advertisement

---

Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE) members July 2 began picketing Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad Co.'s (E&LS) Wells, Mich., headquarters because the 347-mile short line recently announced plans to suspend its participation in all national health-care programs for six months beginning July 1, according to a BMWE-prepared statement.


E&LS President John Larkin June 13 advised BMWE of the short line's plan to suspend workers' health-care coverage so the railroad could pay its federal taxes, BMWE said.


At a June 20 meeting, Larkin reiterated his decision to suspend health insurance, prompting BMWE officials to prepare for a strike.
BMWE represents 18 maintenance-of-way employees on E&LS.