Delegates at the first quadrennial convention of the BMWED’s American Rail System Federation re-elected General Chairman Johnny Long to a four-year term at the helm of the federation this week in Nashville, TN.

In addition to re-electing Brother Long, delegates elected the remaining ARSF officers and executive board members to new terms, charted the course of the federation, and prepped for upcoming issues surrounding potential merger/acquisitions in the rail industry and regulatory matters under review.

“Our Federation represents some of the greatest skilled and committed professionals in the railroad industry and I am honored to be a part of what this Federation has accomplished in such a short span of time,” General Chairman Long said.

“As a 30-year railroader, I only imagined that one day every Member would be lodged in hotels rather than unsafe camp cars, that Members would be reimbursed for actual mileage instead of an insufficient travel allowance, that fair per diem rates for meals would become the standard, that paid sick days would be provided in order for our members to take care of their health needs, or that a Federation would ratify an agreement with a Class I Railroad ahead of a moratorium. These things are now a reality and evidence of what hard work and dedication can accomplish. Keep in mind, these things were not just merely given but fought for and if we want to continue to see change we (as officers and rank and file Members) need to be willing to fight.,” Brother Long added.

The remainder of the ARSF officer group elected to new terms are as follows:

• Vice Chairman/Secretary-Treasurer – Region 1:  Patrick L. Barnes

• Vice Chairman – Region 1:  Corey D. Hayes

• Vice Chairman – Region 1: Trapper Cory

• Frist Vice Chairman – Region 2:  Justin M. Blankenship

• Vice Chairman – Region 2:  Michael R. Ragard

• Vice Chairman – Region 2:  Dustin Heiser

• Second Vice Chairman – Region 3: Sheldon M. Swain

• Vice Chairman – Region 3:  David G. Beal

• Vice Chairman – Region 3: Nicholas A. Baker

• Ricky Coleman (Executive Board Region 1)

• Ethan Mackey (Executive Board Region 1)

• Michael Babb (Executive Board Region 1)

• James Manspile (Executive Board Region 2)

• Time Sutherland (Executive Board Region 2)

• Lance Marston (Executive Board Region 2)

• Andrew Bates (Executive Board Region 3)

• Scott Kocher (Executive Board Region 3)

• Joe Roberts (Executive Board Region 3)

Several guests spoke to the delegation on many issues facing our Union, highlighted by Teamster General President Sean M. O’Brien and BMWED President Tony D. Cardwell, who both referenced a growing and burgeoning collaboration within the Teamster Rail Conference that is bearing fruit.

“I always looked at the Rail Division as a real opportunity to protect, preserve and improve the lives of our Rail Teamster members,” General President O’Brien said. “I know for a fact that by providing the necessary resources we have seen organizing growth in the Rail Division, the addition of new members to both the BMWED and BLET, the strength of our political action to protect Railroad Retirement and other vital resources, and the muscle of our contract campaigns to fight for sick leave and other membership gains. I am very excited about the direction of the Rail Division.”

BMWED President Cardwell echoed Brother O’Brien’s sentiments, noting that it is the members that have been the most instrumental in combating the railroads ill-conceived plans, like automated track inspection deregulation.

“We travel across the country to campaign against this stupid push to reduce visual safety inspection of track and it was that testimony of so many of you all that is leading our fight,” President Cardwell said. “Because who knows the most about track inspection? The Track Inspectors! Not some bureaucrat in D.C. Not some arrogant lawyer who thinks he knows because he read about it.”

“I believe we are going to win on this issue because of the members and their support. And I commend the Teamsters, who have provided an immense amount of support. They have been a loud voice in D.C.”

With that, the convention drew to a close, but not without much collaboration, discussion and fellowship. We wish much success to the newly-elected officers and leadership and look forward to a successful upcoming four years.