TX-PAC
What is the Texas PAC (TX-PAC)?
A Letter from Chairman Briggs:
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Let me take this opportunity to share my concerns regarding the status of the TX-PAC fund support by division members. Personally, I have observed the growing impact that legislative bodies have had upon our livelihoods, job security, wages and working conditions over the past several years (3 contracts, random drug testing, certification, Amtrak, Staggers Deregulation Act, FRA fines and rules enforcement, assault on FELA, The Railroad Retirement Improvement Act, Railway Labor Act, Etc…) Each of these items are the direct result of legislation – NOT negotiations with these entities.
Through conversations with several members, it has come to my attention that little accurate information on the function of the PAC exists. Evidently, many members have not been completely informed on the purpose or funding of the PAC. The purpose of the TX-PAC fund is to raise funds on a voluntary basis to assist candidates for office who are favorable to the BLE&T, railroad labor in general, and the industry. Dues money cannot be used for this purpose because of federal law restrictions. It is my belief that many members contributing through their dues payment are not aware of this regulation. The important point to remember is only voluntary contributions may be used for a PAC purposes.
The PAC fund needs our support to insure the locomotive engineers’ interests are being protected to the fullest extent possible. PAC membership starts as little as $5 per month, a very small sum for such a priceless investment. In light of these facts, I urge all members to consider membership in the TX-PAC Fund. Your Secretary//Treasurer or myself will be happy to answer any questions you may have on joining. Click here to copy the contribution form and begin your contribution.
Fraternally Yours,
Terry D. Briggs
WE NEED TX-PAC
History shows that we are strongest when our members back BLE&T's legislative and political programs. And, like it or not, collective bargaining in the rail industry is vitally linked to legislation - just look at 1991 and 1992 when Congress became a key player in our bargaining disputes and denied railroad workers our right to strike.
THE HARD FACTS
Anti-rail labor interests routinely spend massive sums of money to elect hostile candidates, and to encourage anti-rail labor legislation and regulation. A strong and effective TX-PAC is needed to fight for us and to promote BLE&T's interests in the political process.
WHAT TX-PAC DOES
TX-PAC gives us the power in the political process to:
You Can....
Fight to protect your job, improve your standard of living, and influence rail labor policies
Help ensure that candidates are responsive to the needs of engineers are elected to office in Austin and Washington
Take Pride and participate in the TX-PAC as we fight for our union and meet our challenges head on now, and into the next century by contributing to TX-PAC today!
WHERE YOUR PAC CONTRIBUTIONS ARE SPENT
Every dollar spent from the Texas PAC Fund is reported monthly to the Texas Ethics Commission. To visit their site go to http://www.ethics.state.tx.us/php/cesearch.html and search for Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.