Left to right, Mike DeEmilio, Jim Oberstar, Rick Inclima, Leon Fenhaus.

Left to right, Mike DeEmilio, Jack Wells, Joel Myron.

Left to right, Rick Inclima, Jack Wells, Mac Fleming, David Bonior (D-MI).

Left to right, Mike DeEmilio, Bob Filner (D-CA), Rick Inclima.

Jeffiner Esposito, TTD, with Robert Ney.

Your wages. Your family's health care. Your retirement. Where you work. When you work. If you work. If you come home. By the time he/she joins BMWE, even a new hire understands that Washington, D.C. plays a big role in the lives of B&B and gandies. Who holds each elected and appointed position in Washington greatly affects how well you and your family will live.

Railroaders live in a work world unlike any other in the country. Politicians and administrators who understand us and our world deserve our respect and thanks. As do the congressional and administration staff who craft the legislation and do the grunt work.

To honor some of the people who have worked to make your life better and to introduce new legislators to our world, the Rail Labor Division of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department hosted a Congressional reception on April 13, 1999. Members of the Congressional Committees -- House Transportation and Appropriations, Senate Commerce and Appropriations -- which handle the legislation regulating our world were invited.

Honored guests also included Rodney Slater, Secretary of Transportation, and Jim Oberstar (D-MN) the ranking minority (with your help, soon to be the majority) member of the House Transportation Committee.

Many Representatives, such as Bob Nye (R-OH), whom BMWE endorsed for election or re-election in the October 1998 Journal, were recognized. Legislative staffers (the people who write the bills Congress passes) like House Transportation Committee Aide Jack Wells also attended.

BMWE hosts included President Mac Fleming, Political Director Mike DeEmilio, Director of Strategic Coordination and Research Joel Myron, Director of Education and Safety Rick Inclima, and General Chairman Leon Fenhaus.

This event, like fundraisers which your Maintenance of Way Political League (MWPL) contributions let BMWE members attend, gives BMWE an opportunity to deal directly with the legislators and administrators who control the laws and regulations which regulate your workplace and control your paycheck. In Washington, the BMWE members speaking for you most often wind up dealing with Congressional or administration staffers. Events like this, like events made possible by your MWPL contributions, let us talk directly to the legislators and administrators who make the decisions which control the size of your paycheck.

Think this looks expensive? Not in the MWPL? Try not being politically active. Then just sit back and watch your paycheck shrink.

Want to save a dime? Get more bang for your buck? Each of the legislators BMWE works to contact in Washington has "Town Meetings" to listen to his/her constituents back home. Call your Representative's and Senator's office. Find out when and where these "Town Meetings" will be held. Attend. (If you're on the road, go to a meeting or forum where you tie up if one is being held.) Let the Representative or Senator know your opinion about BMWE's and rail management's legislative agendas (see January/February 1999 Journal).

NOTE: When dealing with legislators, remember KIS (Keep It Simple). Legislators don't necessarily know rail language or understand our working conditions and contracts, but they do understand votes and listen to an aroused citizen. Talk civil and civilian.