This week marked the second installment of the 2024 BMWED Learning Labs, hands-on training events offering Lodge Officers a chance to practice and develop skills they can use to add value and impact to their Local Lodge meetings.

BMWED members convened in Minneapolis to strengthen themselves through knowledge. Their initiative to attend is quite honestly the lifeblood of our Brotherhood.

“It’s so important to get involved,” Brother Jesse Franco, Lodge 2419 Local Chairman. “There are many new guys that I think we need to reach and spread the word about just how important being involved in the Union and how staying together in solidarity can help us all.”

The BMWED Education Department, headed up by director Ash Anderson, has completely revamped the curriculum with an aim to inform, educate and cross-train local lodge officers or rank-and-file members with ambitions to become officers in their lodge.

Brother Anderson has set-up many online classes and seminars through platforms like Zoom, but acknowledges that the best programs are ones like these Learning Labs, where the members can come together in person and really develop close bonds and share ideas.

Brother Troy Durham from BurNor Local Lodge 249 agrees. “Everyone from the class really built a strong bond quickly and it was clear that these sorts of things are so helpful to fostering solidarity in our Brotherhood.” (Read about Brother Troy’s 1985 Cadillac and the effort by several of the Brothers in the class in repairing it HERE)

Brother Bill Hanke, BSD Lodge 1214 President, attend the Learning Lab as the Brotherhood’s biggest contributor to the Teamsters DRIVE political action committee.

“For me to be the biggest contributor to DRIVE is just something that I wanted to do,” Brother Hanke said. “I know that I have a good job and it is only a good job because the Union makes it a good job.”

Brother Hanke was unjustly put out on the street by BNSF four years ago for bogus reasons. After a long fight, the BMWED was able to get him reinstated with backpay.

“I know that my money is going to be put to good use,” he said. “I do it because I know it will be beneficial to other generations coming up and I’m just trying to help.”

There are two more scheduled BMWED Learning Labs upcoming this year, Sept. 17-19 in Philadelphia and Oct. 15-17 in Nashville.

Those members who wish to attend one of this year's Learning Labs should contact both their General Chairperson to apply or enroll, copying Ash Anderson, BMWED Director of Education, at education@bmwe.org. Please put "2024 Learning Lab Enrollment" in the subject line.

At this time, lodging, some meals, and a $500 travel reimbursement will be provided by the BMWED National Division. Your System Division, Federation, or Local Lodge will be responsible for wage reimbursement, some meals, and other incidentals.

There will be a limit of forty (40) seats available for each event, so don't wait until the last minute to let your General Chairperson know you're interested. We'll be glad to see you at one of this year's Learning Labs!