Rail Labor Coalition pleased to extend full benefits to BLE, BMWE for supporting railroad retirement bill

CLEVELAND (Sept. 14) - In an act of rail labor solidarity, the United Transportation Union (UTU) and the 10 other labor unions comprising the Rail Labor Coalition agreed to allow the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) and Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE) to fully participate in the early retirement benefits in exchange for their support of the railroad retirement legislation currently before the U.S. Senate.

"The UTU's main mission is always to provide the highest level of benefits to all railroad employees," said International President Charles L. Little. "We are pleased that the BLE and BMWE now support the railroad retirement bill in the Senate. The UTU supported early on the right of BLE and BMWE members to share in early retirement health-and-welfare benefits negotiated by the 11 unions making up the Rail Labor Coalition. It is gratifying that all 11 unions wanted the same thing, and that BLE and BMWE leadership came around to do the right thing for their members and all of rail labor by supporting this historic legislation."

In a September 11 letter to all Rail Labor Coalition chiefs, Robert Scardelletti, International President of the Transportation Communications Union (TCU), wrote:

"This is to advise that the National Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC) Chairman Robert Allen has agreed to provide the members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE) the early retirement changes that the Rail Labor Coalition agreed upon with the Carriers, provided these two unions withdrew their opposition to H.R. 4844, and provided that we do not object."

Scardelletti continued: "The BLE has moved forward on this offer and attached is a statement they have issued on their website announcing full support of H.R. 4844. The BMWE has informed me they will be 'withdrawing all opposition of H.R. 4844' and that they will notify the appropriate Senators and Rail Chief Executives of this in writing.

"The NCCC is waiting for our response…In conclusion, I know this has been a very difficult period for all of us. But what is important at this time is that we approach the Senate with no labor opposition….

"Time is of the essence. If there is any one opposing what has been stated herein, you must so advise me immediately," Scardelletti concluded. "For the record, I strongly and sincerely request that there be no opposition to this matter."

After receiving Scardelletti's letter, all 11 unions quickly agreed to permit the BLE and BMWE to fully participate in the early retirement changes that they had negotiated with the NCCC. If any union objected, the BLE and BMWE would have been denied the full benefits. Now, when the railroad retirement passes the Senate and is signed into law by President Clinton all railroad employees who retire at age 60 with 30 years of service will be eligible for healthcare benefits.

In dropping its opposition to the railroad retirement legislation, BMWE President Max Fleming wrote on September 12 to members of the U.S. Senate:

"Please be advised that effective immediately, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees ("BMWE") withdraws all opposition to H.R. 4844, the 'Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act of 2000.' Any questions regarding H.R.4844 that you would have directed at the BMWE should be addressed to the coalition of labor unions and railroads supporting passage of the Bill…. BMWE also wishes to inform you that we have been assured by the National Railway Labor Conference that our members will receive the agreed upon changes to the early retirement major medical insurance plan commonly known as 'GA-46000' (or equivalent plans on non GA-46000 railroads) to the same extent as all other rail labor union members affected by the legislation…"

Fleming also sent copies of the September 12 letter to all Rail Labor Chief Executives.

On September 8, the BLE posted a press release on its website headlined "BLE Signs On to Railroad Retirement Bill." The BLE issued the press release one day after the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 4844 by a vote of 391-25.

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