I believe there is plenty of room in the railroad industry for separate crafts, as I believe in a pure division of labor. I believe there is room in the labor industry for more than one representation philosophy. Both organizations will be addressing the labor market from different philosophies, both with the same agenda - survival. When deciding which union will better serve their individual needs, rail employees must examine one additional factor, the most important factor in protecting their individual self interest. The Constitution of either organization is the equivalent to a legal and binding contract between the union and its members.
Constitution is the internal document that records promises between the union and the members.
In return, the union, as represented by its officers, is required to govern by the rules established by the members. The Constitution of a labor union is extremely important to a member because it removes their individual control over the union and its officers on a day by day basis. The UTU has made it impossible to remove a seated International President from office. The differences between these two organizations are many, however, this fundamental control by the membership should make the BLE more appealing to the train and engine service employees at large in the event a representation is conducted. Back in the early part of 2000 a group of employees on the Metro North Railroad were faced with a representation vote.