UPUYC yardmasters reach agreement-in-principle (7/23/99)

UPUYC Yardmasters
reach agreement-in-principle

Negotiations under the banner of the Union Pacific Union Yardmaster Council (UPUYC) have produced an agreement-in-principle with the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) that outlines a settlement of wage issues and addresses the seniority process affecting yardmasters in the new representation jurisdiction, including UTU and Transportation Communications Union (TCU) members.

The announcement of a tentative pact follows nearly two years of negotiations, according to Don Carver, director of the UTU Yardmaster Department. Carver said negotiators will meet again August 2 in Chicago, Ill., to put the tentative agreement into contract language and ready it for a ratification vote.

"The trust, courage and leadership of UTU International President Charles L. Little and TCU International President Robert A. Scardelletti are to be credited with bringing us to this point," Carver said. "Their faith in the UPUYC and their pioneering vision of cooperative negotiation is being borne out now in a workable solution to the issues raised by the UP’s mergers and acquisitions."

Carver, a principle negotiator in the effort, praised the expertise and assistance contributed by TCU International Vice Presidents Joel Parker and Joseph Condo.

Others singled out by Carver as vital in crafting the tentative agreement include former Chicago & North Western Chairperson David Just, former Missouri Pacific General Chairperson Mike Thompson, and former Southern Pacific General Chairperson A.C. "Rusty" Strain.