BRS STRIKE POLICY

OBSERVANCE OF PICKET LINES IN A LEGAL STRIKE

Accordingly, on April 1, 1996, the Grand Executive Council adopted a policy with respect to the observance of picket lines in a legal strike. The policy is reproduced below for your guidance.

“It is the policy of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen to support its members in declining to cross a picket line when another labor organization is on strike. When a strike exists, a member should decline to cross a picket line in order to work until pickets have been removed and the strike is over. The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen adheres to the principle that during a strike against a railroad, by a railroad labor organization, a union’s picket line extends across the railroad, one end to the other. Members who are in doubt as to the existence of any legally authorized strike on their railroad should contact their Local or General Chairman, or BRS Grand Lodge.

It is further the policy of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen that the right to decline work during a strike of another labor organization is guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, the Railway Labor Act and the Railroad Safety Act. The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen will support its members in the free exercise of these rights.”

BRS members should be governed by the provisions of the above policy and the membership of each Local should be informed of the position of our Brotherhood in this respect.