L&DRR votes UTU;
BLE called ineffective
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- After seven years of waiting for the BLE to do anything for them, the operating employees of the Louisiana & Delta Railroad (L&DRR) turned to the UTU for representation.

Following a vote, the UTU was unanimously selected as the new collective bargaining agent by the operating railroad employees of the L&DRR.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) had been voted representative of the train and engine service employees on the L&DRR, but for seven years nothing was done to secure a contract with the carrier.

The workers were dissatisfied with the BLE and requested that the National Mediation Board (NMB) hold a representation election, similar to the one that is expected to be held in the future on the Union Pacific Railroad, between the UTU and BLE.

Of 16 voters on the L&D eligible to vote, 15 cast votes for the UTU. The BLE did not receive one vote.

The L&D operates about 100 miles of track between Lafayette and Thibodaux, La., according to Local 1836 Vice Local Chairperson, Delegate and Legislative Representative Larry Barrilleaux, who assisted in the organizing effort.

The L&D workers approached the UTU after seven frustrating years waiting for the BLE. "The BLE had won a representation election in 1992 but had never gotten the employees an agreement," Barrilleaux said. "They (the employees) finally said enough is enough.

"We explained to them that we (the UTU) don't go anywhere we aren't invited," Barrilleaux said. But the members told him, "We aren't getting what we feel we need from the BLE."

"We gave them 'A' cards and 14 of 16 came back," Barrilleaux said. "They said they felt they could get better representation from the UTU. They were impressed with the UTU website and saw some things they liked, and they realized it was a union on the move," he said.

Barrilleaux said the members were treated to a visit from Membership I, that representatives from the UTUIA met with them, that UTU designated legal counsel met with them, and that Louisiana State Legislative Director Tyrone Boudreaux attended a meeting. "They knew what they were going to get from us: equal representation and a chance to help themselves," Barrilleaux said.

When the BLE heard about UTU's inroads "some hot-shot BLE organizer from Cleveland called and said they were going to send a representative down, but our guy said, 'Don't bother. You've had seven years.' The BLE didn't even have telephone numbers or addresses on any of these guys except one," Barrilleaux said.

"I wouldn't treat my dog like we get treated from the L&D," said L&D employee Francis Poirier. "The wages and working conditions are terrible. I have more respect for animals than they have for us."

Said Poirier, "From everybody over here, you all are a godsend to us. I've been railroading for 20 years, and I don't know everything about it, but I know the difference between right and wrong, and we've been treated unjustly wrong.

"I speak for everybody when I say thanks" to the UTU. "We'd be where we are now and it would be the same for the next ten years" without the UTU, Poirier said.

Said UTU International President Charles L. Little: "The unanimous vote for the UTU and the complete shutout of the BLE speaks for itself. We are honored that the train and engine service employees of the L&DRR have chosen the rail-transportation union of the 21st Century to represent them. We look forward to the day when we will represent all train and engine service employees."

Director of Strategic Planning John Nadalin commended Barrilleaux and Local Chairperson Mark Allbright, Boudreaux and Field Supervisor Larry Chappel for their hard work in this election.

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