BLET to review Designated Legal Counsel program
CLEVELAND, October 23 — The Advisory Board of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) yesterday announced that it will review its attorney referral program for injured union members.
While meeting in St. Louis, the union’s governing board unanimously approved appointment of an internal committee to review its longstanding Designated Legal Counsel (DLC) program, and to make recommendations to the full 11-member BLET Advisory Board regarding the way attorneys receive and maintain designation.
“BLET members rightfully deserve and expect that their elected officers, and those DLC attorneys who represent them in FELA matters, will at all times act with fidelity and in the best interests of the union and its members, and in strict compliance with all laws,” Acting President Paul T. Sorrow said. “Nothing less will be tolerated by our union and hard working members.”
Injured railroad workers are not covered by state workers compensation laws. Instead, the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) grants exclusive jurisdiction for claims of recovery for railroad injuries to the federal courts, against rail carriers.
More than 35 years ago, the BLET established a list of designated lawyers who specialize in FELA cases because attorneys handling such matters are generally more effective if they have both experience with federal law relating to FELA and are familiar with the railroad business.
The BLET''''s DLC program is similar to FELA referral lists utilized by other rail labor unions for the benefit of their members.
Under the BLET’s program, FELA attorneys who apply for DLC designation undergo a rigorous examination of their experience, ethics, and professional standards before the 11 member BLET Advisory Board decides whether to include them on its list. The list is then made available to all union members through the BLET’s publications and website.
Any FELA attorney approved for DLC designation must also agree to a 22-point written code of conduct developed and periodically reviewed by the BLET. The BLET’s code of conduct requires each attorney to act honestly and in a professional manner in all dealings with union members, and others.
Friday, October 23, 2009
bentley@ble.org
