Edward Dubroski

Career

Edward Dubroski was born in Ashley, Pennsylvania around 1938. In 1955 he joined the Central Railroad of New Jersey as a track worker. In 1960 he became a fireman and in 1963 an engineer with the Central Railroad. He joined the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen (BLFE), and held several posts in this union. Dubroski resigned from the BLFE and in 1970 was elected legislative representative of BLE Division 157. In 1974 he became BLE General Chairman of the General Committee of Adjustment of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. In 1980 he became Chairman of Conrail District "G", and in 1983 he became Conrail Alternate General Chairman.

In 1991 Dubroski was elected general secretary and treasurer of the BLE. Dubroski became the first vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers when Clarence Monin was elected president in 1996. In August 1999 Dubroski took over from Monin, who left office after losing a recall vote by a narrow margin. In a separate ballot Dubroski was elected to succeed Monin as head of the 55,000-member union by about 80% of the vote.

During his tenure there was ongoing tension with the rival United Transportation Union (UTU). On 23 July 2001 the BLE and UTU announced a plan to merge, subject to ratification by their members. In September three officers of the BLE obtained a court injunction to stop the count of the ratification ballot. A few days later the UTU launched an attempt to be recognized as representing workers of the Kansas City Southern Railway, replacing the BLE. At the Seventh Quinquennial International Convention of the BLE in Miami on 27 September 2001 Dubroski lost the run-off election for the post of International President to Don Hahs, who won by 417 to 211 votes.