BMWE NEWS RELEASE
The BMWE and the International Brotherhood of
Boilermakers,
Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers Move Towards Merger
Southfield, MI, June 25, 2001--The International Officers of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE) voted to submit a proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) to the BMWE membership for ratification. This follows the IBB Executive Council’s June 23, 2001 unanimous decision to approve the proposed merger with the BMWE. The proposed merger is the result of approximately two years of work between the merger committees of the respective organizations.
If ratified, the merged Organization would represent a combined skilled-trades membership of approximately 150,000 members in the United States and Canada, with the majority of its work concentrated in the following six industrial sectors: Railroading, Manufacturing, Stove/Metal, Shipbuilding/Repair, Cement, and Construction.
Under the proposed merger agreement, the 50,000 members of BMWE would become a Division of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. The BMWE Division would retain its own name, autonomy, and structure within the merged organization and will be headed by an International Executive Vice President from the Division. The name of the merged Organization will be amended to include a specific reference to railroad workers in recognition of the large contingent of rail members in the merged organization. The BMWE Division, with the full support and resources of the merged Organization, will continue to perform on behalf of Division members collective bargaining, arbitration, legislative, safety, legal, organizing, research, strategic planning and other activities designed to promote and protect the interests of the BMWE Division membership.
Charles W. Jones, President of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers stated, "We believe this merger will ensure that the proud histories of our unions will continue, and will aid in achieving the long-desired consolidation of Rail Labors’ collective bargaining and political leverage. This merger makes absolute sense for both Organizations and will provide synergies enhancing the merged Organization’s ability to represent our respective rail memberships in contract negotiations, organizing, quality of life, and other vital areas of importance to working people and working families in both the United States and Canada."
Mac A. Fleming, President of the BMWE stated, "We believe that combining the talents, assets, and strengths of the BMWE and Boilermakers will allow us to grow our membership and will provide the tools, structure, and resources necessary to improve and enhance representation of our membership at the highest level. We look forward to the ratification process and strongly believe that the membership of the BMWE will analyze the details of the proposed merger, see that it makes sense, and make the correct decision as we face, in unity, the challenges of the 21st Century."
BMWE expects the ratification process will be completed within the last quarter of 2001.
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