CLEVELAND, May 7 — Seven members of the United States Senate are congratulating the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and its members on the Organization’s 150th anniversary. Included are letters from Senators who lead labor and transportation committees thanking the BLET and its hard-working members for their many contributions to the railroad industry, to the labor movement, and to key workplace safety improvements that benefitted not just railroaders but many workers in other industries all throughout the United States.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, wrote: “Your work — like the work of unions all across this country — has been critical to building a strong, secure middle class. Throughout our country’s history, unions have been leaders in fighting for progressive legislation that helps all working families — and the BLET has been on the forefront of protecting workers.”
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, wrote: “Looking towards the future, I hope and expect that the BLET will continue its work to promote better and safer working conditions for workers, and quality health and retirement benefits for its workers and for all American Workers. Congratulations to all the hard-working members of the BLET on your 150th anniversary.”
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), whose home state includes BLET National Division headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, wrote: “You should be proud of what your union has achieved. While this is a celebration of the historical significance of 150 years, it is also an opportunity to mark the ongoing importance of your solidarity. The BLET has been a pathway to the middle class for workers in the railroad industry. Your collective power is the reason locomotive engineers do not work for low wages in unsafe conditions.”
The BLET also received a joint letter from the leaders of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The letter is signed by both Senator John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the Committee, and Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Chairman of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee. They wrote: “Over the past 150 years, the BLET has grown from 13 members in Division 1 in Detroit to 55,000 active and retired members in over 500 Divisions around the country, and in 2004, became the founding member of the Teamsters Rail Conference. As the organization has grown, so has its impact on society and the American workforce.”
The home district of Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) includes Detroit, Mich., the city where the Brotherhood was founded and where the Organization is holding its 150th Anniversary Celebration. She wrote: “I am very pleased to welcome you to Detroit as you gather to commemorate this historic milestone at the site of your organization’s founding. As the oldest existing labor organization in North America you have a truly rich history to celebrate. Over the past 150 years your organization has played a critical role in improving the lives of active and retired railroad workers and their families.”
Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN), wrote: “Since your founding on May 8, 1863, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has been a leader in fighting for rights to help all workers. From the eight hour workday which greatly reduced safety concerns for both workers and users of rail lines, to the first negotiated labor contracts with railroad companies, BLET has led the struggle for fair labor standards and a better quality of life for working men and women.”
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce thanked these members of the United States Senate for recognizing the many achievements of the Brotherhood and its members.
“As Senator Sherrod Brown wrote, the celebration is a time to mark 150 years of achievement by our Organization as a whole, but it is equally important that we honor and thank our members as well,” President Pierce said. “They are the ones who have made this union the great Organization that it is today.”
President Pierce also thanked everyone involved in securing these letters. The National Division will announce other congratulatory letters from additional members of the Senate as they become available.
The Brotherhood is returning to Detroit this week for its 150th Anniversary Celebration. A series of meetings and events will culminate with a celebratory banquet the evening of Wednesday, May 8. More information is available here: www.ble-t.org/blet150.
These proclamations and resolutions are available for download from the BLET National Division website:
www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/150_proc_US_Senate.pdf