Bonior addresses Washington meeting participants

Bonior: UTU puts "issue of organizing upfront"

Praises UTU leadership's "integrity" and pledges to protect Railroad Retirement

WASHINGTON (July 15) -- Congressman David E. Bonior, the House Democratic Minority Whip of Michigan, told 1,300 UTU members at the Regional Meeting here Wednesday that UTU International President Charles L. Little "has put the whole issue of organizing up front where it belongs."

Bonior was the third Democratic heavy hitter who addressed the UTU at its last Regional Meeting of the century. On Monday, Vice President Al Gore praised the UTU, and on Tuesday Minority Leader Richard Gephardt thanked the UTU for all of its political help.

When the Democrats win the House in the 2000 elections, Bonior will become Majority Leader.

Bonior also joined the chorus of praise for UTU’s top leadership. About Assistant President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., he said, "Byron Boyd has earned a reputation for integrity and telling it like it is.

The UTU’s Washington political leadership was also singled out for accolades, especially National Legislative Director James Brunkenhoefer.

"Jim Brunkenhoefer is an absolute fantastic crusader for working men and women in America," he said. "He is an asset and I’m honored to work with him."

In regard to better safety conditions on the nation’s railroads, Bonior said he believed they should be negotiated during collective bargaining. "But, if you can’t get them at the bargaining table," he said, "we in Congress will step in."

The Michigan Congressman said that protecting the railroad retirement system from the Republicans is also important. "We can’t afford to let railroad retirement be merged into the social security system," he said to a standing ovation.

He also came out in favor of two-person crews on trains because "we can’t cut corners on safety." He called two-person crews a "bi-partisan issue."

Bonior credited the UTU with "helping protect full funding for Amtrak" and said the "UTU is an important voice in the political debate."

In regard to passenger rail, he cited the need for a "robust passenger rail network that is vital to America." He said that "passenger rail travel should expand in the future."

Bonior said that after many difficult years "the labor movement is making headway once again." He said, "Labor unions have made America more livable and more prosperous. Unions have given working families a voice in the process."

The importance of winning back the House from the Republicans is critical to working men and women, Bonior said.

"The far right, the union busters, are still in charge of Congress today," he said. "That’s not going to change until Democrats regain control of Congress."

The UTU crowd gave Bonior a standing ovation when he said, "I intend to have the GOP as a trophy in the year 2000. I intend to have my close friend Dick Gephardt as Speaker."