Editor’s note: The following is a statement from Teamsters Rail Conference and BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce.
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, March 22 — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen was notified over the weekend of the proposed acquisition of Kansas City Southern Railway by the Canadian Pacific Railway. The proposed purchase and merging of the operations is subject to review by the Surface Transportation Board (STB). That review will likely take 12 months or longer, and will require the involved Rail Carriers to negotiate implementing agreements with the affected Rail Unions.
The BLET will be closely monitoring all applications filed at the STB, and intends to participate in those proceedings. We also have been in communication with the CP and KCS management teams. If and when notices are served to begin negotiations, we stand ready to protect the work rights, pay rules and benefits of all BLET members who may be impacted by this proposed merger.
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The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen represents nearly 58,000 professional locomotive engineers and trainmen throughout the United States. The BLET is the founding member of the Rail Conference, International Brotherhood of Teamsters.