Left to right, Norm Chesmore, Jerry Sheets, Mike Reichert, Wade Sams.

On March 4, 1999, the National Mediation Board certified that 15 of the 22 eligible voters on the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) cast ballots in favor of being represented by the BMWE. Five of those eligible did not vote and two ballots were rules invalid.

"As with any organizing campaign, the union cannot win without a strong, dedicated organizing committee on the property," said Paul Swanson, Director of Organizing. "The BMWE owes the IAIS Organizing Committee a debt of gratitude. The Committee members were Kent Helble, Mike Reichert, Norm Chesmore, Perry Smith and Wade Sams."

"To be treated fairly in the workplace" is the primary reason they were motivated to organize into a union, many new members said.

A committee of IAIS workers, elected by their fellow members, and Mark Wimmer, BMWE General Chairman, will handle negotiations for a first contract with IAIS. "We look forward to sitting down at the bargaining table with IAIS management and resolving issues quickly and fairly," said Wimmer.

These issues include: receiving a fair wage and a fair share of the company's profits; job assignments based on seniority (not on who you know); employment security (not fear of a boss's bad mood); and a contract that is legally binding (not promises that can be broken).

The new members held their first meeting on March 27, 1999 in Newton, Iowa. A lot of business was conducted: discussion of contract priorities, election of bargaining committee members and election of local officers.

Elected local chairman was Norm Chesmore; president, Jerry Sheets; vice president, Mike Reichert; and secretary-treasurer, Wade Sams.

The IAIS, headquartered in Iowa City, Iowa, operates 552 miles of track between Chicago and Council Bluffs, Iowa.