PHILADELPHIA -- A representation vote affecting 333 bus and trolley operators, employed by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority's Red Arrow Division here, failed to produce a required majority for either the Association of Transit Operators (ATO) or the UTU.
Following the vote last week, the UTU petitioned the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board to delay a second ballot pending disposition of an unfair labor practice complaint filed by the UTU.
The UTU charged that the voting was tainted because UTU representatives were barred from the property while organizers for the ATO were provided access to the SEPTA employees. This, said the UTU, interfered with the employees' exercise of free choice to such an extent to have materially affected the election results.
The UTU also has filed a complaint with the AFL-CIO, alleging that the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association instigated and facilitated the representation election, and that such activity is in violation of the AFL-CIO constitution. A hearing on the raiding charge is scheduled for May.
Im a member of the AFL-CIO Committee, and that means you have 13 million workers with you ! We can get through this. Even if the NMB rules against ( us ), the BLE will survive, -----Robert Scardellitti President Transportation Communications International Union
I have just one final message to the UTU: Charlie Little, stop your attempt to raid the BLE and get back into step with labor; particularly rail labor, and help us fight our common enemy, the railroads.----------Mac Fleming, President Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees
No organization, no union has the right to be a wolf in sheeps clothing and do the bidding of your employer. My message to BLE members, well.correcting this problem ( with the UTU ), is a four letter word. Its work-----John Steger, Vice President International Brotherhood of Teamsters
This fight is not just about the BLE. This fight is about all crafts in the rail industry and it may have an impact on all unions.period. We have to stand up, we have to be together, and we have to let the UTU know that were united together.---------Dan Pickett, President Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
Sonny Hall-Pres.of TWU--"We must deny the UTU the ability to win their effort's against the B.L.E.."
Morton Bahr-Pres.of CWA-"...You can count on us to use our influence with the NMB in opposition to a single craft."
Leo W. Gerard Pres.of USWA said:the UTU is a "discredit to all of labor."
Michael D.Fanfalone Pres.of the Professional Airways Systems Specialists said:"PASS has supported the BLE in the past and I look forward to our being able to do so again."
Cecil Roberts of the UMW said:".....we therefore will be supportive of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers' efforts in dealing with your dispute with the UTU."
John Sweeney AFL/CIO Pres. said he was "appalled at the UTU's attempt to raid the BLE." and:"The AFL/CIO joins BLE in demanding that the UTU cease its aggression."and:"I join the other unions in urging the UTU to reconsider their position....." and:"If none of this happens we will be as aggressive as necessary in helping you defend the BLE."
Last but certainly not least......James P.Hoffa Pres.of IBT said: "Be assured that the Teamsters will support the BLE in its campaign to convince the National Mediation Board to refrain from changing its long term definition of rail operating crafts to a single craft." and:"You can count on the Teamsters'Governmental Affairs Department to assist the BLE in its lobbying efforts." and:"..we vow to work closely with the BLE on this important issue."
