UTU membership figures continue to grow;
union finances "strong and growing stronger"

CLEVELAND, OHIO - Membership in the United Transportation Union (UTU) increased by 1,178 in 1997, according to International President Charles L. Little.

The UTU now represents about 80,000 workers in various fields of employment, primarily railroad, bus and mass transit occupations, and also represents the interests of more than 70,000 retired transportation workers on matters of mutual concern such as Railroad Retirement System pensions and disability payments, the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act and other matters.

The financial condition of the UTU and the union's Insurance Association (UTUIA), which offers a wide variety of insurance and investment products geared specifically towards the needs of transportation workers and their families, is strong and growing stronger, according to reports.

The UTU closed out 1997 with more than $41 million in assets and no long-term debt. The UTUIA entered 1998 with assets of more than $219 million, Little said.

"Our union is financially strong,"  Little said, "and the UTUIA is in the best shape ever."

"We are aggressively seeking new members in all fields of transportation," Little said. "We also are being approached by workers from all walks of life, transportation related and otherwise, who admire the UTU's reputation and foresight, and who desire the many protections that only union membership can offer."