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On Nov. 14, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE) members rejected a proposed merger with the International Brotherhood of Boilermaker, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (IBB) by a 11,619 - 9,782 vote.


BMWE sent 39,533 ballots to members Oct. 9; 21,468 ballots were returned, showing 54 percent of members opposed the merger.


A similar IBB marriage proposal was rejected by 55 percent of BMWE members in September 2001.


"We have taken steps in accordance with numerous resolutions passed in as many years to present a viable merger proposal to our membership for ratification," said BMWE President Mac Fleming in a prepared statement. "Regardless of the vote outcome, our great union must, and will, continue to forge ahead in a positive and unified manner in order to meet the challenges of the future, collectively and in a meaningful way."