You can play a major role in this battle by contacting your respective congressmen and expressing a desire for them to stand down on the railroad retirement issue until such time as consensus among all of rail labor has been reached.

Another way that you can make a difference in the railroad retirement issue, as well as other issues of importance, is to engage in the BMWE voter registration campaign. This cannot be stressed enough. If labor organizes and gets the vote out, we will have a good chance of electing a democratic majority both in the House and Senate. We will also be able to determine whether we will be able to look toward future strides by electing a democratic White House. The alternative is for us to sit at home and accept things the way they are, or worse, prepare for a Republican House, Senate, and presidency that will take away those benefits that we have grown to consider our own.

The third way to make a difference is to contribute to the Maintenance of Way Political League. This a voluntary contribution which can be deducted from your paycheck. For as little as a few cents a day, you can play a major role in assuring the continued and increased political strength of our great organization. Your contribution along with the contributions from other dedicated brothers and sisters across the country is used to insure that friends of labor are elected to public office.

If you are interested in becoming a part of the Maintenance of Way Political League team please contact either your respective BMWE Legislative Director, your system office, or the BMWE's Washington, D.C. or Southfield, Michigan offices, and we will be proud to assist you in signing up.

As we approach Congress for support on key issues such as railroad retirement (after rail labor reaches consensus), enhancement of our protective bargaining strength, Amtrak appropriations, rail safety, etc., it is imperative that we face a friendly Congress. An unfriendly congressional atmosphere cannot only prevent future gains, but can take away those gains that we have struggled to acquire.

Please keep in mind that the combination of your vote, your voluntary MWPL contribution, and your political interaction will determine the outlook of our future.