On rail union merger
The article by Greg McCartan entitled "Socialist Workers
in New York and New Jersey chart next steps in building
branches and union fractions" in the February 15 Militant had
a good assessment of the upcoming merger of two rail unions,
the UTU and the BLE. However, several inaccuracies should be
pointed out.
The article states that "since the mid-1980s in freight new workers are hired for the position of conductor/engineer." Railroads in freight today hire "conductor trainee" or conductor/brakemen" but not "conductor/engineers." They do tell you right from the start that they have the right to force you to be an engineer later on if they deem it necessary. On some railroads workers still become engineers by volunteering for it.
On the railroad I work on, the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe, conductors and brakemen hired after 1985 began being forced into engine service in 1992 because the railroad couldn't get enough people to volunteer to meet their needs. Failure to pass the tests required for certifying as an engineer resulted in your being fired from the railroad.
In the last several months the BNSF switched back to letting people become engineers on a voluntary basis, though they still reserve the right to make it mandatory if they feel it necessary. At this time, once they've made you an engineer your not allowed to flow back to being a conductor.
Also, the article refers to "two-tier" wage structures, which have actually become "multi-tier" wage structures with a whole number of new divisions introduced since the 1985 contract.
Craig Honts
Los Angeles, California
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