When the Carriers represented by the National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC) served Notices to change existing collective bargaining agreements in this round of National Negotiations, they made it clear that their primary goal was to “consolidate” operating crafts into a single “transportation employee” who could perform whatever duties were necessary in a particular operation. While there were some brief discussions of other items contained in the parties’ Notices, the Carriers quickly turned all of those discussions back to “just one thing” (i.e., the consolidation of crafts).

The Carriers know full well that their demand for a “consolidation” of crafts is a blatant violation of the moratoria contained in most existing Crew Consist Agreements. They also know that the individual UTU General Committees of Adjustment have sole jurisdiction over all such Crew Consist issues, and that is where any real voluntary negotiation must take place. Sadly, they just don’t care. Whether their Notice in this regard is legal or not, they believe that they can eventually force the issue to an impasse and ultimately invoke the help of their friends in Congress to impose a settlement.

When it comes to buying or bullying government to get what they can’t get through good faith bargaining, railroad bosses have always tended toward arrogance, and today’s corporate CEOs are no exception. The elimination of thousands of jobs in the railroad industry could translate to vast millions in executive bonuses, and with that prospect in sight, the safety of railroad workers and the public in general get little consideration.

Throughout rail history, management has used the “divide and conquer” tactic, playing one craft against another to press their agenda, and UTU has long suspected that they were playing that game again in this round of bargaining. Recent communications between UTU President Paul Thompson and BLET President Don Hahs has proven conclusively that this is exactly what has been going on. Presidents Hahs and Thompson are to be commended for their joint decision to take “divide and conquer” out of the equation. Members of both Organizations will soon be called upon to take action. Our response can make all the difference.