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Is the TPP a threat to U.S. auto makers? Michigan Radio ...On the surface, it sounds like easing trade restrictions with foreign nations could present new opportunities and more business for American companies like the Detroit Three automakers. But, is there a deeper danger to American jobs in these overseas trade agreements?...
Poll: 42 Percent Unaware That ‘Obamacare’ Is Law Of The Land Talking Points Memo ...While a majority is cognizant of the law's current status, a startling percentage of Americans is unaware that the Affordable Care Act — the sweeping new federal health care law widely known as "Obamacare" — remains the law of the land, according to findings in a poll released Tuesday...
Why American Airlines Employees Loathe Management Forbes …The mistrust that labor harbors for American Airlines management is a feud with a history filled with a powerful vitriol that only duplicitous behavior engenders…
Colbert Busch aggressively challenges Sanford in only debate Washington Post ...It was a tale of two debate strategies Monday night in South Carolina. A lively Elizabeth Colbert Busch struck early and often against Mark Sanford’s record in Congress and as governor while Sanford hit back with consistent attempts to tie his opponent to Democratic congressional leaders in the only debate in South Carolina’s special election campaign.
California may go forward without a financial reserve Los Angeles Times ...Arnold Schwarzenegger persuaded voters nine years ago that if they let him borrow money to cover the budget deficit, California's financial woes would end for good. A key part of his plan was a new rainy-day fund to insulate the state from further crisis. Today, the reserve is empty...
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Democrats, Republicans join forces to advocate for Florida ports Sun Sentinel ...A bipartisan team from the Florida congressional delegation is banding together to form a "ports caucus" to push the interests of the state's seaports in the nation's capital...
US school bus concerns loom for National Express AGM International Transport Workers' Federation ...Concerns over labour practices at its US school bus business subsidiary, Durham School Services, threaten to affect National Express’ Annual General Meeting on May 9 in London...
Interview: Tom Morello Talks to Teamsters, May Day 2013 IBT ...Every year on May 1, workers around the world celebrate the trials and triumphs of working people. This year, May Day comes with a bold soundtrack thanks to Tom Morello, the Nightwatchman...
Teamsters Warn: Swift Transportation Board Lets CEO Pledge nearly 25 Percent of Outstanding Shares as Collateral for Personal Loans IBT ...ISS, the country’s largest proxy voting advisory firm, issued a report Monday recommending that shareholders withhold votes from all members of the Swift Transportation Company Board of Directors’ Audit Committee over concerns about the CEO’s extensive pledging of stock...
Casey Jones, Iconic Locomotive Engineer and American Hero IBT ...Next week, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will celebrate its 150th anniversary at a May 8 event in Detroit. We've been counting down great moments in the history of North America’s oldest union, but April 30 marks a different kind of event—the anniversary of the death of John Luther "Casey" Jones...
Teamsters Local 320 sues Wadena County Wadena (Minnesota) Pioneer Journal ...Teamsters Union Local 320, which represents a substantial portion of Wadena County’s workforce, filed a civil lawsuit against the county in the Seventh Judicial District Court in Wadena...
Showing posts with label Casey Jones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Casey Jones. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Casey Jones, iconic engineer and American hero, represents best of BLET
Next week, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) will celebrate its 150th anniversary at a May 8 event in Detroit. We've been counting down great moments in the history of North America’s oldest union, but April 30 marks a different kind of event—the anniversary of the death of John Luther "Casey" Jones, an American hero and one of the BLET’s most legendary figures.
Jones, an engineer and member of the union’s Division 99 in Water Valley, Miss., sacrificed his own life in 1900 to save his train full of passengers from a horrific crash. There was a stalled freight near Vaughan, Miss., and conditions were wet and foggy. As Jones’ train, No. 382 (the "Cannonball Express"), rounded a bend, the train’s fireman Sim Webb spotted several cars on their train’s track. Brother Jones told Webb to jump, but Jones stayed aboard to try and slow down the train.
Facing certain death, Jones stayed behind the throttle and was able to reduce the speed of his train enough to save many lives--except his own. Reports of the accident state that a bolt or a piece of splintered lumber hit Jones in the throat, leaving him mortally wounded. Crewmen from the other trains carried Jones on a stretcher for half a mile to the depot. There, lying on a baggage wagon, Jones died. While a few passengers were slightly injured, no other deaths resulted from the accident thanks to the bravery and self sacrifice of Casey Jones.
The Illinois Central railroad tried to pin the accident on Jones, but others—including his fireman Webb—fought that claim. In the minds of Americans, Jones was a hero, and newspaper reports hailed him as one. "The Ballad of Casey Jones," written by his friend and fellow railroad worker Wallace Sanders, became a folk music standard. It was later re-recorded by such artists as Mississippi John Hurt, Pete Seeger and Johnny Cash. There was also a movie, a television series and even an animated cartoon based on his life.
None of these projects resulted in a financial windfall for Jones’ wife and three children. However, they received payments from two union life insurance policies from the Brotherhood's Locomotive Engineers Mutual Life & Accident Insurance Association, and eventually a settlement from Illinois Central. There was no pension, as the Railroad Retirement system was not established until 1937.
BLET honors the legacy of Casey Jones as a shining example of the steps its members have and continue to take to keep their passengers, cargo and the public safe. It is this kind of exemplary service we will be celebrating in Detroit next week.
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| The United States Postal Service put Casey Jones on a three-cent stamp. |
Jones, an engineer and member of the union’s Division 99 in Water Valley, Miss., sacrificed his own life in 1900 to save his train full of passengers from a horrific crash. There was a stalled freight near Vaughan, Miss., and conditions were wet and foggy. As Jones’ train, No. 382 (the "Cannonball Express"), rounded a bend, the train’s fireman Sim Webb spotted several cars on their train’s track. Brother Jones told Webb to jump, but Jones stayed aboard to try and slow down the train.
Facing certain death, Jones stayed behind the throttle and was able to reduce the speed of his train enough to save many lives--except his own. Reports of the accident state that a bolt or a piece of splintered lumber hit Jones in the throat, leaving him mortally wounded. Crewmen from the other trains carried Jones on a stretcher for half a mile to the depot. There, lying on a baggage wagon, Jones died. While a few passengers were slightly injured, no other deaths resulted from the accident thanks to the bravery and self sacrifice of Casey Jones.
The Illinois Central railroad tried to pin the accident on Jones, but others—including his fireman Webb—fought that claim. In the minds of Americans, Jones was a hero, and newspaper reports hailed him as one. "The Ballad of Casey Jones," written by his friend and fellow railroad worker Wallace Sanders, became a folk music standard. It was later re-recorded by such artists as Mississippi John Hurt, Pete Seeger and Johnny Cash. There was also a movie, a television series and even an animated cartoon based on his life.
None of these projects resulted in a financial windfall for Jones’ wife and three children. However, they received payments from two union life insurance policies from the Brotherhood's Locomotive Engineers Mutual Life & Accident Insurance Association, and eventually a settlement from Illinois Central. There was no pension, as the Railroad Retirement system was not established until 1937.
BLET honors the legacy of Casey Jones as a shining example of the steps its members have and continue to take to keep their passengers, cargo and the public safe. It is this kind of exemplary service we will be celebrating in Detroit next week.
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