BNSF asks customers to help avert strike
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefBNSF posted a letter on its website Wednesday warning its customers that a strike threat still faces the railroad industry and asking for their help in averting it.
The text of the letter from John Lanagan, BNSF executive vice president and chief marketing officer, follows:
“As of today, the rail industry has reached agreement with 10 of our 13 unions, covering over 60% of the rail employees in this bargaining round.The railroads will continue to work with the three remaining unions to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB). We must have every union under agreement to avoid a strike or other job action that will impact the movement of your freight.
“The cooling off period ends on Dec. 6. With that deadline only two weeks away, I am asking you to take action today. Please contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives to let them know the impact a rail strike would have on your business and your customers. It is critical that Congress hear from freight rail customers as soon as possible. If there is a strike on December 6, Congress can act immediately to end the strike by imposing a settlement on all parties. We would ask that you urge Congress to impose the recommendations of President Obama’s Presidential Emergency Board. Click here for some sample letters that you can edit to send to your Congressional delegation via e-mail, fax or regular mail.
“If you could email us a copy of any letters you send, it would assist us in reinforcing our communications with the unions and Congress.”
