In early December the BMWE met with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE), the Transport Workers Unions (TWU), and the American Train Dispatchers (ATDD) to discuss issues and methods to improve the working and living conditions of their memberships. The four unions made specific commitments to work together collectively for such improvements and develop an ever closer relationship.

"These issues are the building blocks to a new alliance that will unite railroad workers with other transportation workers in the 21^st Century, expanding the power of both in the transportation industry," said BMWE President Mac A. Fleming.

"We are pleased with the results and the determination of the parties in working together immediately on these critical issues. It builds a solidarity and breadth that has been lacking in Rail Labor for many years," stated Edward Dubroski, President of the BLE.

Working together voluntarily and collectively makes each union more able to provide for their members and starts a process which will lead to ever closer ties," said Sonny Hall, President of the TWU.

"Our members need the backing of a larger group to advance their own interests and this kind of development will lead to such backing," stated Leo McCann, President of the ATDD.

All four Presidents stated jointly, "We intend to remain active participants in and supporters of the AFL-CIO, the Transportation Trades Department, and the Rail Division of the TTD.

The unions combined represent over 200,000 transportation workers, approximately 85,000 of whom are railway employees in the United States and Canada.