Some said it would never happen. Others said it might, but not in this lifetime. Both unions are justifiably proud of their separate identities, their unique traditions and their past accomplishments for their respective memberships. But this merger is not about the past, it's all about the future. Seniority rosters for "ground service" and "engine service" employees today share more names in common than ever before, and that trend will continue. National Agreements have set the stage for trainmen to promote to engineer and for engineers to "flow back" to ground service positions. As railroad operations evolve to meet modern service demands, the two groups will depend on one another increasingly for safety and security. Historical differences have already given way to the mutual concerns shared by all operating crafts. Implementation of new technologies, health and welfare benefits, retirement and quality of life issues, just to name a few. A consolidation of resources and talents means a more focused and effective effort to address all of these mutual concerns while protecting traditional craft autonomy. The Unification Agreement and proposed UTU-BLE Constitution lay the groundwork for a merger that creates a larger, stronger union and a leaner, more responsive leadership. Consider these points:

• A unified voice in current and future contract negotiations
  
  
• Shared transition leadership to insure full participation by both former organizations
  
  
• Guaranteed craft autonomy and self-determination in both contractual and organizational decisions
  
  
• Gradual attrition of several top executive positions of the combined unions
  
  
• Checks and balances to give the membership more direct control (recall provisions, mandatory membership approval of NMB proffer of arbitration, membership ratification of contracts, etc.)
  
  
• Reasonable guidelines for voluntary consolidation of local and general committees
  
  
• Consolidation of political influence in the legislative arena
  
  
• Continuation of fraternal insurance benefits

You don't put two organizations like these together and achieve meaningful results without sacrifice. Undoubtedly, some officers and members of both organizations will feel that their organization (or they, themselves) are sacrificing more than their fair share. All of us will be challenged to let go of positions and ideas we have clung to in the past and embrace new roles and responsibilities in the new union. The positive impact of this merger in the future will fully justify those sacrifices. Sooner or later, by one means or another, these two organizations must become one. Bitter representation elections railroad by railroad might eventually accomplish unification, but they won't bring about unity. If UTU wins some of those elections and BLE wins others, then we will have some railroads on which BLE holds all contracts, and others on which UTU holds all contracts. The process itself would cause irreparable wounds, and the results could be devastating to both unions. All of us could find some reason to oppose this merger or criticize this proposal and the officers of both unions who negotiated it. In the end though, this is an opportunity to accomplish voluntary unification in the right way and for the right reasons. I'm voting "yes."