Reese Saulter III, International Vice President of the Southern Region of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWED), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his introduction to unions at a young age. Saulter also talked about his journey with the Brotherhood and the fight for paid sick leave for members.
The son of a Longshoreman, Saulter’s father instilled a love for unions and their ability to protect workers. He spoke of growing up and helping his father as he supported women on the Shoreline who were on strike. Saulter started a union job with CSX Railroad in 2008 after an experience with So-Called “Right to Work” laws in Georgia. He has been a proud member of the BMWED for the last 16 years.
Since joining the Brotherhood, he has never missed a union meeting, and in 2010, was named Secretary-Treasurer of his Atlanta Local. From there, he advanced within the Union -- first as an organizer with the International and later as Vice-Chairman for the Allied Federation. The Allied Federation protects workers against the railroad, which helped pave the way for Saulter to become an International Vice President.
Most recently, he was fighting to help members get paid sick leave. Previously, workers were not allowed to take paid sick leave, and if they got sick, they had to deal with whatever ailments they had with no protections. Despite a lack of Congressional legislation, the BMWED worked tirelessly to earn paid sick leave at all the major American Railroad companies. Saulter added that the main holdout of the major carriers, CN out of Canada, recently agreed to provide paid sick leave to employees. This now ensures that all major North American freight carriers now offer their workers much-needed paid sick leave.
Hear more about Saulter’s background and how he’s fighting for workers’ rights, by listening to the show above.
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