UTU NEWS
| Volume 26 | August, 1994 | Number 8 |
UTU NEWS
ONLINE EDITION
AUGUST 1994
-----------PROGRESS THROUGH UNITY-----------
A Service of the United Transportation Union
Public Relations Department
Editorial Offices:
UTU News
14600 Detroit Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44107-4250
The following may be re-posted in electronic form, in part or in whole, to any network or computer system worldwide, or distributed via disk, provided proper credit is included and no alteration of text occurs other than for formatting purposes. TABLE OF CONTENTS --The UTU News On-Line Edition takes advantage of the search-and-find features in your editor or word processor. For example, to read the first of this month's "BULLETIN BOARDS," have your editor or word processor search for the text "##CC". IN THIS EDITION --UTU strikes Soo Line Railroad..................##A --Vote unifies UTU in U.S., Canada........##B --UTU derails sham rail deal.....................##C --UTU wins Hours-of-Service ruling..........##D --Members set up flood-relief fund...............##E --Tier II tax transfer on deck..............##F FEATURES --Unity aids BMWE in Conrail strike..............##G --Conductor saves four-year-old girl........##H --UTU in work/rest task force....................##I --Members, wife need your support...........##J BUS DEPT. / STREET BEAT
--From the Desk of G.K. Weber, VP, Bus Dept.
What right to strike?........................##K
--Trailways reunion scheduled...............##L
ON THE MOVE --State Directors praise UTU leadership..........##M --UTUIA's Hale, Robert honored..............##N --UTU keeping tabs on rail mergers...............##O --General Chairman Phelan meets First Lady..##P BRIEFLY --Vote would cut ICC funding.....................##Q --FRA to require radios on lead locos...... ##R --Member wins MasterCard scholarship.............##S --Toyota tests AutoStack....................##T --SP orders AC power.............................##U --BN moves two billion tons of coal.........##V NOTICES --Rate table corrections noted...................##W --Commemorations set for Hot Springs........##X --Hot Springs Golf Classic planned...............##Y --Lodging, rates at Hot Springs.............##Z --Health & Welfare phone numbers noted..........##AA --UTUIA offers fixed universal life........##BB BULLETIN BOARD..................................##CC --Listed here are items for sale, meeting information, hobby notes and honors received by UTU members. Members who want something listed in this section should send their notices to: Bulletin Board, UTU News, 14600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107-4250. Q's & A's FROM U.S. RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD --RRB outlines how to apply for annuities.......##DD ==================================================== IN THIS EDITION --UTU strikes Soo Line Railroad..................##A The UTU strike on the Soo Line over wages and working conditions was entering its eighth day as the UTU News went to press. No negotiations were scheduled. In fact, the carrier has not offered any new proposals since mid-April. The UTU represents more than 1,100 train service employees and yardmasters on the Soo, which operates more than 5,000 miles of track in 11 midwestern states, serving more than 2,000 customers. The strike has shut down about 90% of Soo's operations, and the remaining 10% is being operated haphazardly and unsafely by management officials. Many of the carrier's shippers are beginning to find alternate transportation methods, and connecting carriers are reporting increased business. The UTU is conducting lawful picketing at numerous locations and is being strongly supported in its efforts by other union members. Numerous violations of federal rail safety regulations have been reported, which the UTU is documenting and forwarding to the Federal Railroad Administration. According to UTU Vice President Bruce Wigent, who is assisting Soo Line general chairpersons Gene VonEssen and Jim Beyer with negotiations, management personnel manning the skeleton operation are running switches, derailing cars and operating in violation of the Hours of Service Act, all of which pose great danger to the general public. "There are so many FRA violations, we can't count them all," Wigent said. "They almost crashed into a passenger train after running a red signal. Somebody is going to get hurt if this continues." "Management people are not equipped or trained to handle 200-car trains," UTU International President G. Thomas DuBose said. "We have informed the FRA that some, if not all, of these people are unlicensed and unqualified to do the work safely." DuBose highly praised the officers of the Soo Line general committees for their hard work, and the affected members for their unwavering support. "The UTU has and will continue to protect its turf and membership," DuBose said. "I appreciate the support we have received from the other unions, and thank the membership for their support of any future job actions that may be undertaken by the UTU." --Vote unifies UTU in U.S., Canada........##B Following overwhelming approval by Canadian delegates earlier this year, United States delegates have voted 469 to 16 to reunify the Canadian and U.S. divisions of the UTU. The vote supporting reunification marks the achievement of one of the top priorities of both UTU International President G. Thomas DuBose and National President Larry H. Olson The reunification proposal voted upon by delegates was achieved at special committee meetings held at the International in Cleveland, Ohio, where committee members determined that unification of the organization to the position it was in prior to 1991 could best be achieved by simply reinserting the Canadian references previously contained in the 1987 Constitution into the current UTU Constitution, as previously amended. The vote affirming reunification means a unified constitution, a unified Board of Directors, and that Canadian delegates will be eligible to attend and participate in future quadrennial conventions as in the past. "With the rapidly changing rail and bus industries in both nations, we felt it was mandatory that the UTU speak with one voice," International President DuBose said. "Now the U.S. and Canadian delegates have wisely made that possible." DuBose had high praise for National President Olson and all Canadian officers and members for their many efforts towards reunification. "We are united and strong once again," he said. A complete tally of the voting of U.S. delegates will be printed in the September issue of the UTU News in accordance with the UTU Constitution. --UTU derails sham rail deal.....................##C The UTU has headed off, at least temporarily, an obvious attempt by a small midwest carrier to shed the collective bargaining agreement of its 14 UTU-represented workers under the guise of a ICC Section 10901 transaction. The Indiana Hi-Rail Corp., which operates more than 350 miles of track in three Midwestern states, attempted to misuse the law and sell its rail properties to a phony firm which had the same officers and address. UTU uncovered the fraud and reported it to the ICC. "The transaction does not appear to be an arms-length sale to a third party purchaser as contemplated by this class exemption," the ICC said. "They attempted to sell it to themselves under the guise of Section 10901," said General Chairperson John W. Hales, Jr. "They just changed the name of the corporation." --UTU wins Hours-of-Service ruling..........##D A court of appeals in Chicago has upheld UTU's contention that time spent waiting by an expired train crew for deadhead transportation should be considered on- duty time under the Hours of Service Act. For years the Federal Railroad Administration had ruled that time spent waiting for transportation by an outlawed crew was not on-duty time but limbo time. In 1992 the UTU and others in rail labor won a court ruling in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which forced the FRA to change the interpretation to make such waiting time count as on- duty time. The UTU's part of that appeal had been filed in district court by the California Legislative Board. The FRA then decided to make this interpretation apply nationwide, and eight major rail carriers filed suit to halt the change. UTU intervened in the case. Now the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the agency's interpretation is a reasonable one because the Hours of Service Act is silent or ambiguous on the issue, and FRA's decision to follow the Ninth Circuit is not unreasonable. "We affirm...that time spent waiting by a train crew for transportation to its point of release is 'on-duty' time to be counted toward the maximum 12 consecutive hours on duty allowed by the Hours of Service Act," the court said. In response to the court's decision, UTU International President G. Thomas DuBose said, "This is a great victory for employees we represent and is a good example of making good use of the dues dollar and our legal resources to protect and improve their working conditions." --Members set up flood-relief fund...............##E As we know, there has been a state of emergency in Alabama, Florida and Georgia the last few days due to heavy rains, and it is not known how long this situation may last. Many of our members' homes and properties have been destroyed by flood water. We do not know at this time how many of our members have been affected. That will not be known for several days, until the flood waters recede. The UTU is setting up a flood relief fund for members whose homes and properties have been destroyed or damaged. Attendees donated more than $2,400 at the recent UTU/UTUIA Regional Meeting in Charlotte, N.C. If you care to make a donation, send a check payable to
"AFG FLOOD RELIEF TRUST FUND" to:
Melissa Wilson
The Gordon Bank
P.O. Box 68
Gordon, GA 31031
If you have any questions, please contact one of the
fund coordinators listed below:
Jim Elrod, Director, Alabama Legislative Board
(205) 264-8758
Carl Cochran, Director, Florida Legislative Board
(305) 822-8735
Mather Stapleton, Director, Georgia Legislative Board
(404) 294-9300
--Tier II tax transfer on deck..............##F
UTU-supported language that would permanently extend authority to transfer revenue generated from the taxation of Tier II benefits back into the railroad retirement fund reportedly has been included in legislation agreed on by Congressional negotiators. The language reportedly is part of a larger, broadly supported measure that would establish an independent Social Security agency by 1995. Quick passage is expected. FEATURES --Unity aids BMWE in Conrail strike..............##G The benefits that come from being united are many, and that was proven again recently following a Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes strike against Conrail. After the job action was over, Conrail attempted to convene disciplinary hearings against BMWE local officers who conducted picketing of the carrier during the BMWE- sanctioned safety strike, not for their conduct during the strike, but merely because the work stoppage took place. Upon learning of Conrail's intentions, UTU International President G. Thomas DuBose quickly contacted Conrail Chairman James A. Hagen to protest the action. "UTU strongly protests this action of the carrier because it chills the exercise of precious rights by all Organizations," DuBose wrote. "To the best of my knowledge, no carrier has ever held investigations of local union officers for a strike authorized by their International. UTU takes this as the most unfriendly of acts...The carrier may have legal remedies available to it, but it is not right to discipline local officers who merely carried out an International decision." In a reply to DuBose, Conrail Vice President for Labor Relations Dennis A. Arouca wrote in part, "We agree that when an International Union authorizes a job action, it is primarily responsible for the consequences. However, we have received no proposal from the BMWE in this respect, and the BMWE has heretofore taken the position that the carrier must first discipline employees before a safety dispute like the May 20 job action can be considered by a Court or Adjustment Board. "As the UTU knows from its experience under the Federal Railroad Safety Act, Congress has mandated that claims under the Act, including concerns about improper discipline, must be presented to an Adjustment Board, if not otherwise resolved by the parties. We have been approached by BMWE General Committees on this subject, and have proposed to postpone disciplinary investigations while an Adjustment Board addresses the parties' respective claims," Arouca wrote. In response, BMWE President Mac Fleming wrote to DuBose, stating, "Conrail claims it wants prompt resolution of the matter, fair to all of the parties. He [Arouca] then states that the BMWE has made no formal proposal to resolve the dispute. He adds some legal gobbledy-gook mischaracterizing the BMWE position (acting as if we want to have our members disciplined so we can test some legal theory) and justifies taking action against our BMWE and IBEW local officers for a sanctioned strike. "In reality, the BMWE proposed to Conrail that all disciplinary charges be dropped and that we would negotiate the manner in which we re-entered Conrail's Safety Program...Under Judge Van Antwerpen's order, the BMWE is not required to re-enter Conrail's Safety Programs. Judge Van Antwerpen ordered the BMWE not to discourage our members from participating in the program. While our Committees were meeting with Conrail planning re-entry into the programs, Conrail charged our local officers," Fleming continued. In DuBose's reply to Arouca, he said, in part, "There is no reason for the carrier to continue to carry on about this incident. Your reference in your letter to me to UTU's experience with safety strike arbitration merely reminds me of a nightmare no union or its officers should have to experience. President Fleming's offer to return to full participation in carrier-sponsored programs in exchange for dropping the investigations is fair and reasonable. "If the carrier persists in holding these investigations of local BMWE (and apparently IBEW) officers, then as I stated in my June 10, 1994, letter to Mr. Hagen, I expect the carrier to postpone the investigations until after Mr. Hagen meets with me so that the full gravity of this situation can be explained to him..." DuBose wrote. Under the pressure, Conrail relented. Arouca confirmed in a letter to DuBose that the carrier and BMWE had settled. "The BMWE agreed to a permanent anti-strike injunction," Arouca wrote. "Conrail agreed to dismiss, without prejudice, its claim for $5 million in damages... Conrail agreed to withdraw Notices of Investigation for possible discipline arising out of the strike." BMWE President Fleming responded to DuBose, his letter reading in part, "I am writing this letter to inform you of the successful resolution of BMWE's dispute with Conrail regarding Conrail's outrageous attempt to discipline one IBEW and 26 BMWE local officers and strike leaders over their participation in the May 20, 1994, BMWE-sanctioned safety strike and to earnestly and sincerely thank you for your support. On June 24, 1994, we settled the matter with Conrail. All disciplinary charges against our members and our IBEW brother have been dropped. Conrail also dropped the damages component of its lawsuit against us for the strike. The BMWE and Conrail have agreed upon a much narrower permanent injunction of our strike, while maintaining the condition the injunction placed on Conrail to strictly comply with its own safety rules regarding watchmen. "There is no doubt in my mind that this matter would have gone on endlessly if it had not been for your active and militant support. Your willingness to stand behind our members and the language you used to convey this to Conrail put them in a position of having to fight a war with all of rail labor. Conrail's objective to isolate the BMWE was soundly defeated. "In addition, in my opinion, this action demonstrates that if we stick together locally, and use our combined might against a railroad when it mistreats our members, we will emerge victorious. "Again, my sincerest thanks on behalf of myself and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes," Fleming wrote. --Conductor saves four-year-old girl........##H As soon as the 55-car Union Pacific freight rounded the curve, conductor Dale Getter and engineer Jim Hayes spotted trouble. Two kids, walking alongside the rails. They hear the scream of the whistle, the emergency brakes, and start running. One, the boy, goes off safely to the right. The other, a girl, keeps running straight, scared, not knowing what to do. Getter, 59, a member of Local 1058, Seattle, realizes what he had better do. As the train bears down at 20 mph, he races out the front of the engine, hangs off the grab bars at the bottom of the stairs and sticks out his right leg. Just in time. He manages to push the girl off to the side just as the 4,000-ton train rolls by. "If it had been half a second longer, it would have been...well, it would have been a sad, sad day," Hayes said. The crewmembers halted the train and ran back to find the girl, slightly scraped and bruised, in the arms of her sobbing mother. "If it hadn't been for that conductor...it would have been awful," she said. "All I could say to them was, 'Thank you, thank you, thank you.'" --UTU in work/rest task force....................##I The UTU is participating in efforts to help improve rail employees' work and rest habits. The National Transportation Safety Board has repeatedly urged labor and management to work together to find a way to help reduce fatigue and stress levels and increase performance levels of rail workers, separate and apart from the confines of the Federal Hours of Service Act, which is currently under review by the General Accounting Office. Now a task force has been formed to gather data on work and rest habits of rail workers, on accidents and their causes, on crew work schedules and on crew calling procedures to see if improvements can be made. UTU task force representative Vice President Warner Biedenharn says the group will work to create an environment which enhances an employee's ability to better manage their time off duty, thereby insuring that employees will report for work in a condition to perform their duties more safely and productively. The group is examining the work and rest habits of more than 800 rail workers on five carriers to discover if there is any correlation between human factor accidents, injuries or rule violations and time spent on duty. Biedenharn said the task force will make specific recommendations in early fall with the aim of implementing specific changes by the end of the year. --Members, wife need your support...........##J Two union brothers working on the CSX, both members of Local 0762 located in Montgomery, Ala., as well as the wife of a union brother, would appreciate any help fellow members can provide. Conductor Ken Acreman has a serious heart condition and needs to have a heart transplant operation if he is to survive. Conductor Wayne Beasley has contracted leukemia and will be needing a bone marrow transplant in the near future. If you wish to help either of these members, send your contributions to either the Acreman Fund or the Beasley Fund at the Montgomery Railroad Credit Union, P.O. Box 4702, 530 Pugh St., Montgomery, AL 36103. Gail Briggs, wife of CSX brakeman and Local 1739 member
Jim Briggs and mother of three young children, is
awaiting a bone marrow transplant. Contributions can be
sent to the Gail Briggs Fund, Signet Bank, P.O. Box 5812,
Glen Allen, VA 23058-5812.
BUS DEPT. / STREET BEAT
--From the Desk of G.K. Weber, VP, Bus Dept.
What right to strike?........................##K
Well, we did it again. The striker replacement bill was not passed again in this legislative session. I said "we" because it is the workers of this country who are not verbal and forceful enough to get the message across to our elected representatives, that we are serious about this issue. Remember, if an employer has a right to hire permanent replacement workers, you have no right to strike. It is only a paper right. It is a sham. The law as it stands now is a betrayal of every unionized worker out there. Don't let anybody tell you any different. Strikes have become longer and harder to settle since the replacement of workers has become a practice. Workers give up their weekly paychecks, if and when they decide to strike, but employers risk nothing. They can simply replace all of the strikers with permanent replacements instead of temporary ones. We have all seen the newscasts that show the "me" generation walking right past the striking workers and taking their jobs, often for less money and fewer benefits. Most of us remember the fiasco of the air traffic controllers, which happened in the early 1980s under President Reagan. Now the same people who were so willing to take the jobs of the fired controllers are crying out for a union. If all unions would have fought this unfair application of the law then we would not be fighting for our very survival today. At that time the other unions just wanted to protect their own turf and now look at what happened. Our own turf is shrinking at an alarming rate. The present situation leaves workers who can't afford to lose their jobs with little or no recourse. It upsets the balance of power between the employer and employees and denies social justice to the working people, since all the power is in the hands of the employer. In Solidarity, Gertraud K. Weber Vice President and Director, UTU Bus Department --Trailways reunion scheduled...............##L Former Trailways drivers Stan Scholem and Bob Beard (Safeway Trails-BRT/UTU) have invited retired Trailways people nationwide to join the fun and festivities planned for the Third Trailways Reunion, set for May 28, 1995, in Norfolk, Va. The organizers hope to have dozens of new, demonstrator, converted and antique restored buses on display during the Sunday "open house," along with a flea market on industry collectibles and memorabilia. All retired and current workers are welcome, the organizers said, including drivers, dispatchers, sweepers, baggage agents, and mechanics. Those interested are asked to respond as soon as possible so plans can be finalized. For information concerning hotel rates, registration fees, optional tours, and other activities, contact Scholem at 4444 U.S. 98 North, #458, Lakeland, FL 33809. ON THE MOVE --State Directors praise UTU leadership..........##M Colorado State Legislative Director Jack Shaver, speaking as chairperson of the UTU's National Association of State Legislative Directors, has praised UTU International President G. Thomas DuBose for sponsoring a recent state directors' education and leadership conference. More than 45 state legislative directors met in Washington, D.C., in May to learn a variety of skills necessary for the challenges their jobs present. These skills included communications, public relations and organization. "Our directors agree that education, improved thought capabilities and public relations skills are qualities of leadership that require continuing study," Shaver wrote. "This was an excellent leadership conference that was of high intensity and full of information and education which required personal participation from state directors." "Educational conferences like this are a link to the success of our union," DuBose said. "Our National Legislative Department and the state legislative boards play a vital role in the future of our union, and my policy is, and will continue to be, to offer programs such as this to our various departments at all levels of our union and to expand on them so as to better educate our officers at every level to meet the challenges of our adversaries and promote the general welfare of our union in every sector of our society." "As International President, Brother Tom, you should be commended for your visionary leadership," Shaver continued. "Responsible representation and leadership for our members are what this union is all about. We compliment you for inspiring the UTU Legislative Department to achieve greater success for our brothers and sisters and all transportation employees." The letter was signed by all the officers of the National Association of State Legislative Directors, who are Colorado State Legislative Director Shaver; North Carolina State Legislative Director James A. Stem, Jr., vice chairperson; Michigan State Legislative Director David H. Brickey, assistant vice chairperson, and New York State Legislative Director Samuel J. Nasca, secretary. --UTUIA's Hale, Robert honored..............##N UTUIA is proud to recognize the accomplishments of two outstanding sales representatives, Samuel C. Hale and Louis C. Robert. Field Supervisor Hale has once again received UTUIA's prestigious 1993 Man ofthe Year Award, an accomplishment he has achieved every year since 1987. The award is presented for outstanding productivity. Field Supervisor Robert has been elected president of the New York State Fraternal Congress. His fraternal involvement in the Congress and his dedication to the fraternal ideals were contributing factors in his election. "On behalf of the officers and members of UTUIA, I offer my heartiest congratulations to Samuel Hale and Louis Robert for their undying devotion to our members and the community," said International President G. Thomas DuBose. "We are proud to recognize your accomplishments." --UTU keeping tabs on rail mergers...............##O The UTU is keeping close watch on a number of possible mergers in the rail industry. The union most likely will oppose any major rail merger before the ICC to demand that employee protective conditions be applied to any consolidation. In a move that would create the nation's largest railroad, Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe have announced a plan to merge, creating a giant system that would control one-fourth of the nation's rail freight. Value of the deal is about $2.7 billion. The renamed Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway would have $7.1 billion in revenues, 31,500 miles of track and 45,500 employees. While some contend that the BN/ATSF deal is essentially an end-to-end merger with few consequences for labor, others, including the UTU, prefer to remain wary of the union of the two rail giants. "The implications of this merger upon affected UTU members would be tremendous," International President G. Thomas DuBose said. "We have seen these consequences in previous consolidations: the cutting of excess train service, maintenance and clerical personnel; the diversion of traffic which uproots rail members and their families by forcing them to move great distances to keep their rail jobs; the inevitable downsizing to pay for the deal. You can be sure that living standards and families will be affected. It's our job to head off those unwanted affects." The Illinois Central Gulf has announced it is seeking to acquire the Kansas City Southern for an undisclosed sum. Many other carriers, including the Canadian Pacific, had considered purchasing the KCS since its parent company announced in February that the carrier was on the block. The combined IC/KCS system will operate more than 5,400 miles of track serving 14 states in an important north/south corridor. Combined revenues will be in excess of $1 billion a year. The Union Pacific is presently trying to gain control of the portion of the Chicago and North Western that it doesn't already control. Other reports are that the Southern Pacific and CSXT are considering some form of consolidation. Ironically, this merger mania (one financial analyst said "The industry is in play") comes as the industry is facing capacity problems and equipment shortages. For years the railroads downsized both physical plant and employee rosters, and the cutbacks are coming back to haunt them. Now many carriers are facing traffic bottlenecks and manpower and motive power shortages as coal, intermodal and other traffic hits record levels. Many carriers have recalled all furloughed UTU members and are hiring off the street. Rail employment levels appear headed upwards for the first time in years. "If this is not the bottom, we're close to it and we should start moving up," said UTU National Legislative Director James Brunkenhoefer. As the Interstate Commerce Commission examines these mergers, so too will the UTU. Its members' jobs and livelihoods depend on it. --General Chairman Phelan meets First Lady..##P Metro North Commuter Railroad General Chairperson James D. Phelan recently represented UTU International President G. Thomas DuBose at a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee meeting with First Lady Hillary Clinton. "I would like to thank you for this and the many other opportunities that being a UTU representative has provided me with," Phelan wrote. BRIEFLY --Vote would cut ICC funding.....................##Q A Senate subcommittee has voted to continue funding the ICC, but only at two-thirds of its current level. Other pending legislation would further deregulate the trucking industry, therby cutting ICC's functions. The upheaval has put UTU-supported legislation tightening Section 10901 loopholes on the back burner. --FRA to require radios on lead locos...... ##R In a move strongly supported by the UTU, the Federal Railroad Administration says it will require all lead locomotives to be equipped with radios by 1996, in addition to other improvements in standards and procedures. UTU has fought for years for improvements in rail communications. --Member wins MasterCard scholarship.............##S Sheli Babb, daughter of Local 0891 member John Babb of Kalispell, Mont., has been awarded a $1,500 UTU MasterCard scholarship. She plans to major in chemical engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. --Toyota tests AutoStack....................##T Toyota Motor is starting a year-long test that will put more than 65,000 vehicles in cargo containers for shipment by rail from the West Coast to Chicago. The transport system uses a rack system to load as many as six cars in a container. --SP orders AC power.............................##U Southern Pacific is the latest carrier to join the switch to AC-powered locomotives with an order for 200 of the new technology units from General Electric. Delivery of the 4,400-hp engines is set for next year. During the past two years the chronically power-short SP will have rebuilt or overhauled 515 locomotives and acquired or ordered 485 new and remade ones. --BN moves two billion tons of coal.........##V The Burlington Northern says it has moved its two billionth ton of coal from the Power River Basin in Wyoming. The carrier says annual volume has grown from three million tons in 1970 to more than 153 million tons last year. It loaded a record 15 million tons in May. NOTICES --Rate table corrections noted...................##W The rate tables for Yard Conductors (Foremen), Yard Brakemen (Helpers) and Switchtenders that were included in the July 1994 issue of the UTU News were incorrect. The corrected tables appear below: YARD CONDUCTOR (FOREMAN) RATES
as of July 1, 1994
Basic Day - $131.80 Pro-rata: Hour $16.4750 Overtime: Hour $24.7125
Minute 0.2746 Minute 0.4119
5-Minutes 1.3729 5-Minutes 2.0594
Overtime Table Min 8-Hrs. 9-Hrs. 10-Hrs. 11-Hrs. 12-Hrs. 0 133.08 158.03 182.99 207.94 232.89
5 135.16 160.11 185.07 210.02 234.97
10 137.24 162.19 187.14 212.10 237.05
15 139.32 164.27 189.22 214.18 239.13
20 141.40 166.35 191.30 216.26 241.21
25 143.48 168.43 193.38 218.34 243.29
30 145.56 170.51 195.46 220.41 245.37
35 147.64 172.59 197.54 222.49 247.45
40 149.72 174.67 199.62 224.57 249.53
45 151.79 176.75 201.70 226.65 251.61
50 153.87 178.83 203.78 228.73 253.69
55 155.95 180.91 205.86 230.81 255.76
YARD BRAKEMAN (HELPER) RATES
as of July 1, 1994
Basic Day - $126.09 Pro-rata: Hour $15.7613 Overtime: Hour $23.6419
Minute 0.2627 Minute 0.3940
5-Minutes 1.3134 5-Minutes 1.9702
Overtime Table Min 8-Hrs. 9-Hrs. 10-Hrs. 11-Hrs. 12-Hrs. 0 127.32 151.19 175.07 198.94 222.81
5 129.31 153.18 177.06 200.93 224.80
10 131.30 155.17 179.04 202.92 226.79
15 133.29 157.16 181.03 204.91 228.78
20 135.28 159.15 183.02 206.90 230.77
25 137.27 161.14 185.01 208.89 232.76
30 139.26 163.13 187.00 210.87 234.75
35 141.25 165.12 188.99 212.86 236.74
40 143.24 167.11 190.98 214.85 238.73
45 145.22 169.10 192.97 216.84 240.72
50 147.21 171.09 194.96 218.83 242.71
55 149.20 173.08 196.95 220.82 244.69
SWITCHTENDER RATES
as of July 1, 1994
Basic Day - $120.16 Pro-rata: Hour $15.0200 Overtime: Hour $22.5300
Minute 0.2503 Minute 0.3755
5-Minutes 1.2517 5-Minutes 1.8775
Overtime Table Min 8-Hrs. 9-Hrs. 10-Hrs. 11-Hrs. 12-Hrs. 0 121.33 144.08 166.83 189.58 212.33 5 123.23 145.98 168.73 191.47 214.22 10 125.12 147.87 170.62 193.37 216.12 15 127.02 149.77 172.52 195.27 218.02 20 128.91 151.66 174.41 197.16 219.91 25 130.81 153.56 176.31 199.06 221.81 30 132.70 155.45 178.20 200.95 223.70 35 134.60 157.35 180.10 202.85 225.60 40 136.50 159.25 182.00 204.75 227.49 45 138.39 161.14 183.89 206.64 229.39 50 140.29 163.04 185.79 208.54 231.29 55 142.18 164.93 187.68 210.43 233.18 --Commemorations set for Hot Springs........##X The upcoming UTU/UTUIA Regional Meeting at Hot Springs, Ark., birthplace of the UTU, has been arranged to offer three full days of important information, education and social activities for active and retired members and officers and their families, as well as special commemorative festivities in honor of the union's 25th Anniversary. To commemorate the anniversary, the Hot Springs Regional Meeting will run three full days and those who want to partake in all planned festivities should plan on staying the night of Saturday, August 20th. After International President G.T. DuBose's address to the membership on Saturday, August 20, a rededication ceremony will be held at the UTU monument in Hot Springs, built to commemorate where representatives of the four brotherhoods met in 1968 to form the UTU. The meeting's grand banquet with entertainment will follow that evening. All active and retired members and their families are being urged to attend the Hot Springs Regional Meeting to meet local, state and International officers, to learn more about union operations and programs, and to help honor the founding of this great union. Registration for the UTU/UTUIA Hot Springs Regional Meeting will be held at the meeting. The registration fee is $60. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1994 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Registration
10:30 a.m. Tee time, Regional Golf Classic
Belvedere Country Club
5:30 p.m.-closing UTU Designated Legal
Counsel Reception
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 1994 7:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Registration
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Health & Welfare,
Rail Retirement Program
9:00 a.m.- 2:15 p.m. Secretary/Treasurer Workshop
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Retiree Program
10:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Coffee break
1:15 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. Legislative Program
2:00 p.m.- 2:15 p.m. Coffee/soda break
2:30 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. UTUIA Report & Local Insurance
Representative Workshop
6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. UTU Regional Meeting Reception
FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1994 7:00 a.m. Registration
7:00 a.m.- 9:00 a.m. Continental breakfast
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Regional Meeting Seminar
and Legal Presentation
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. UTU Ladies' Open Meeting
10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Coffee break
12:15 p.m.- 1:30 p.m. Seminar Luncheon
1:45 p.m. General Committee/Legislative
Board Workshops
6:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. Social Hour
7:00 p.m. Regional Meeting Dinner
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1994 7:00 a.m.- 9:00 a.m. Breakfast Buffet
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. UTU Designated Legal
Counsel Seminar
11:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Coffee break
11:15 a.m. Intn'l Pres. G. Thomas DuBose's
Address to the Membership
2:30 p.m. Rededication ceremonies
6:00 p.m. Social Hour
7:00 p.m. Regional Meeting Dinner/Dance
--Hot Springs Golf Classic planned...............##Y
HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
REGIONAL MEETING GOLF OUTING
Wednesday, August 17, 1994 Belvedere Country Club 385 Belvedere Dr. Hot Springs, AR 71901 Tee-off time: 10:30 a.m. Format: Scramble Registration fee: $47.50 per player, which includes green fee and cart Registration deadline: August 8, 1994 -----------------------------------------------------
GOLF OUTING REGISTRATION FORM
Name___________________________________ Local________
Address______________________________________________
City_________________________State______ ZIP_________
Handicap or average 18-hole score____________________
If part of a foursome, please list partners:
_________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________
Please complete this form and mail with your registration fee to: David Lovelace, Hot Springs Golf Outing, 5500 Sonora, N. Little Rock, AR 72118, by August 8, 1994. ----------------------------------------------------- --Lodging, rates at Hot Springs.............##Z August 18-20, 1994 Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa Hot Springs National Park 239 Central Ave. Hot Springs, AR 71902 (501) 623-7771 or (800) 643-1502 Guest Room Rates:
Single occupancy $62* with king-size bed $62*
Double occupancy $62* with king-size bed
or two double beds $62*
Mineral Water Room $75*
Mini Suite $75*
Parlor one bedroom suite $95*
Parlor two bedroom suite $115*
Additional person $10*
*Rates subject to 11.5% tax.
Children under 18 stay free when occupying the same guest
room as parent or guardian.
RESERVATION CUT-OFF DATE: July 15, 1994.
PARKING: Complimentary self parking in hotel garage;
valet parking is $6 per day.
GUEST ROOM DEPOSIT: One night guest room rental dependent
on room accommodations.
CHECK IN/CHECK OUT: Check-in time is 2 p.m.; check-out
time is 11 a.m.
--Health & Welfare phone numbers noted..........##AA
As a result of the many changes affecting The Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan, the following is a list of the various companies providing benefits to employees and their dependents under the plan. Be sure to keep these numbers conveniently located for immediate access should the need arise: AETNA DENTAL (GP-12000)
1-616-942-6400
1-800-424-9747
MEDCO
(drug card, mail order prescriptions)
1-800-842-0070
For GA-23111, Plan D
1-800-842-0304
For wholesale buying
1-800-950-5070
THE TRAVELERS
GA-23000, GA-46000, GA-23111
1-800-842-5252
For GA 23111, Plan D
1-800-833-4455
Patient Advocate (GA-23000)
1-800-842-4555
Managed Medical Care Program
1-800-842-9905
VALUE BEHAVORIAL HEALTH
(mental health/substance abuse;formerly APM)
1-800-934-7245
--UTUIA offers fixed universal life........##BB
Parents, Grandparents...Give your children and grandchildren a lasting gift...a gift that will keep on giving. UTUIA's Fixed Premium Universal Life insurance is a traditional Whole Life Product made untraditional by crediting excess interest to the cash value within the policy. --UTUIA is currently crediting 8.5% interest on this product. This rate can change, but in no case will the guaranteed rate be less than 4.5%. --Provides maximum level protection throughout the lifetime of the insured, at minimum guaranteed premium rates. It affords more permanent protection per premium dollar than other permanent plans of insurance, while generating cash values and other non-forfeiture benefits. --Provides a policy loan provision. The loan interest rate is 8%. --Provides a vanishing premium provision. After the policy has been in force a sufficient number of years, premium payments may cease or become limited based upon policy values, the insured's age, and interest assumptions. HIGHLIGHTS --Issue ages: 14 days to age 70 --Guaranteed Level Premiums --Male and female rates (where applicable) --Vanishing Premium Provision --High current interest rate of 8.5% --Loan Provision Purchase a life insurance policy while your children/grandchildren are young and insurable, and give a gift that will keep on giving. Contact your UTUIA Field Supervisor or Local Insurance Representative, or write to: UTUIA Promotion Dept., 14600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107-4250. BULLETIN BOARD..................................##CC --Listed here are items for sale, meeting information, hobby notes and honors received by UTU members. Members who want something listed in this section should send their notices to: Bulletin Board, UTU News, 14600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107-4250. ANNUAL PICNIC: The Milwaukee Road Alumni Association is holding its annual picnic on August 28, 1994. For information, write Timothy Morris (0281) at 3310 East Woodview Ave., Oak Creek, WI 53154 or call (414) 764 -5189. COLLECTORS: Arthur R. Couse (1007) has red and green lantern globes (never used) for Dietz Lanterns. He also has a size 7 NYC conductor's cap in mint condition. Write him at 4325 Old Meadow Rd., Clay, NY 13041. COLLECTORS: Mark Taylor, a Soo Line/CP switchman, would like to trade switch keys and locks. He is also a collector of railroadiana from the MStP & SSM and the Soo Line. Write him at 531 Main St., # 12, Somerset, WI 54025. COLLECTORS: Retired president of Local 0001 Ed Cudney has a variety of "NYC Headlite" magazines from the 1960s, as well as stationary and other paper items from the NYC, Penn Central and Conrail. Write him at 103 Harrison St., Buffalo, NY 14210 or call (716) 825-5822. CONGRATULATIONS: David H. Brickey, Michigan Legislative Board director, has been re-elected chairman of the High Speed Rail Compact. Member states in the compact include Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. "High speed rail development is gaining both attention and excitement in the transportation industry and I feel very fortunate and proud as a UTU member to be part of the challenge that lies ahead," said Brickey. FOR SALE: Retired brakeman W.E. Wood (1687) has compiled a dictionary of railroad terms that he is selling for $4.00 each. Write him at P.O. Box 143, Belen, NM 87002. FOR SALE: William J. Dederick (1582) has produced a 16" x 26" full-color poster of the four remaining "Lighthouses of the Hudson River." For details, write him at 23 Van Gaasbeck St., Kingston, NY 12401-4019. WATCH: Retiree Richard Wise (1722) is selling a white gold, 21-jeweled Hamilton railroad watch. Write him at 843 Old Taxville Rd., York, PA 17404 or call (717) 792- 9374. RAIL TAX GUIDE: A guide to assist railroaders at tax time is available from members Mike Ewald (0324) and Larry Wormington (1637). The Railroader's Tax Guide provides tips on keeping more and paying less, like how to make overalls 100% deductible, how to deduct gas to work, and how to claim deductions without receipts. Send $12.97 plus $2.00 postage and handling to "RRers Tax Guide," 1702 NW 106th St., Vancouver, WA 98685. REUNION: Retired member George M. Rose (0048) says a reunion of Merrill's Marauders will be held Sept. 2-4, 1994, in Oak Brook, Ill. Write him at 6407 Portsmouth Blvd., Portsmouth, VA 23701 or call (804) 488-3517. REUNION: Robert M. Ward reports a reunion of Company C of the 735th Railway Operating Battalion from Sept. 25-28, 1994, in Lincoln, N.H. Write to Ward at 30 Dartmouth St., Fitchburg, MA 01420. TRAVELING BY TRAIN?: Mauris Emeka, an Amtrak on-board service employee, has written a follow-up to his booklet "Getting the Most from Rail Travel," entitled "AMTRAKing." The 136-page book focuses on tips for traveling by rail, but also discusses the history of passenger trains and the "magic" of train travel. Send $8.95, plus $3.00 postage and handling to the Apollo Publishing Co., P.O. Box 1937, Port Orchard, WA 98366- 0805 or phone 1-800-308-5273. Q's & A's FROM U.S. RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD --RRB outlines how to apply for annuities.......##DD Because of a number of requests from members, International President G. Thomas DuBose asked Railroad Retirement Board Labor Member V.M. Speakman, Jr., for information on what steps UTU members should take when they plan for retirement. That information appears below: UTU members should be aware of what steps to take and what documents are required by the Railroad Retirement Board when applying for retirement benefits, so that they can begin receiving their annuity payments from the board as soon as possible and avoid delays. The following questions and answers describe these procedures for UTU members, and other railroaders, currently planning to retire. HOW ARE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ANNUITY APPLICATIONS FILED? UTU members may file applications at one of the Railroad Retirement Board's field offices, or with a traveling board representative at an itinerant point. They may also file annuity applications by telephone and mail without having to visit a field office or an itinerant point. Applicants filing by telephone receive the same information and instructions that are provided to those filing in person. Forms requiring signatures and other documents are then handled by mail. CAN AN APPLICATION BE FILED PRIOR TO A PERSON'S ACTUAL RETIREMENT DATE? The board accepts annuity applications up to three months in advance of an annuity beginning date. Advance filing allows the board to complete the processing of most new claims by a person's retirement date, so that most applicants who file early should receive all benefits due about 30 days after their actual retirement. However, applications for employee disability annuities should not be filed until an employee is no longer in compensated service. Compensated service includes the receipt of pay for time lost, some wage continuation payments, or any other employer compensation precluding the payment of Railroad Retirement benefits. To expedite filing, applicants are encouraged to call ahead to schedule an appointment for an interview with a board representative. By so doing, they can also be sure that they meet all of the eligibility requirements and have the necessary documents to support their application. A board representative can also explain their benefit rights and responsibilities, provide annuity estimates, and answer any Railroad Retirement questions they may have. To locate the nearest board field office, UTU members should look in the telephone directory under "United States Government," or check with their local UTU official, rail employer, post office, or Federal Information Center. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED WITH AN APPLICATION? --All applicants have to furnish proof of their age. --All applicants should be prepared to furnish any notice of a Social Security benefit award or other Social Security claim determination. --An employee may be required to submit information regarding any other Federal, state or local government pension they also qualify for, as well as certain other payments not covered by Railroad Retirement or Social Security, such as from a non-profit organization or from a foreign government or a foreign employer. --An employee or survivor filing for a disability annuity is required to submit supporting medical information. He or she may also be asked to take special medical examinations given by a doctor named by the board. If an employee disability applicant is receiving worker's compensation or public disability benefits, notice of such payments must be submitted. --An employee will have to furnish proof of any military service claimed. --A spouse, divorced spouse or widow(er) applying for a Railroad Retirement annuity must furnish proof of marriage to the employee. A divorced spouse must also furnish proof of divorce from the employee, as well as proof that any subsequent marriages have terminated. --A spouse, divorced spouse or survivor also qualified to receive a public service pension must submit information regarding that pension. A booklet, "Furnishing Evidence to Support Your Claim" (Form RB-3), gives detailed information as to the types of proofs that are required when filing for an annuity, as well as sources from which these documents can be obtained. The booklet is available free of charge at any board office. DO DISABILITY ANNUITIES TAKE LONGER TO PROCESS THAN ANNUITIES BASED ON AGE? For disability annuities, no payment is made until all medical evidence has been evaluated. Consequently, an annuity based on disability takes longer to process than an annuity based on age and service. Currently, the processing time, from filing to the rendering of a decision, averages about three to five months. In any case, a waiting period of five months is required after the onset of disability before disability annuity payments can begin. WHAT IS THE RETROACTIVITY OF A RAILROAD RETIREMENT APPLICATION? The retroactivity of a Railroad Retirement annuity application is limited to one year for disability annuities and six months for full age annuities. There is generally no retroactivity for reduced age annuities. Also, an employee and spouse must be age 60 or 62 for a full month before a reduced age annuity can be paid; and a spouse must be age 60 for a full month before an unreduced annuity can be paid. ARE RETIRING RAILROAD EMPLOYEES REQUIRED TO RELINQUISH THEIR RIGHTS TO THEIR RAILROAD JOBS? An employee annuity based on age cannot be paid until the employee stops railroad employment and gives up any rights to return to work for a railroad employer. While an annuity based on disability is not paid until an employee has stopped working for a railroad, employment rights need not be relinquished until the employee attains age 65. However, in order for a supplemental annuity to be paid by the board, or for an eligible spouse to begin receiving annuity payments, a disabled annuitant under age 65 must relinquish employment rights. No Railroad Retirement annuity is payable for any month in which an employee, spouse or survivor annuitant performed compensated service for a railroad or railroad union. This includes local lodge compensation totaling $25 or more for any calendar month. Railroad Retirement annuitants may work in nonrailroad employment, but benefits may be reduced if a beneficiary under age 70 works after retirement and earnings exceed annual exempt amounts. Additional earnings deductions are assessed if a retired employee or spouse works for his or her last pre-retirement nonrailroad employer, regardless of age or the level of earnings. Special restrictions also apply to any earnings by disabled employees. WHERE CAN UTU MEMBERS GET MORE INFORMATION ON APPLYING FOR A RAILROAD RETIREMENT ANNUITY, AS WELL AS OTHER RAILROAD RETIREMENT MATTERS? For more information on any Railroad Retirement-related matters, UTU members should contact the nearest field office of the Railroad Retirement Board. Most board field offices are open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. |