We are family!

I want to start off by saying that I don't work for BNSF. To be honest, I don't know very many people that do. I wanted to clarify that to prove a point. That point being, that you don't have to be an employee or a family member of a BNSF employee to be affected by the attempted implementation of an unrealistic attendance policy.

I'll admit that reading the specifics of the new policy made me angry. Thinking of countless scenarios that could occur that the document couldn't begin to address. The thought of one unfortunate event causing someone to be disciplined or dismissed. Thinking about time off being taken away with one tick of the clock. The thought of the lack of compassion that goes into making such a policy, although not surprising, it's still hard to understand. Those and various other thoughts and questions only added fuel to the fire.

With that being said, the quick actions of various organizations and support of the BNSF employees was astounding Those actions made me proud. I commend both unions for stepping up. I commend The Auxiliaries for being there during this time of need. Those organizations are doing their part and for that they should be proud.

For me, what had the most effect was hearing the stories and seeing the photos of the family members of BNSF employees. The voices that cannot be silenced by any restraining order. The voices that need to be heard. The stories that need to be told. The photos that put a face with a name.

I'll admit that I don't know most of the people in the photos, and I don't know the names in the stories. What I do know is this, as railroaders we are family! Regardless of what color engines we ride, or the location we report. We are family because we live a lifestyle tovery few can understand, a lifestyle that very few will ever know. We share a bond that wasn't formed by sharing a last name, but a bond just as strong. We help each other when it's needed and stand together when it's warranted.

We support our brothers and sisters at BNSF, and those at the various railroads around the country. We are family!