UTU NEWS

Volume 31

October 1999

Number 10

UTU NEWS
ONLINE EDITION

OCTOBER 1999

-----------  PROGRESS THROUGH UNITY  -----------

A Service of the United Transportation Union
Public Relations Department

Charles L. Little
International President

---

Paul C. Thompson
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

--UTU to BLE: Here we come! ......................##A

EDITOR'S NOTE: The delegates at the recent UTU
convention in Miami Beach, Fla., asked International
President Charles L. Little to publish the speech he
gave urging a "yes" vote on a $5 dues increase. After
Little's speech, the delegates voted by more than a two-
thirds majority to approve the increase for the long-
term good of the UTU. A transcription of the speech
appears on the UTU website < http://www.utu.org > and
follows here in the UTU NEWS:
----------------------------------

Delegates, Brothers and Sisters: On Monday (August
23) you sent the strongest message possible to the BLE
by re-electing Byron (Boyd) and myself -- and electing
Paul Thompson -- all of us by landslide numbers.

Now, I ask you to complete that message by voting for
the dues increase so we can beat the BLE on the Union
Pacific and every other railroad in North America. And
so we can continue our organizing efforts in the bus
industry and also the airline industry.

Most of you know me well enough that I would not ask
for a dues increase unless we absolutely needed it to
complete that job.

Well, we need it, and let me tell you why.

Our union is strong and financially stable, and I
intend to keep it that way.

We can continue just exactly the way we are going,
and at the next convention we will go in the hole again.
We have not had a raise in the convention fund since
1969 that I know of.

We could continue our education and training as we
are doing today at the region meetings, no problem. But
if we are going to expand our education and training and
take it out to the members in the field, on the local
levels, we need that additional $1 for education and
training. That $1 will be returned back to the members
in the education and training programs that we intend to
get into.

If we don't want to organize and if we don't want to
continue to take the BLE on, we don't need the
additional $3. Vote it down if that is where you want to
go.

But to make sure that our funds are not depleted
during the fight to the finish - and let me tell you
this is going to be a fight to the finish with the BLE -
we do not want to see our funds depleted in that fight.

We need to build up the funds so that after the
representation election on the Union Pacific we can go
on to the other carriers around the country, and other
organizing efforts that we've got started.

The BLE has about $12 million today, and their worst
fear is that we will raise money at this convention to
beat them. Let me tell you what, I think their worst
fears should be realized.

Ask Bill Clinton, Al Gore and George W. Bush how
loudly money speaks when you're talking about political
elections. I can assure you that by voting for this dues
increase the BLE will hear how loudly the UTU's money
talks.

There is one more important thing that you need to
know.

Don't just think that we will be fighting the BLE in
this representation election. We will probably be
fighting the railroads, which will see this as an
opportunity to get rid of both the UTU and BLE. They
could spend millions on anti-union campaigns to make
sure that the union members don't vote and have union
representation.

We need to get 50% of the vote, plus one, in every
representation election on every carrier or there will
be no union. That is the law of the National Mediation
Board.

This dues increase is about one thing. It is about
protecting your job! It's about protecting your family,
your craft, and your job! They (the BLE) give it away!

I urge you to stand up for your job, your family,
your craft, and your union.

I ask all of you to give us the ammunition that we
need to complete the job with the BLE.

I've heard a lot of political rhetoric out in the
halls, that, well, just as soon as he gets the $5, and
we get out of this convention, he is going to raise it
another $2 also.

I make the commitment to you today: We come to you up
front; we're not coming to the back door. We get the $5
dues increase and there is absolutely no need to come
back for an additional $2 during the term from this
convention to the next convention. And I make the firm
commitment to you that we will not do that.

That's my stance on the dues increase, Brothers and
Sisters.

Now, somebody said in the caucuses, "Well, Charlie,
you're going to serve for six months, maybe two years,
three years or something like that."

I committed in those caucuses to be with you for the
full term, the next four years.

But, if I happen to die, for some unknown reason, I
think that Brother Boyd will give you the same
assurances that the dues will not be increased that
additional $2 if we get this $5 dues increase.

Is that right Brother Boyd?

(Brother Boyd responded, "You have my word on it.")

That, Brothers and Sisters, is my position on the
dues increase.

--KCS conductor killed in collision ............##B

Ronnie L. Taylor II, a UTU-represented conductor on
the Kansas City Southern, was killed last month when his
loaded coal train ran into another train in southwestern
Arkansas.

Taylor, 26, of Local 770 in Heavener, Okla., was
found beneath piles of coal five hours after the
incident.

A KCS spokesman said Taylor jumped out of the
locomotive before it crashed, but derailed cars landed
on top of him.

The engineer with Taylor suffered a broken arm.

--Wisc. Central conductors ratify contract .......##C

STEVENS POINT, Wisc. -- UTU members employed as
conductors on the Wisconsin Central Railroad (WC) last
month ratified their first contract with the carrier.

The contract, which runs through the end of 2000,
settles wage and work-rule issues, includes
retroactivity back through 1998, and affects more than
350 conductors employed by the WC in Wisconsin,
Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The agreement does not apply to employees of the
carrier's Canadian subsidiary, the Algoma Central
Railway, who are covered under separate agreements.

Conductors on the WC chose UTU representation in July
1997, and finally reached an agreement in August 1999.

"This contract is a good start, and the best we could
reach under very difficult circumstances," General
Chairperson Jeff Minton remarked. "In order to move the
mountain, we move stone by stone."

According to Minton, members will receive a total
wage increase of 9% through the course of the contract,
as well as the 8% profit-sharing paid to all other non-
operating employees in 1998.

"We finally have a system-wide seniority roster,"
Minton said, "and we're fine-tuning it now. We're
looking for full implementation of the contract by
January 1, 2000."

Minton noted that besides settling wage and work-rule
issues, the contract sets up grievance procedures and
establishes prior rights for former employees of the Fox
Valley & Western and the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge
Company.

Minton praised the help received from UTU
International Vice President Robert W. Earley, as well
as the continuing cooperation and assistance of
International President Charles L. Little and Assistant
President Byron A. Boyd, Jr.

"Whatever we needed, they were there," Minton said of
the international officers. "And they're still
supporting us as we work toward implementing the
contract. Whenever I pick up the telephone, someone's
there for us."

Also lauded for his support was UTU's Wisconsin State
Legislative Director Thomas P. Dwyer. "We've had full
representation from the state legislative board since
July 1997," Minton said.

Minton noted that President Little delivered on his
promise to WC conductors that they would pay no union
dues until they had a contract. "We're still not paying
dues until this contract is fully implemented," Minton
said. "That shows you the kind of support you get from
the UTU. It's just one of the reasons why I'm getting
more new members here all the time."

The WC has more than 2,000 miles of track in five
states. Until the representation election in 1997, it
was the largest non-union railroad in the nation.

The UTU first asked the National Mediation Board
(NMB) to conduct an election on the WC in early 1994
after nearly all of the engine service workers there
signed representation cards. In September 1994, the NMB
ordered an election to be held, but workers subsequently
rejected union representation.

In mid-1996, the WC was forced to put on hold its
plans to increase the number of trains it ran with just
one crew member when the UTU asked the Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) for an emergency order to block
expansion of such operations.

Later in 1996, the UTU was forced to return to the
FRA for an emergency order blocking the carrier, which
had one of the worst safety records in the U.S., from
operating engines or trains by remote control.

Ultimately, the WC's use of one-person and remote-
control operations led to Wisconsin's adoption in
December 1997 of the nation's first two-person rail crew
law.

Meanwhile, in 1997, WC workers, tired of long hours
and unsafe conditions, again signed "A" cards and sought
a representation election. As a result of that effort,
conductors there chose the UTU as their bargaining
representative.

In late 1998, a proposed wage-and-rule contract was
rejected by the membership, and the parties went back to
the negotiating table.

--UTU fights BNSF availability policy ..........##D

CLEVELAND -- The UTU is fighting a new policy
implemented by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF)
covering the availability of workers.

The new policy, implemented in stages in August, if
allowed to stand, would severely restrict the ability of
members to schedule days off, penalize them for taking
unscheduled days off even for personal or family
illnesses, and violate the work/rest principles and
guidelines adopted by the carriers and operating unions
earlier this year.

In late August the U.S. District Court for the
Northern District of Texas imposed a strike injunction
against the UTU and the BLE over the issue. The carrier
sought the injunction out of fear that the unions would
strike in reaction to the implementation of the new
policy.

The court ordered binding arbitration. A resolution
is expected by mid-October.

"There is no question that the policy, as written,
violates numerous rules," BNSF General Chairperson
Robert Kerley said. However, the dispute has been ruled
a minor one under the Railway Labor Act, despite UTU
protests, he said. "Because it involved the application
or interpretation of the work/rest initiatives or the
collective bargaining agreement, it has to be resolved
in arbitration as a minor dispute," he said.

"BNSF's implementation of this policy would violate
the commitments the carrier made to us in the work/rest
guidelines that were negotiated and adopted in March,"
UTU International President Charles L. Little said. "We
are determined to derail this shortsighted and
counterproductive policy through the legally prescribed
arbitration process."

"No one seems to know why the carrier has chosen this
time and this avenue of trying to separate availability
issues from the larger work/rest issues being discussed
in the task force meetings," Kerley said.

"The railroad's position is that they (availability
and work/rest issues) are oil and water, that
availability has nothing to do with the work/rest
initiatives, and they have their right to impose these
policies.

"Saying availability has nothing to do with the
work/rest initiatives is ludicrous," Kerley said. "It's
like trying to separate the forest from the trees. They
are one and the same.

"In implementing these availability policies they
(BNSF) are determining which employees are full-time
employees and which are part-time, to set a criteria for
what constitutes full-time employment in each class of
service," Kerley said.

"The major reason why employees lay off is because
the carrier cannot tell them when they need to be
rested, so they can come to work rested.

"(UTU and BLE members) are upset, even the people who
may not be greatly affected by the restrictions because
they don't lay off," Kerley said. "They are angry and
insulted that the carrier is seeking to punish people
for reasonable time off, which they have enjoyed for
years.

"Our chances (of winning at arbitration) are
excellent," Kerley said. "The worst thing about all of
this is if the carrier wins, the carrier loses. If an
arbitrator permits this policy, in the face of those
work/rest initiatives, then the whole work/rest
initiatives are in jeopardy. We lose all credibility
with employees and lose all the progress we have made
with these initiatives."

"We find this policy to be totally unacceptable and
outside of the March 18, 1999, work/rest
guidelines/principles signed by the UTU and the National
Carriers Conference Committee," newly elected Vice
President Carl Vahldick wrote the carrier. "It is our
position that the crew consist agreement provides that
the carrier will maintain sufficient employees to allow
for reasonable lay off privileges. If the carrier
desires to define reasonable lay off privileges, then it
becomes a matter for collective bargaining.

"This committee absolutely disagrees that the carrier
has any right under existing agreements and practices to
unilaterally impose these changes. By what authority
does the carrier purport to act?" Vahldick wrote.

--BLE hires defeated Monin .......................##E

Former Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE)
President Clarence Monin, in a highly curious move, has
been hired by new BLE President Ed Dubroski as a high-
priced consultant.

Monin lost a recall vote to Dubroski by only 37
votes, and BLE sources said another recall vote was
being planned against Dubroski and General Secretary and
Treasurer Russell W. Bennett.

Only about half of the BLE's membership bothered to
vote in the recall, and Dubroski received barely more
than 25% of the vote of the BLE's active membership.

There's no word yet on whether Monin's rich, long-
term consulting contract has ended the movement for
another recall election.

--Members give BLE brother needed time .........##F

Members of the UTU and Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers (BLE) are joining together to aid one of their
own.

Some 150 members of UTU Locals 1402, Dupo, Ill., and
1823 in St. Louis, Mo., along with their brothers and
sisters in the local division of the BLE, since January,
have contributed more than 200 personal leave days to
BLE member A.V. Kingsbury so he can spend more time with
his wife, who is fighting cancer and may have only a few
months to live.

John Lowe, Jr., president of Local 1402, said some
members have donated as many as five days to Kingsbury.

Kingsbury, a father and "a very good engineer,"
really appreciates what his fellow UTU and BLE members
are doing for him, Lowe said.

--National Mediation Board update ................##G

As this issue of the UTU NEWS goes to press, the
National Mediation Board (NMB) continues to review the
UTU's petition seeking a representation election on the
Union Pacific Railroad.

To stay on top of the latest news, check the UTU's
website daily at < http://www.utu.org > where the latest
news and NMB developments will be posted.

--Van drivers' ballots due .....................##H

Representation election ballots were mailed on
September 29 to approximately 100 part-time bus drivers
employed by Evergreen Trails in Seattle as part of the
employees' efforts to procure the UTU as their official
bargaining representative.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ordered the
election in response to a petition filed by UTU
organizers there last August.

Following changes to the part-time drivers' wage
structure that were carried out this summer, the
employees approached local officials of the UTU, the
union representing their full-time brothers and sisters
in Local 324.

"The company implemented some new wage-payment
calculations for these drivers and, due to other working
conditions, a vast majority of them came to the UTU
seeking assistance," said UTU Bus Vice President Bernie
McNelis.

McNelis said the International is looking forward to
working with the part-time drivers as they seek to join
their full-time brothers and sisters in solidarity.

He added that the ballots should be returned in the
mail as soon as possible, as they will be officially
tallied on October 22.

In other news, McNelis said that petitions were filed
on September 13 for representation elections being
sought by Renzenberger van drivers in Texas and
Louisiana, and Cimarron van drivers in Texas.

The petitions cover approximately 100 full- and part-
time Renzenberger employees and nearly 250 Cimarron
employees.

As this UTU News goes to press, McNelis said the
NLRB's tentative schedule called for ballots to be
mailed to affected employees on October 25 and to be
counted on November 2.

The van drivers for Renzenberger and Cimarron haul
rail crews in and around rail yards and from location to
location.

--River Terminal pact approved ...................##I

CLEVELAND -- UTU-represented employees on the River
Terminal Railroad, which services LTV facilities in the
Cleveland, Ohio, area, have ratified a new agreement
with the carrier.

About 70 UTU-represented conductors and brakemen, all
members of Local 1661, work on the property, said Vice
President Pete Patsouras.

The workers had been working under the old contract
for about three years while negotiations continued,
Patsouras said. The ratification comes just two months
before negotiations for a new contract are set to begin,
he noted.

The new contract calls for the payment of more than
$18,000 per member in retroactive wages, lump sums,
profit sharing and other payments, Patsouras said. Some
members could get back payments of more than $25,000 if
they worked a lot of overtime, he said.

The new pact also revises the crew consist agreement
with the carrier, with all current employees designated
as protected employees. The contract also calls for
improved profit sharing payments, future wage increases,
more vacation, the settlement of past time claims, and
pension improvements.

Patsouras praised the local committee, especially
General Chairperson Ralph Bryant, for their hard work in
representing the members.

AROUND THE UTU

--News from around the U.S. and Canada .........##J

LOCAL 2, TOLEDO, OHIO
Member RAY BOTTLES, one of the last active trainmen
to work on the New York Central's 20th Century Limited,
was on hand in late August to participate when the U.S.
Postal Service unveiled a five-stamp series
commemorating America's great passenger trains. The
other trains pictured on the stamps include the
Daylight, the Congressional, the Hiawatha, and the Super
Chief.

LOCAL 4, CHARNY, P.Q.
Local Secretary and Treasurer LOUIS-FRAN‚OIS GARCEAU,
who serves as secretary of the Quebec Provincial
Legislative Board, is creating a railway magazine
entitled TRAQ (Transport sur Rail Au QuŽbec), which
translates as "Transport on Rail into Quebec." The 32-
page, bimonthly is being sponsored in part by the Quebec
Provincial Legislative Board, Local 4, and individual
members. For information, contact Garceau at (418) 832-
2114, or send e-mail to < yahwe@total.net >.

LOCAL 469, MADISON, ILL.
UTU members played a major role during last month's
Madison County Labor Day parade and picnic, according to
Secretary and Treasurer JOHN PAYER, who noted that
members of LOCALS 1405 AND 1388 (both in St. Louis, Mo.)
and LOCAL 1929 (E. St. Louis, Ill.) joined those who
participated. Membership I, the UTU's mobile education
and training lab, led the UTU contingent, followed by a
locomotive-and-caboose float occupied by UTU members'
children, who tossed candy to the other children lining
the parade route. The float earned a second-place
trophy, and the event was followed by a picnic featuring
free food and beverages, live music and an antique car
show, thanks to the sponsorship of the MIDWEST
RAILROADERS and Designated Legal Council F. LANCE
CALLIS.

LOCAL 504, WHEELING, W. VA.
Beautiful weather promoted good attendance as nearly
150 active and retired workers gathered in Grandview
Park in Moundsville, W. Va., for the annual Labor Day
picnic, according to West Virginia State Legislative
Director JOHN R. PENNYBACKER, JR. The event, chaired and
coordinated by RONALD E. HELMS, received considerable
support from Designated Legal Counsel THOMAS C. WOOD,
JR., and the firm of CHATTMAN, GAINES & STERN.

LOCAL 577, NORTHLAKE, ILL.
Members enjoyed great weather during their Labor Day
picnic, held at the Busse Woods Ned Brown Preserve near
Elk Grove Village, Ill., said Local Secretary KENNETH J.
LARSON, who expressed his gratitude to the officers and
members who made the event a success. Larson also
thanked the Designated Legal Counsel law firms that
sponsored the event for their generous support.

LOCAL 597, DES PLAINES, ILL.
Members working for UP on former Chicago & North
Western lines are taking pride in the accomplishments of
fellow member JOHN W. BABLER, according to Local
Chairperson and President MARK F. DOYLE. Brother Babler,
a general chairperson, was elected to the position of
Second Alternate Vice President-West at the recent UTU
convention.

LOCAL 759, NEWARK, N.J.
Members are already making plans for a Christmas
party, and continue to face issues related to the
purchase of their employer, Community Transportation, by
Coach USA, according to Local Chairperson GEORGE ADAMS.
Regular meetings are held on the third Monday of the
month at the DAV Chapter I in Passaic, N.J., but efforts
are underway to change the meetings to Sunday to boost
attendance.

LOCAL 823, BIG SPRING, TEX.
During the President's Banquet at the recent UTU
convention in Miami Beach, Fla., JERRY O. BARKER was
pleasantly surprised to be presented with a UTU Brass
Lantern Award in recognition of his many years of effort
and hard work for the union and his local. Barker, who
has served more than 20 years as local secretary and
treasurer, is also local chairperson, legislative
representative and delegate for his local.

LOCAL 1462, BOSTON, MASS.
Members of the local will be among those attending a
fund raiser for the family of JOHN P. KEEFE III, an
Amtrak foreman and member of the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 103,
according to Secretary and Treasurer DAVID M. BOWE.
Keefe was lost at sea in a boating accident, and because
his body was never recovered, the family cannot collect
Railroad Retirement or life insurance benefits. The
event is set for 7 p.m. on November 5 at the IBEW Hall
in Dorchester, Mass. For more information, call (617)
436-3710.

LOCAL 1715, CHARLOTTE, N.C.
As this edition went to press, members were slated to
nominate candidates for local positions at the meeting
planned for the first week of this month, according to
Local President JAMES O. SHANNON, JR.

LOCAL 1778, N. VANCOUVER, B.C.
Members recently hosted a testimonial dinner in honor
of CLYDE MULHALL, who retired after 42 years of
dedication to the trade union movement, according to
Secretary and Treasurer DAVID MOORHOUSE. Brother Mulhall
had served as the local's chairperson and as general
chairperson for BC Rail workers.

LOCAL 1908, BUFFALO, N.Y.
Mechanics working for National School Bus have
ratified a new contract that will bring them a 10% wage
increase over three years, but the pact can't be signed
and implemented until the bus drivers on the property
ratify an agreement, according to General Chairperson
CAROLYN SCARSELLA. In the meantime, the local's
mechanics have agreed to an extension of their existing
contract through October 31, 1999, in exchange for
retroactive pay back to June 26, 1999.

GO-020 (BNSF)
The general committee's merger with former GO-012, a
committee led by PENELOPE B. WILSON (the UTU's first
female rail general chairperson), has reached another
benchmark with the streamlining of the claims-handling
process. General Chairperson C.D. "BUD" DAVIS said he
and Wilson, now associate general chairperson, can
report that discipline cases are being heard, and issues
involving Public Law Boards from both committees are
being handled in a timely matter. The committees, which
merged effective July 1, 1999, now cover a geographical
area stretching from San Francisco, Cal., to Chicago,
Ill. Visit their website at < http://pages.prodigy.net/utu-e />.

GO-663 & GO-769 (AMTRAK)
Ballots were being mailed at presstime to members
under the jurisdiction of these two general committees
of adjustment headed by General Chairpersons W. A. BEEBE
(GO-663) and A.L. SUOZZO (GO-769), allowing them to vote
on the long-awaited contract proposal. Those who failed
to receive a ballot should contact Suozzo at (215) 564-
1750, or by writing to him at 1515 Market St., Ste. 515,
Philadelphia, PA 19102. International Vice President
PETE PATSOURAS has endorsed the proposal and urges its
adoption.

MEMBERSHIP PROFILE

--New VP focuses on passenger railroads ..........##K

Delegates at the UTU's Eighth Quadrennial Convention
recently created a new vice presidential position to
address commuter and passenger rail operations, but the
man they elected to the post is by no means new to the
territory.

C.A. "Tony" Iannone, of Local 838 in Philadelphia,
Pa., will take office as an international vice president
on January 1, 2000.

Always interested in union affairs, Brother Iannone
served as local chairperson from 1986 until 1992, when
he was elected general secretary of GO-769, the Amtrak
general committee chaired by A.L. Suozzo. He retained
that position until the beginning of this year, when he
was elected as the committee's vice general chairperson
for members working for Amtrak, SEPTA, TriRail, Canton
and Conrail shared assets.

Along with Michael J. Canino, elected to serve as
First Alternate Vice President - Commuter Rail, Iannone
looks forward to making a difference for the 10,000-plus
UTU members in passenger and commuter rail operations.
"Mike (Canino) is a valuable resource, and we'll be
working as a team under the direction of President
Little," Iannone said.

Assignments related to safety, critical incident
programs and fatigue are likely to be placed on their
agenda, Iannone said, but they also intend to work
closely with the UTU's national and state legislative
directors.

"It's a different kind of work environment from
freight service," Iannone observed, "with a unique
political side. Commuter services are subsidized by
local, state and federal government agencies, so that's
an area where we'll be focusing attention. We also want
to help polish the image of UTU members working in these
operations, so that the various communities appreciate
and respect the value of these jobs."

STATE WATCH

--News from UTU State Legislative Boards .......##L

ARIZONA
The Arizona Legislative Board is now registering
persons interested in participating in a hazardous
materials seminar being presented by the George Meany
Center for Labor Studies, according to State Director
SCOTT OLSON.

The seminar will be held at the Little America Hotel
in Flagstaff, Ariz., beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday,
November 1, 1999.

UTU officers and members are encouraged to attend,
but space is limited.

For more information, or to register for the seminar,
contact Olson at (602) 370-4961.

TENNESSEE
The United Transportation Union was well-represented
at the state AFL-CIO Labor Council's 21st biennial
convention, which was held in Nashville the week of
September 13 and was attended by Vice President Al Gore
and many of the state Democratic Party's headliners.

UTU Local Legislative Representatives J. LARRY JONES
(459), ROBERT M. DAVIS (1345), DON FENRICK (1557) and
RANDAL ELLIOTT (974) served as delegates to the
convention and Jones also served as the chief sergeant-
at-arms.

On the second day of the convention, UTU State
Legislative Director JERRY ANDERTON was elected to the
office of first vice president to the State Executive
Committee.

Gore addressed the more than 300 delegates and
friends in attendance, urging a greater commitment to
public schools and health care for all children, and
reminding the crowd that his father was instrumental in
passing the first minimum wage law in the U.S.

Representative Harold Ford, Jr. (Dist.-9) drew much
acclaim when he told the crowd that he was closer than
ever to deciding whether to run for the U.S. Senate.

"On a scale of one to 10, I'm getting closer to 10,
and 10 means I'm going to run," Ford told the crowd, who
rose to their feet in applause.

Also in attendance were former Gov. Ned McWherter,
Nashville Mayor-Elect Bill Purcell, and U.S.
Representatives Bart Gordon and Bob Clement.


--Shaver urges support for strikers ..............##M

At the 1999 UTU convention this past summer, Local
202 Delegate and Colorado Legislative Director Jack
Shaver introduced a resolution to recognize and assist
40 UTU members and more than 1,000 members of the United
Steelworkers of America who were permanently replaced by
CF&I/Oregon Steel nearly two years ago.

The 40 members of UTU Locals 49 and 204 were
illegally terminated and replaced after refusing to
cross the steelworkers' picket line at CF&I Steel in
Pueblo, Col.

After voting to have the resolution entered into the
official convention record, officially joining the AFL-
CIO boycott of CF&I/Oregon Steel and its products, and
resolving to use UTU influence to insist that all
carriers employing UTU members refrain from purchasing
rail products from CF&I/Oregon Steel, the delegates and
officers in attendance collected $7,500 to contribute to
the cause of these workers.

Shaver has asked that any individual members,
officers, general committees of adjustment, state and
provincial legislative boards, auxiliary lodges, UTUIA
local units or designated legal counsel who wish to
contribute to this effort forward their checks to Ray
Cid, Treasurer, UTU Local 49, 23950 Cardinal Rd.,
Pueblo, CO 81006.

BUS DEPT. / STREET BEAT

--"The British are coming!" ....................##N
Editorial by Bernard J. McNelis
Vice President and Director, UTU Bus Dept.

The British are coming! The British are coming! And
it appears they are here to stay.

Britain's National Express, PLC, recently acquired
Durham Transportation of Austin, Texas. Within the last
year National Express acquired three other United States
transit contractors: Crabtree-Harmon in Missouri, Bauman
Bus in Pennsylvania, and Robinson Bus Service in
Illinois. With the purchase of Durham, National Express
added approximately 3,500 school buses to its fleet and
now has about 5,600 buses in 14 states. It is now the
third-largest school bus operator in the U.S.

Britain's First Group, PLC, recently purchased Ryder
Public Transportation, which includes Ryder/ATE, the
public transit contracting and management service. Ryder
Student Transportation Service operates approximately
10,000 school buses. First Group also owns Bruce
Transportation in New Jersey, and soon will become the
nation's second-largest school bus operator, with
Laidlaw of Burlington, Ontario, being the largest.

We can expect these multinational companies to
continue the acquisition of other companies within the
U.S. Of course, the British companies are not just
purchasing school bus companies. Remember, Stagecoach,
PLC, recently purchased Coach USA.

It is imperative that the UTU meet with and
communicate with our union allies from Britain and other
countries who are already dealing with these companies
to gain insight into their operations, financial
background, and their dealings in contract negotiations
and on a daily basis. President Little was judicious
when he affiliated with the International Transport
Workers Federation (ITF). Through the ITF and its
affiliates we can learn about and provide input
regarding these multinational companies. No longer can
the UTU think only U.S. and Canada. We must continue to
reach out globally and truly become an international
union, or we shall be left behind.

--McNelis attends ITF meeting in Mexico ..........##O

MEXICO CITY -- Vice President Bernie McNelis,
director of the UTU's Bus Department, recently attended
the International Transport Federation's (ITF) Inter-
American Road Transport Workers' meeting here to show
the UTU's support of the organization.

The UTU is affiliated with the ITF.

In addition to UTU representatives, those from many
Latin American countries were in attendance, as well as
union representatives from the Transport Workers Union
and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Jointly chairing the meeting, from the office of the
ITF in London, England, were Assistant General Secretary
Graham Brothers, Assistant Secretary-Inland Transport
Mac Urata, ITF Regional Secretary Maurica Sant'Anna, UTA
Secretary General Juan Manuel Palacios, ATM President
Benito Bahena Lome, and ITF Executive Board Member Omar
Jose Gomez of Brazil. Assistant to Regional Secretary
Filomena Garcia was in attendance and was very
instrumental in seeing that the meeting turned out to be
a success.

"This meeting was the gathering of union
representatives from the Road Transport Workers of the
Inter-Americas who represent member/workers from the
bus, van, taxi and trucking industries," McNelis said.
"There was some discussion regarding the concerns of
rail union members, but the meeting was mainly for those
members who work on the roads."

The agenda consisted of reports from the secretary,
national reports, drivers hours/fatigue, Day of Action,
issues facing the unions throughout the Americas, cross-
border trade agreements (i.e.,NAFTA), multinational
companies, mobilizing solidarity and women's activities,
education and urban transport issues, McNelis said.

"The issue of vans, unregulated, non-union and
illegally operating as individual taxis, or vans
transporting passengers in front of unionized, regularly
scheduled bus services at a cheaper price, was
discussed," McNelis said. "This is a major concern
throughout the Americas as it is causing unemployment.
The vehicles are unsafe, drivers untrained, they usually
do not have proper licenses, and do not carry liability
insurance for the passengers.

"Hours of service for bus and truck drivers were
discussed at great length and many of the participants
stated how drivers in their countries are working
excessive hours. In many countries, hours of service
regulations are insufficient, causing fatigue and health
problems, as well as social problems for the drivers and
their families," McNelis said.

There are more than 600,000 women who are members of
the ITF. "Filomena Garcia and Maria da Conceicao Gomez
spoke about women's issues and the increase in the
number of women in the ITF and in leadership positions.
Sisters Garcia and Gomez and other women in attendance
spoke on the importance of solidarity between women and
men," he said.

The group also discussed multinational companies,
such as Stagecoach from London, England, which recently
acquired Coach USA. "There is a meeting in London on
October 13 and 14 to further discuss multinational
companies, their impact on the transit industry and
their dealings with the unions throughout the world,"
McNelis said.

McNelis spoke on the government's role in safety for
the bus and truck industries regarding hours of service
and "how (the UTU) is attempting to have the vans who
haul our rail crews and the public regulated by the
Federal Highway Administration or the appropriate
agency. Those regulations should include commercial
driver's licenses for the drivers, hours of service and
other rules or regulations for equipment safety."

McNelis also spoke on the involvement of women within
the UTU, and how women need to be more involved in their
union and politics. On the second day, McNelis spoke on
NAFTA and the importance of unions on both sides of the
border working together.

"This was a very important meeting to discuss the
common concerns of the unions and how we can unite
together to tackle the many problems facing us all,"
McNelis said.

October 5, 1999, is the ITF Transport Workers Action
Day to bring the concerns of fatigue and excessive
driving hours to the attention of the public. "I urge
all members to drive their vehicles with their
headlights on during the action day," McNelis said.

YARDMASTER REPORT

--"UP yardmasters ratify new pact" .............##P
Editorial by Don R. Carver
Assistant to the President, Yardmasters' Dept.

The proposed agreement with the Union Pacific
received an overwhelming vote in support of
ratification. We targeted October 1, 1999, as the
effective date.

Preparation of accurate seniority rosters is
underway. Wage increases for the UP (MP and CNW)
yardmasters will be effective January 1, 2000. Wage
increases for the UP (SP) yardmasters will be effective
on the effective date of the agreement with back pay as
soon as possible, but within sixty (60) days.

On August 9 and 10, 1999, we were in negotiations
with the Grand Trunk/CN for guaranteed extra boards with
a training pay agreement. We are optimistic about the
results.

CSX General Chairpersons D.K. Turner, G0-347, and
Dennis J. Burke, GOSCL, are directly involved in working
with CSX Transportation in the development of a
yardmaster-specific rules examination. These
chairpersons are to be commended for their long hours of
hard work and determination.

Meanwhile, we have had an increase in yardmaster
investigations wherein our members have been charged as
a result of accidents occurring while protecting shoves
for train and yard crews. The same problem exists when a
yardmaster instructs crews that a track will hold a
specific numbers of cars and an accident occurs while
shoving the track.

Yardmasters are considered to have relieved the crew
of all responsibility when they protect in this manner.
There exists a dispute between carriers and the Federal
Railroad Administration regarding the coverage of the
Hours of Service Act when shoves are protected by the
yardmasters.

If your employer requires you to protect shoving
movements, do not put safety and your career in jeopardy
by not giving the shove movement your full focus and
attention until the shove movement is completed.

EDITORIALS

--UTU comes through with healthcare choice .......##Q

In poll after poll, Americans declare that they want
more say in their healthcare choices. For many UTU rail
members, they will have that say beginning in January.
That's when those eligible UTU members who are active
employees and who work under UTU contracts on BNSF,
Conrail, CSX, KCS, NS and UP will be able to pick and
choose between their current providers and a new one,
BlueCross BlueShield.

The UTU is the only rail and transportation union
offering this innovative plan to its members. It is also
another clear example of the superior results the UTU
achieves for the benefit of its members and their
families. For example, rail employees who work under BLE
contracts are not eligible for this new plan. The UTU is
the only union representing railroad employees that will
be offering several top-quality choices: Regence-
BlueCross BlueShield, United HealthCare and Aetna.

Competition between BlueCross BlueShield, United
HealthCare and Aetna is a "healthy" twist that will
benefit you and your family. In order to keep your
business long-term, these companies must do more to
provide you the type of service you deserve. Complacency
will no longer be acceptable. It's your choice to make,
so choose what is best for you.

We have noticed that the BLE is whining about not
being able to match the UTU's new healthcare plan for
the workers it represents. That shouldn't surprise
anyone. The BLE is always a day late and more than a
dollar short when it comes to representation. It's just
another reason why the UTU is the right union to
represent all rail operating employees in the 21st
Century. Your fundamental right of healthcare choice
depends upon it.

--"The next four years" ........................##R
Editorial by Byron A. Boyd, Jr.
UTU Assistant President

What's next? Since leaving Miami Beach a few weeks
ago, I've been asked that question more than any other.
Let me tell you what I see.

We left Miami Beach at the end of August as a
stronger and more unified union.

We left Miami Beach with our president, Charlie
Little, re-elected by a 5-to-1 landslide, and a new
general secretary and treasurer, Paul C. Thompson,
elected by acclamation.

We left Miami Beach giving our more than 10,000
commuter- and passenger-rail members increased
representation by creating a vice president's position
to serve them, and elected Tony Iannone and Mike Canino
to get the job done.

We left Miami Beach with a vote by the delegates to
increase local education and training, to better fund
our convention, and to raise funds for our pending
representation battle with the BLE.

We left Miami Beach as a union resolutely committed
to doing what it takes to preserve craft autonomy and to
protect every historical craft as we enter the 21st
Century.

The list goes on, but I think you get my point. But
the question remains: What's next?

I think many of you know. Over the last four years,
we have re-established the UTU as the premier rail and
transportation union in North America. Our job for the
next four years is to keep the momentum going and to
stay at the head of the train.

The next four years demand seasoned and innovative
leadership. Given the overwhelming endorsement of UTU
leadership by the delegates in Miami Beach, and the
crippling political instability at the BLE, the choice
is very clear.

Rail employees covered by BLE contracts should be
asking themselves why they don't have the free choice of
healthcare companies, which now includes BlueCross
BlueShield, like UTU-represented workers?

The bottom line is the bottom line. The UTU delivers
more and better healthcare benefits for the workers it
represents. That's just one of the many reasons why UTU
should represent all operating employees. This is
another major clear-cut instance where the UTU stands
far above the crowd.

As is our nature, the UTU will take the lead in
national negotiations. We have already made it clear
that one major goal is to eliminate the entry rate and
dual-basis-of-pay system. Since the World Bank
acknowledges that North American railroad workers are
the most productive on the globe, we will be working on
a pay package that acknowledges that fact. These are
just some of the issues we will be addressing.

When we left Chicago a little more than four years
ago, we had a Blueprint for a New Beginning. We stuck to
that plan and the results have been positive.

We left Miami Beach with a Blueprint for the 21st
Century. Beginning in January 2000, we will begin to
implement that plan. Look for it next month in the UTU
NEWS.

--"These are the good old days" ..................##S
Editorial by James M. Brunkenhoefer
UTU National Legislative Director

I got elected to this position in 1987. I arrived the
same day that the stock market crashed.

I immediately began working with the Reagan
Administration's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
The Reagan FRA used the excuse of the Chase, Md.,
accident to launch an attack on our members and their
personal lives. After the 1988 election, George Bush's
FRA reinforced those efforts.

The answer to railroad safety in the minds of these
two administrations was to punish you. Your personal
lives would be invaded, even your driver's license would
be scrutinized. They felt that the best way to get rail
safety was to place our hard-working members under
personal liability. You see, the carriers had
insubordination with which to threaten you. You had no
choice but to do as instructed. And when you did, the
FRA could punish you with an enormous fine. The
imposition of a number of $1,000 fines to a large
carrier is actually only pennies or less in comparison
to a fine of a few thousand dollars against you
personally.

As if personal liability wasn't enough, the
administration saddled us with a drug testing policy
that is more stringent than any other in society. It
starts off with the assumption that you are guilty. "Now
give us a sample and prove that you are innocent." The
probable-cause threshold is so low that it is ridiculous
and drug testing is little more than FRA-sanctioned
management harassment.

In 1992, Bill Clinton was elected. One of the things
that he did that we approve of was to appoint Jolene
Molitoris as FRA administrator. The attitude at the FRA
has undergone a drastic improvement. UTU is at the
table; the UTU is included. The FRA no longer looks like
the errand boy for the railroads. I will be the first to
admit that they haven't undone all of the mean things
that Reagan/Bush had done, but they have made meaningful
changes.

In the Reagan/Bush years, the FRA seemed to publish a
proposed rule and then ask for comments. Some believe
that they simply stamped "Approved" on the carriers'
submission and that became the regulation. Throughout
the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee process we now
negotiate many safety rules and regulations. We are at
the table with the limited right to veto.

During the Reagan/Bush years, if there was a
rulemaking that the railroads wanted, or one that hurt
our members, it was approved faster than you can say
"now." When there were rules and regulations that would
have benefited our members, they were either never done
or somehow took five to six years. When the railroads,
during the Reagan/Bush years, violated the law, somehow
the FRA lost the complaint or would take years to get
around to investigating it. In many cases it had been so
long that the witnesses forgot, retired or passed away.
If the FRA imposed a fine, the fine was only pennies on
the dollar.

We have less than a year and a half left with the
current administration. We have no reason to believe
that the younger George Bush, and his polices, will be
any different than the older George Bush. Yet, some of
our members don't understand why we are supporting Al
Gore. If you don't, please reread the proceeding
paragraphs.

--Voices: Members share their opinions .........##T

Periodically, the UTU NEWS will contact members at
random to report their thoughts on a question of
interest to the general membership.

This month's question: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER
SOMEONE NEW TO YOUR JOB

"I've been a bus operator for Community
Transportation for eight years. We work commuter
operations, municipal lines and charters. I tell new
drivers to be on time, be reliable, and drive within the
speed limits. Customers have to trust you and feel
confident you're giving them safe transportation. If
you're going out of town, map it out and study it the
night before. I also tell them the union is a survivor
apparatus. Without it, you have no protection or say."
-- GEORGE W. ADAMS, L-759, NEWARK, N.J.

"I'm a Union Pacific engineer with 22 years in
railroading. When I teach a student, the first thing I
tell them is, 'Think safe.' I tell them to always think
about what they're doing ahead of time, and think about
their crew so everyone goes home. That's success. I tell
them to follow the rules to keep themselves covered. I
also advise them that the UTU is the union for all
operating employees, not a select few, and that's why
I've remained a member. 'UTU' means 'unity.'"
-- MARK F. DOYLE, L-597, DES PLAINES, ILL.

"I've been an engineer for about a year, and in the rail
industry a little more than two years, so I remember
what it was like to be new. New hires should know it's
critical to be aware of all operating and safety rules.
Safety is number one. They should also understand this
is a job, and they are here to move freight, not to
socialize. And I'd urge union involvement and making the
effort to learn about the benefits available to them as
union members."
-- VINCENT L. JACKSON, L-683, DETROIT, MICH.

"I'm a Norfolk Southern yard conductor on an industrial
job. I've been here 10 or 12 years, and I've been
railroading for about 33 years. We've got lots of new
guys up here, and my advice to them is to pay attention
and learn as much as you can. We try to teach the new
guys to stay alert because we want them to go home with
everything they brought to work. If you know how to do
the work properly, you're going to be a lot safer."
-- JACK E. MCMILLAN, L-2, TOLEDO, OHIO

FEATURES

--Debs Foundation seeks members ..................##U

Eugene Victor Debs (1855-1926) was a multifaceted
person who excelled as a labor leader, political
activist and general promoter of social justice. Few
have given so completely of themselves to the cause of
human rights.

Those wishing to keep Debs' dreams alive are urged to
become members of the Debs Foundation, said John H.
Burner, assistant Illinois state legislative director.

As a boy of 14, Debs quit school to help support his
family in hard times, Burner said. His first job was in
the railroad yard in east Terre Haute, Ind. This began a
lifelong association with railroaders in particular and
the working class overall. His mother's concerns and
admonitions regarding the hazardous nature of
railroading were brought home painfully to young Debs
when a close friend was killed in one of the all-too-
frequent train wrecks.

When workers organized a Terre Haute chapter of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, Debs showed up and
was elected secretary, Burner said. "Thus began Gene
Debs' rise in the ranks of labor. Debs became general
secretary of the BLF and editor of its magazine, and
rose to national prominence in the labor movement."

Debs' founding of the American Railway Union in 1893
is a watershed in Debs' life and in the structure of
industrial unions. The crushing of the ARU after its
involvement in the Pullman strike convinced Debs to turn
to the political arena to help shape public opinion and
create the legal institutions that would make possible
effective union organizations, Burner said.

Debs succeeded in demonstrating the power of
industrial-type unions. His political activism nudged
the country toward legislation to restrict child labor,
give unions the legal rights to bargain collectively,
and women the right to vote. Debs said, "While there is
a lower class, I am of it..." and he gave freely of
himself to bring empowerment and a sense of dignity to
that class.

Each year since 1962, under the auspices of the E.V.
Debs Foundation, a group of like-minded "Debsians"
gather in Terre Haute to celebrate the memory of Debs
and to honor with an award an American whose lifework
places him or her in the Debs tradition, Burner said. H.
"Ed" Gilbert, former Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
and Enginemen president and founding UTU vice president,
is a past recipient of this prestigious award. Al
Chesser, past UTU president, was the featured speaker in
1975, introducing recipient Martin H. Miller, a retired
UTU member and close friend of Debs who served as
conductor on Debs' funeral train.

The 1999 banquet will be October 29, honoring Gloria
Johnson, who is president of the Coalition of Labor
Union Women and vice president of the AFL-CIO Executive
Council.

Banquet guests also can avail themselves of the rare
opportunity to tour the home Debs built in 1890 and
lived in until his death in 1926, Burner said. The home
is full of original Debs furniture, many photographs of
the era, and union and political memorabilia. The
memorial garden has plaques honoring pioneer labor
leaders.

Membership in the Debs Foundation is available in
many categories. Dues and contributions are tax
deductible. The foundation owns and maintains the Debs
home and offers several educational and cultural
programs. It is a voluntary organization with no paid
staff.

For more information about the Debs Foundation, write
P.O. Box 843, Terre Haute, IN 47808.

--Meet your UTU International officers .........##V

The traditional print version of this month's edition
of the UTU NEWS includes a two-page section of
photographs depicting the slate of international
officers elected at the UTU's Eighth Quadrennial
Convention, held in Miami Beach, Fla., in August 1999.

UTU members who are not regularly receiving this
newspaper in the mail should contact: Mail List, United
Transportation Union, 14600 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland,
OH 44107-4250, or call (216) 228-9400 Monday through
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST.

SENIOR NEWS

--Medicare HMOs to kill free drug coverage .......##W

The Clinton Administration said health maintenance
organizations (HMOs) will not be providing free drug
coverage to any Medicare recipients next year, a
development it said highlights the need for guaranteed
coverage of prescription drugs by Medicare HMOs and the
original Medicare program.

HMOs had attracted disabled and senior patients by
offering prescription drugs at no charge.

Some 6.3 million of Medicare's 39 million
beneficiaries are in HMOs. But the White House said the
recent trend of HMOs pulling out of Medicare or reducing
the areas they serve has undermined confidence in such
plans.

More than 1.2 million Medicare beneficiaries with
access to free drugs will have to make co-payments next
year, while many more will have to pay higher premiums
for such coverage, the White House report said.

For brand-name drugs, co-payments are likely to rise
an average of 21%, while co-payments for generic
versions will rise about 8%, the report said. Currently,
co-payments range from about $5 to $20 per prescription.

Health insurers said the government should increase
payments to them or they will drop even more of the drug
benefits they provide voluntarily.

In a speech to the American Medical Association
(AMA), Vice President Al Gore said the development shows
that Congress should adopt the administration's proposal
to guarantee prescription drug coverage by Medicare HMOs
and the original Medicare program.

Medicare does not now pay for drugs prescribed
outside of a hospital. Medicare HMOs are not required to
offer drug benefits, and the government does not pay
them for such benefits.

In his speech to the AMA, Gore noted that HMOs have
systematically reduced coverage for prescription drugs
used by Medicare recipients. In 1999, 21% of Medicare
plans limited drug coverage to $500 or less. Next year,
32% of Medicare HMOs will have such limits.

Gore also noted that the number of beneficiaries with
access only to the most expensive HMOs will quadruple
next year. Such HMOs charge annual premiums of $960 or
more.

--Retiree oversees legislative affairs .........##X

Retiree Program member Vincent Connelly possessed an
insight early in life that continues to guide him in
retirement.

"I always knew that anything that hurts a working man
hurts me," Connelly said, "and it's the same in
retirement. Sooner or later, when we lose employment, it
hurts our Railroad Retirement fund."

While many accept that to be true, Connelly, a member
of Local 1370 in New York, N.Y., does what he can so
that other rail retirees won't have to accept anything
that's second-best.

As national legislative director of the National
Association of Retired and Veteran Railroad Employees
(NARVRE) for nearly eight years, Connelly has kept his
ear to the rail.

"Broken Rail is a tremendous help to me in my job,"
Connelly said in reference to UTU National Legislative
Director James Brunkenhoefer. "The minute something
happens, I hear about it. The Railroad Retirement Board
(RRB) also keeps me advised through a monthly
legislative report listing every bill that may impact
their operations."

Connelly first joined the workforce as a merchant
seaman, sailing away in 1945 at the age of 16. In late
1948, he joined the Army and went to Tokyo. When he
returned, he began working as a brakeman for the Central
Railroad of New Jersey. He was promoted to conductor,
and in January 1982 he transferred to Amtrak. He retired
in May 1992.

Along the way, he joined the Brotherhood of Railroad
Trainmen, "and I held every office in the local except
local chairperson, the only office I didn't want," he
said.

The NARVRE organization will hold its biennial
convention in May 2000. Though Connelly may face a
challenger for the legislative director's post for the
first time since he's held it, he remains too busy to
worry about it.

At the top of his list is an effort being pursued by
all of rail labor to correct inequities in the way
Railroad Retirement widow(er)s benefits are calculated.
"There were some recent negotiations that the UTU
participated in, and things are looking favorable,"
Connelly confided.

His best advice to other rail retirees? "Get
registered and vote! And call and write to your
lawmakers. Let them know how many of us are here!"

--Trenton, N.J., group extends invitation ........##Y

An invitation has been extended to retirees from the
Pennsylvania Railroad, Amtrak, Conrail, the Reading
Railroad and New Jersey Transit to meet with those who
get together on a regular basis for snacks and
conversation.

According to Retiree Program member John H. Hance of
Local 1390, Trenton, N.J., a group meets at 2 p.m. on
the third Wednesday of each month at the Bromley Inn,
1616 Nottingham Way, Trenton, N.J.

For more information, contact Brother Hance at (609)
587-2492, or write to him at 6 Merham Ct., Trenton, NJ
08619.

--Retiree Program offers drug benefit ..........##Z

UTU Retiree Program members who pay their annual $9
membership fee are reminded that they are eligible to
purchase prescription drugs at discount prices from
Merck-Medco.

No ID card nor insurance coverage is necessary or
associated with this mail-order-only program. To put
this privilege into effect, or to simply compare Merck-
Medco's prices with those available locally, call the
toll-free number 1-888-666-9554, and identify yourself
as a UTU Retiree program member. Then, ask the service
representative to quote the discount pricing of the
medication in question.

The Merck-Medco service representative will help
first-time callers set up a Retiree Program account, and
will explain how to place the first order, and how to
place any subsequent orders. (Note: This program differs
from the benefit members may have enjoyed while working.
Please talk with a Merck-Medco service representative
before sending your first prescriptions or payments.)

A registered pharmacist is also available at 1-888-
666-9554 to answer any questions you may have about your
medication.

In the event that the service representative
questions your entitlement to this benefit, ask to speak
with a supervisor. If the supervisor continues to
question your entitlement as a member of the UTU Retiree
Program, make a note of the supervisor's name, and
report the incident by writing to: Rx Benefit, UTU
Retiree Program, 14600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH
44107-4250. Please include your name, address, phone
number, and the best time to contact you so arrangements
can be made for a Merck-Medco service representative to
reach you.

--The Final Call ................................##AA

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
0240 Klump, William P. Las Vegas, NV
0265 Jones, James L. Pocatello, ID
0469 Elliff, Harvey W. Collinsville, IL
0653 Peacock, Russell E. Tinley Park, IL
0792 Quercioli, Richard Venice, FL
1374 Beach, Henry L. Poland, OH
1570 Cook, Kenneth E. Rocklin, CA
1601 Mumpower, G. M. Lansdown, VA
1732 McGuire, Neal Redwood City, CA

NOTICES

--Health and welfare plan info mailed .........##BB

During the first two weeks of October, UTU members
eligible for the new National Railway Carriers (NRC)/UTU
Health and Welfare Plan will be receiving enrollment
packages.

The enrollment packages are being mailed to eligible
UTU members only, and must be returned by October 29,
1999.

Eligible UTU members are those active employees who
work under UTU contracts on BNSF, Conrail, CSX, KCS, NS
and UP.

The enrollment material will contain detailed
information about the new NRC/UTU Plan and the options
available to you and your family regarding the
healthcare and other benefits.

The package is being mailed later than was indicated
in an August 5, 1999, letter due to administrative
delays.

The enrollment materials will ask participants to
select both the medical benefit program they desire
(either Managed Medical Care Program [MMCP] or
Comprehensive Health Care Benefit [CHCB]), and the
company that will administer those benefits (Regence-
BlueCross BlueShield [BCBS], United HealthCare or
Aetna).

It is important that you fill out the enrollment
forms and return them as soon as possible.

If you do not return the enrollment materials, you
will continue to receive benefits based on your current
healthcare choices.

You will also be receiving provider directories, if
you live in a MMCP network area, for both the current
MMCP administrator (United HealthCare or Aetna) and BCBS
to determine if your current doctors also participate
with BCBS.

If you like your doctor, make sure you select a
program that includes your doctor.

The enrollment process is also used to designate your
life insurance beneficiaries and to determine which
company (either Magellan Behavioral Health if you select
Regence, or ValueOptions if you select United HealthCare
or Aetna) will administer your mental health and
substance abuse benefits.

Minnesota Life Insurance will provide life insurance,
and Merck-Medco will continue to provide the
prescription drug benefit under the plan.

The new NRC/UTU plan does not affect any of your
other employee benefit plans such as dental, vision, or
if you receive employee benefits through a Hospital
Association.

Nor will this new NRC/UTU plan be applicable to those
members covered under GA-46000, Medicare or GA-23111.

If you have questions about the new plan or do not
receive an enrollment package by the middle of October,
you can obtain one by calling Regence BlueCross
BlueShield, United HealthCare or Aetna.

The toll-free phone numbers are:

Regence BlueCross BlueShield: (888) 977-2583
United HealthCare (MMCP): (888) 445-4379
CHCB: (800) 691-0013
Aetna: (888) 332-8742

If you have any questions once you receive an
enrollment package, call the toll-free numbers of the
various Plan benefit providers who will provide
information regarding participating providers,
transition of benefits, and answer other questions.

The toll-free numbers are included in the enrollment
materials.

If you have other questions or did not get
satisfactory responses from the vendors, call the UTU
International Office at (216) 228-9400.

--Monthly apparel winner announced ..............##CC

This month's lucky winner of his choice of any item
of apparel bearing the UTU logo is Gary D. Matlock of
Bixby, Okla.

Brother Matlock is a member of Local 507 in Van
Buren, Ark., which represents workers employed by the
Union Pacific Railroad.

These items are awarded every month by random drawing
as a show of appreciation to the many members who have
supported the UTU throughout the years. Congratulations
to Brother Matlock!

--Regional Meeting dates planned ..............##DD

The dates and locations have been set for next year's
UTU/UTUIA Regional Meetings. The three meetings will be
held:

--June 12-14 in Reno, Nevada;
--July 10-12 in Birmingham, Ala.;
--August 28-30 in Minneapolis, Minn.

Watch the UTU NEWS for more information.

--Think "UTU" when holiday shopping .............##EE

It's not too early to start thinking about holiday
gifts for the UTU members in your family.

The UTU offers its members a wide variety of UTU-
logoed items such as jackets, polo and T-shirts,
sweatshirts, baseball and stocking caps, two types of
watches, a ring, craft caps, desk clocks, belt buckles,
pocket knives, canvas bags, pens, playing cards, golf
balls and other items.

All items are union or American made. All prices
include shipping and taxes.

Most UTU-logo items are available for viewing on the
UTU web site at < www.utu.org/merch/items1.htm >.

APPAREL AND OTHER ITEMS
Jacket choices include: the Fenway Jacket, a
baseball-style jacket in navy and tan with a rich plaid
lining; the Barn Coat, made of black duck cloth with a
warm blanket lining; the Stadium Jacket, in navy and
white with a zip-off hood; the Clipper Jacket, in navy
and burgundy with thick flannel lining; and the Rally
Jacket, a three-color lined jacket perfect for spring or
fall evenings.

The UTU's selection of shirts includes the popular
"Jerzee" polo-style shirt in your choice of white,
putty, blue or green; the "Classic" polo-style shirt in
ash-gray cotton with the logo on the sleeve; the
"Melrose" polo-style shirt constructed of tough cotton
thermal knit in a charcoal color; the "Aberdeen" polo-
style shirt with contrasting color and sleeves, and a
thick ash-gray embroidered sweatshirt.

A variety of caps are available from the UTU. They
include baseball-style caps embroidered with either "UTU
and Proud" or "UTU Retired and Proud"; a baseball-style
cap embroidered "Bus Operations"; corduroy baseball caps
in black or navy blue, and warm stocking caps in your
choice of red or blue, both sporting a UTU patch.

Also great for gift-giving are the UTU Craft Caps.
All caps are constructed of smoked blue denim, and nine
different crafts are offered (Locomotive Engineer;
Locomotive Fireman; Locomotive Hostler; Conductor;
Brakeman; Carman; Yardmaster; Yardman, and Maintenance
of Way).

Also available are clear acrylic desk clocks; a
"Membership I" motorcoach replica coin bank; a CarCombo
travel mug; a clear acrylic yo-yo; a solid-brass belt
buckle; a Zippo pocket knife; a brass lantern; a three-
foot by five-foot UTU flag; a royal-blue canvas barrel
bag; a money clip with nail file and knife; Parker-brand
pen set; playing cards; golf balls, tees or divot
fixers, and a selection of sew-on patches.

An apparel and novelty item price list and order form
also are available on the UTU website or by writing the
UTU Supply Dept., 14600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH
44107.

Please allow six to eight weeks delivery for most
items.

WATCHES AND RINGS
In a time-honored tradition, the significant moments
that come but once in a lifetime now can be marked
forever with a fine timepiece or ring custom-designed
especially for UTU members.

RING SHOWS UNION PRIDE
UTU members proud of their union affiliation can
order a beautiful UTU ring that grandly displays the
union's logo and highlights the union's creed, "Progress
Through Unity." The ring features the wearer's smooth-
top or facet-cut birthstone circled with the words
"United Transportation Union."

The UTU ring is available in "Aurora" (a gold alloy
similar in color, hardness and wearability to 10K gold)
for only $199 and in 10K gold for $375. Add $12 for
last-name personalization on ring side; $6 for year on
opposite side; name and date can be engraved inside the
ring for $7. Shipping is $5 in the U.S., $15 to Canada.

For orders or questions about the UTU ring or
available birthstones, call Award Incentive Group at
(440) 247-5414.

MEDALLION WATCHES MAKE ELEGANT HEIRLOOMS
Elegant, heirloom-quality UTU Medallion Watches are
proudly emblazoned with the union's logo and your choice
of either a caboose, city bus or steam locomotive in
stunning, three-dimensional, micron-plated gold raised
relief.

Etched with up to four lines of personal, block-
letter engraving to mark any occasion, such as a
retirement or election to UTU office, these Hamilton
watches, assembled in the U.S., feature a Swiss quartz
movement that delivers the split-second "railroad
accuracy" that earned the Hamilton Watch Company its
legendary reputation for quality.

Available in men's or women's styles, UTU Medallion
Watches can be ordered with your choice of either an
easy-to-adjust Speidel expansion bracelet, for $139, or
a fine leather strap band, for $129.

The special price includes shipping, insurance and
four lines of personal engraving which you specify.
Please allow six to eight weeks for delivery.

Each watch is delivered in a luxurious jeweler's
presentation box suitable for gift-giving and comes
backed by a three-year, full money-back guarantee.

Order your custom-engraved UTU Medallion Watch by
calling Award Incentive Group at (440) 247-5414.

AMERICAN TIME WATCHES PERFECT FOR GIFT-GIVING
American Time watches proudly emblazoned with the UTU
logo also are available to members with union pride.

American Time watches are union-made in New York
State. Three distinctive timepieces, perfect for giving
honor, recognition, holiday gift-giving or thanks, are
available: a black dial with gold tick marks, a gold-
colored UTU logo and a date indicator; a white dial with
gold tick marks, blue and red UTU logo and a date
indicator; and an elegant 14-karat gold-filled dial
boasting proof-coin brilliance, with Roman numerals and
a gold-colored UTU logo.

The five-jewel Swiss movement delivers precision and
time accuracy to the highest standard. Each watch is
mounted in a classic, 18-karat gold-tone case, and
protected by a mar-resistant mineral crystal.

Available in men's or women's styles, these watches
include your choice of an easy-to-adjust Speidel
expansion band or a genuine stitched and padded black
leather strap.

These watches may be engraved with a name and date,
or other personalized message. Each watch carries a two-
year limited warranty.

The white- or black-dial watches are available at
just $75 (plus $6.50 shipping), and the 14-karat gold
dial watch is priced at $100 (plus $6.50 shipping).
Engraving is extra, all prices quoted are U.S., and
Canadians are requested to add $10 to the shipping
price.

Order your American Time watch for the holidays or
anytime by calling toll free (800) 272-5120.

--UTUIA offers Disability Income Replacement ......##

UTUIA recognizes your need to replace disability with
the ability to meet never-ending obligations when an
accident or illness strikes. Our unfailing commitment to
provide the best Disability Income Replacement insurance
has made UTUIA the association to rely upon for
affordable disability income insurance.

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

==================================================== 

UTU NEWS ONLINE EDITION 

NOVEMBER 1999

==================================================== 

PROGRESS THROUGH UNITY 

UTU Home Page  |  1999 UTU News Index

Copyright © 1997 United Transportation Union
Last modified: December 14, 1999