August 28, 2000
Minneapolis Hilton Hotel

Good Morning, Brothers and Sisters, my name is Charlie Little, and I am honored to be here with you today in Minneapolis. 

The great state of Minnesota has a history of being home to some very unique political leaders. 

Leaders such as Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale...Eugene McCarthy and Paul Wellstone.

And Jesse Ventura.

People who live here in the Northland know that politics is one of the most-interesting local sports -- along with high school hockey -- that is very different than politics, and hockey, in most other states.

In Minnesota politics, anything is possible. Do I even need to say Jesse Ventura again?

In fact, today Minnesota has one of the arguably most-liberal Senators in the country, Democrat Paul Wellstone.

While at the same time it has one of the most arguably right-wing Senators in America, Republican Rod Gram.

And the only Governor who has ever tossed Hulk Hogan out of the wrestling ring on his ear.

This is the third and last Regional Meeting of the Summer of 2000, and I am told that we will have had more than 3,000 members attend.

That is outstanding participation and involvement by our Brothers and Sisters. It is the envy of many unions, and a core strength of our union.

I would like to thank all of our members from throughout North American who have traveled to take part in their union's annual summer meetings.

And also for their support of the "Power of One" and this administration's policies and initiatives.

This morning I want to talk to you about the future -- both the short-term future and the longer-term future.

I want to talk about the important choices we will have to make together as a union. And the equally important choices you will have to make as an individual.

We are facing some big decisions as a union. And we are facing some big decisions as a country.

This fall we expect to present our members with an historic contract that offers a long-awaited new wage system. A contract that will effectively end the two-tiered pay system and entry rates that have hurt us for 15 years.

And this November, the United States is facing a watershed election to determine who will become the next President, and which party will control Congress.

The result of the decisions we make on these issues will have an impact on us -- and on our families -- for years to come.

Before I begin the heavy lifting, I'd like to take time out to recognize our local host committee and its chairman who worked so hard to make this meeting possible.

Minnesota State Director John Smullen is our honorary chairman and the state legislative board our hosts. John, please stand and be recognized, and I'd also like the Minnesota state legislative board to stand and be recognized.

Thank you for hosting us here at the Hilton Hotel and inviting us to Minneapolis -- in the summer time, not the winter.

I'd like to take a moment to tell the union hotel employees here at the Hilton Hotel, and other Minneapolis hotels, that we stand with our 1,500 union brothers and sisters in Local 17 in your continuing fight for a better quality of life. Brothers and sisters, let's give a hand to the union employees here at the Hilton and in this city.

Now, I'd also like to recognize two former UTU International Presidents who are with us here in Minneapolis. Al Chesser and Tom DuBose, please stand and be recognized. Thank you, Al and Tom for everything you have done, and for everything you continue to do for the UTU.

Last summer at just about this time, we were holding our Convention in Miami Beach to elect International Officers. I want to thank the delegates who overwhelmingly re-elected this Administration, and who support our goals to bring all of the historical rail operating crafts together under the Power of One union -- and to end entry rates and the dual basis of pay system.

You know that the theme of this year's Regional Meetings is the "Power of One." Our UTU News reporters asked UTU members at the Reno and Birmingham meetings what the 'Power of One' means to them. We will also ask that question here to some of you. Then in the October UTU News, we will publish many of the quotes from our brothers and sisters from around North America talking about what the 'Power of One' means to them.

This morning I'd like to share just a few of those thoughts with you.

This is what Michael Medley, the Local Chairperson from Local 771 in Needles, California, said,

"To me, it means there should be one union, and that union should be the UTU because the UTU has more things to offer to its members than the other unions do, and it's more straight-up about what it has to offer to the people it represents."

This is what Kathy Myers, a BNSF conductor from Local 324 in Seattle, said about the Power of One: "It takes all of us as 'one' together to make things happen in this country. We need to stand together and unite."

Jay Smith of Local 835 in Bakersfield, California, who works on the U.P., said, "It means protection for the younger guys. That's what this movement's all about."

'T-Bone' Morrison of Local 1011 in Hamlet, North Carolina, who works for CSX, said,

"The Power of One means one union together, everybody working for the same common goal, and going in one direction to make a better life for each man and his family out here on the railroad."

And finally, here is what the Power of One means to Andres Trujillo of Local 1138 in Miami.

He said, "The Power of One means the power of all of us united for one single cause, putting all our efforts into it, and at the same time it means the difference that one person can make."

The next few months are a time when we have to come together as Brother Trujillo and the others said. We must unite as one for our causes. And each of us, each of you, must pledge to make a difference as only one person can make.

There is too much at stake to do anything less.

Right now, this very day, we have the rare opportunity to help shape our destiny and make our lives better in the years ahead. We haven't had a better time to do it in a few generations.

Right now, today, we stand on the verge of several significant historical events that can dramatically affect our jobs and our families for years to come.

In his column in the UTU News this month, Byron Boyd talked about how we are on the verge of making history with two major initiatives. The first is the Railroad Retirement legislation in Congress. And the second is a long-term national contract that could be ready this fall -- a contract that would end the post-85 and pre-85 conditions, and end entry rates and the two-tiered wage structure for all current employees.

If we can make these two things happen -- and I believe we can -- then we will be beginning the 21st century with two huge improvements for our members and millions of other people.

I believe that by working together as a union we can realistically accomplish both.

That is what a union is about. That is when a union is most successful. When we are united in purpose and resolve.

I'll talk more about the railroad retirement bill and the national contract in a moment. But we also have another very important event taking place in about 3 months. We will be electing a new President and a new Congress.

The Democratic and Republican conventions are now history, and in a few days, on Labor Day, the race to win the White House goes into overdrive. This November the choice for President is very clear.

If you don't think so, then think about the way things are. And the way they could be under a Republican White House and Republican Congress unfriendly to labor.

America's working men and women know that the last eight years under Bill Clinton and Al Gore have been a lot better than the previous 12 years under Ronald Reagan and George Bush.

Last July, the UTU was the first major labor organization to endorse Al Gore for president.

UTU was also the first major union to endorse Bill Clinton and Al Gore for election in 1992 and reelection in 1996.

Gore has been a friend of the UTU, and will continue to be our friend in the White House along with Joe Lieberman.

Rail labor has a long memory. We remember that twice during the Reagan/Bush years, the UTU and rail labor got smacked across the face with Presidential Emergency Boards. In fact, it was a Reagan-appointed Emergency Board that led to the much-maligned 1985 contract that created the two-tiered wage system and entry rates.

As we are now in the final stages of negotiating our first national contract of the 21st century, a contract that we believe will end that pay system, we cannot afford to take the risk of a George W. Bush White House imposing a Presidential Emergency Board on us. And a Republican-controlled Congress drive the nails in the coffin by writing our agreement.

This union is committed to doing whatever it takes to elect Al Gore our next U.S. President so our core values will be protected. We are also committed to electing a labor-friendly Democratic majority in the U.S. House, and in the Senate, too.

While the UTU has good relations with many fine Congressional Republicans who stand with us on our key issues, we believe that it is in our best interests to have a labor-friendly Congress, which means a Democratic Congress.

This is a tough election. Every vote will count. It is vital that labor get out the vote, and that's where each of you as individuals -- and all of us together working through TPEL -- can help make a big difference.

If we want to protect our jobs and our families then we must all work hard and get out the vote for our candidates.

American working men and women must step up to the plate and take charge of the November elections. Just a few votes in key precincts in key states can make the difference.

Sometime this September, if the Speaker of the House of Representatives is true to his word, the House will pass a clean version of the Railroad Retirement bill and send it to the Senate for a vote. When that happens, we believe we are then just a step away from final passage of truly historic Railroad Retirement legislation.

We had expected the bill to pass the House in late July, but a last-minute amendment that would repeal a tax levied on diesel fuel used by trains and river barges was added by a Republican Missouri Congressman.

That put the brakes on everything. But Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House, said the bill would be voted on in September, most likely without the diesel fuel tax amendment, which would be a multi-million dollar windfall for the railroad and barge industries. But it has no place attached to our Retirement legislation.

However, we believe that this Railroad Retirement Bill is too important to our members, and the members of our labor coalition of 11 unions representing 3 million workers, for us to get caught up in partisan politics.

We like to take Dennis Hastert at his word. While the fuel tax repeal is a favorite among many in Congress, and is wanted by the railroads and barge industry, it doesn't' belong on this retirement bill. If it remains it would likely spell the end for the best improvements to railroad retirement in a generation. The Senate would most assuredly reject it. And that would spell the end of lowering the retirement age to 60 from 62 with 30 years of service, with healthcare at age 60.

It would end fixing the surviving spouses' benefit for more than 50,000 widows who need the money.

It would end lowering the vesting age to 5 years of service instead of 10.

There is no reason for the diesel fuel tax amendment on our retirement bill.

Even the railroads are saying they don't want this tax cut attached to the railroad retirement bill, and that's welcome news.

So, we will take Speaker Hastert at his word. Because if the House doesn't pass a "clean" Railroad Retirement bill in September, and send it to the Senate for debate and ratification, then 3 million union members and their families will know whom to blame in the November elections.

This historic railroad retirement legislation deserves to pass, and our members and retirees deserve its major improvements.

And, if everything goes as we believe, we have a big opportunity to create a new wage system for the 21st century that is fair and just for both pre-85 and post-85 employees.

I am pleased to report to you today that if we don't encounter any unforeseen problems, we expect to present you with a proposed national wage and rule agreement later this fall that also promises to make history.

As in all contract talks, there are always some loose ends to tie up and finalization of contract language. We are well aware that the "devil is often in the details" when putting the finishing touches on a contract. As the chairman of the national negotiating team, Byron Boyd has told me that he is pretty sure he has held the devil at bay. If any one can hold the devil there, it is Byron.

As we have stated previously, the UTU has continued to focus on our main goal of eliminating entry rates and the dual basis of pay. In addition, we are working hard to minimize any intrusive work rule changes or anything that can disturb existing favorable rules affecting our members.

We are doing all of this while assuring that you still receive first-rate health-and-welfare benefits and also get a respectable wage increase.

At this stage in the negotiations we are confident we will be able to present you with a package that meets these objectives, and more.

To best understand what may be regarded as an historic contract, it is important to understand the historic environment in which it is being negotiated. In this case, we are negotiating a major long-term contract in a political and economic climate that presents several minefields we must avoid.

I already talked about the November elections. As we have said over the last few months, both the UTU and the railroads want to arrive at an understanding before the November election for a variety of reasons. History teaches us that rail labor does better when there is a Democratic President and a Democratic Congress. History also has taught us that rail labor fares poorly when there is a Republican President who appoints Emergency Boards.

For example, what could happen to us if we don't reach a contract and we don't ratify it and there is a Republican President and a Republican House and Senate that are all unfriendly to labor?

Or what could happen to the carriers if we don't reach a contract and there is a labor-friendly Democratic President and a Democratic House or Senate, or both?

This political uncertainty is pushing all parties to try to reach an agreement before the election, because nobody is confident in predicting the future. We believe that because of the uncertain political situation pushing the parties that our timeline on concluding a contract is largely on target.

In the coming weeks, you will be receiving information so you may make a more informed decision when it comes time to vote on this contract proposal. You should expect to receive a detailed letter next month from Byron Boyd as well as a special edition of the UTU News, and other helpful materials, in the coming weeks.

When the time comes, members of the national negotiating committee will also attend regional and local meetings to explain the proposed contract and to answer your questions. We are committed to providing you with the appropriate information so you fully understand what you will be voting on.

We sincerely believe that when it is completed that this proposed national contract will accomplish our goals and be fair and equitable for all historical crafts and all UTU members.

We believe that the long-awaited new pay system will guarantee no loss of income levels for pre-85 employees along with a respectable pay increase while at the same time boosting post-85 employees up to parity.

When the time comes to vote, we hope you will seize the opportunity to make the significant positive changes that rail labor needs and take your destiny in your hands and make real history in bettering your work life, and not let any President or Congress decide what's best for you and for us.

Now, I'm sure by this time some of you are thinking that Charlie Little's been talking for a long time ...and he hasn't mentioned the BLE once yet.

So let me say a few things now before I finish because I don't want to disappoint any of you.

We still believe in the Power of One.

We still believe in unifying all of the historical operating crafts under the UTU umbrella where they rightly belong.

We still believe that there will be a representation vote between the UTU and the BLE on the Union Pacific.

When that day comes, we expect to win, which we believe will be a win for all operating employees and all historical crafts.

So, today here in Minneapolis, I want to tell all BLE members again that we welcome you as true Brothers and Sisters. We have a great deal in common, including protecting the historical craft of locomotive engineer, as well as the other historical crafts.

Our dispute is not with you, but it is with your rogue leadership that puts their personal interests above yours and your craft.

That's why all younger operating employees, including all locomotive engineers, should stand with the only union that has both the power and the experience to represent them effectively at the beginning of the 21st century.

We urge you to crossover and join the UTU today. You don't have to wait.

This fall ... when you vote for a new President and Congress, and when you vote on a proposed new national contract, ask yourself these are questions when you look in the mirror.

Is my job worth fighting for?

Is protecting my family and my income worth fighting for?

All of you newer hires need to ask yourself, What kind of future do I want? What kind of union do I want in the 21st century? What am I willing to do to get them? Am I willing to get involved and fight for my future?

These are decisions only you can make in the next few months. Nobody can make them for you.

As for me, I have already made those decisions. And I'm proud that I have.

I am proud to stand here with you today as the President of this union at this important crossroads in history.

I am proud that the UTU's membership is growing and our finances are strong and stable.

I am proud that we have a strong vision for the future.

I am proud to say that each year more and more transportation workers seek out the UTU to represent them, including more airline pilots, bus operators, and van drivers.

I am proud that the UTU is the only union in our industry that offers affordable insurance to union employees through the UTUIA.

I am proud that our political position in Washington, D.C. is one of respect and influence.

If you don't believe that just ask the Burlington Northern what happened to their proposed merger with the Canadian National when UTU opposed the merger -- and which, by the way, the BLE supported.

I am proud that we are acknowledged to have the most-influential labor website in our industry.

So, when you look in that mirror remember that you are part of everything we do, and you are responsible for our success as a union, and our future successes.

We can turn things around in the 21st century. The next few months will tell us all how badly we want to.

The UTU is focused on the future. We want to shape and control that future with our own hands and minds. That is the only real way we can win together.

Take charge.

Make decisions.

Take the right action.

Thank you. Thank you all.