Last week’s election results do not change the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen’s responsibility to its members or its approach to legislative advocacy — it’s a reaffirmation. Throughout this year, BLET has worked to build relationships with elected officials from both parties around a clear purpose: protecting railroad workers’ jobs, safety, retirement, and benefits. That bipartisan work will continue.
As the next Congress takes shape, BLET is prepared to maintain the relationships it has established and build new ones wherever needed. Changes in representation bring a responsibility to introduce our union, explain the challenges our members face, and identify opportunities to work together.
“Our strategy remains the same: we will work with anyone who will work with us,” said BLET National President Mark Wallace. “Our members expect us to represent them regardless of who holds office. We have a responsibility to build relationships, make our priorities understood, and keep working to move those priorities forward. We are prepared and ready to do that.”
Building those relationships takes consistent effort. It means meeting with lawmakers and their staff members, listening, explaining how decisions in Washington affect railroaders and their families, and following through as legislation develops. BLET will continue that work with returning members of Congress and begin it with newly elected officials.
The BLET’s priorities remain grounded in the needs of our members. We will seek support wherever we can find it, recognize those willing to help, and hold elected officials accountable for their commitments. BLET is prepared to maintain established relationships, build new ones where needed, and keep working to advance our members’ interests. That responsibility continues after every election.