I am asking our membership to submit hand written letters addressed to Senator
Ben Nelson asking him to support the "Employee Free Choice Act". I have specific stationary for this letter.
You can download and print this stationary here. I ask that you write, then return this letter back to this office or myself and I will forward
these letters on the the Nebraska State Legislative Board for delivery to Senator Ben Nelson.
______________________________________________________
Help Us Help You
Money
from the BLET-PAC is used to help in the fight on Capitol Hill for issues that impact your job, your family and your
future!
Big Railroads spend big money in Washington to influence members of Congress and push their anti-worker plans.
They outspend working families by more than 15-1. Through grassroots political action and agressive lobbying on Captol
Hill and in State Houses and City Halls across America, labor has stopped some of the worst attacks on working people.
Why should you join?
Big Railroads are pushing their agenda harder
than ever. That means we have to fight back stronger than ever. Unions cannot just react when important issues
arise. We must get in the game early and help set the agenda. BLET-PAC helps elect and retain elected officials
who share our concerns.
I Already Pay Union Dues?
Laws prohibit the use of union dues for political purposes. Your voluntary BLET-PAC contribution fills this
gap and enables us to help those who share our interests on the state and national level.
I'm Almost Ready to Retire?
BLET-PAC also works for our retired members and
their spouses. We're working to protect your interests on matters related to Railroad Retirement, survivor's
benefits and other timely issues.
I
myself, contribute to BLET-PAC. So should you! Please join me in support of BLET-PAC. If we all contribute
just a little, it CAN make a difference. You can obtain a BLET-PAC Authorization Card from the BLE-T Division 622 office.
You can also get an Authorization Card from your Division Legislative Representative. A new option available
to our membership is to go to www.bletdc.org and clicking on the political action committee icon in the top right hand
corner, or under the heading of take action. The direct link for the sign up page is http://www.bletdc.org/action/PAC/ . Before a member can proceed to the PAC page they will be prompted both for a username
and password. The username and password can be obtained via e-mail from your Legislative Representative or from the
BLE-T Division 622 office.
If you already contribute, consider contacting our Secretary/Treasurer to increase your BLE-T PAC contribution.
Let's make an effort to be proactive in the effort to support issues that are important to us and our families!
________________________________________________________________________
Behind the Scenes in Washington D.C.
Letter from Joseph C. Szabo
Adiministrator - FRA
NTSB Report: Chatsworth CA
Positive Train Control: Final Ruling
New DOT Drug Testing Regulation.
CLEVELAND, August 14 - The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and
Trainmen, along with
seven other rail unions and the BNSF Railway, has
filed a lawsuit challenging a new Department of Transportation (DOT)
regulation that would subject employees to a "strip search" during
mandatory drug tests. The effective
date of this new regulation has been
pushed back to November 1, 2008 due to these objections.
Source:
www.ble.org/pr/news/newsflash
News from the Legislative Frontline
OBAMA Announces Stimulus Funding for High Speed Rail Corridors
OBAMA Announces $8 Billion for High Speed Rail Projects
Changes to LB 676 (Crossing Bill) as Proposed by your NESLB
Employee Identification Credential
DM&E and Taxpayer Financing
BNSF-NS ECP Brake Waiver for Pilot Trains
The President signed into Law HR 5483 Railroad Retirement Disability Earnings Act,
into law today, January 12, 2007.
The bill will raise the outside earning limits of retired railroad workers from $400
to $700 per month. It was signed by President Bush; the measure will become effective January 2007, and will also create an
indexing formula to provide for automatic increases in the future. The $400 cap was established more than a decade ago.
Writing Effective Letters to Congress, State and Local Legislative Representatives
and Officials. On occasion, every
citizen wants to write their Federal, State or Local Representative or Officials. It is your right, and your Federal,
State and Local representatives do expect to hear from their constituents. Click on the link for some helpful hints on
writing effective letters to your representatives.
Printer Friendly
Letter Writing Tips
LINKS
Change to Win IBT Rail Conference NE State Leg. Board CEO Pay Calculator
Contact your U.S. Senator Contact your U.S. House Representative
Contact your NE State Senator
CALLING TREE
We are constantly changing the calling tree. Because of recent retirements and new additions to
our Division, we are in need volunteers to staff new and existing branches of the calling tree. If you are willing
to volunteer for such an assignment, contact us using the information on this website. If you are already one of the
volunteers for this important and vital task, please check with me to see if there are any additions or corrections to your
branch of the tree.
e-mail
The use of e-mail is one of the most non-invasive and practical ways to communicate. It allows us to mass
mail pertinent information as we get it. It also allows you the recipient, to browse this information at your convenience.
Electronic, or e-mail eliminates the hassle of playing "phone tag" when trying to access information for you local
union representative. It allows you to communicate when you have the time. Please use
the addys that are within this site to communicate with us. By the same token, we only have about half of the membership's
e-mail addys. If you are browsing this site right now, more than likely, we already have your most up-to-date addy.
If we don't, you can either sign up for a blet622.com addy or supply us with one of your own at blet622@telecomwest.net You can also help by spreading the word that we need addys!!
Fraternally
Lance Flohr
BLE-T 622 Legislative Representative
