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After failing in September to gain members' approval of a merger with International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE) now is eyeing a merger with United Steelworkers of America (USWA), according to a Feb. 26 letter BMWE President Mac Fleming sent to members.
BMWE's merger exploratory committee recently recommended that the union consider negotiations with USWA. BMWE's Grand Lodge officers then Feb. 21 voted unanimously to commence formal merger negotiations.
USWA, which represents some rail workers on roads connected to major steel producers, has 650,000 members.
Fleming expects BMWE's negotiations committee to conduct serious talks with USWA officials April 2-7.
During those negotiations, BMWE officials plan to seek expanded member services and a proposal to better manage costs by integrating the union's resources with those of USWA.