BLE achieves 12 consecutive months of member growth

Business Wire, May 5, 1995

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 1995--The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) has more than 53,000 reasons to celebrate its 132nd birthday on May 8: America's senior labor organization has achieved its twelfth consecutive month of net membership growth.

During the past year, the BLE gained 1,261 members employed in the $45 billion rail-intermodal transport industry. These recent gains have resulted from increased membership marketing and organizing.

The majority of new members are locomotive engineers, train traffic controllers and dispatchers. The BLE represents 53,644 members.

International union officers, members and employees of the BLE will help blow out 132 candles, in brief ceremonies at the union's downtown Cleveland headquarters, on May 8.

The union was organized as the ``Brotherhood of the Footboard'' by 12 engineers, May 8, 1863; it changed its name a year later.

The BLE is located in the Standard Building, which it built and owns. Cleveland was chosen for the BLE's headquarters in 1870.

NOTE: Photos are available on request.

CONTACT: The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Cleveland

Stephen W. FitzGerald, 216/241-2630 ext. 251