Concurrently with the new Division’s formation is the creation of the new Short Line Department. In a media release, BLET said the new organizational structure will expand the union’s organizing ability and will allow the National Division to assist with contract negotiations on short line and regional railroads.
Moving into the new Division 16 are BLET members on the Belt Railway of Chicago, Gary Railroad, Western New York & Pennsylvania, Union Railroad, and South Buffalo Railway. BLET says the new Division 16 will “better serve current members from very small divisions…by providing assistance from the National Division during contract negotiations…while also providing them with the freedom to form their own local grievance committee’s for contract enforcement and grievance handling.”
According to National President Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National Vice President Mike Twombly will serve as Head of the BLET Short Line Department and Special Representative Paul Aird will become the Director of the BLET Short Line Department. According to Twombly, the new Short Line Department “ensures that collective bargaining, claim and grievance handling, and the discipline process are protected during day-to-day operations on behalf of the membership, while protecting local representation through and in coordination with each subdivision’s grievance committee.”
