Degeneffe, Div. 6Scott W Deibler, Div. 622Reynaldo Deleon, Div. 197Kevin D Dellinger, Div. 421Larry D Delon, Div. 548Anthony J Delprince, Div. 607M Demers, Div. 752Dennis T Dempsey, Div. 458Robert J Dennen, Div. 83Jordan Denner, Div. 11Blair G Denny, Div. 17Cody G Densmore, Div. 134M J Depeal, Div. 920Manuel Desousa Jr., Div. 373S P Devaney, Div. 500Thomas E Devine, Div. 96Edward F Devine, Div. 391Vincent A Dial, Div. 548Gregg F Dibrell, Div. 863Charles A Dickens, Div. 779T B Dickerson, Div. 216Keith Didiot, Div. 373Darwin L Dietz, Div. 160Charles R Dillon, Div. 13Joseph Dipuccio, Div. 3David B Ditzel, Div. 232Jerry D Divine, Div. 81Richard G Dixon, Div. 71H A Dobson, Div. 171Timothy C Dodd, Div. 502Dave L Dodge, Div. 462Paul L Doney, Div. 134Thomas C Donovan, Div. 272Thomas J Dorricott Jr., Div. 71Christopher S Dort, Div. 14A E Doss, Div. 86Curt A Dotts, Div. 175Patrick R Double, Div. 98Michael E Dow, Div. 421Kenneth M Downing, Div. 32R S Draggoo, Div. 443Ron D Du Paix, Div. 349Ernie J Duarte, Div. 383Aaron J Dubin, Div. 231G M Duck, Div. 456Cris H Dudgeon, Div. 629Darrel J Dunlap, Div. 766Gary C Dunlavy Jr., Div. 81Tim B Dunn, Div. 24T M Dupee, Div. 526Peter A Durant, Div. 46Danny L Dusenbery, Div. 120Craig D Dyson, Div. 779Derek L Eaglin, Div. 175Ayshle T Earl, Div. 779Stuart V Eastman, Div. 28Robert M Eaves, Div. 156C E Eck II, Div. 56Rodney L Edd, Div. 130Jeffrey E Edin, Div. 290Brenda J Edwards, Div. 32Tarran R Edwards, Div. 136Lester Edwards, Div. 182Roger W Edwards, Div. 224William M Eischens, Div. 290Dylan D Ekins, Div. 443M J Ekstrum, Div. 333Tom A Elledge, Div. 692Pat S Ellenbecker, Div. 224W P Elliott, Div. 88Frederick M Elliott, Div. 482Christopher J Ellis, Div. 383Darrel L Ellison, Div. 182Larry W Ellison, Div. 182Donald C Ellsworth, Div. 42Today’s RealityNoting can take the place of your vote. The BLET PAC works to help make your vote andinfluence even more powerful. Political Action Committees, or PACs, allow us to pool ourpolitical resources, giving you a strong voice in State and Federal governmental affairs.Randy G Elsberry, Div. 120Gary D Emmert, Div. 242Rick A Emry, Div. 238Gary W Endsley, Div. 647Robert L England, Div. 672Brian A Ensz, Div. 130John C Epling, Div. 28Jason J Epling, Div. 28Dallas J Eppes, Div. 561Steven A Erby, Div. 752Thomas A Erickson, Div. 517Kenneth S Ernhart, Div. 520David L Ervin, Div. 156Theodore L Espinoza, Div. 115J M Estes, Div. 134Justin L Eubanks, Div. 182Jimmy D Eubanks, Div. 182Tommy R Eubanks, Div. 182P K Eubanks, Div. 777Jim W Evans, Div. 527Jessie D Evans, Div. 343Ulysses L Evans, Div. 42Michael R Evans, Div. 153Tim R Evans, Div. 155John C Evans, Div. 383Russ H Evenhouse, Div. 622Rachel L Everson, Div. 13Harvey J Ewell, Div. 81John L Falconer, Div. 158D C Falltrick, Div. 415Charles M Fanning, Div. 103Tyron S Farnham Jr., Div. 301B J Faulkner, Div. 41Chet R Faulkner, Div. 383Robert A Fee, Div. 197Terry W Fenwick, Div. 42C A Ferguson, Div. 839Rodney J Fernow, Div. 671Kenny W Ferrel, Div. 383Robert A Fertig, Div. 303Kevin J Field, Div. 94Mike J Finan, Div. 81Doug D Finke, Div. 98P W Finneral, Div. 57Brad A Finney, Div. 106Jeffery A Firestone, Div. 383Phillip M Fish, Div. 400Jim E Fisher, Div. 98Mark L Fisher, Div. 442Lynn R Fitterer, Div. 195Patrick M Flaherty, Div. 520J M Flasser, Div. 171C H Fleming II, Div. 192James L Fletcher, Div. 364Daniel E Fletcher, Div. 674Juan Flores, Div. 197David A Florita, Div. 103S A Fogle, Div. 292John E Ford, Div. 94R J Ford, Div. 357R J Fortner Jr., Div. 155Maurice E Foster, Div. 482Dale R Fowlar, Div. 692Marty Fox, Div. 32Robert T Francis, Div. 231E P Franco, Div. 303Randall W Franklin, Div. 121B A Frauenkron, Div. 839Dan J Frederick, Div. 120Keith A Fredrikson, Div. 104Jimmy J Freeman, Div. 863William D Freeman, Div. 706Mark A Frickel, Div. 232Jim O Frier, Div. 629Forrest J Fritz, Div. 155Dale R Fronk, Div. 622J D Fry, Div. 57W C Fryatt, Div. 88Jimmie D Frye Jr., Div. 607David Fuentes Jr., Div. 790Ruben Fuentez, Div. 197Perry D Fulk, Div. 537Rick G Fuller, Div. 446Phillip C Fullerton, Div. 336Jack A Furgye III, Div. 682M J Gaab, Div. 27Henry H Gaddis, Div. 463Mike D Gaines, Div. 133Corey L Gale, Div. 671Stephen W Gallatin, Div. 24Joel A Gamble, Div. 32Robert R Garcia, Div. 103Eleazar Garcia, Div. 197Kevin C Garcia, Div. 56Catarino A Garcia, Div. 566Jeff A Garner, Div. 24Mont Garner, Div. 134Charles R Garrett, Div. 94James G Garrison, Div. 197C R Gartman, Div. 278Joseph E Gartman, Div. 739Alfredo Garza Jr., Div. 462Randy L Gaston, Div. 28Ryan T Gathman, Div. 695J A Gavin, Div. 275Michael S Geer, Div. 81Ronald Gentry, Div. 524Steven C George, Div. 602Freddie N George, Div. 134Robert M Getzfreid, Div. 869Sherman L Gibson, Div. 682N J Gigli, Div. 153Tiffany M Gilbert, Div. 65D G Gillespie, Div. 28Darice L Gilliam, Div. 383Ken D Gilliam, Div. 383Charles R Glick, Div. 20Jon Glus, Div. 607Hershel W Godwin, Div. 779Kevin A Goff, Div. 31Tom E Goin Jr., Div. 125Edward A Goldstein, Div. 577Allan R Goll, Div. 180Leo T Gonzales, Div. 142G J Gonzales, Div. 303S L Gonzolas, Div. 261Steve C Goodman, Div. 78Robert B Goodson, Div. 624David P Gore, Div. 607Richard J Grant, Div. 846Edward G Graves, Div. 660Raymond L Graves Jr., Div. 238Geraldine Gray, Div. 81James L Gray, Div. 585Richard C Green, Div. 387Payton B Greeno, Div. 182Thomas M Gregerson, Div. 69Gary L Griffin, Div. 56Michael W Griffin, Div. 57Robert L Griffin, Div. 706A J Griffith, Div. 62Jimmy E Griffith, Div. 182Daniel Grigalunas, Div. 683Brad S Grimes, Div. 81Sean D Grimes, Div. 662Kenneth R Grimshaw, Div. 103R C Grisedale, Div. 739Harold D Grisham Jr., Div. 182Stanley C Grishom, Div. 442Joseph A Grosso, Div. 250John E Grother II, Div. 660Patrick J Guatney, Div. 81James A Guenther, Div. 382Skip A Guess, Div. 81M A Guill, Div. 299Steven P Gunnels, Div. 104Robert R Gustafson, Div. 290Rodney D Guthrie, Div. 115Roland Gutierrez, Div. 578Gene M Guzman, Div. 333Bernard E Hackler, Div. 115Stanley W Haessig, Div. 391Victor C Haile, Div. 28Michael J Halerz Jr., Div. 231Stewart W Haley, Div. 6Brandon L Haley, Div. 182Todd D Hall, Div. 203Athony C Hall, Div. 383Jamie D Hall, Div. 383Danny L Hall, Div. 520Brant A Halouska, Div. 622Charles E Hamber, Div. 42Darin L Hamre, Div. 671Robert L Hancock, Div. 383Rusty K Hanno, Div. 134Dean H Hansen, Div. 51Jimmy F Hanson, Div. 134Darrell R Hanson, Div. 869Ira D Happe, Div. 766Hakim A Haqq, Div. 683Lewis V Harahan, Div. 776John C Hardecker, Div. 269Timothy B Harkey, Div. 256J W Harmer III, Div. 194Todd V Harmon, Div. 28Paul R Harris, Div. 81Dale R Harris, Div. 158Pete C Harrison, Div. 120Dennis L Harrison, Div. 195John T Hart, Div. 656Evan R Hart, Div. 779Michael R Harting, Div. 754Kenton W Hastings, Div. 144David M Hatch, Div. 197Kelly J Haugen, Div. 746James W Haviland, Div. 238Thomas E Hawkins, Div. 84Henry H Hawkins, Div. 156Darren Jd Hawkins, Div. 530Henry A Hay Jr., Div. 182Daniel F Hayes, Div. 169Bronson F Hayes, Div. 134Richard J Hazlewood, Div. 383Steve L Heichelbech, Div. 343Ronald J Heichelbech, Div. 343Don L Helander, Div. 499J A Held, Div. 402Mark A Heldreth, Div. 383David A Heldreth Sr., Div. 383Rich K Hellwig, Div. 622John P Henderson, Div. 182Leroy M Henderson, Div. 231Mark P Hensley, Div. 383Ross E Hensley, Div. 383Joe J Herczeg, Div. 607Craig O Herman, Div. 549Raymond R Hermanson Jr.,Div. 96Francis J Hermes, Div. 671Johnny Herrera, Div. 443Jose H Herrera, Div. 197Joseph R Herrera, Div. 660T K Herrick, Div. 57Ronald F Hershey, Div. 235Laurence W Hespel, Div. 74Mike J Hess, Div. 9Jonathan F Hess, Div. 383Anthony H Hessler, Div. 842Eric D Hessom, Div. 383Brent N Hesterlee, Div. 81Robert W Hestes, Div. 187Keith S Heytink, Div. 940Dennis P Hickey, Div. 238Anthony W Hicks, Div. 1Trevor D Hildenbrand, Div. 104Milfred E Hilderbrand, Div. 155Frederick D Hill, Div. 11John L Hill Jr., Div. 156Brett A Hobbs, Div. 520Lawrence T Hochberg, Div. 682Kevin L Hodges, Div. 196K L Hodgkin, Div. 518Mark J Hodgson, Div. 20Edwin G Hodnett, Div. 779Jason J Hoffa, Div. 228S J Hoffman, Div. 415Mike A Hoffman, Div. 624Richard L Hofmeier, Div. 262Michael L Hogan, Div. 197Mervin C Hogge, Div. 766Timothy S Holden, Div. 55Paul J Holden, Div. 155R S Holden, Div. 858Thomas G Holleran, Div. 263Daniel D Holman, Div. 517Scott W Holman, Div. 727P A Holman Sr., Div. 597Randall L Hood, Div. 56G E Hopkins, Div. 333Jimmy T Hopper, Div. 30Calvin E Hopper, Div. 285Chadrick M Horn, Div. 104Tommy M Horn, Div. 776P L Hoskins, Div. 777James E Hoskins Jr., Div. 182Lawrence S Hotzel, Div. 232Joe L Howard, Div. 155William B Howard, Div. 463Charles W Howe, Div. 232Jeffrey S Howell, Div. 548John J Hranek, Div. 660Peter J Hromi, Div. 607Robert G Hubbard, Div. 182Thomas E Hudson, Div. 156Jim E Hughes, Div. 83David C Hughes, Div. 383Lee E Humphrey, Div. 81Ernie C Humphry Jr., Div. 362Donald D Hundt, Div. 13Josh C Hunt, Div. 343John W Hunt, Div. 31Charles J Hunt, Div. 54T S Hunt, Div. 216Dale R Hunt, Div. 766Carl E Hunt, Div. 869Steve R Huston, Div. 134Ron A Hyatt, Div. 20John W Hylan Jr., Div. 207Michael E Hysell, Div. 228J M Ignoffo, Div. 582George E Imhausen, Div. 153Gene E Imler, Div. 74Jessie B Ingrum, Div. 508Micheal L Isom, Div. 60Bart K Israel, Div. 383G A Israelson, Div. 474W T Jackson, Div. 140Joe R Jackson, Div. 155Martin F Jaeger, Div. 65Brian R James, Div. 2David E James, Div. 81Raymond P Javier, Div. 144Brad L Jenkins, Div. 362Antoine P Jenkins, Div. 682K E Jenkins, Div. 696Mark R Jenkins, Div. 858Denny D Jensen, Div. 134Paul C Jensen, Div. 582G V Jerger, Div. 303Phillip M Jeter, Div. 182Russel E Jewell, Div. 285Darrel Joe, Div. 846Timothy L John II, Div. 292D F Johnson, Div. 260Dennis R Johnson, Div. 24W A Johnson, Div. 28David P Johnson, Div. 155Mark K Johnson, Div. 175Mark R Johnson, Div. 502Ron L Johnson, Div. 523William L Johnston, Div. 103William V Johnstone, Div. 700Kenneth G Johnstone Jr., Div. 11A D Jolly, Div. 863Johnny G Jones, Div. 206Charles R Jones, Div. 239Keith E Jones, Div. 383C A Jones, Div. 489Randy L Jones, Div. 527Frank W Jordan III, Div. 517Ron E Jurgens, Div. 98W P Jurney, Div. 919William W Kaczmarski,Div. 682Anthony L Kaiser, Div. 197Kevin D Karlinsey, Div. 370Terry R Kasabian, Div. 914Michael Katende, Div. 57Loyal D Kauffman, Div. 298Steven W Kay, Div. 272Jonathan R Kayes, Div. 263Steve F Keane, Div. 622Larry E Keatley, Div. 766David J Keim, Div. 155Robert J Kellam, Div. 28Donald R Kelley, Div. 383Jerald Kendall, Div. 11Dennis M Kendall, Div. 769Kristopher W Kerr, Div. 239G R Kerr, Div. 303Kevin K Keys, Div. 14Pete Khane, Div. 134Stevie L Kidd, Div. 383Michael J Kime, Div. 104Gil D King, Div. 362William E King, Div. 134James F King-Shaw, Div. 158James J Kinsman Jr., Div. 13Robert E Kirby, Div. 256T L Kitterman, Div. 130Clay A Kittleson, Div. 298M S Klaproth, Div. 777Robert L Klein, Div. 98Roland P Kleinsorge, Div. 398Wayne A Kling, Div. 94Charlie D Klukis, Div. 155W E Knight, Div. 511George R Knipp Jr., Div. 271Dale E Knuepfer, Div. 96Ron D Knutelski, Div. 629Kerry S Knutsen, Div. 523John R Knutson, Div. 290M W Kody, Div. 294Johnny L Koonce, Div. 762Christopher A Kopf, Div. 4William F Kopp, Div. 746Michael J Kowalchik, Div. 263James A Kozar, Div. 32Norbert Kremsner, Div. 238James F Kresse, Div. 155William A Kritzer, Div. 766Bruce D Kroll, Div. 676Gaylan O Krueger, Div. 549Bruce E Krump, Div. 671Stacy L Kuchinski, Div. 373Marc W Kudlacik, Div. 226Roger J Kulesza, Div. 590Jason A Kurrass, Div. 779Randy L Kurtz, Div. 595D F Kydd, Div. 312Josh R Kyles, Div. 144John H La Gesse, Div. 130Sean S La Sala, Div. 502Kevin E Ladyman, Div. 42David B Lahner, Div. 6E D Land, Div. 86Joseph M Lane Iv, Div. 216Gary J Langlinais, Div. 197C E Larson, Div. 171Robert M Larson, Div. 726Kallen C Latendresse, Div. 695Walter D Latuska, Div. 290William C Lawrence, Div. 207Jack C Lawrence, Div. 383R B Lawson, Div. 518John P Lawson, Div. 402Devan Lawton, Div. 421D A Leasure, Div. 216Robert M Lee, Div. 13Marvin C Lee, Div. 75J B Lee, Div. 166James B Lee, Div. 595Brian K Lehman, Div. 662Steve A Leier, Div. 160Sandra L Lemke, Div. 517Frank R Lemus, Div. 383James A Lenahan, Div. 263Harold R Leonard, Div. 370Randy L Lepoglow, Div. 527T J Leverton, Div. 839Ralph H Levi, Div. 624William J Lewis, Div. 81Donny R Lewis, Div. 134D A Lewis, Div. 86Scott L Lewis, Div. 446David C Lewis, Div. 463Robert C Lewis, Div. 502Kevin S Leyerle, Div. 81Kyle L Liggett, Div. 303Ray A Limon, Div. 383Aaron E Lindner, Div. 682Brandon A Lindsey, Div. 156Matthew T Little, Div. 502Grant C Little, Div. 290Carlos A Lizarraga, Div. 106Aaron G Logsdon, Div. 81S D Long, Div. 443Chuck F Long, Div. 134John L Lopez, Div. 134Jose A Lopez, Div. 197James R Losee Jr., Div. 46Danney K Loucks, Div. 595Larry J Love, Div. 155Larry D Love, Div. 778Gary F Loveless, Div. 692Ricardo J Lucero, Div. 660Robert C Ludka, Div. 231Thomas M Luedde, Div. 134Samuel J Lueders, Div. 42Jeffery D Lukehart, Div. 778William P Lulias, Div. 231Richie L Lusk, Div. 383John P Lusk, Div. 383Steve J Lusty, Div. 2Ian S Lydic, Div. 624Edward A Lynch, Div. 158Douglas A Lynch, Div. 28Jason E Lynn, Div. 742James R Lyons, Div. 473N A MacDonald, Div. 839Gregory M Mack, Div. 96D A Macleod, Div. 57Richard C Madden, Div. 231Abel A Madrid, Div. 44L D Maese, Div. 299Ralph A Magallan, Div. 22Michael J Magelky, Div. 746Michael D Maguire, Div. 1Patrick T Maher, Div. 607D E Mahood, Div. 518Terry L Maier, Div. 309Peter J Maillet Sr., Div. 171C M Majett, Div. 231Mark A Mankim, Div. 607Ted R Mann, Div. 100Mark D Manzanares, Div. 383Jan M Marengo, Div. 120Patrick W Markwell, Div. 81Bryant Marsalis, Div. 682W J Marsden Jr., Div. 57B K Martin, Div. 532D W Martin, Div. 223Chris M Martin, Div. 262Locomotive Engineers & ConductorsMutual Protective Association4000 Town Center • Suite 1250 • Southfield, MI 48075-1407(800) 514-0010 • (313) 962-1512Fax: (877) 633-1910 • E-Mail: lecmpa1910@lecmpa.orgWeb: www.lecmpa.orgJob Protection Headquartersfor Transportation EmployeesSince 1910

[ 8 www.ble-t.org ]Engineers&Trainmen NewsA message fromTeamsters General PresidentJames P. HoffaRestoringstability toworking familiesMultinational corporationsand their front groups are launchingan attack on the Employee FreeChoice Act, which was introduced recentlyin Congress.Hundreds of corporate lobbyists flewinto Washingtonto maketheir case.Tens of millionsof dollarshave beenspent on antiunionadvertising,with muchmore to come.Severalhundred workersalso cameto Washingtonto supportEmployeeFree Choice.At least one worker who was fired becausehe wanted to join the Teamstershad never flown on an airplane before.There’s no doubt in my mind thatpassing the Employee Free ChoiceAct would bring about the mostsignificant change for unions in theworkplace since the Wagner Act tookeffect in 1935.Big Corporations say Employee FreeChoice would take away workers’ rightsto the secret ballot. They argue that thesecret ballot is the linchpin of democracy,that it would be somehow un-Americanto take it away. They claim to careabout workers who might be intimidatedby a union if their secret ballot istaken away.Of course, the secret ballot doesn’tprotect workers from management intimidation.How can it, when union organizersroutinely get fired?It is also untrue that Employee FreeChoice takes away the secret ballot. Letme repeat: If the Employee Free ChoiceAct becomes law, workers could chooseto cast their votes in a secret ballot.Sen. Robert Wagner of New Yorksponsored the law in 1935 that bearshis name. The Wagner Act recognizedthe right of workers to form unions.Wagner understood that the differencebetween despotism and democracy isnot the secret ballot, but whether workershave the right to bargain collectively.The corporate-funded front groupsopposing Employee Free Choice can’tpretend they support collective bargaining.So they claim that expandingunions would be bad for the economy.Just recently a spokesman for one ofthe front groups called Employee FreeChoice “a poison pill for our ailingeconomy.”History shows that the economy doeswell when unions are strong. In thesedire economic times, I can’t think of abetter way to restore stability to middleclassfamilies than to strengthen unions.Fraternally,James P. HoffaTe a m s t e r s Ge n e r a l Pr e s i d e n t•Photo of the MonthAdvisory Board February ActivityIn accordance with the BLET Bylaws, summaries of BLETAdvisoryBoard members’ activities are published monthly:National President Edward W. Rodzwicz — National Division office:General supervision of BLET activities; General office duties; Various correspondence& phone calls; President, Teamsters Rail Conference; Cooperating Rail Labor Organizations(CRLO) mtgs.; Mtg. w/ 2009 BLET Regional Meeting arrangements chairmen;Rail Labor Chiefs mtg.; Advisory Board mtg.First Vice-President and Alternate President Paul T. Sorrow — Performedvarious duties in Office Administrator capacity; Various duties assigned toFirst Vice President; Various correspondence and telephone communications; Generalsupervision of Special Representatives; Cooperating Rail Labor Organizations(CRLO) mtgs.; BLET Advisory Board mtg., Miami; Rail Safety Improvement Act/Hours of Service mtg., Las Vegas.National Secretary-Treasurer William C. Walpert —General supervisionof BLET financial, record depts.; ND office; BLET Education & Training Dept.;Internal Organizing, Mobilizing & Strategic Planning Dept.; Safety Task Force; Meetingswith vendors and financial institutions; Standard Building operations oversight;CRLO mtgs., Miami, Fla.; National Legislative Board mtg., Miami, Fla.; Regionalmeeting associations mtg., Miami; Advisory Board mtg., Miami; General Chairmen,State Legislative Board Chairmen, National Division officers mtg., re: Hours of ServiceAct revisions, Las Vegas; Secretary-Treasurer workshop, Vancouver, Wash.Vice-President Richard K. Radek — ND Office; BLET Decertification Helplineservices; Director of Arbitration Dept; National Railroad Adjustment Board(NRAB); Illinois Central; Wisconsin Central; Indiana Harbor Belt; METRA; Belt Rwy.of Chicago; Chicago Central & Pacific; Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range; Routine officeduties, Chicago and Cleveland; Routine office duties, Chicago and Cleveland;Advisory Board mtg., Miami Beach, Fla.; Remote control arbitration establishmentagreement, schope rule dispute, BRC, Illinois Midland, Cleveland; Part 240.409dockets this month: 01-26 (UP), 07-11 (MBTA), 07-32 (UP), 07-44 (NS), 00-41 (NS),02-04 (UP), 06-17 (KCS).Vice-President Merle W. Geiger Jr. — Assigned to: BLET Trainmen’sDepartment; Kansas City Southern; Texas-Mexican Rwy.; Midsouth Rail; Southrail;Gateway Western; CP Rail System/U.S.; Portland & Western RR; Great WesternRR; Utah RR; Mtg. w/ GC Koonce and KCS, Chicago; Advisory Board mtg., Miami,Fla.; Audit Committee mtg., Cleveland; BLET Hours of Service mtg., Las Vegas;Implementing agreement mtgs. w/ GC Clark (Tex-Mex) and KCS, Houston; Holiday;Correspondence, research and general office duties.Vice-President Stephen D. Speagle — Assigned to Burlington NorthernSanta Fe, Montana Rail Link, Pacific Harbor Line, Missouri & Northern Arkansas(M&NA), National Wage/Rule Committee; General office duties; BLET AdvisoryBoard mtg., Miami; Vacation; Mtg. on Rail Safety Improvement Act and Hours ofService, Las Vegas; Wabash Hospital Board mtg., Decatur.Vice-President E.L. “Lee” Pruitt — Assisted general chairmen & membersLocomotive Engineers And Trainmen NewsBrotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers And TrainmenA Division Of The Rail Conference,International Brotherhood Of TeamstersBLET Publications Committee:Edward W. Rodzwicz, National PresidentPaul T. Sorrow, First Vice-President & Alternate PresidentWilliam C. Walpert, National Secretary-TreasurerJohn P. Tolman, Vice-President & National Legislative Rep.John V. Bentley Jr., Editorwww.ble-t.org (216) 241-2630COPYRIGHT 2008, ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDVOLUME 23 NUMBER 4 April 2009LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & TRAINMEN NEWS (ISSN 0898-8625)is published monthly by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen,1370 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113-1702.Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH.POSTMASTER: Send address changes toLocomotive Engineers & Trainmen News — BLET Records Department,1370 Ontario Street, Mezzanine Cleveland, OH 44113-1702.Are youa photographer?The National Division’s PublicRelations Office, which producesthe Newsletter each month, has receivednumerous inquiries latelyfrom BLET members volunteeringto contribute their images to the“Photo of the Month” section of theNewsletter.If you are an amateur photographer(or professional, in the case ofBrother Joe Geronimo this month),we welcome your submissions. Ifyou’d like to submit a photo forconsideration, you may call EditorJohn Bentley at (216) 241-2630,ext. 248, or you can email images to:Bentley@ble-t.org.Please note only high resolutionimages can be used. Members arealso encouraged to review their employer’spolicies regarding the use ofcameras and other electronic deviceswhile on duty.Canadian Pacific and Norfolk Southern crews make a change at Binghamton, N.Y. aboard “The Susquehanna.”The vintage Pennsylvania Railroad E8s were in the lead for a special run, which departed Philadelphia on November2, 2007, for Steamtown in Scranton, Pa., continuing on to Olean, N.Y. and finally returning to Philadelphia on November5. Joe Geronimo, a member of BLET Division 521 (Hawthorne, N.J.) and a NYS&W engineer, snapped this image fromthe Chenango Street Viaduct in Binghamton, N.Y., on November 4, 2007. A freelance photographer and photojournalist,Brother Geronimo’s maintains an online gallery of his images at: http://www.jgphoto.photoreflect.comof: UP-Western Lines; UP-Western Region; UP-Central Region; UP-Southern Region;UP-Tacoma Belt; ID run negotiations, Las Vegas to West Colton, assisting GC Hannah,UPWL GCA; Advisory Board mtg., Miami; Audit Committee mtg., Cleveland;National general chairmen mtg., 2009 Rail Safety Act and Hours of Service, LasVegas; General office duties, paperwork, filing, telephone calls, etc.., assisting UPRR-Tacoma Belt & STD.Vice-President & National Legislative Representative John P. Tolman— Assigned to BLET Washington, DC office; BLET Security Officer; General OfficeDuties, telephone, correspondence; Coordinate content of NLO website; Continuedcoordination w/ IBT Government Affairs Dept.; Coordinated PAC contributions;BLET Advisory Board mtg., Miami; National Legislative Board mtg., Miami; AARmtgs., Washington, D.C.; TTD mtgs., Washington, D.C.; National Mediation Boardmtgs., Washington, D.C.; RSAC Hours of Service working group mtgs., Washington,D.C.; RSAC internal mtg., Las Vegas; RSAC Positive Train Control mtgs., Washington,D.C.; Organized materials, presentations and events for Legislative Representativeworkshop; Attended various fundraisers.Vice-President Marcus J. Ruef — Assigned to Amtrak; Port Authority TransHudson (PATH); Long Island Railroad (LIRR); Southeastern Pennsylvania TransportationAuthority (SEPTA); New Jersey Transit (NJT); MNR; Norfolk Southern-All GeneralCommittees; Wheeling & Lake Erie; and NYAL; Prepare for SBA 1063, NS-N, andPLB 1063 session, Ft. Meyers, Fla.; Assist VGC Hill with arbitration submission; AdvisoryBoard mtg., Miami; Claims screening w/ GC Nunziato, PATH, Newark, N.J.;Visit Division 171, NJ Transit, Hoboken, N.J.; Div. 52 mtg., Baltimore; Audit Committeemtg., Cleveland; Reinstatement conference for Div. 52 LC C. Gardner, NS-N,Newark, N.J.; Assist GC Darcy and Dixon with research and correspondence, NJT,Septa; National Hours of Service mtg., Las Vegas; Adopt awards PLB 6657, W≤Assist GC Quinn w/ NYAL discipline appeal; Distribute Hours of Service materialsto all Passenger Rail GCofAs.Vice-President Dennis R. Pierce — Assigned to all CSX General Committees— Eastern Lines, Western Lines, Northern Lines, Conrail (SAA/CSX-NorthernDistrict) — and Indiana Rail Road, Alabama State Docks; Special projects, BNSFGCofAs; General office duties; Vacation; National wage team subgroup mtg., Miami;Advisory Board mtg., Miami; General Chairmen conference calls, CSX CMCand CSX-N, CSX-W, CSX-E GCofAs; Conference call, CSX-E GCA; Tampa/Waycrossinterdivisional service; Rail safety/Hours of Service mtgs., BLET General Chairmen,State Legislative Board Chairmen, National Division Advisory Board, Las Vegas.Vice-President Mike Twombly — Assigned to Delaware & Hudson; SpringfieldTerminal; St. Lawrence & Atlantic; Montreal, Maine & Atlantic; Union Railroad;Birmingham Southern; New York, Susquehanna & Western; New England Central;South Buffalo Rwy.; Iowa, Chicago & Eastern; Indiana & Ohio; Indiana Southern;Louisville & Indiana; Meridian Southern; Talleyrand Terminal Railroad; SpringfieldTerminal safety mtg., Andover, Mass.; Mtg. and claims conference w/ Delaware &Hudson, Binghamton, N.Y.; Division 87 mtg., Saratoga, N.Y.; Advisory Board mtg.,Miami; IC&E representation election mtgs. in Bettendorf, Iowa; Savanna, Ill.; MasonCity, Iowa; Moline, Ill.; Division 200 mtg., IC&E; Hours of Service mtg., Las Vegas.Periodicals PostagePAIDat Cleveland, OH.,4/09•