Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen

                  Metro-North General Committee of Adjustment

                                                                                         Thomas Gleason

                                                                                         General Chairman

                                                                                         213 Meagher Avenue

                                                                                         Bronx, NY 10465

                                                                                         May 6, 2008

Dear Brother and Sister ACRE Engineers:

The time has come to end the shackles of misinformation and lack of information (agreement book, contracts, sidebar agreements, verbal agreements, pension plan documents, Executive Board and Local Division records, etc.,) that the Association of Commuter Rail Employees (ACRE) brings into our daily lives.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainman (BLE&T) Division 127 has been officially dissolved and a new beginning has arrived on your horizon. This past January, the active members of Metro-North (M-N) Local Division 127 unanimously voted to merge with Long Island Railroad (LIRR) BLE&T Local Division 269. On April 26 th , the membership of Division 269 voted to accept the members of Division 127 into their Local. Out of 440 LIRR Engineers only 23 no votes were cast. In spite of everything ACRE has negotiated and given away to the MTA, the good members of Division 269 accepted us like true brothers and sisters. They inherently know that there is strength in unity and numbers. Division 269 has a stellar record of protecting their work rules and representing their membership and their members' interests to the utmost.

Now structured under the BLE&T International, we have one Local Division operating with two General Committees (GC). The LIRR GC will administer and adhere to their contract negotiations and work rules while the M-N GC will administer and adhere to their contract negotiations and work rules. Two General Committees working side by side to protect what we currently have, to enrich our working agreements and improve our health and welfare benefits. Two General Chairman not worrying what the other Chairman is up to during contract negotiations. Contract negotiation actuarial studies and costs jointly shared with one common goal, to squeeze the MTA from every angle, to make them justify every contract and to ensure Engineers get what they truly deserve.

I have personally witnessed a few LIRR Division 269 union meetings . I can honestly tell my fellow ACRE Engineers, that it is something to behold. A membership that is fully informed on all aspects of their contract and work rules (no secret side bar agreements between Labor Relations and their General Chairman). An unselfish leadership that always provides guidance and wisdom to their entire membership. It is a healthy combination that is sorely missing on M-N. Since the formation of ACRE on our property, we Engineers enjoy none of that. Subterfuge, intimidation, retaliation and plain nonsense rules our daily lives on M-N.

In the coming weeks the members of Division 269 will be distributing the facts. I can now tell everyone that the LIRR Labor Council has put the MTA on notice that they have medical coverage past age 65 years of age (lifetime medical) in accordance with the benefits under the NYSHIP program. One other item, this past Saturday as the Local 269 union meeting ended, an amazing occurrence happened when the members left their meeting. In the next room there were various representatives to answer any and all questions concerning the members retirement. Imagine that!!! Hallelujah!!!

                                                                         Fraternally yours,

                                                                                   Tom Gleason

                                                                                   BLE&T Division 269