January 1999 UTU News

Charles L. Little
International President
Roger D. Griffeth
International General Secretary & Treasurer

Editorial Offices:
UTU NEWS
14600 Detroit Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44107-4250
UTU@compuserve.com http://www.utu.org

IN THIS EDITION
--Union's achievements, goals reviewed .............##A
--UTU, BLE members named to unity committee .....##B
--NS/CSX/Conrail pacts ratified ....................##C
--B&LE workers approve new contract .............##D
--Attack highlights drivers' concerns ..............##E
--Amtrak deficit seen in 2003 ...................##F
--Leaders attend labor law seminar .................##G
--Herndon named federal judge ...................##H

BUS DEPT. / STREET BEAT
--"Congratulations, New Officers!" .................##K
   Editorial by Bernard J. McNelis
   Vice President and Director, UTU Bus Dept.
--Las Vegas bus workers choose UTU ..............##L

EDITORIALS
--Wanted: Parity for widow(er)s .................##N
--"The Year Ahead" .................................##O
   Editorial by Byron A. Boyd, Jr.
   UTU Assistant President
--"Look to the future, not the past" ............##P
   Editorial by James M. Brunkenhoefer
   UTU National Legislative Director
--Voices: Members share their opinions .............##Q

SENIOR NEWS
--Casual remark leads to annual reunions ........##T
--Clinton supports Soc. Sec. investments ...........##U
--SP, SF veterans sponsor luncheons .............##V
--Rail retirees meet in Terre Haute ................##W
--R.F. Wagner honored for contributions .........##X
--The Final Call ...................................##Y

NOTICES
--UTUIA to grant 50 scholarships ................##Z
--Medical changes noted ......................##AA
--Monthly apparel winner announced .............##BB
--UTU convention still on ....................##CC
--UTUIA helps you keep more money ..............##DD
====================================================

   "Members have a right to ask, 'What did my union do for 
me'?" said Charles Little, International President. "So we 
kept a scorecard of what we did in 1998 and are reporting it 
to our members.

   "Members should also ask, 'What did I do for my union?' 
and keep their own scorecard," Little continued. "A union is 
only as strong as the involvement of its members because it's 
a two-way street. We were able to accomplish everything we 
did in 1998 because of our members' involvement. We will 
accomplish a great deal in 1999 because of that same 
involvement."

   Assistant President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., said, "A great 
deal of what we did in 1998 laid the groundwork for what will 
happen this year. Of course, unifying with the BLE by the end 
of 1999 will be an historic achievement and we are committed 
to making it happen. In addition, we are working on the 
National Wage and Rules Panel to eliminate entry rates and 
get rid of the two-tiered pay system to restore parity to our 
members. Also, working together with the BLE through the 
National Wage and Rules Panel gives us combined clout as we 
enter 1999 national handling contract negotiations."

   Little pointed out that for the first time in rail labor 
history, the carriers will be unable to employ "divide and 
conquer tactics" against the operating unions during national 
negotiations.

   "The carriers no longer will be able to play the UTU off 
against the BLE, or vice versa," said Little. "A benefit of 
working to form a single union is that we will work together 
to achieve the best national contract by combining our 
negotiating power."

   1998: On January 12, the UTU kicked off its Operating 
Unity Initiative to create a new organization which would 
include the BLE. On November 19, the UTU and BLE signed a 
Statement of Principles to create a single union with craft 
autonomy protected. The boards of both unions approved it a 
few days later. This historic agreement is the most 
significant event in rail labor since the UTU was founded in 
1969, and one of the biggest events ever in rail labor 
history. 1999: A 10-person UTU/BLE drafting committee has 
been appointed and will prepare a Unification Agreement and 
new Constitution for the new union by October 1. The 
memberships of the UTU and BLE will then decide their future 
with a vote requiring a majority from each organization who 
return ballots.

   1998: The UTU's finances are strong and stable and in the 
best shape in more than a decade. Currently, the UTU has 
assets of more than $42 million. In addition, there are no 
outstanding major lawsuits against the union. 1999: With 
increasing membership, the UTU expects to enter the 21st 
Century financially secure.

   1998: The UTUIA now has assets in excess of $221 million, 
the most ever in its existence. Record sales of more than $17 
million contributed to the insurance association's success. 
1999: Projected growth plus new marketing initiatives will 
show solid growth with maintenance of stable assets.

   1998: Membership increased by 11,618 persons. 1999: The 
formation of a single union combining the UTU and BLE will be 
the most positive membership achievement in generations that 
would create a union with more than 100,000 operating rail 
members, as well as thousands of other transportation 
workers. The new union would have about 200,000 members 
total.

   1998: A new National Legislative Headquarters building was 
purchased in Washington, D.C., to house UTU's national 
legislative offices and to provide a valuable real estate 
asset. 1999: The former Amnesty International Building, which 
is now called the United Transportation Union Building, will 
begin operations as the union's national political 
headquarters in February. It was purchased outright and will 
not have a mortgage.

   1998: TPEL remained one of the top two Political Action 
Committees in terms of per-capita giving, and is among the 
top 10 labor  PACs in regard to total amount of gross 
contributions. It has more than 29,000 members. During the 
1997-98 election cycle, TPEL collected about $2.6 million and 
contributed nearly $1.78 million to UTU-endorsed candidates. 
During the November 1998 elections, more than 90% of UTU-
endorsed candidates won their races. In Nevada, the UTU was 
influential in the re-election of Sen. Harry Reid. 1999: TPEL 
will remain one of the leading PACs, and expects to be 
prepared to increase its membership and contributions through 
unification with the BLE.

   1998: Regional Meetings in Toronto, Houston and Reno set 
all-time records for attendance. In addition, the expanded 
Education and Training Program set a new record for 
membership participation and quality. 1999: Regional Meetings 
are scheduled for Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Washington, 
D.C. The quadrennial convention and election of officers is 
scheduled for August in Miami Beach.

   1998: MEMBERSHIP I took to the road and has traveled more 
than 43,300 miles, visiting UTU locals and general committees 
and participating in organizing, educational, political and 
other activities. The custom coach was featured in a major 
nine-page feature article in Bus World magazine. 1999: 
Membership I is expected to travel more than 50,000 miles  
and visit all Regional Meetings and the convention.

   1998: Revolutionary new disciplinary policies were 
implemented at CSXT and Union Pacific Railroads at the 
instigation of the UTU. The new policies, which were 
developed jointly by the unions and carriers, create a real 
partnership for the first time between rail labor and 
management and focus on positive corrective action, not 
punishment. The policies are a direct result of 
groundbreaking work on the National Wage and Rules Panel. 
1999: Innovative pilot projects started under the auspices of 
the National Wage and Rules Panel will continue on a wide 
variety of workplace issues. An expedited arbitration process 
continues to be available to handle serious contractual 
disputes.

   1998: At the strong urging of the UTU International, the 
Union Pacific decentralized its operations , which had been 
suffering through the worst shipping crisis in the last 100 
years. By quickly implementing a three-region operating 
system, hiring thousands of new operating employees, 
implementing a new positive discipline policy, and other 
actions, UP appears to have reversed its problems and is back 
on track, according to independent news reports. The 
International's UP Hotline contributed to the International's 
influence with the UP. The UP Hotline received more than 
3,000 calls reporting problems and trouble spots. 1999: UTU 
will continue to work to make sure that its 17,000 UP members 
will benefit from the UP's turnaround.

   1998: The Bus Department won at least five representation 
elections. As part of the Bus Department's organizing 
efforts, and for the first time, the UTU Bus Department used 
a hot-line telephone number for members to call. Local 1900, 
comprised of truck drivers working for Parsec in the Miami 
and Jacksonville, Fla., became represented by the Bus 
Department after a determination that they worked under the 
National Labor Relations Act. 1999: The Bus Department is 
actively organizing van drivers and others across the country 
and expects to win several new representation elections and 
add members.

   1998: Major Class I carriers began hiring thousands of new 
operating employees. 1999: The Union Pacific, CSXT and other 
carriers plan to add thousands of new operating employees to 
their companies.

   1998: Amtrak President George Warrington personally 
thanked the UTU for making the difference politically in 
Congress to secure $54 million in additional funding for the 
passenger carrier and in the process saved 2,500 UTU members' 
jobs. 1999: UTU will continue its initiative to fully fund 
Amtrak and keep it viable while helping maintain the 
financial integrity of Railroad Retirement System.

   1998: UTU used its political muscle to help defeat a bill 
that would have repealed the Hours of Services Act during the 
1997-98 Congressional session. The UTU also helped defeat an 
initiative that would have permitted bigger, heavier trucks 
on highways at the expense of rail transportation. 1999: UTU 
will focus on maintaining and strengthening labor protections 
during the Surface Transportation Board re-authorization 
process, and will push for stronger safety laws and 
regulations during the FRA's re-authorization process.

   1998: The "UTU Two-Person Crew Bill" was signed into law 
by Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson. The courts denied a legal 
challenge by carriers to overturn the law. The case is now on 
appeal. 1999: UTU will work through its state directors to 
get other states to adopt similar legislation.

   1998: In the Conrail acquisition, the UTU negotiated 
implementing agreements with CSXT and Norfolk Southern that 
provide for automatic certification for many workers and 
other protections. 1999: UTU will work closely with the 
carriers to make sure that implementing agreements are 
honored and that the Conrail breakup does not adversely 
affect members.

   1998: UTU expanded healthcare choice for more than 43,000 
members working on six Class I railroads by working with the 
National Carriers' Conference Committee to add Blue 
Cross/Blue Shield as a healthcare option. 1999: Blue Cross 
will begin offering health insurance coverage later in the 
year.

   1998: Airline pilots at Big Sky Airlines in Montana joined 
the UTU to get better representation. This is the first time 
the UTU has represented airline pilots, and expands the 
union's representation base. 1999: The UTU will seek to 
represent other airline pilots where possible and expand its 
transportation representation.

   CLEVELAND -- Ten union leaders, five from the UTU and five 
from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE), have been 
appointed to a committee responsible for drafting and 
preparing a unification agreement and constitution for the 
new organization being formed of the two unions.

   Appointed from the UTU by International President Charles 
L. Little were Vice President Paul Thompson, Burlington 
Northern Santa Fe General Chairperson Carl M. Vahldick, 
Canadian Legislative Director Timothy S. Secord, Colorado 
State Legislative Director Jack V. Shaver, and Executive 
Assistant to the International President Robert A. McHenry.

   Named by BLE President Clarence Monin to the committee 
were Vice President and Canadian Director Gilles HallŽ, Vice 
President Joseph A. Cassidy, Jr., Vice President Paul Sorrow, 
Vice President

   "I pledge to you my full support and the full support of 
all your Brothers and Sisters in the UTU as you participate 
in this historic undertaking," Little said. "I have every 
confidence in your abilities and dedication to this task, 
which is why you have been chosen to represent UTU on the 
Joint Drafting Committee."

   "We have a lot of hard work to do before we have a 
document ready to submit to the members in the fall of 1999," 
Monin said. "Even so, this broad framework to create a new 
organization is unprecedented, historic and has enormous 
protential."

   -- Thompson said: "I think this is something that I've 
been looking forward to since I started railroading in the 
1950s. I've constantly been fighting to make this happen. 
It's an obligation on everybody to make it happen."

   -- Shaver said: "I am pleased to be part of this historic 
event. It is long overdue. It is time we focus our attention 
towards the carriers and not towards each other. I want to 
praise the union leaders on both sides of the table for their 
vision and foresight. I urge all members to seriously 
consider the positive effects of this unification."

   -- Vahldick said: "It is an awesome responsibility and I 
am looking forward to it. This is long overdue. There is no 
better time than now to do it, and I am committed to the 
process. It is something that should be supported because we 
will be much stronger as one than as two."

   -- Secord said: "I look forward to working with my 
brothers and sisters in the BLE, both in the United States 
and Canada, to help forge a stronger organization that will 
better serve the needs of all members. We know that in unity 
there is strength; that is the principle that should guide 
us."

   CLEVELAND -- Agreements protecting UTU members employed by 
Conrail, Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation whose jobs 
may be adversely affected by the splitting of the Conrail 
system were ratified last month by UTU local chairpersons on 
the respective railroads.

   The implementing agreements feature unprecedented 
protections for UTU members by providing "automatic 
certification" of adversely affected employees under New York 
Dock provisions. They also provide for moving and other 
expenses should an employee be forced to relocate.

   "The implementing agreements provide the greatest 
protection available for our affected members, which far 
exceeds the protections imposed by the Surface Transportation 
Board," said Vice President Bob Earley. "The automatic 
certification obtained by President Little assures our 
members entitlement to all of the provisions of New York 
Dock."

   The UTU Hotline, which was used so effectively in the 
Union Pacific Railroad crisis last year, will be on-line for 
members affected by the Conrail carve-up. Members are urged 
to call 1-800-777-7777 to report any concerns.

   The "certification" clause in both agreements allow 
existing employees "to be automatically certified as 
adversely affected without being required to identify causal 
connection to the transaction."

   As long as an employee has exercised his or her seniority 
to the highest job available, he or she will be protected 
from any loss of wages based on their earnings from the 
previous twelve-month period.

   Though few if any job losses are expected, any employee 
who is "dismissed" from service as defined in New York Dock 
provisions will be provided protection of earnings and 
continuation of benefits for six years from the date of 
implementation.

   Of the 263 ballots mailed to local chairpersons 
representing train and engine service employees in the 
affected areas, 220 were returned, 194 of which were in favor 
of the agreement. Twenty-one ballots were mailed to 
yardmaster local chairpersons of affected committees; 17 were 
returned and 14 were for ratification.

   Earley thanked all of the general chairpersons involved, 
saying that throughout the negotiations, they displayed true 
unity in achieving the best agreement for their members. He 
added, "In my opinion, this too, is unprecedented in a 
transaction of this size and complexity."

   Vice President Larry Davis said "the date of transaction 
and the transition of Conrail to CSX and NS will be a real 
challenge for everyone. Maintaining safe and efficient 
service will be in everyone's best interest."

   Assistant to the President-Yardmasters Don Carver said 
that UTU Yardmaster general committees are currently working 
with the carriers to re-align seniority districts. "This is 
the first time we have had two carriers purchase a railroad 
and then split it," said Carver.

   "Each carrier is taking a portion of Conrail, and each 
needs sufficient employees to operate their portion. That 
will allow some employees to choose CSX or NS in an area 
where a seniority district is being split," Carver said.

   CLEVELAND -- UTU-represented workers on the Bessemer and 
Lake Erie Railroad, a 200-mile carrier in Ohio and 
Pennsylvania, have overwhelmingly approved a new pact with 
the carrier.

   The agreement provides for a signing bonus, regular pay 
increases and lump-sum payments, cost-of-living provisions, 
an increase in pay differentials, the establishment of a 
401(k) savings plan, and other improvements.

   "The local committee of adjustment, chaired by John 
Leasure, did an outstanding job and the services of the 
National Mediation Board were a major factor in assisting the 
parties to reach a fair and equitable settlement," Vice 
President Peter L. Patsouras said.

   LUBBOCK,Tex. -- The issue of security raised by United 
Transportation Union (UTU) bus drivers working for Texas, New 
Mexico & Oklahoma Coaches, Inc., has taken on new urgency in 
the wake of a recent attack on driver Isaac W. "Bill" Foshee.

   A member of UTU Local 1697 in Lubbock, Tex., Foshee said 
the man who attacked him with a pair of scissors makes a good 
case for the new security measures drivers are seeking in 
their next contract.

   Just after 8 p.m. on December 1, shortly after Foshee had 
taken over as driver of a bus headed from Dallas to Amarillo, 
Tex., a man approached him from behind and "just started 
stabbing," Foshee said. "I never knew it was coming 'til he 
hit me."

   As the vehicle rolled along at 60 mph on Texas Highway 
287, two of the 38 passengers came to Foshee's aid, helping 
him knock the assailant into the well near the front door of 
the bus. Foshee brought the bus to an emergency stop, popped 
open the door, and the assailant fled, running about a half 
mile before being collared by the law.

   Members of Local 1697 have asked for such communications 
equipment and protective panels as part of the new contract 
they are negotiating with TNM&O. Though some of the buses are 
equipment with protective panels, none have communications 
equipment.

   WASHINGTON -- Amtrak is on pace toward a cash deficit of 
more than $300 million in 2003, the year by which it must 
wean itself from federal subsidies, a new report concludes.

   The findings of the Transportation Department may fuel 
efforts for a wholesale restructuring of Amtrak's operations, 
but Amtrak supporters say the report does not reflect budget 
reforms recently put in place to achieve the goal of self-
sufficiency in 2003.

   The 1997 Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act prohibited 
Amtrak from using any federal funds for operating expenses 
after fiscal 2002. Since its creation in 1971, Amtrak has 
received at least $21.8 billion in operating and capital 
subsidies from the federal government.

   Amtrak's governing board has a plan to fund its deficit in 
2003 through short-term borrowing, changes in its overhaul 
schedule and other steps. But the DOT report released last 
month concludes that "several of Amtrak's financial 
projections are at risk of not being achieved."

   The report says the railway's cash deficit in 2003 will 
range from $304 million to $535 million. Where Amtrak 
projects an overall cash loss of $2.1 billion from 1999 to 
2003, the report projects a $2.9-billion loss.

   The biggest single disagreement involves increased income 
from high-speed rail service in Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. 
The report agrees that high-speed rail will mean more 
passengers and more money for Amtrak, but not as soon as the 
railway envisions.

   In a written statement, Amtrak said it was "encouraged by 
many of the findings" such as an endorsement of the 
corporation's current accounting, financial reporting and 
bidding procedures.

   SILVERSPRING, Md. -- In their continuing effort to expand 
and invigorate organized labor and their respective 
memberships, representatives from ten labor organizations, 
including the United Transportation Union, attended the 
George Meany Center's Labor Law for Organizers program at the 
center's Silver Spring, Md., campus recently.

   Bus Department Vice President Bernie McNelis and Director 
of Strategic Planning John Nadalin represented the UTU at the 
six-day seminar, where topics of study included an overview 
of unfair labor practice procedures, employer conduct during 
campaigns, and legal issues in negotiating first contracts.

   Though seminar participants ran the entire gamut of 
organized laborers, from plumbers to teachers to theatrical 
stage employees, all were in attendance for the uniform 
purpose of education.

   "Laws have changed under the National Labor Relations Act 
and decisions from the courts and the board have changed...If 
we want to stay in the game, it is important to keep abreast 
of these changes," McNelis said.

   "Not being a person that works under the NLRA, it was 
interesting to see the comparison of legal remedies under the 
two acts," he said. "We have distinct remedies under the 
Railway Labor Act that are not under the NLRA."

   "They try to turn to UTU as a resource when it comes to 
rail issues. They are working to increase their training 
under the RLA and they appreciate UTU's assistance in that 
area," Nadalin said.

   A photograph that appears in the traditional print version 
of this month's edition of the UTU NEWS depicts various 
participants in the Meany Center's Labor Law for Organizers 
program as they broke into small groups to discuss cases of 
unfair labor practices. Pictured are International Alliance 
of Theatrical and Stage Employees Steward Julia Vaughan, 
UTU's McNelis, International Union of Operating Employees 
Representative Amir Gadiwalla, and United Association of 
Plumbing and Pipe Fitters Organizer Mark Stevens.

   "The many years of good service you performed for our 
membership as UTU Designated Legal Counsel earned for you the 
trust of all UTU members, as well as a reputation for 
uncompromising honesty and integrity that will serve you well 
in the courthouse," International President Charles L. Little 
said in congratulating Herndon.

LOCAL 2, TOLEDO, OHIO
   As he did last year on the 30th anniversary of the event, 
member RAY BOTTLES on December 3 marked the final run of the 
New York Central's 20th Century Limited by placing a wreath 
in front of the former depot in Elyria, Ohio. Bottles is one 
of the last active trainmen that worked on the legendary 
passenger train.

LOCAL 4, CHARNY, P.Q.
   Secretary and Treasurer LOUIS-FRANCOIS GARCEAU is eyeing a 
project involving a new shortline railway between Quebec City 
and Montmagny. He also is reminding members that the local is 
selling French UTU pins (TUT) at a cost of $10 (Canadian). 
The pins can be viewed on the local's website, accessible at 
<http://members.xoom.com/tutcharny/>.

LOCAL 168, CHICAGO, ILL.
   Members celebrated the holidays at a party sponsored by 
Designated Legal Counsel Robert E. Harrington, Jr., last 
month at The Hickory Pit in Chicago. The annual event 
traditionally focuses on recognizing the local's retirees and 
the timeless value of fraternity, said Secretary and 
Treasurer L.T.G. CHANNING, who delivered an emotional speech 
thanking the membership for their "care and prayer" during 
his recent hospitalization for liver transplant surgery.

LOCAL 195, GALESBURG, ILL.
   Active member ALAN J. FISHER, an attorney with Designated 
Legal Counsel Hoey, Farina & Downes, recently spoke at the 
annual meeting of the National Association of Railroad 
Referees in Rosemont Ill., addressing the issues of 
harassment and intimidation of rail workers by management as 
a result of work-related injuries.

LOCAL 324, SEATTLE, WASH.
   Secretary and Treasurer LARRY RUTLEDGE is reminding 
members that the Federal Railroad Administration requires 
occupied locomotive cabs to have a heating system that 
maintains a minimum temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The 
carrier should be notified if the cab is not adequately 
heated, and those required to continue performing service in 
a cab that fails to meet this minimum should contact their 
local chairperson or Local Legislative Representative STEVE 
OSTRANDER for the applicable penalty claim.

LOCAL 496, PORTSMOUTH, OHIO
   Members are reminded by Local President J.D. JONES that 
monthly meetings are held at 7 p.m. at the International 
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Hall at 110 Offnere 
Street in Portsmouth on the first Monday of the month (except 
on holidays, when the meetings are held on the following 
Monday). Remember," Jones said, "without you, we have no 
union! United we stand, divided we fall!"

LOCAL 898, BOSTON, MASS.
   Members are mourning the death of Amtrak conductor DWIGHT 
E. FORBES, who passed away December 1, 1998, at the age of 
50. Brother Forbes is survived by his widow, two sons, and 
two grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to U.S. 
Veterans Hospital, Davis Park, 305 Chalkstone Ave., 
Providence, RI 02908, or Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 169 
George St., Pawtucket, RI 02860.

LOCAL 1582, ALBANY, N.Y.
   Members employed as New York Port ticket and baggage 
agents noted a recent victory in the wake of a battle they've 
waged for several years to obtain partition-hole covers for 
their ticket offices. Local Chairperson JAMES KERNER said the 
precipitating factor may have been a recent incident in which 
former Local Chairperson SANDY SMITH was splashed in the face 
with a cup of hot coffee.

LOCAL 1715, CHARLOTTE, N.C.
   As a result of recent elections, new officers on the Local 
Committee of Adjustment include General Chairperson LEROY 
ELLERBE, Vice Chairperson BRENDA MOORE, and Secretary JAMES 
SHANNON. Officers for the Maintenance Committee of Adjustment 
include General Chairperson DONALD PAGE, Vice Chairperson 
CRAIG PATCH, Secretary JOE MENDOLA, Delegate RUBY MASSEY, and 
Alternate Delegate EDROW WINGO.

LOCAL 1745, ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.
   Members, pursuing a new contract with Albuquerque Transit 
Lines for more than 18 months, have been engaging in 
informational picketing, talking to the media, and pursuing 
other avenues under the leadership of General Chairperson 
ROBERT GUITIERREZ to gain public support for their struggle, 
according Vice Chairperson (paratransit) EARL P. GARCIA. 
Members were grateful when MEMBERSHIP I, the UTU's mobile 
education and training coach, recently showed up on the 
property. As a result of recent elections, vice chairperson 
for those driving fixed routes is now FREDERICK GARCIA, and 
DALE J. PADILLA has been chosen as local secretary.

LOCAL 1765, GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.
   The local staged an Appreciation Night for active and 
retired members and their families recently that drew more 
than 100, including many who had not been in contact with 
each other for years, said Secretary STEVEN B. KAUFFMAN. 
Senior member attending was CHARLIE MUYS, now 92 years young. 
Kauffman reported the food was excellent, entertainment great 
and friendships extraordinary at an event made possible 
through the generosity of UTU Designated Legal Counsel 
Harrington, Thompson, Acker & Harrington, Ltd.

LOCAL 1778, N. VANCOUVER, B.C.
   The website shared by the local and members of Local 1923 
in Prince George, B.C., is back "on the air" after 
experiencing technical difficulties, according to Local 1778 
Secretary and Treasurer DAVID MOORHOUSE, who thanks web 
surfers for their patience and notes the URL (address) must 
be typed into browsers with a trailing slash. View the 
locals' website at < http://www.ultranet.ca/utu/>.

LOCAL 1895, CHICAGO, ILL.
   The local honored recent retirees PETER MOSSUTO and STAN 
ROGERS, both Norfolk Southern engineers who worked out of the 
Calumet Yard, at last month's Christmas party, according to 
Secretary and Treasurer TOM RADOVICH. Meanwhile, the three 
local chairpersons (RICH ROSS, WALLY BINNER and LONNIE 
HOLLAND) were retained in their local posts after running 
unopposed, and Ross was chosen as delegate, with Binner 
selected as alternate. "We would like to commend these fine 
gentlemen on the work and time they have devoted to all 
members," said Radovich.

   It sounds almost too good to be true, but members of Local 
469 in Madison, Ill., can honestly tell their spouses they're 
going out to play poker on Super Bowl Sunday to raise money 
for charity.

   Half the proceeds from the annual poker tournament go to 
the Four Square Church in Granite City, Ill., which provides 
meals and assistance to needy people in the area, according 
to John I. Payer, secretary and treasurer of Local 469. "The 
other half goes for prizes for the players," Payer said. "No 
less than $1,000 goes to the church."

   The tournament is open to all UTU members, but members of 
Locals 1388 and 1405 (both in St. Louis, Mo.), Local 1534 
(Chicago, Ill.) and Local 1517 (Cincinnati, Ohio) are always 
well represented in this event.

   The tournament is sponsored by UTU Designated Legal 
Counsel F. Lance Callis (1-800-851-3105) and The Midwest 
Railroaders, an organization of rail workers that stages 
various social events throughout the year to support 
charitable causes.

   The socially active local held a Christmas party last 
month, inviting members of the UTU locals that participate in 
the poker tournament, and helps make the annual Labor Day 
parade in Granite City special with a clever engine-and-
caboose float from which candy is thrown to children along 
the parade route.

   For information about the upcoming poker tournament or 
other activities of the Midwest Railroaders, contact Payer at 
(618) 344-4519, or GO-919 Chairperson J.L. Lauderdale at 
(618) 452-0775.

   The traditional print version of this month's edition of 
the UTU NEWS includes a photograph of some of those who have 
participated in the annual poker tournament in the past. 
Pictured are Stan Wierciszewski and Jim Bowlin of Local 469, 
local Democratic Party Chairman Mac Warfield, the Rev. Edward 
Linhart of the Four Square Church, Rich Moore of Local 1405, 
UTU Designated Legal Counsel Lance Callis, and John I. "Jack" 
Payer of Local 469).

   I want to congratulate all the representatives of the Bus 
Department, both incumbents and those newly elected. We hope 
that the new year will bring a more meaningful 
labor/management relationship with a more fruitful outcome 
than in years past, with a more dedicated determination to 
improve our members' employment conditions.

   Local committee representatives have a tiresome and never-
ending responsibility to be a representative 24 hours a day, 
seven days a week, with very little, if any, thanks.

   I ask every member to question the committee, but allow 
your representatives to answer or get you an answer. I ask 
our members to keep union issues within the union and not 
public or to allow the company to know of any internal union 
disputes.

   Sister Weber has had an outstanding career as a 
representative for the Bus Department of the UTU, whether 
serving at the local level or at the International level. 
Sister Weber helped many of our members through service in 
negotiations, arbitration and whenever and wherever she was 
asked to serve.

   Sister Weber, the first woman full-time International vice 
president, and alternate, worked tirelessly on behalf of 
every bus member. I want to personally thank her and wish 
"Trudy" and her husband George the best in their retirement.

   LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- UTU membership grew by nearly 250 last 
month as the drivers, mechanics and service personnel of the 
K-T Company in Las Vegas, Nev., joined about 130 of their 
UTU-represented brethren at Gray Line Tours of Southern 
Nevada in selecting UTU as their official voice.

   The employees at the two bus companies chose UTU by a two 
to one margin after owner Coach USA consolidated the two 
subsidiaries and petitioned the National Mediation Board to 
determine which union, if any, should represent them.

   Because contract provisions covering the various parties 
differ, UTU Bus Vice President Bernie McNelis said that the 
UTU intends to require immediate bargaining from the company.

   "At the time of the election, the UTU did not represent 
maintenance or service personnel at Gray Line, and these 
individuals could have been damaged, so we asked that the 
employees be governed by the status quo until a new contract 
is reached." McNelis said.

   McNelis said numerous UTU personnel were involved in the 
organizing effort, including Director of Strategic Planning 
John Nadalin, Chairpersons William Koehn, David Lyall, Karen 
Belcher, Dan Bentley and Rick Ortega, Alternate Vice 
President Percy Palmer, Special Representative Nick DiPuccio, 
and Robert Lujan (1607).

   "Local 105 Chairperson Tony Magee, Vice Chairperson Jim 
McNealey, Secretary Alan Ulrich, Treasurer Mike Ramos, and 
President Murray did a tremendous job promoting the UTU and 
getting out the vote. With the combined effort, we were able 
to win this election," McNelis said.

   The agreement was ratified with 82.3% voting for adoption 
of the proposal. Conrail yardmasters have completed the first 
two steps in the employee allocation phase of the division. 
The final step will be completed early this year. Selection 
will be made of the yardmaster position to be occupied on day 
one of the Conrail division. Between the awarding of 
positions in the final stage and the implementation date, 
training will be given to the yardmasters who are awarded a 
position other than the position currently worked or in an 
area where they are not familiar with current operations. 
Transition training will be paid at the yardmaster's current 
rate of pay of the position they are currently working.

   The CSXT yardmaster general chairpersons recommended the 
CSXT system yardmaster agreement proposal for ratification. 
The proposal was the culmination of more than 18 months of 
negotiations. The proposal includes improvements in wages and 
benefits for the more than 535 CSXT yardmasters.

   Yardmaster Department representatives went the extra mile 
in 1998 working on behalf of the membership. They are to be 
commended for their efforts. Last year there were many 
challenges, and many rewards. The unfinished business will be 
carried over to 1999 as the seed for growing accomplishments 
this year.

   With Democrats and Republicans now eager to top each other 
in assuming leadership on Social Security reform, we believe 
the U.S. Congress should take a look at the inequity lurking 
in the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 and bring it into line 
with Social Security law.

   Retired workers receiving Social Security are guaranteed 
that, following their demise, their surviving spouse will 
receive a benefit equal to the total of the annuity 
previously paid to the now-deceased worker.

   Under Railroad Retirement, however, the surviving spouse 
is only given a guarantee that he or she will receive no less 
of a benefit than what had been enjoyed as a spouse's 
annuity.

   Nearly always, this amount is less than the now-deceased 
worker had been receiving and is found to be wholly 
inadequate, leaving the survivor with less income than needed 
to meet ordinary and necessary living expenses.

   We think this inequity should be addressed now. Last year 
and the year before, as the first step in the process, we 
urged our lawmakers to adopt House Concurrent Resolution 52 
(HCR 52) and its companion piece, Senate Concurrent 
Resolution 80 (S. Con. Res. 80).

   These non-binding resolutions would cost nothing if 
adopted. They merely encourage Congress to recognize the 
inequity, recognize the dialogue that must take place between 
labor and management to fix the inequity, and exhort all 
parties to find a suitable way to fund an amendment that 
would improve Railroad Retirement survivor benefits.

   Last year, Republicans on the House Transportation and 
Infrastructure Railroad Subcommittee allowed HCR 52 to 
languish. This year, we'll again urge our lawmakers to adopt 
these important resolutions.

   Our Page 1 story in this month's UTU NEWS spells out a lot 
of what this union did last year, and gives some insights 
into what's in store for 1999. But it doesn't tell the whole 
story about this union, because there were many other 
positive accomplishments.

   I'm going to talk about what lies ahead in 1999. As the 
middle link in a three-generation railroad family, I have had 
a unique perspective to watch our industry. That is one 
reason why I know my father would be so proud of what the UTU 
and BLE are doing this year, and that my son is looking 
forward to the fruits of unification.

   First, we are now working on a Unification Agreement and 
Constitution that both memberships, we are confident, can be 
proud of and embrace. A 10-member drafting committee is now 
working on those documents with the prime directive being to 
preserve the democratic principles and craft autonomy that 
sets rail labor ahead of the pack.

   While we are working to unify by the fall of 1999, for the 
first time ever the UTU and BLE will field one national 
negotiating team. Working together on the National Wage and 
Rules Panel, the UTU and BLE will bargain jointly in the 1999 
national contract talks. This unification in national 
negotiations between the UTU and BLE, changes the collective 
bargaining dynamic in a fundamental way. The bottom line is 
that now the carriers no longer can play off one union 
against the other. We stand together, which does not please 
the carriers, and this will be a good test of the benefits of 
unification.

   As you know, both the UTU and BLE have unequivocally 
agreed to include preserving craft autonomy in our statement 
of principles and new union. During the 1999 national 
contract talks, we stand firmly behind that principle and 
guarantee that a majority from each craft will be required to 
ratify collective bargaining agreements. We will bargain 
jointly, but ratify separately.

   Of course, unification and national contract talks are 
enough to fill up any year. But 1999 also includes making 
sure our members have a successful transition during the 
Conrail breakup, and that Amtrak keeps its funding.

   We have a lot of work to do in 1999. Over the last three 
years, I believe President Little has set this union on a 
sure and steady course to making history. His "New Beginning" 
platform has lived up to its promise, and has brought the UTU 
to the doorstep of the 21st Century in a position to make 
real history for operating rail labor as we steer a true 
course toward a meaningful unification.

   I'm not much of a football fan. I do go a couple of times 
a year and the record shows that the Washington Redskins did 
not have a good year. If they could have changed a few things 
they might have, but you can't replay football games.

   For those who like to study the games of the past, we have 
a service inside the Beltway where you can buy all of the 
game films of the Redskins. You can even go so far as to buy 
all of the films from each of the eleven cameras that are 
used by the media. That's right; not only can you watch them 
lose, you can watch them lose from almost a dozen different 
angles. Even with all that information, it will not change 
the outcome of the football games. Obviously, the coaches 
will study and learn what went wrong, but that will be done 
to build next year's team, the team of the future. Hopefully 
this new team will be able to win for the fans.

   Now Coaches Little, Boyd, Monin and Dubroski have reviewed 
the games films, going back to 1863, and have set about 
building the team of the future. Instead of this team just 
winning for the fans, it will be winning for you, the 
members.

   There are some people who, instead of looking at last 
season and moving on, will want to replay the games of the 
past. They will want to talk about how their group was 
cheated, how the other group broke the rules, how the other 
group should have been penalized. They will want to point out 
the violations that the other team committed in the past. 
Now, that can be entertaining, but it will be of no benefit 
in building a new team.

   It is not just Sundays in the fall that this team has to 
win for you, but every day. The more time that is spent 
finger pointing, blaming and trying to replay old games is 
time lost towards building a team that can win.

   Before the season starts, the Redskins scrimmage with 
other teams. They do it without pads, and are told not to 
cause injury. Injuries from one player upon another of the 
same team are self-defeating. There is a corollary to be 
drawn here: If we are inflicting injuries on each other, it 
only weakens the ability of our organization to be able to 
win against the employers. That is where the real victories 
come from.

   Both unions have spent enough time reviewing the past, and 
both unions have looked at all the films long enough. All 
those records are in the record book. We do not need to dwell 
any longer on how we got to where we are. Now is the time to 
build a team that will be playing and winning the games of 
the future.

   What the coaches accomplished over the last year is truly 
phenomenal. Building a stronger union is in everybody's 
interest. Too many resources have been wasted far too long 
while we fought amongst ourselves. A favorable vote next fall 
at the completion of the design phase means that all of us 
will win.

   "I work for Kansas City Southern (KCS) as an engineer, and 
I'm chairperson for engineers. I'd like to see KCS executives 
resolve to resign. Short of that, they should quit treating 
our members like crap and start living up to the labor 
agreement. They need to hire a sufficient number of employees 
and train them sufficiently. They've fired so many workers, 
they can't stay on schedule, and they've turned the operation 
into one big extra board. It's as bad as I've ever seen it in 
26 years."
   -- LARRY DAVIS, L-878, GREENVILLE, TEX.

   "As a bus operator for Transit Management of Charlotte and 
general chairperson for drivers, I'd like to see our employer 
commit more to the needs of the employees, with an eye on the 
growth coming here in the future. We have some needs that 
have been neglected for some time. We need to look at such 
issues as pay, scheduling, and benefits, particularly health 
and welfare benefits. We also need to take a hard look at our 
pension plan, including the cap on it and the time limits."
   -- LEROY ELLERBE, L-1715, CHARLOTTE, N.C.

   "As of yet, we still don't have a contract. It's been 18 
months since our last one expired, and I'd like to see 
Albuquerque Transit Lines resolve to work with us and reach 
some kind of understanding. We have two crafts here, 
paratransit and fixed route, and we have a wage parity issue 
that started five years ago when the city took over 
paratransit service. Other issues they should resolve to talk 
about include split-shift differentials and pay for travel 
time."
   -- EARL P. GARCIA, L-1745, ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

   "I'm vice local chairperson for engineers, and what I'd 
like to see is Norfolk Southern (NS) resolve to start 
treating their employees with a little respect, instead of 
treating everyone like a number. I think NS should resolve to 
overhaul their discipline system, as CSX did, and get more 
involved with processes and procedures like SACP. I'd like to 
see less harassment of employees, and a better, more fair 
system for workers to mark off and take vacations without it 
leading to hassles."
   -- LARRY GRUTZIUS, L-1895, CHICAGO, ILL.

   The award is presented to residents who have provided 
outstanding service to the state of Indiana and its citizens 
and is one of the highest awards that can be given by the 
state.

   Last year, State Legislative Director James E. Carrico, 
Sr. was a recipient of the award. It appears that the 
legislative board is up to something good in the Hoosier 
State.

   At a special conference and banquet sponsored by Local 
1518 of Indianapolis, Ind., Secretary and Treasurer Thomas 
Bunnell was presented with a special "plaque of appreciation" 
by the state's legislative board. A photograph that appears 
in the traditional print version of this month's edition of 
the UTU NEWS depicts Local 1518 Legislative Representative 
P.R. Everhart, Carrico, Bunnell, and Hensler.

   Also, the legislative board here reports that on November 
7, Boston University Professor Emeritus Howard Zinn was 
honored with the Eugene V. Debs Award at a ceremony held in 
Terre Haute, Ind.

   Debs, who founded the American Railway Union in 1893, was 
a firm supporter of a single rail union representing all of 
rail labor and has always been held in high esteem by the 
UTU.

   According to State Legislative Director James A. Stem, 
Jr., Edwards, who has not held political office in the past, 
understands the importance of Amtrak, Railroad Retirement, 
the Federal Employers Liability Act, and the need for 
improved public transportation. Stem added that the UTU's 
North Carolina leadership has an excellent relationship with 
Edwards and his staff.

   Stem said that while voters in the state elected seven 
Republicans and five Democrats to the U.S. House of 
Representatives, they also elected a Democratic majority to 
both chambers in the state general assembly.

   "This election showed the importance of the unaffiliated 
voter, which is the fastest growing segment of our voting 
population in North Carolina. The good news for working 
families is that unaffiliated voters are supportive of 
moderate candidates of both major political parties," Stem 
said.

OHIO
   The UTU's Transportation Political Education League (TPEL) 
and all of Ohio's working men and women were on the winning 
side when the Tenth District Court of Appeals ruled last year 
that various provisions of the state's Campaign Finance 
Reform Act were unconstitutional.

   In a challenge brought before the Court of Appeals by the 
United Auto Workers and other labor unions, the court held 
that: (1) a provision requiring solicitors of political 
contributions from employees or members of labor 
organizations to give certain notices violated free speech; 
(2) a provision identifying those from whom labor 
organizations could solicit political contributions violated 
equal protection; and (3) a provision requiring solicitations 
for contributions to a labor organization's political action 
committee (PAC) to be in writing and made no more than four 
times per year violated free speech.

WISCONSIN
   The legislature's Joint Finance Committee was expected to 
approve last month the Transportation Department's plan for 
spending $138.5 million in additional federal money from the 
massive transportation bill Congress approved last year.

   Slightly more than $3.5 million would be available for 
improving railroad grade crossings in the state, including 
$1.2 million in additional federal funding, plus $500,000 
that was approved by the committee last September.

   Continuing that spending level over the next few years 
could eliminate the backlog of rail crossings where Railroad 
Commissioner Rodney Kreunen has ordered gates or flashing 
lights, but where money was not available to install 
equipment.

   Because Congress required that a portion of federal 
funding be used on non-highway projects, rail passenger 
service will receive an added $341,300 and state bus systems 
will receive an additional $20 million, a increase of 
approximately 43%.

   CLEVELAND -- With less than a year remaining until the 
year 2000, each tick of the clock brings us closer to what 
some insist will be a dangerous dance with digital destiny.

   Predicted are breakdowns in Medicare, Social Security and 
the welfare system, electrical blackouts, malfunctioning 
telecommunications networks, stalled elevators, polluted 
water supply systems, airplanes falling from the sky, and 
worldwide economic collapse. At some point, the lawyers will 
move in for the biggest litigation event in history.

   Chief among the systems likely to be affected are those 
related to transportation. But despite the predictions of the 
prophets of doom, UTU members in a position to know are 
offering a different scenario based on preparedness and 
planning.

THE PROBLEM
   Computer programmers dealing with limited data storage in 
the industry's early days decided to represent the years in 
their hardware and in their software programs with two digits 
instead of four. As time went by, the infrastructure became 
more and more reliant on computers, and the computers began 
to rely on each other. The fear is that we now may find 
ourselves at the mercy of machines that haven't yet been 
"taught" to distinguish between 1900 and 2000.

   Governments and businesses worldwide are now scrambling to 
make sure their machines recognize the "00" in "2000" and 
are, therefore, "Y2K compliant," but some say it's already 
too late. They claim there are too many systems to test, with 
too many lines of code in each system, and not enough time 
left to make the fixes.

   "The UTU and UTUIA have been conducting a comprehensive 
technical and legal audit, which started in 1995, to assess 
the scope of the Y2K problem," Little said. "Part of this 
process is the inventory of all hardware and software used in 
connection with the union's business, categorizing these 
items according to how essential their functions are to our 
core union and insurance business operations."

   Because today's computers "talk" with other computers, and 
so many relationships are interdependent upon each other, 
Little's concerns go beyond those operations that take place 
under the International's roof.

   "As a matter of concern, we have been contacting our 
vendors, and will continue to remain in contact them to 
determine if we have any exposure to potential problems 
associated with goods and services provided under existing 
contracts," Little said.

   "Our data processing department evaluates and reports its 
progress every three months," Little explained. "The work has 
been steadily progressing, but we still have a lot of work 
ahead of us."

WITH THE PROGRAM
   One of those with an inside track on the problem is Leon 
Staniszewski, director of data processing and information 
services at UTU International Headquarters. He and his staff 
are responsible for operations that take place on the UTU's 
mainframe computer system.

   That system provides the brute-force computing muscle that 
only such "big iron" can handle, keeping track of membership 
information, calculating dues payments, payroll, tax and 
insurance data, and storing and manipulating databases too 
large for desktop systems. In the parlance of computer 
scientists, the mainframe deals with "mission-critical" 
elements of the UTU's operation.

   Staniszewski and his staff spent a good deal of time 
determining where to look, and for what types of problems, 
long before they began grappling with the issue in earnest in 
February 1996.

   "There's more than simply the date January 1, 2000, to 
consider," Staniszewski said. "A lot of older applications 
used '99' to signal either a programming check or to indicate 
file cancellation. That means April 9, 1999 -- the 99th day 
of the 99th year -- may present a problem. And then there's 
September 9, 1999, a date that can appear as 9-9-99. And to 
further complicate things, any solutions we implement have to 
take into account that the year 2000 is a leap year."

   The UTU has eight programmers on its staff, with four 
dedicated to the Y2K problem. At times, Staniszewski said, 
all eight are involved in one aspect of the problem or 
another. "We've been doing tests on weekends," he said. "Our 
mainframe's operating system is now Y2K-compliant. We're 
working on certain software applications now, and we've 
already finished several of our mission-critical systems."

   Staniszewski said the UTU's goal is to be fully Y2K-
compliant by the third quarter of this year. "There is still 
a lot of programming to be completed, but we have approved 
budgeting for any programming resources required to complete 
the project on time," he said.

   System Integration Director Greg Reichwein, the man with 
responsibility for UTU desktop PCs, pointed out that if the 
hardware isn't too old, it's generally Y2K-compliant, but 
software can require a second look.

   Reichwein said the UTU regularly receives software updates 
from Microsoft, for both desktop and network management 
systems, which correct problems that surface over time. "As 
soon as we receive those patches," he said, "we apply them."

   Though no one is willing to offer an ironclad guarantee 
when it comes to the Y2K situation, Reichwein is fairly 
confident the UTU will get no trouble from its desktop 
systems. "We have a software program that can test the 
computers for compliance," he said. "Every one of our 
computers we've tested has been in compliance."

YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK
   John Koskinen, chairman of the President's Council on Year 
2000 Conversion, is the so-called Y2K czar in the U.S. He 
cites statistics showing that 61% of federal government 
agency computers are already Y2K-compliant. The real problem, 
he said, is with local governments, small companies, and 
foreign countries "that are at square one."

   But a breakdown of the numbers, as recently offered by 
Rep. Stephen Horn (R-Cal.) indicates some trouble spots. 
Using information from the U.S. Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) in schoolhouse fashion, Horn gives the nation an 
overall grade of "D" in handling the challenge, and warns 
that "the picture is a gloomy one."

   Working along with SSA, the Railroad Retirement Board 
(RRB) reported in October 1998 that 70% of its 124 mission-
critical systems were Y2K compliant, according to 
congressional testimony offered by RRB Chief Information 
Officer Robert T. Rose. The RRB plans to conduct a series of 
comprehensive integration tests for all major information 
systems early this year.

   "We are confident in our ability to achieve the agency's 
goals for the year 2000," Rose said, "and that our transition 
to the next century will offer uninterrupted service and 
continuous, high-quality operations."

UTU MEMBERS ON THE JOB
   Though retired UTU members likely will receive their 
pension checks, active members may find themselves coping 
with unusual circumstances. According to the OMB statistics 
cited by Rep. Horn, the Department of Transportation, which 
oversees such critical areas as air traffic control and rail 
operations, has achieved 46% of its goals, and he gave the 
department a "D."

   Most major railroads, heavily dependent on millions of 
lines of computer code to run everything from data exchanges 
with customers to switching of trains, nonetheless predict a 
smooth transition into the new millennium. Through the 
Association of American Railroads, the carriers have 
established a shared internet web database to track Y2K 
compliance and testing of equipment common to the industry.

   Last year, most carriers issued statements indicating the 
lion's share of their work would be completed in 1998, with 
all of 1999 available for testing. At least one (CSX) 
referred to contingency plans which would allow continued 
operations in the event of unexpected failures. Even Amtrak, 
perennially underfunded, indicated last September that it's 
on schedule with its compliance programs and expects to be 
finished and engaged in testing by the end of 1999's first 
quarter.

   "We're experienced people," said Porter, who works as an 
engineer for the Illinois Central. "I started railroading 
before there were computers, and I believe we have enough 
experienced people to run the railroad without any advanced 
electronics. The UTU has trained its own, and we'll just 
carry on with normal operations."

   Porter noted that in the winter of 1994, there was "a 
major ice storm from Memphis on down south, and all the major 
power lines were out, but the railroad kept running. We're 
used to running in 'dark' territory, so we can do it."

   Union Pacific (UP) conductor Steven Bovenmyer of Local 867 
in Des Moines, Iowa, echoes Porter's confidence. "We have ATC 
and CTC signaling. If the signals went down, we'd just go 
slow. But the systems seem to go down every other day, so it 
won't be any different than it is now!"

   "We have computer-assisted dispatching. If it goes out and 
the signals go out, we'll just be running the tracks on 
tracking time. When it goes down now, we go on tracking time, 
going from siding to siding. It's like running in 'dark' 
territory."

   General Chairperson Billy Cobean, a yardmaster working for 
Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and a member of Local 
1977 in Seattle, Wash., believes the trains will keep 
running, and gives credit to BNSF for staying on top of the 
situation.

   "I'm proud of what my railroad is doing, and I don't get 
much chance to say that," Cobean said. "BNSF has a brand new 
system that will be online prior to the panic date. They're 
taking this extremely seriously, and they're really thinking 
ahead. I have to give them credit for that."

   Cobean said that in nearly all cases, switches can be 
thrown by hand, and he pointed out that where there's a will, 
there's usually a way -- and rules describing the way. "If 
something affects block signals, you just follow the rules. 
If there's no signals, you're required to comply with the 
most severe restriction, which is a 'stop.' If you're on the 
road, you'll have to get hold of the dispatcher, either by 
radio or cell phone."

ON THE STREETS
   U.S. Federal Highway Administration officials are 
continuing to hold regional meetings with state and local 
traffic engineers throughout the year to make sure that 
computerized signal systems function properly when Y2K 
arrives. If they don't, UTU members driving buses and shuttle 
vans may have their hands full.

   "We don't have many automated systems to worry about other 
than traffic lights and the setting of clocks," said Byron 
Williams, vice general chairperson on Santa Monica Municipal 
Bus Lines and a member of Local 1785 in Santa Monica, Cal.

   "We do have some computerized fare boxes, but I really 
don't think these predicted glitches will have any effect on 
them. The dispatcher's office might be affected. If so, we'd 
just go back to doing it manually, the way we did before 
computers."

   Williams offered another comment that summed up the way a 
lot of UTU members regard the Y2K issue. "I don't think it'll 
have much of an adverse affect," he said. "I think people are 
tending to overreact to the issue."

   The traditional print version of this month's edition of 
the UTU NEWS includes photographs depicting some of the 
employees of the UTU International who are working to keep 
the UTU's computers humming. Depicted are Programmer/Analyst 
Bill Zgrebnak, Computer Operator James Imbrogno, 
Programmer/Analyst Pat Pshock, Programmer/Analyst Joe Oros, 
Director of Data Processing and Information Services Leon 
Staniszewski and Programmer/Analyst Bruce Karl.

   One winter six years ago, retired conductor Robert 
Christie was talking with retirees Bill Dlhosh and Ray 
Fontenova during one of the monthly luncheons hosted by The 
Railroad Old Timers in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., a group that meets 
at 11 a.m. on the third Monday of each month (except January 
and February) at Umberto's Restaurant.

   From small acorns grow mighty oaks, and now Christie 
expects to welcome some 60 participants to the Sixth Annual 
Trainmen's Reunion, to be held Jan. 12-14, 1999, at the 
Travelodge in Kissimmee, Florida. (Call 1-800-327-1128 for 
reservations.)

   "We secure a special room rate that applies no matter how 
early you arrive or how long you stay," Christie said. 
"Retirees come from all over the U.S. Many bring their wives 
and even their grandchildren, and they use the reunion as an 
opportunity to take their families to nearby Disney World."

   Christie began working on the rails on Oct. 19, 1951, as a 
switchtender with the NYC, and a member of the Brotherhood of 
Railroad Trainmen Lodge #678 on 33rd Street. He moved up the 
ranks as a brakeman, then assistant conductor, and finally a 
conductor during a career in which the railroad evolved to 
become the Penn Central, then Conrail, and eventually the 
Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro North).

   During his 40-year career, which ended with his retirement 
in 1991, Christie served 25 years as vice chairperson of the 
union' state legislative board, and 30 years as local 
legislative representative.

   How such a change would affect the Railroad Retirement 
system remains unknown, but events affecting Social Security 
generally affect the Tier I portion of rail retirement 
pensions.

   Gene Sperling, director of the White House's National 
Economic Council, said last month at the end of a two-day 
conference on overhauling the system that the president 
believes "seeking some strategy to bring higher returns, 
through investment, would be a good way to go."

   About a dozen administration officials and 50 lawmakers 
attended the talks, including House Minority Leader Richard 
Gephardt (D-Mo.), who for the first time offered conditional 
support for stock market investment.

   Sperling said the White House has yet to decide who should 
control such market investments, the government or individual 
taxpayers, but admitted the question is "the single most 
contentious issue" faced by Congress and the president.

   Organized labor and many liberal Democrats favor 
government control of market investments because the proceeds 
could be used to support the current system of guaranteed 
payments. Critics point out, however, the government would 
end up owning a large share of the nation's publicly traded 
companies and would face conflicts of interest.

   Many GOP lawmakers favor individual investment accounts, 
but critics of the approach note market volatility could hurt 
some retirees, and contend many workers aren't sophisticated 
enough to make the informed financial decisions that would be 
necessary.

   The National Council of Senior Citizens, a leading senior 
advocacy group, pointed out that no one pays Social Security 
taxes on income beyond $68,400 a year, and that simply 
removing the cap would fund the system indefinitely.

   The AFL-CIO also points to removal of the tax cap as one 
of a number of solutions worth considering. It remains 
opposed to replacing Social Security with individual 
investment accounts, noting the risks associated with market 
slumps and the higher administrative costs.

   Retirees from all crafts off the old Southern Pacific and 
Santa Fe railroads are invited to join those who meet on the 
last Tuesday of each month except December at the Elks Club 
in Bakersfield, Cal., according to Retiree Program member 
Raymond P. Robinett of Local 1581, Bakersfield, Cal.

   The Railroad Retirees Club, a group of pensioners from 
every craft and nearly every railroad imaginable, has 
extended an invitation to all retired rails in the vicinity 
of Terre Haute, Ind., who would like to join the fun at 
regular weekly meetings and at bi-annual dinners, according 
to William R. "Bill" Soules, Sr., of Local 1399, Terre Haute, 
Ind.

   The group meets every Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the VFW Hall 
at 11th and Eagle Street in Terre Haute. Members of the club 
pay $2 in annual dues (or they pay a one-time lifetime 
membership fee) and elect a slate of officers. More than 150 
attend the two dinners each year, Soules said.

   Wagner began his 42-year career in June 1956 as a brakeman 
on the Great Northern, held a variety of local offices from 
1970 until his retirement at the beginning of this year, and 
served as an organizer, local insurance representative, and 
delegate to five conventions.

   A photograph that appears in the traditional print version 
of this month's edition of the UTU NEWS depicts UTU 
Designated Legal Counsel George Thornton, Local 891 Treasurer 
Frank Darvis, Wagner, and UTUIA Field Supervisor Ron Tokach 
of Local 1344, Mandan, N.D.

   Following are the names of members of the UTU Retiree 
Program who have died recently, according to reports received 
at the UTU International Headquarters. These brothers and 
sisters will be sorely missed by their many friends and by 
fellow UTU Retiree Program members.

LOCAL      NAME                            CITY
0001   Spellman, Gerald         Cheektowaga, NY
0032   Gill, Billy L.              Redlands, CA
0083   Sandelovic, Rudy          Texas City, TX
0137   Cataline, Robert J.          El Paso, TX
0150   Nuszkiewicz, Edward      E. Carnegie, PA
0204   Knuth, Earl H.                Pueblo, CO
0225   Boyer, Donald B.            Bellevue, OH
0254   Hubbard, L. G.                Malden, MA
0281   Messner, James P.         Germantown, WI
0318   Logan, Milton C.            Canisteo, NY
0330   Dunger, Albert F.         Scott City, MO
0426   Nelson, Richard K.            Yakima, WA
0430   Knotts, Donald K.            Grafton, WV
0683   Borrows, Bernard W.         Bay City, MI
0724   McKim, Kenneth B.            Chicago, IL
0855   Breeden, Donald E.          Veradale, WA
1292   Benjaminson, Roscoe          Proctor, MN
1299   Grant, James K.            Ridgeland, MS
1344   Kennedy, Melvin           Lk. Havasu, AZ
1365   Miller, R. G.             Youngstown, OH
1376   Rooney, Bernard J.          Columbus, OH
1377   Smith, Harold E.           Covington, KY
1389   Ruggles, Paul W.           Flatwoods, KY
1391   Rigo, James F.                Elyria, OH
1409   Lovsky, John.            Kansas City, KS
1445   Lee, James                    Parlin, NJ
1518   Wentworth, Harold            Ansonia, OH
1573   McGaughey, Earl         Klamath Fls., OR
1594   Cowan, John A.               Ardmore, PA
1594   Taylor, John F.         Clifton Hts., PA
1661   Pitrman, Elmer O.             Aurora, OH
1770   Keeler, August          Garden Grove, CA
1794   Valdez, A. Roland           Roseburg, OR
1918   Robertson, Ellis R.           Lufkin, TX
1962   Coleman, Phillip           Shelbiana, KY

   With college enrollment time upon us, we strongly urge all 
eligible persons to take a few minutes to fill out the UTUIA 
scholarship application form printed below and apply for a 
UTUIA scholarship. It will be one of the smartest things they 
ever do.

   This is the 26th year UTUIA is making available 50 
continuing $500 scholarships for its members, and the sons, 
daughters and grandchildren of its members. We are very proud 
of our scholarship program, a pride that comes from helping 
thousands of students over the years.

   We realize the amount awarded, $500 a year, doesn't meet 
the full cost of the recipient's education, but in this way 
we can help a larger number of students with educational 
costs. They may use the scholarship money for tuition, 
learning materials or other related expenses.

   UTUIA scholarship winners will receive the full amount of 
the award each year for up to four years of undergraduate 
study as long as they maintain a satisfactory academic 
record.

   With a UTUIA scholarship, we hope to give the recipient 
the opportunity for a full-time education instead of a part-
time education, day school instead of night school, higher 
education instead of basic training.

   We are proud also in knowing that UTUIA scholarship 
recipients are enrolled in some of the finest and most 
prestigious colleges and universities in the world. We also 
can point proudly to the many achievements of past 
scholarship winners who have contributed so much to our great 
nation.

   UTUIA is proud and happy to provide these scholarships for 
they are an opportunity for achievement. The success of 
deserving students is our success and the benefits are 
boundless. The key to success is education, and the key to 
education is a UTUIA scholarship. Take a minute to apply for 
the chance of a lifetime.

                    DISTRIBUTION
   Fifty continuing $500 scholarships are awarded each year 
upon verification of enrollment for the fall term. The 
scholarships are prorated according to the number of UTU and 
UTUIA insurance members in each of nine districts. Names of 
the 50 scholarship winners for the academic year 1999-2000 
will be drawn at UTUIA  Headquarters in Cleveland after the 
March 31, 1999, deadline for submission of applications.

                    ELIGIBILITY
   Requirements for a scholarship applicant are that he or 
she be at least a high school senior or equivalent; age 25 or 
under; be a UTU or UTUIA-insured member, the child or 
grandchild of a UTU or UTUIA-insured member, or the child of 
a deceased UTU or UTUIA-insured member (if member is deceased 
please include date of death). UTU or UTUIA-insured member 
must be a U.S. resident.

   Applicants also must be accepted for admittance or already 
enrolled for at least 12 credit hours per quarter or semester 
at a recognized institution of higher learning (university, 
college or junior college, nursing or technical school 
offering college credit). Graduate schools are not included. 
Families of full-time International officers are not 
eligible.

                      AWARDS
   Scholarships are awarded on the basis of chance, not 
grades. A UTUIA scholar, however, is expected to maintain a 
satisfactory academic record to keep the scholarship for the 
full four years.

                  ADMINISTRATION
   The UTUIA Scholarship Committee decides whether individual 
scholarships should be continued or discontinued. Each 
successful applicant must provide annual proof of eligibility 
on or before a deadline set by the scholarship committee to 
qualify for a continuing award. The day-to-day management of 
the program is handled by the office of the UTUIA General 
Secretary and Treasurer.

   The UTUIA Scholarship Program is an open program. All 
eligible students, regardless of previous grades or future 
plans that don't happen to include college, are strongly 
urged to apply, to take five minutes to invest in the chance 
of a lifetime, the chance for a better future.

   The application form printed in the traditional print 
version of the January 1998 edition of the UTU NEWS is the 
official scholarship application form and is the only one 
that will be accepted. If you need an application form, write 
to the address below, and include your UTU local or UTUIA 
local unit number:

   Recently, UTU announced the decision of Health First, an 
independent practice association in Colorado, to discontinue 
its relationship with United HealthCare (UHC), effective Jan. 
1, 1999. Subsequently, Health First has signed a contract 
with UHC to provide services to railroad employees and their 
eligible dependents through Dec. 31, 1999.

   Additionally, members covered by Aetna U.S. HealthCare 
Managed Choice and Open Choice networks in the Gainesville, 
Ga., area are being advised that Northeast Georgia Medical 
Center is no longer a participating hospital. Members should 
instead go to Columbia Lanier Park Hospital, except for 
obstetrical services.

Brother Hull will be receiving by mail a gift certificate 
redeemable for any one of the many fine quality union-made 
UTU jackets, shirts or caps available through the 
International. (Many new items are now available; write to 
the UTU Supply Department for details).

   The 1999 UTU Convention and all Regional Meetings will be 
held as scheduled. The joint talks between the UTU and the 
BLE over the drafting and preparing of a unification 
agreement and constitution for the new organization being 
formed of the two unions will have no effect on the 
Convention and Regional Meetings.

   UTUIA's Traditional IRA and Flexible Premium Deferred 
Annuity offer tax-deferred savings, which means tax is not 
paid on the interest earned until funds are withdrawn. 
Despite a continuing downward trend in interest rates, UTUIA 
is pleased to announce that as of January 1,1999, our 
interest rate is 6%.

   Additionally, UTUIA offers a Roth IRA, which provides for 
the tax-free accumulation of funds as long as certain IRS 
requirements are met. The interest rate for this product is 
also 6%.

   Contact your UTUIA representative, or call the UTUIA 
Marketing and Sales Department today toll-free at (800) 558-
8842, Ext. 211.
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