Brothers and Sisters,
On January 23 the BLET met with the NJ Transit Labor Coalition in Washington DC. This was not the first time we met, but at the time we were not a member. After discussing our position with our General Committee of Adjustment and the National Vice President Jim Louis assigned to us, I am happy to report that we agreed to join the coalition in negotiating our contract. The coalition consists of the following unions:
American Train Dispatchers Association, Power Directors
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen ● Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division-IBT
Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen ● International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers
National Conference Firemen & Oilers/SEIU ● SMART-Mechanical ● SMART-Transportation Division Yardmasters
Transportation Communications Union-ARASA Division ● BRC Division ● Clerical Division
Later on the 23rd, the Coalition met with our Mediator and NJ Transit for the next round of negotiations. Unfortunately an agreement was not reached. The next meeting will take place on March 9th with the National Mediation Board (NMB) alone, then on the 10th with NJ Transit and the NMB.
As always, The BLET will continue to work hard, on your behalf, to reach an agreement.
Fraternally,
DC Decker