The BLET Education & Training Department hosted its first workshop specifically for Grievance Chairmen representing BLET short line members on Saturday, March 28. A Saturday was selected as it is the day most short line members are off duty.
Approximately a dozen Grievance Chairmen attended, representing short line railroads across the country. National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes, head of the Education & Training Department, and Vice President Randy Fannon hosted the workshop from BLET National Division Headquarters for the short line representatives in attendance. Walt Schmidt, BLET’s Director of Online Services, provided technical support.
National President Mark Wallace and First Vice President Gary Best addressed the group, outlining a renewed vision for the Short Line Department and discussing legislative and collective bargaining issues of national importance.
Additional instruction was provided by Vice President James Logan, Head and Designated Representative of the Short Line Department and Director of Organizing, along with Luke Myers, Director of Bylaws Administration, Organizing, and the Short Line Department.
“This training was an important step in ensuring our short line Grievance Chairmen have the tools they need to represent their members with the same level of professionalism we expect from Local Chairmen on the Class I railroads,” said Logan. “President Wallace and the entire Advisory Board have committed long-overdue resources to organizing these properties.”
Every BLET member is a potential organizer. Rank-and-file BLET members have played a critical role in the union’s recent organizing wins, with some of the union’s organizing victories coming directly from tips provided by former BLET members employed at other railroads. If you know of family, friends, or former co-workers who are railroaders employed at a non-union railroad who would like to be represented by BLET, contact the Organizing Department at [email protected].