BLET to host Local Chairman training class, August 11-16, 2019

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, May 23 — The BLET Education and Training Department will host a Local Chairman training class from August 11-16, 2019, at the BLET National Division headquarters and Training Center in Independence, Ohio. The class is designed to help Local Chairmen develop and hone the skills necessary to provide the best representation possible to our members. 

The week-long course will begin with an orientation and overview session at 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 11. Full-day classes will run from Monday through Friday. The class will conclude with a casual banquet on Friday evening, August 16, 2019. Hotel check-out and travel day is on Saturday, August 17. Registration to attend must be submitted by July 31, 2019. Those wishing to attend must register online through the BLET website: https://www.ble-t.org/registration.

The Education and Training Department asks that you bring your portable computer to class with you on the day of orientation. Ideally, you should bring whatever portable technology you typically use to perform your duties, whether it be a laptop, Mac, tablet, iPad, or whatever your machine of choice. Before your arrival, find out if your machine has Wi-Fi capabilities. If your machine is not Wi-Fi compatible, then please contact Jason Wright, Director of the BLET Education and Training Department, to let him know in advance so he can make arrangements.

Class space is limited so don’t delay in registering for your spot. The class is open to all Local Chairmen and Vice Local Chairmen with their Local Chairman’s consent. The Training Center is located at the BLET National Division headquarters (7061 East Pleasant Valley Road, Independence, Ohio 44131).

Among other topics, this class will cover BLET organizational structure and functions, representation of members at disciplinary and decertification hearings, union leadership skills, claim and grievance handling, and writing and editing skills. Additional course topics include:

• Negotiating Skills;
• Railway Labor Act;
• Section 3 and 6 Notices;
• Arbitration;
• Appeal and letter writing.

Those who successfully complete the course will qualify for a $94 per day stipend from the North American Railway Foundation (http://www.narfoundation.org). Depending on the class, the stipends will be paid directly to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Division, Division President, General Committee of Adjustment, or State Legislative Board.

The North American Railway Foundation (NARF) is a non-profit operating foundation formed by the Brotherhood’s Relief and Compensation Fund (BR&CF) to support rail history, education, safety and technology in the United States and Canada. With initial funding and continued Board of Directors stewardship coming from the BR&CF, NARF has supported many non-political projects throughout the United States and Canada. The primary focus of these efforts has been in support of organized rail labor — giving back to all of the men and women of the railroad community across North America.

Attendees must register for this LC Class no later than July 31, 2019 through the BLET website at: https://www.ble-t.org/registration.

BLET members who attend are responsible for their transportation costs to and from Independence as well as their room and board. The hotel provides transportation to and from the airport and the BLET will provide transportation between the headquarters and the hotel. Participants will be provided with instructions on how to make room reservations after registering for the class through the BLET website. When planning out the cost of your trip, please contact Jason Wright by email wright@ble-t.org to get an idea of what additional items are covered such as meals, etc.

Again, registration for the Local Chairman class is on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited. For more information, please contact Jason Wright, Special Representative and Director of the BLET Education and Training Department: office, (216) 241-2630 ext. 247; or email wright@ble-t.org.

Thursday, May 23, 2019
bentley@ble-t.org