united transportation union
GENERAL COMMITTEE of ADJUSTMENT GO-386
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and Montana Western Railroad

Gentlemen:

On Saturday, December 18, 1999, I was advised that a Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Canadian National merger was being proposed. Monday morning December 20, 1999, those rumors were confirmed by press releases from both the BNSF and CN.

As required by Canadian law the new proposed corporate entity would be based in Canada and the majority of the Board of Directors of the proposed Corporation would be Canadians. Further, it is anticipated that the application for merger would be filed in approximately 90 days.

I, as General Chairman of GO-386, have absolutely no hesitation to speak out loud and clear and state that such a proposed merger will be opposed in the most strenuous fashion available by this Chairman and hopefully the UTU in general. My opposition will be made to each pertinent point of concern and they are many. However, those issues will not be addressed here.

From the action on the NYSE with regards to BNSF stock, the announcement of the proposed merger was not welcomed with open arms. This initial reaction may or may not change and will in no way affect the actions of this Committee. It would appear that such a merger is the only way Robert Krebs can salvage this railroad from the doldrums of the last year. My personal editorial would dictate if such a merger were to be successful, if allowed, it should be one where Krebs and other existing BNSF officials had no part to play. But even under those circumstances, the merger would not be acceptable.

I can only now imagine what the new millennium will hold in store for the many dedicated employees of the BNSF. The proposed merger is not my idea of a great start and does not bode will for US enterprise, the UTU membership on this property and railroading in general.

Not to be outdone, there are also significant rumor afloat that the Union Pacific is courting the Canadian Pacific and SOO line properties. Were these rumors to be founded in fact, we could easily see the railroads covering the western two thirds of the US become Canadian Corporations under Canadian control. So much for NAFTA and the WTO. Pay attention to the facts as they become public and hold yourselves ready to defend your way of life and employment. Believe me, I am not exaggerating.

This site will post any and all available information, filings and facts. I sincerely encourage your attention and involvement. This merger can be and should be defeated.

With best wishes, I am,

Yours truly,

JD Fitzgerald
General Chairman

JDF/aas