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NASLBC MEETING OPENS IN RENO

RENO, Nev. -- The BLET's National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen's meeting opened today in Reno, Nevada. The meeting began with Chairman Tim Smith officially calling the meeting to order.

The credentials committee then gave its report and the six new State Legislative Board Chairmen were introduced. The new Chairmen, Vince Verna, Arizona; J.T. Little, Tennessee; Don Douglass, Oklahoma; Tim Craver, Virginia; Bryan Aldridge, Kentucky; and David Brown, Minnesota, were then seated as members.

BLET First Vice President Paul Sorrow addressed the group. He noted that he hoped that his grandchildren would be able to have a job and live the American dream as he has done.

"The easy solution to this country's problems is to vote," First Vice President Sorrow said. "The last Presidential election 46 percent of eligible voters elected the President. We have the greatest country on the face of the earth. If we want to stay great, we need to make changes."

The Association's officers then gave their reports.

National President Ed Rodzwicz addressed the group and discussed the recent changes to the BLET and the upcoming round of negotiations. He urged the members of the organization to have greater vision.

"Simple people talk about people, average people talk about events, and smart people talk about ideas," National President Rodzwicz said.

He also urged greater cooperation between the BLET and the United Transportation Union.

"If we can work together, it will benefit both organizations," National President Rodzwicz said. "Single man operations don't work if you want to save jobs.

"I'm not proposing a merger. I am saying that we need to find a way to work together."

National Secretary Treasurer Bill Walpert addressed the group. NST Walpert noted that active membership would soon top 39,000 members. He also spoke about his role as Chairman of the BLET Safety Task Force and noted the difficulties in dealing with the NTSB under the Bush administration.

"It isn't about guns, God and gays, Brothers and Sisters," said NST Walpert. "It is about our jobs."

Vice President & National Legislative Representative John Tolman then spoke to the group. He began by speaking about the importance of contributing to the BLET PAC. Nearly 10,000 BLET members donate to the PAC.

He then spoke about what is going on in this nation and how the 2008 elections can change the direction of country.

"We need change in this country, and we should demand change," Vice President Tolman said. "It is time to make a difference."

The group was then addressed by Margo Storsteen, a member of BLET Division 57 and the BLET's representative to the Teamster's Human Rights Commission. She spoke about the Human Rights Commission and what the future holds for the BLET.

NASLBC DAY 2

The second day of the National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen's meeting began with an address by BLET Auxiliary President Becky Schneider. She explained the changes in the Auxiliary since the convention in 2006.

BLET Auxiliary Vice President & National Legislative Representative Sereena Hogan then spoke to the group. She explained how the Auxiliary works in the legislative arena.

"Auxiliary members provide a different perspective," said Vice President Hogan. "When we walk in to a meeting, we represent the families, the spouses and the community."

The various committees gave their reports.

Fred McLuckie, Legislative Director of the IBT, spoke to the group about federal legislative issues, including cross border trucking and John McCain's position on it, hours of service, over time for drivers of 10,000 lbs vehicles, and the Employee Free Choice Act.

BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative John Tolman addressed the status of the resolutions introduced at last year's NASLBC meeting. All of the resolutions have been addressed by the National Legislative Office and the State Legislative Board Chairmen. Among the resolutions were nuclear radiation, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, crew van safety and harassment and intimidation of injured workers.

FRA Associate Administrator for Safety Jo Strang addressed the Chairmen in the afternoon. She discussed H.R. 2095 and S. 1889, in addition to recent regulatory actions by the FRA. She also talked about a new program being developed by the FRA called the Risk Reduction Program.

FRA Director of Security Bill Fagan then told the group about the risk to trains from suicide bombers. He encouraged the Chairmen to report people who are loitering around railroad tracks.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008