February 6, 2006
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Since joining the IBLE in 1974, I have devoted my entire career to improving the lives of locomotive engineers and their families. I have always put the best interests of the membership first. Regrettably, President Hahs and I have too many fundamental differences about how the organization should represent the members’ best interests. In my opinion, his views and decisions are adversely impacting the survival of our craft and organization. Consequently, I do not believe it is possible for me to continue to serve the members’ best interests while working on the Executive Staff supporting his decisions.
After many weeks of careful deliberation, I have decided I must resign my position as Staff Counsel for the National Division. I have begun closing my office and will complete as many assignments as possible in the next few weeks and reassign others. You will be advised of the status of any pending legal matters affecting your respective committees. Thereafter, I will be available to assist the National Division with any transition matters and other issues as needed—including preparation for a possible Presidential Emergency Board.
I greatly appreciate the opportunity I have had to serve you and the membership and look forward to continuing to fight to preserve our craft and organization as I return to engine service on the Norfolk Southern.
Finally, since it is improper and illegal to support the campaign of any candidate for union office with union resources of any kind, I will have to respond later—using personal resources—to the many expressions of support and encouragement I have received to pursue elective office. One thing is certain, I will work relentlessly to preserve our craft. Moreover, I will challenge anyone who does not respect the highly skilled and demanding work performed by our members; and, I will expose those who are willing to accept carrier demands that will eliminate our craft.
Fraternally,
Tom Brennan
Staff Counsel – National Division
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Since joining the IBLE in 1974, I have devoted my entire career to improving the lives of locomotive engineers and their families. I have always put the best interests of the membership first. Regrettably, President Hahs and I have too many fundamental differences about how the organization should represent the members’ best interests. In my opinion, his views and decisions are adversely impacting the survival of our craft and organization. Consequently, I do not believe it is possible for me to continue to serve the members’ best interests while working on the Executive Staff supporting his decisions.
After many weeks of careful deliberation, I have decided I must resign my position as Staff Counsel for the National Division. I have begun closing my office and will complete as many assignments as possible in the next few weeks and reassign others. You will be advised of the status of any pending legal matters affecting your respective committees. Thereafter, I will be available to assist the National Division with any transition matters and other issues as needed—including preparation for a possible Presidential Emergency Board.
I greatly appreciate the opportunity I have had to serve you and the membership and look forward to continuing to fight to preserve our craft and organization as I return to engine service on the Norfolk Southern.
Finally, since it is improper and illegal to support the campaign of any candidate for union office with union resources of any kind, I will have to respond later—using personal resources—to the many expressions of support and encouragement I have received to pursue elective office. One thing is certain, I will work relentlessly to preserve our craft. Moreover, I will challenge anyone who does not respect the highly skilled and demanding work performed by our members; and, I will expose those who are willing to accept carrier demands that will eliminate our craft.
Fraternally,
Tom Brennan
Staff Counsel – National Division
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