Northeast BMWED members are in Philadelphia this week participating in the third BMWED Learning Lab of 2024, a three-day intensive, hands-on event that offers Lodge Officers new and old an opportunity to practice and hone skills they can then use to add value and impact to their local lodge meetings and beyond.

Yes, the curriculum, instruction and topics addressed represent the bulk of the three-day training, but there is no mistaking that the true reward of the Learning Labs, including this week’s event in Philly, is the camaraderie and connection developed and nurtured by having over 40 rank-and-file members gathered to commiserate and bond in their Brotherhood.

“It is a great to be here with so many Brothers and Sisters, united and determined, learning from one another, sharing ideas and strategies and simply coming together to strengthen our bonds as BMWED railroaders,” President Tony D. Cardwell said.

Compared to other Learning Labs, the Northeast rendition consists of a sizeable amount of passenger rail members from Amtrak, NJ Transit, SEPTA, Metra and Keolis. Federal, state and municipal commuter rail is an important part of the BMWED and President Cardwell reminded attendees that retaining the proper appointees in government agencies tasked with funding and regulating passenger rail is crucial to their success.

“I’m just telling you the reality of what we face and currently, especially at the federal level, we have an excellent group of people in place in agencies like the FRA that has been very good for Rail Labor and we should strive to keep it that way by the decisions we make electorally,” Cardwell said.

In a serendipitous circumstance, FRA chief administrator Amit Bose happened to stop at a table in the plaza outside the Center City Philadelphia hotel where the Learning Lab was taking place Tuesday. He was in town for a SEPTA meeting and unaware of the BMWED educational happening just mere feet from where he chose to sit down and go over his notes. When approached by BMWED staff, Administrator Bose readily joined our class to speak to the group for about ten minutes before heading off to his original meeting.

The training, developed by BMWED Director of Education Ash Anderson, was the third of four scheduled learning labs scheduled regionally this year. Learning Labs are designed to strengthen skills for local lodge officers on a wide range of topics, with a goal of building knowledge lodge officers can use not only to perform their duties but also teach other members of their local.

Those topics included:

• Understanding and effectively communicating about the Railway Labor Act and BMWED Bargaining.

• Using Robert's Rules of Order, BMWED Ritual, and parliamentary procedure to make Lodge meetings more effective and meaningful for our members.

• Setting effective agendas at the Lodge level.

• Roundtable discussions on tips, techniques, or ideas to improve meeting attendance and participation.

• Guided exercises on completing necessary Lodge financial reports and records.

• Understanding and enforcing BMWED Bylaws and other governing documents.

• Presentations on the Railroad Employees National Health & Welfare Plan (the national agreement healthcare plan) and new benefits or resources available to our members covered under the national healthcare plan.

• Breakout sessions with System Division and Federation officers for guidance and training on claims handling and agreement issues.

• Practical exercises on developing the Lodge Strike plan and effective internal organizing work.

• Guided discussions and presentations on BMWED Safety Department work, Legislative Department work, and other topics.