UTU general chairpersons in national handling 
overwhelmingly endorse proposed rail contract

SAN DIEGO -- United Transportation Union (UTU) general chairpersons involved in national handling have overwhelmingly endorsed the proposed national rail contract recently announced by the union and the carriers represented by the National Carriers' Conference Committee.

The general chairpersons who met here Wednesday for their first look at the tentative agreement "embraced it overwhelmingly and recognized the historic opportunities it represents," said UTU International President Charles L. Little.

"I am pleased to present a progressive package without any givebacks," Little told the gathering of general chairpersons from about 30 railroads, "and very pleased to report that we have accomplished our goals in this round of bargaining by creating a new and better pay system that opens the door to the future by securing equal pay for all employees without reducing pre-'85 earnings levels."

As per the provisions of Article 91 in the UTU Constitution, each general chairperson will have fifteen days to submit questions about the contract offer. The UTU National Negotiating Committee, headed by Assistant President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., will then consolidate the submitted questions into a single uniform list.

"When the answers to the questions are determined by the negotiating committee and the carriers' representatives, the agreed-upon questions and answers will be made a part of the offer of settlement. Then it will be distributed to UTU members for their ratification," Boyd explained.

Little said the package presented to the general chairpersons:

• Gives all employees general wage increases;

• Preserves the historical pay components enjoyed by pre-'85 employees;

• Brings post-'85 employees to full parity with pre-'85 employees;

• Guarantees no loss of income or benefits for pre-'85 employees; and

• Preserves the existing basic day and ends the debate over increasing the basic day thanks to a new system of pay computation that includes all the pre-existing arbitraries and allowances.

"We heard what the members said, and we pledged we would eliminate disparity," Boyd said. "That's exactly what this proposed contract does, without any give-backs and without selling one work rule."

Once the answers to the general chairpersons' questions are attached to the document, it will be distributed to the members of each of the crafts covered or affected by the terms of the proposed agreement. A majority of the members voting from each covered craft is required for ratification of the proposed national contract, Boyd said.

The proposal covers about 45,000 employees, nearly a third of the railroads' work force on about 95% of the nation's Class I railroads, including train and engine service employees, and yardmasters.

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