Gov. Carnahan lauds UTU leadership, financial strength

UTU International Vice President P.C. Thompson (left) and International President Charle L. Little (right) welcome Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan.

Missouri Gov. Carnahan,
candidate for U.S. Senate,
lauds UTU leadership,
financial strength;

Governor says UTU
"preeminent transportation
union in North America"

ST. LOUIS (June 16) -- Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan yesterday congratulated the United Transportation Union (UTU) on "being the preeminent rail and transportation union in North America."

Carnahan, who spoke to 1,000 UTU members at Tuesday's Regional Meeting luncheon, said, "Under the steady leadership of Charlie Little, the UTU is growing in membership and in financial strength."

A candidate for the U.S. Senate, Carnahan is credited with saving 250 Union Pacific union jobs in Jefferson City. But he credited the UTU for helping the UP out of its service jam.

"UTU members kept the Union Pacific from imploding during its service crisis," Carnahan said.

He added that the Missouri state government and the UTU "have a strong, cooperate relationship."

UTU International President Charles L. Little introduced the two-term Democratic governor calling him a "a good friend of the UTU and to union members everywhere."

Little said, "When we needed him to help save 250 jobs in Jefferson City on the Union Pacific Railroad, he came through for us. Those jobs were saved and those families were saved."

Little said the UTU "will stand behind Carnahan 100 percent" in his Senate race against Republican Sen. John Ashcroft.

"This country needs more political leaders who have the courage to stand up for working people," said Little. "We need more leaders with integrity and the guts to do what is right. This union stands 100 percent behind Mel Carnahan. He has been a great governor of the State of Missouri, and we know he will be a great Senator. We need more Democrats like Mel Carnahan in Washington."

Meeting with Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan (third from left), a candidate for the U.S. Senate, are (left to right) UTU Missouri State Legislative Director W.L. Foster, Assistant President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., and International President Charles L. Little.