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====================================================
                        UTU NEWS                    
                     ONLINE EDITION                 
====================================================
        -------------------------------------
                      APRIL 2000
        -------------------------------------
====================================================
      -----------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

The following may be reprinted, or re-posted in 
electronic form, in part or in whole, to any network or 
computer system worldwide, or distributed via disk, 
provided proper credit is included and no alteration of 
text occurs other than for formatting purposes.

NOTE: This text file is best viewed using a 12 pt. 
monospaced (nonproportional) font such as Monaco or 
Courier.
------------------------------------------------------

TABLE OF CONTENTS
--The UTU NEWS On-Line Edition takes advantage of the 
search-and-find features in your word processing 
software or on-line editor. For example, to read about 
the courses being offered at this summer's UTU/UTUIA 
Regional Meetings ("Session descriptions, presenters"), 
have your word processing software or on-line editor 
search for the text ##W.

IN THIS EDITION
--UTU withdraws from AFL-CIO .......................##A
--BLE: Engineer-only on Union Pacific ...........##B
--NMB calls off TexMex vote ........................##C
--TexMex workers denounce BLE lies ..............##D
--Wyoming governor vetoes UTU crew bill ............##E
--STB puts rail mergers on hold .................##F
--FEC members ratify pact ..........................##G
--LACMTA honors "best of the Best" ..............##H
--UTU video wins award .............................##I

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

MEMBERSHIP PROFILE
--Diabetic member's knowledge saves life ...........##K

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

BUS DEPT. / STREET BEAT
--"History offers valuable lessons" ................##M
   Editorial by Bernard J. McNelis
   Vice President and Director, UTU Bus Dept.

YARDMASTER REPORT
--"Klinker, former VP of RYA, passes away" ......##N
   Editorial by Don R. Carver
   Assistant to the President, Yardmasters' Dept.

EDITORIALS
--Moratorium makes sense ...........................##O
--"A tough, but right, decision" ................##P
   by Charles L. Little
   UTU International President
--"An Open Letter to Rail CEOs .....................##Q
   by James M. Brunkenhoefer
   UTU National Legislative Director
--Feedback: "UTU and new Amtrak fare system .....##R
   by Local Chairperson Dave Brooks
   Local 1470, Edmonston, MD
--Feedback: "Accident reveals CDL weaknesses .......##S
   by Carolyn Scarsella, Int'l VP-East-Bus
    General Chairperson, National School Bus
--Voices: Members share their opinions ..........##T

POWER OF ONE
--The Power to Get Real Results ....................##U

REGIONAL MEETING PREVIEW
--Message from Int'l President C.L. Little ......##V
--Session descriptions, presenters .................##W
--Schedules, meetings, tours ....................##X
--Registration, hotel, golf information ............##Y

SENIOR NEWS
--Camping keeps retirees together ...............##Z
--New number of Retiree Program Rx benefit ...##AA
--Events bring PRR retirees together ...........##BB
--Hawaiian cruise features Miller/Dorsey .....##CC
--The Final Call ...............................##DD

TPEL HONOR ROLL
--Contributors' growing support recognized....##EE

FELA UPDATE
--About contributory negligence ................##FF

NOTICES
--Monthly winner .............................##GG
--Airlines offer discounts to meetings .........##HH
--UTUIA Disability Income Replacement ........##II

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

IN THIS EDITION

--UTU withdraws from AFL-CIO .......................##A

   CLEVELAND -- The United Transportation Union withdrew 
from the AFL-CIO on March 15.

   In announcing its "disaffiliation," the UTU said the 
federation "demonstrated a lack of evenhandedness" in 
representation dispute decisions, and holds several 
positions on national transportation policy that would 
hurt railroad employees.

   "It is with regret that I must inform you that the 
United Transportation Union is hereby immediately 
disaffiliating," UTU International President Charles L. 
Little wrote in a letter to federation President John J. 
Sweeney.

   "Because UTU perceives its differences with the 
federation...to be presently irreconcilable, the UTU 
Board of Directors and I have concluded that it will be 
in the best interest of both UTU and the federation for 
us to immediately disaffiliate."

   In 1986, under President Fred Hardin, the UTU 
withdrew from the federation for three years over a 
major political dispute concerning coal slurry policy 
that threatened the jobs of thousands of railroad 
workers. Other major unions, including the Teamsters, 
mine workers' and teachers' unions, also have withdrawn 
from the federation over political and organizing 
disputes.

   The UTU also said it was unacceptable for the 
federation to impose "improper, after-the-fact" monetary 
sanctions against it in its ongoing representation 
dispute with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers 
(BLE). The UTU said it was not right for the federation 
to give those funds to the BLE, which would then use UTU 
members' money to mount an organizing campaign against 
the UTU.

   "UTU firmly believes that it must assume the lead 
role in bringing about needed changes in the structure 
of representation for rail operating employees," Little 
wrote. "It must be done now if we are to overcome the 
rigorous challenges to the future well-being of UTU 
members and their families."

   Here are highlights of the UTU's letter to the AFL-
CIO:

   -- With regard to its future relations with the AFL-
CIO, Little said, "UTU's disaffiliation at this time 
should not be construed to signal a total break in our 
affairs. We will continue to work with the federation on 
matters of common interest to workers whenever and 
wherever possible.... UTU wishes the federation well in 
its efforts to instill new life in the labor movement. 
UTU has the same goal: to rationalize and revitalize the 
representation of operating employees on the nation's 
railroads."

   -- With regard to the federation's transportation and 
political actions, the UTU cited the federation's 
support for a "Shippers' Bill" which "would greatly harm 
rail operating employees represented by UTU," and its 
opposition to UTU-supported candidates for government 
positions at the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and 
National Mediation Board (NMB).

   -- With regard to the federation's "lack of 
evenhandedness," Little said that the labor organization 
applied different standards to similar situations at the 
expense of the UTU in Article XX proceedings. "It is 
fair to say that UTU and BLE have been involved in more 
Article XX, Section 2, proceedings before the federation 
than any other affiliates in history within such a short 
span of time. Several are worthy of note, in that they 
demonstrate a lack of evenhandedness by the federation." 
Little pointed out the I&M Rail Link and the Louisiana & 
Delta cases involving the BLE. He also pointed out the 
New Jersey Transit case involving the ATU.

   -- With regard to the UTU's Article XX dispute with 
the BLE on the Union Pacific Railroad and the 
federation's attempt to collect "after-the-fact" 
monetary fines from the UTU and give the money to the 
BLE, Little wrote:

   "On February 16, 2000, the Executive Council, meeting 
in New Orleans, added discretionary sanctions to be 
available against affiliates found to be in violation. 
BLE sought imposition of such sanctions in its February 
24, 2000, letter to federation Secretary/Treasurer 
Trumka, who favorably responded to BLE by letter dated 
March 1, 2000, although holding the request in abeyance 
until the 30-day period specified in the discretionary 
sanctions had passed. These new sanctions would include 
UTU paying BLE's expenses, lost dues and other income 
foregone, and its costs incurred in the matter before 
the NMB. UTU regards this as an improper, after-the-fact 
attempt to apply sanctions not in existence at the time 
of violation and imposition of sanctions. It has been 
reported to me that BLE Vice President William Walpert 
has stated publicly that the Executive Council will 
impose these sanctions and BLE will use the money to 
finance its campaign against UTU."



--BLE: Engineer-only on Union Pacific ...........##B

   CLEVELAND -- The BLE's chief spokesman said in mid-
March that his union would look to negotiate engineer-
only contracts on the Union Pacific Railroad (UP).

   In essence, the BLE's chief spokesman fired the 
opening salvo in the "race to the bottom," saying his 
union will try to put thousands of UTU members out of 
work on the UP and destroy the crafts of conductor, 
trainman, and switchman.

   At meetings held in Louisiana, BLE Vice President 
William Walpert, the union's chief propagandist, told 
railroad workers that the engineers' union would try to 
negotiate engineer-only agreements with the UP. 
Walpert's comments a few years ago in Traffic World 
magazine about the BLE being the only surviving 
operating rail union was a major catalyst in the UTU 
going to the National Mediation Board (NMB) for an 
election on the Union Pacific.

   Walpert repeated that statement in Harvey, La., 
saying, "We will be aggressive in our struggle to be the 
surviving labor organization in the rail industry."

   According to several UTU mobilizers who attended the 
meetings in Baton Rogue, New Orleans and Harvey, Walpert 
said that, unless the UTU changed its Section 6 notices 
regarding the operation of remote-control devices, the 
BLE would attempt to negotiate engineer-only contracts 
on the UP.

   "The elected officers and members of the UTU will 
govern the handling of our Section 6 notices, and no one 
else, including the BLE, will tell us what to do," UTU 
Assistant President Byron A. Boyd, Jr. said. "Our 
Section 6 notices stand as written."

   Boyd added, "It now appears that the BLE has started 
the 'race to the bottom' that we have warned all of rail 
labor about for years. We will fight the BLE's efforts 
to negotiate engineer-only operations on the Union 
Pacific, or any other railroad, by any and all means 
necessary.

   "We must all realize that rail labor can no longer 
gain at the expense of another craft or another person's 
job," Boyd said.

   In its Section 6 notice, the UTU said it seeks to 
"establish provisions to confirm that the operation of 
remote control devices (black boxes) will be performed 
exclusively by employees represented by the UTU." The 
UTU represents locomotive engineers, conductors, 
trainmen and switchmen on the UP.



--NMB calls off TexMex vote ........................##C

   CLEVELAND -- After first indicating on March 9 that a 
representation election on the Texas Mexican Railway 
(TexMex) would most probably take place, the National 
Mediation Board (NMB) on March 24 dismissed the BLE's 
application for an election against the UTU.

   Instead of issuing the date of the election, as both 
the UTU and BLE expected, the NMB issued a letter 
stopping the TexMex election. The UTU represents all 
operating employees on the TexMex.

   In issuing its order, the NMB said it "will not 
accept an application (for a representation election) 
for a two-year period" on the TexMex. The two-year bar, 
the NMB said, began on March 1, 2000, which is the date 
of the decision in the Texas Mexican Railway Company.

   In his letter to the UTU and BLE, NMB Chief of Staff 
Stephen E. Crable said that "except in unusual or 
extraordinary circumstances, the National Mediation 
Board will not accept an application for investigation 
of a representation dispute among employees of a 
carrier: (a) For a period of two (2) years from the date 
of a certification covering the same craft or class of 
employees on the same carrier..."

   On March 1, the NMB dismissed the BLE's application 
alleging a representation dispute among "locomotive 
engineers" at TexMex. Then, on March 5, the BLE filed 
another application with the NMB alleging a 
representation dispute among the employees in the craft 
and class of train and engine service. On March 9, the 
NMB sent a letter to the UTU, BLE and TexMex alerting 
them to an upcoming representation election. The TexMex 
was told to deliver to the Board by March 23 
alphabetized lists of potential eligible voters, and to 
provide signature samples for eligible voters.

   In denying an election for at least two years, the 
NMB said its "rule is based upon the principle that 
labor stability is enhanced by providing labor and 
management a reasonable period of time for a collective 
bargaining relationship after a certification.... When 
the board issued the certification for Train and Engine 
Service Employees on March 1, 2000, the result is that 
the Board will not accept an application for a two-year 
period."



--TexMex workers denounce BLE lies ..............##D

   CLEVELAND -- Thirty-nine union members working on the 
Texas Mexican Railway (TexMex) have denounced the 
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) for attaching 
their names to a "fake" certified letter bashing the 
UTU. (See the UTU website at <http://www.utu.org> for 
details.)

   Late last month, UTU International President Charles 
L. Little received a letter and petitions signed by 39 
TexMex locomotive engineers, conductors, and trainmen, 
many of whose names appeared attached to a fake BLE 
letter on that union's website. The TexMex employees 
said they "wanted to show our support for both you and 
the United Transportation Union. We also wanted to let 
you know that we agree with Brother Snow and were misled 
by officers of the BLE."

   The BLE had run a phony story on its website saying 
that TexMex workers denounced the UTU and President 
Little. A fake certified letter and plain pages with the 
signatures of 59 Tex-Mex employees accompanied the phony 
story.

   In his March 22, 2000, letter to President Little, 
Brother David Snow, a member of UTU Local 110, wrote: "I 
am writing this letter to set the record straight on 
what really took place on the Tex-Mex property dealing 
with the 'fake' certified letter circulated by BLE 
officers.

   "The letter, with several names attached, appeared on 
the BLE website and was the first time I saw it. 
Needless to say, when I read the letter addressed to 
you, I had to write and make sure you were aware that I 
had no knowledge of this letter and have never seen it 
prior to reading it on the BLE website.

   "I signed a plain piece of paper with other members 
and was told to sign if I was in favor of keeping the 
crafts separate. I was told it was only a list they were 
running to keep track of the people that were in favor 
of keeping the crafts as they now are. I now see that I 
was lied to and these BLE officers misrepresented this 
list of names to me.

   "Please know that I support all that you are doing 
and I will work even harder to insure the UTU wins the 
upcoming representation election. I am with you Charlie 
and know first hand how the BLE will lie, misrepresent 
and do what ever they can to further their cause of 
destruction.

   "Dan Johnson was correct: the BLE is attempting to 
lead us into a race to the bottom. Thank God we have a 
president that is doing the right thing for us, the 
members on the TEXMEX."



--Wyoming governor vetoes UTU crew bill ............##E

   CLEVELAND -- Caving in to pressure from the 
railroads, and waiting until the state legislature was 
out of session, Wyoming Gov. Jim Geringer (R) vetoed the 
UTU two-person crew bill that had passed the state 
Senate and House.

   In early March, Wyoming became the second state whose 
legislature passed the UTU-sponsored two-person crew 
bill guaranteeing that at least two operating employees 
run every train.  

   The bill passed the Republican-controlled Wyoming 
House of Representatives by a 36-24 vote after having 
previously passed the Republican-controlled Senate by a 
25-5 vote. Wisconsin was the first state to pass a two-
person crew bill, which was signed into law by Gov. 
Tommy Thompson, a Republican who stands behind rail 
labor.

   "The only way for the railroads - the BNSF and UP - 
to kill this bill was to go to the governor and cut a 
deal," said Wyoming State Legislative Director George 
Bagby. "Every key state legislator I talked to told me 
there was no way the governor would veto the bill. It 
sat on his desk for a week, and he waited until the 
legislature went home and vetoed it."

   T.R. Shelby, former Wyoming state legislative 
director, credits Bagby with putting together the effort 
to get the two-person crew bill passed in the 
legislature. 

   "Nobody thought we could get it done in Wyoming 
because this is a Republican dominated state," Shelby 
said. "But George picked up the ball and said he had a 
hunch he could get it done and put together a great team 
to get it passed into law. Our retirees and members out 
here did a lot of good work." 

   Bagby indicated that he would resurrect the two-
person crew bill in the next session of the Wyoming 
legislature.

   Bagby credits his team for the success in passing 
this bill in the legislature. The UTU team included 
Terry Ungricht (951), Tim Kenny (446), Mike Stufflebean 
(465), Kenny Tuma (446), Tom Broadaway (28), and State 
Rep. Wayne Reese (D), a UTU-E member from Local 28. 

   "We made the safety of Wyoming citizens the 
cornerstone of our argument," said Ungricht. "George did 
a wonderful job pulling the troops together and mounting 
a strategy that worked. Nobody thought we could do it 
but we did." 

   Bagby said that a bi-partisan coalition of Wyoming 
state legislators helped the UTU, including State 
Senators Bill Vasey (D), the original sponsor, and 
Charles Scott (R), as well as Speaker of the House Eli 
Bebout (R) and Representatives Rick Badget (R), Tony 
Rose (R), Minority Whip Chris Boswell (D) and Reese (D). 

   "I went to Senator Vasey in August when I had a hunch 
we could pass this bill," said Bagby. "He was very 
helpful as were Speaker Bebout and the other gentlemen. 
We talked to all 60 members in the House and to every 
Senator. Our people put out a tremendous effort to get 
this bill passed, and even when the BNSF went hard after 
us with a vicious, vindictive attack, we won. Without 
the support of the Republican majority, this bill would 
not have passed." 

   Now, Bagby said, he has heard from state legislators 
who are outraged at the governor's veto. He said that 
the governor's reasons for vetoing the bill "were all 
put to bed during hearings and have no basis in 
reality."

   Bagby said that Wisconsin State Legislative Director 
Tom Dwyer, the International, and the Washington 
National Legislative Office were big helps in supporting 
their efforts to pass the bill.



--STB puts rail mergers on hold .................##F

   WASHINGTON -- Surface Transportation Board (STB) 
Chairwoman Linda J. Morgan announced March 17 that the 
agency has ordered large railroads not to pursue further 
merger activities until it can adopt new rules governing 
merger proceedings. The STB indicated that it would 
issue the rules in about 15 months.

   Hours later, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and 
Canadian National filed a notice of appeal in federal 
court, asking for quick review of the STB order and 
requesting a stay, which, if approved, would force the 
agency to accept their merger application.

   The STB decision was issued following four days of 
hearings triggered by the announcement that the two 
carriers intended to ask the STB to allow them to merge. 
At the hearings, the UTU testified against the BNSF/CN 
merger because of potential job losses. The BLE supports 
the merger.



--FEC members ratify pact ..........................##G

   ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- UTU members on the Florida 
East Coast Railway (FEC) have ratified a new agreement 
with the carrier. The agreement became amendable on Feb. 
28, 1999.

   John Hancock, UTU general chairperson, said, "The UTU 
is pleased that the negotiations resulted in these 
significant benefits for its members. We are glad that 
FEC Railway is interested in a closer partnership with 
us, and I believe the enhanced relationship will be a 
win/win."

   The current amendments are valid until Dec. 1, 2003, 
and are primarily related to compensation and benefits. 
The company also agreed to review crew-calling and job-
posting procedures. The UTU represents approximately 265 
train and engine service employees and yardmasters on 
FEC's rail line.

   "FEC Railway wants to foster a relationship with the 
UTU based on trust and integrity. Reaching this 
agreement is a step in that direction," said FEC Railway 
President John McPherson. "The UTU represents a 
significant number of FEC employees, and it is in 
everyone's best interest to develop a partnership."



--LACMTA honors "best of the Best" ..............##H

   LOS ANGELES -- Forty-five UTU-represented bus 
operators employed by the Los Angeles County 
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) were 
recently honored as the "Best of the Best" at a banquet 
hosted by the agency.

   Those who received the awards boasted records 
entirely free of accidents, customer complaints and 
workplace injuries for the fiscal years 1994 through 
1999. Honorees received a commemorative plaque and a 
voucher for a special uniform jacket with the slogan 
"Best of the Best" embroidered on it.

   "We're very proud of all of our operators, who do an 
outstanding job and provide a vital service for the 
transit-dependent persons in this county," said General 
Chairperson James A. Williams (GO-875). "We are very 
pleased that special recognition is being given to those 
considered among the 'cream of the crop,' and we salute 
them for their superlative performance."

   The banquet, held March 5 at the TransAmerica Tower 
Penthouse, initiated what the transit agency hopes will 
be a revitalized employee recognition program.

   "The awards illustrate the bus improvement program 
currently underway," said LACMTA Transit Operations 
official Tom Connor. "Performance is at an all-time 
high, with the highest number of perfect roll-outs and 
lowest amount of lost service.

   "The MTA is on a roll," Connor continued, "with 500 
new buses gearing up, the Metro Blue Line's 10th 
anniversary later this year, the start-up of the Metro 
Rapid Bus program, and the opening of the Metro Red Line 
to North Hollywood this summer."

   Representative of the 45 receiving the award was bus 
operator Gene Freeman of Local 1564 in Los Angeles, Cal. 
The Division 18 operator came to the agency 20 years ago 
and has been accident-free during his entire career.

   Having driven some 500,000 miles, the equivalent of 
84 round trips driven to New York, Freeman can also 
boast that in all that time, not one passenger complaint 
has been lodged against him.

   According to Freeman, who drives Line 117 out of 
South Bay to LAX, the diligence and professionalism 
required to maintain a spotless driving and safety 
record "is just part of the job. I guess I'm lucky."

   In a letter to those honored by the LACMTA, UTU 
International President Charles L. Little noted that the 
operators' "achievements help set the stage for further 
progress as your UTU representatives negotiate for 
higher rates of pay and improved working conditions" at 
the agency.

   "We all remain indebted to you," Little wrote, "for 
compelling the LACMTA to recognize what we always knew 
to be true: You are, indeed, one of the 'Best of the 
Best.'"

   The UTU members' high level of performance also 
earned praise from LACMTA Deputy CEO and Chief Operating 
Officer Allan Lipsky.

   "Five years of performance like this is an incredible 
accomplishment," said Lipsky. "This level of service has 
an amazing effect on how we all do our jobs and how the 
MTA is perceived as a transportation agency in 
Washington."

   Another person appreciative of the operators' stellar 
performance is Deborah Guy, managing director of the 
agency's Risk Management Department. "You've made my job 
easy," Guy told honorees during the banquet. "When 
you're on the road, I don't have anything to worry 
about."

   More than 4,350 UTU members work for the agency. With 
a long history of contentious negotiations between the 
agency and its unions serving as a backdrop, the UTU 
contract with LACMTA will expire a few weeks before this 
summer's Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.

   The UTU local committees involved with LACMTA 
operations include Locals 1563 (El Monte, Cal.); 1564 
(Los Angeles, Cal.); 1565 (West Hollywood, Cal.); 1607 
(Los Angeles, Cal.), and 1608 (Chatsworth, Cal.).

   Those honored as being the "Best of the Best" include 
(by local):

   LOCAL 1563: Ben G. Flores, Albert R. Gallardo, Julio 
C. Garcia, Richard A. Lopez, Pedro L. Perez, Oscar A. 
Reynoso, David I. Singer and Mario H. Villegas;

   LOCAL 1564: Frank R. Aguilar, Wilfred L. Batiste, 
Robert L. Clincy, Arthur J. Fontanez, Gene E. Freeman, 
Theresa S. Gray, John R. Mitchell, Timothy L. Nelson, 
Francisco J. Sanabria, Khanh-Dinh Trinh and Edward D. 
Tanner;

   LOCAL 1565: Pete Avila, Rodolfo U. Cortez, Stephen M. 
Earl, Stephen W. Glaser, Alfonso J. Gonzalez and William 
R. Jarvis;

   LOCAL 1607: Eric H. Arciniega, Elmer G. Briscoe, 
Encarnacion P. Cabrera, Sergio F. Chavez, Ernesto R. 
Cueva, Winfred S. Eckley, Johnny M. Hardwick, Reginald 
H. Harris, Rosalia Medina, Richard S. Munoz, Diane K. 
O'Neal, Andres J. Padilla, Delfino C. Rodriguez, Daniel 
B. Saldana, Margaret J. Sifuentes, Robert A. Wageman and 
Brian Walker;

   Local 1608: Parmjit S. Grewal, Michael A. Guity and 
Steven Kushner.



--UTU video wins award .............................##I

   CLEVELAND -- The UTU's latest video, "Labor Unions 
and Railroads: Then and Now," has been honored with a 
2000 Telly Award for production design, clarity of 
information and outstanding quality.

   "Then and Now" was one of more than 11,000 entrants 
to this year's Telly Awards. Less than 25% of all 
entrants receive awards.

   Over the past 21 years, the Telly Awards have become 
a well-known, highly respected national competition for 
special-interest videos. Other UTU videos winning 
similar awards include "Vision," "FELA Overview," 
"Choose UTU," "Safety" and "Operation RedBlock."

   All videos are available through the union's Public 
Relations Department. Information on the videos is also 
available on the UTU website at <http://www.utu.org>.



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

LOCAL 4, CHARNY, Q.C.
   About 200 gathered last month at the Hotel Quebec for 
a brunch marking the retirements of a dozen members who 
had pulled the pin since the middle of last year, said 
Secretary and Treasurer LOUIS-FRAN‚OIS GARCEAU.

LOCAL 206, PERU, IND.
   Great attendance marked a series of classes on wages 
and agreements presented for the benefit of new 
conductors and trainees in late February, according to 
Secretary and Treasurer MAX STARKEY. Taught by Local 
President LEON CRIST, Legislative Representative DENNIS 
SNYDER and Starkey, the courses will become a regular 
training feature for the local.

LOCAL 226, MOBERLY, MO.
   The fourth annual golf and dinner outing has been 
scheduled for May 1 at the Moberly Country Club, 
according to Secretary and Treasurer RICH DULEY. The 
event is sponsored by Designated Legal Counsel YAEGER, 
JUNGBAUER, BARCZAK, ROE & VUCINOVICH. The open-scramble 
game starts at 11 a.m., with lunch served on the course, 
a social hour afterwards, and supper at 6:30 p.m. On 
hand will be the UTU Auxiliary's state director, the 
vice president of the National Association of Retired 
and Veteran Railway Employees (NARVRE), and the UTU's 
mobile education and training facility, Membership I. No 
reservations are needed, but those planning to attend 
should let Duley know by writing to him at 1451 Trails 
End, Moberly, MO 65270, calling him at (660) 263-4916, 
or by sending e-mail to <DULEY@missvalley.com>.

LOCAL 262, BOSTON, MASS.
   Retired member GERALD J. CUNNINGHAM, past president 
and organizer from 1971 to 1981 of retirement dinners 
honoring members of the now-closed L-1331 (Boston, 
Mass.), passed away at age 80 on February 24, according 
to C. R. EDSON, retired former local chairperson and 
secretary of L-1331 and now a member of L-898 (Boston, 
Mass.).

LOCAL 324, SEATTLE, WASH.
   Part-time bus operators at Evergreen Trails have 
ratified an agreement placing them in the same contract 
with full-time operators on the property, said 
International Vice President BERNIE McNELIS, director of 
the UTU's Bus Department. McNelis lauded Chairperson 
BRIAN DONALD and Vice Chairpersons DAN BENTLEY and 
RODNEY OVERGOARD for their efforts in this successful 
campaign, and thanked the part-timers on the property 
for their support of the negotiating committee.

LOCAL 469, MADISON, ILL.
   The local's annual Super Bowl Sunday Poker 
Tournament, sponsored by Designated Legal Counsel LANCE 
CALLIS and THE MIDWEST RAILROADERS, raised $1,000 for 
the Four Square Church of Granite City, Ill., which 
helps the  needy in the area, according to Secretary and 
Treasurer JOHN I. PAYER. Those at the event included 
members of Locals 1405 and 1388 (St. Louis, Mo.), Local 
1929 (E. St. Louis, Ill.), as well as members from 
Chicago, Cincinnati, and various parts of Indiana. 
Meanwhile, the sponsors of the poker tournament invite 
all to participate in the April 29 crappie tournament at 
Mark Twain Lake in Missouri. For information, contact 
Payer at (618) 344-4519.

LOCAL 1162, ERWIN. TENN.
   CSX conductor DARANDA C. MARTIN is compiling a 
cookbook by and for railroad families and is seeking 
recipes. Entitled All Aboard, and dedicated to Daranda's 
son MITCHELL J. CALDWELL, also a conductor on the 
Appalachian Division and a member of the local, the book 
will include cooking tips and recipes from engineers and 
conductors in its "Sidewall and Engine" cooking section. 
Send submissions to Martin at 2710 Windwood Drive, 
Johnson City, TN 37604.

LOCAL 1374, NEW CASTLE, PA.
   Local Chairperson ARTHUR G. RAYNER's son Artie was 
recently profiled by the Sharon, Pa., newspaper The 
Herald, when he was granted a full scholarship to play 
football at the University of Richmond, an NCAA Division 
1-AA institution, said Local Chairperson SAM MARINO. The 
younger Rayner maintains a 3.77 grade average and plans 
to major in physics.

LOCAL 1382, MILWAUKEE, WISC.
   ELMER L. DIRKS, a retired former UTU Milwaukee Road 
general chairperson, passed away February 28 in 
Lakeland, Fla. He was 91 years old. Brother Dirks began 
his rail career in 1935 as a switchman on the Milwaukee 
Road, and joined Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen Lodge 
982 in Milwaukee. He served as general chairperson from 
1955 until his retirement in 1974.

LOCAL 1438, LINCOLN PARK, MICH.
   Members working for Norfolk Southern wish to 
recognize Local Chairperson LOUIS V. PELTOLA for his 
outstanding leadership, dedication to the union, and 
willingness to go the extra mile for old and new 
workers, said DENNIS KERNAN, who noted Peltola's role in 
increasing the local's membership and boosting interest 
in union affairs.

LOCAL 1558, BERGENFIELD, N.J.
   Bus operator ROBERT SIGRIST (better known as 
"Popeye") recently retired after 44 years of service, 
said Local Chairperson RICHARD DEISER. Sigrist hired on 
as an operator with Rockland Coaches in July 1956, and 
retired with a perfect record free of any chargeable 
accidents, disciplinary hearings, or letters of 
complaints. Meanwhile, the local's members are joined by 
those at the UTU International in wishing a speedy 
recovery to Local Legislative Representative and 
Delegate RALPH STYVERSON, who is recuperating at home 
after undergoing double coronary bypass surgery.

LOCAL 1593, BROWNWOOD, TEX.
   Member and Designated Legal Counsel J. DONALD BOWEN 
succumbed to pancreatic cancer on March 3. Always a 
champion for the rights of rail workers and their 
families, Brother Bowen joined HELM, PLETCHER, BOWEN & 
SAUNDERS in 1973. Memorials may be sent to the Don Bowen 
Memorial Scholarship Fund, Abilene Christian University, 
P.O. Box 29132, Abilene, TX 79699-9132. DAVID R. MILLER 
will assume the reins as designated legal counsel for 
UTU members.

LOCAL 1778, N. VANCOUVER, B.C.
   The local, comprised of BC Railway workers, has 
secured a new URL for its website, which it shares with 
BC Railway employees in Local 1923 (Prince George, B.C.) 
and which now boasts a number of improvements, according 
to Secretary and Treasurer DAVID MOORHOUSE. The site, 
which recently received the CompuServe TrainNet Web Gem 
Award for excellence, is located at 
<http://www.utubc.com>.

AUXILIARY OF THE UTU
   The Auxiliary's 2000-2001 directory was printed and 
mailed to all officers last month, and those who did not 
receive one should write to the Auxiliary at 5151 Reed 
Rd., Ste. 213-B, Columbus, OH 43220-2553, call (614) 
459-4443, or use the organization's new e-mail address 
<AUXILIARYED@aol.com>.



MEMBERSHIP PROFILE
--Diabetic member's knowledge saves life ...........##K

   Thanks to DAVE BENISH being knowledgeable and alert 
to the conditions of his fellow workers, engineer JAMES 
E. MOLLENKOPF is alive and well today.

   Brother Benish, a member of Local 1374 in New Castle, 
Pa., works as a CSXT conductor at a Lordstown, Ohio, 
General Motors plant. Because of a joint switching 
arrangement at the plant, Brother Mollenkopf, a Norfolk 
Southern (NS) engineer and member of Local 1590 in 
Freedom, Pa., sometimes finds himself working with 
Benish who, as a utility man, prepares trains for the 
crews.

   "I'm a mild diabetic," explained Benish. "I don't 
take insulin shots, I take a pill. But I've read the 
books about diabetes, so I know about it. He 
(Mollenkopf) takes an insulin shot."

   On February 2, Mollenkopf found himself in Lordstown. 
When he changed engines, his lunch inadvertently ended 
up in the wrong engine. "He never thought about it," 
said Benish, "and after he had taken his insulin shot, 
he laid down and waited for it to work."

   But when Mollenkopf got up, fellow workers realized 
he was acting peculiar. He started getting violent, and 
nearly fell into a ditch.

   "The others weren't sure what was happening, but I 
recognized right away that Mollenkopf's blood sugar was 
too low," said Benish. "When that happens, you get 
incoherent and don't know what's going on.

   "I told the others to call 911, and when the EMS 
people came, they found Mollenkopf's sugar was down to 
41. That's very low. They immediately gave him a 
dextrose shot, and that stabilized him."

   In a letter to Benish, NS trainmaster Lee E. Powell 
thanked him for his assistance, passed along Brother 
Mollenkopf's sincere gratitude, and noted he would send 
a copy of his letter of commendation to Benish's 
trainmaster.

   "Your knowledge of diabetes was very valuable, and 
you were very helpful during a time of crisis at our 
Norfolk Southern terminal," Powell wrote. "I know Mr. 
Mollenkopf was very grateful for your assistance...Your 
actions showed a true touch of class as a fellow 
railroader. Though our companies are competitors, we do 
share a common goal of safety and service reliability to 
our customers...Thank you, Dave."



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

ARIZONA
   Legislative Director Scott Olson reported that HB 
2560, the Uniform Contribution Among Tortfeasors Act, 
was defeated in the Arizona Senate, much to the relief 
of rail labor.
Had the legislation passed, it would have complicated 
Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA) cases in the 
state for rail workers injured on the job.

   "This bill will be back next year, but there is 
definitely a positive feeling that we can defeat it," 
Olson said.

   He said Assistant Director David Shearer (1559), 
Board Chairperson Steve Coffey (1081), Designated Legal 
Counsel Lloyd Rabb and Arizona AFL-CIO Secretary Chuck 
Huggins provided the necessary push to defeat the bill.

   The UTU and the AFL-CIO were the only labor 
organizations to lobby and testify against the bill.

   In other news, Olson and the UTU played host to Vice 
President Al Gore and others at a reception sponsored by 
the Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign 2000. The 
event raised over $42,000 for candidates throughout the 
state.
Olson, who served as chairman, was responsible for 
everything from catering to fundraising.


GEORGIA
   Members of the Georgie Legislative Board and other 
UTU members recently attended the Jefferson/Jackson 
Dinner, hosted by the state's Democratic Party at the 
Hyatt Regency Atlanta, where Vice President Al Gore was 
the keynote speaker.

   Legislative Director Danny Boyles said that the 
dinner was a huge success, raising more than $1 million 
for the Democratic Party.

   UTU members in attendance were Boyles, Assistant 
Director Mike Dickerson (674), Chairperson Ben Cureton 
(1971), Vice Chairperson John Black (1245), Legislative 
Representative Ricky Cole (1261), Clemmie Wright (1245), 
Tommy Franklin (1245) and Jackie Baugh (1245).

   Boyles said that, as the Georgia General Assembly 
came to a close, the UTU played an extensive role, with 
legislation introduced to form the basis for rail 
passenger service in the state being passed on the last 
day.

   A picture in the print version of this month's UTU 
NEWS, and on the UTU's website at <http://www.utu.org>, 
depicts Cole, Boyles, Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor, 
Peggy Boyles and Black.


MINNESOTA
   The Minnesota Legislative Board held its quadrennial 
meeting in St. Paul from February 23-25, reports 
Director John Smullen, and Tom Lyman (1000) and Bob 
Pearson (1177) were elected to the offices of assistant 
director and board secretary, respectively.

   The board endorsed State Senator Jerry Janezich (D) 
for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Sen. Rod Grams (R) 
and Minnesota AFL-CIO Director Mary Rosenthal for the 
4th U.S. Congressional District seat being vacated by 
Rep. Bruce Vento (D).

   Al Vogel of the state's Department of Transportation 
addressed the board on the prospects for a commuter rail 
system in the Twin Cities and Democratic-Farmer-Labor 
Party Chairperson Mike Erlandson spoke about the party's 
political prospects in the 2000 elections.

   Smullen said he gave a multi-media presentation on 
the Switching Operations Fatality Analysis (SOFA) 
group's findings and recommendations and Local 
Chairperson Dave Riehle (650) gave an enlightening talk 
on the history of rail labor.

   Smullen also thanked Legislative Representative Rich 
Olson (1175) for his years of service to the board.


NORTH DAKOTA
   Safety standards for passenger contract carriers 
which transport rail crews and others have been 
finalized and took effect on February 1, 2000, according 
to Legislative Director John Risch III.

   The rules were established by the state Highway 
Patrol.

   At a meeting of the Administrative Rules Committee 
held February 22-23, Risch requested that the Highway 
Patrol reopen hearings to determine the proper level of 
insurance for contract passenger carriers.

   The legislation which established the creation of the 
safety standards for contract carriers was drafted by 
the UTU and was passed into law last year.

   For more information concerning the standards, 
members should contact their UTU local legislative 
representative.


WEST VIRGINIA
   HB 4430, which will regulate trains blocking roadways 
during an emergency, was passed by both houses of the 
state legislature and was sent to the governor's office 
to be signed into law, reported Legislative Director 
John Pennybacker Jr.

   As currently written, state law prohibits a stopped 
train from blocking a grade crossing, except in a rail 
emergency, for a period of longer than 10 minutes and 
imposes a fine of no less than $50 to be levied upon the 
offending railroad for each infraction.

   If approved, the new legislation would increase the 
fines for each infraction to no less than $1,000, 
increasing for each infraction at the site. It would 
also require train crews, upon the request of a law-
enforcement officer or other emergency service provider, 
to immediately clear a railroad crossing upon 
notification of the appropriate railroad dispatcher.

   As first written, the legislation would have placed 
the responsibility for the train on the rail crew, 
rather than the railroad.

   Pennybacker acknowledged the efforts of Mark Mewshaw 
(605) in getting the legislation passed as worded.



BUS DEPT. / STREET BEAT
--"History offers valuable lessons" ................##M
   Editorial by Bernard J. McNelis
   Vice President and Director, UTU Bus Dept.


   Some words of wisdom from the last 100 years of labor 
history, as printed in America@Work, an AFL-CIO 
publication:

   "Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the 
living." -- Mother Jones, 1902

   "In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must 
guard against being fooled by false slogans as 'right to 
work.' It provides no rights and no work. Its purpose is 
to destroy labor unions and the freedom of collective 
bargaining. We demand this fraud be stopped." -- 
Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

   "Don't mourn for me. Organize." -- Organizer Joe 
Hill, executed in 1915 on trumped-up charges

   "No business which depends for existence on paying 
less than living wages to its workers has any right to 
continue in this country. By living wages I mean more 
than a bare subsistence level. I mean the wages of 
decent living." -- President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933

   "Only a fool would try to deprive working men and 
women of the right to join a union of their choice." -- 
President Dwight D. Eisenhower

   "Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. 
You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. 
You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. And you 
cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore." -
- Cesar Chavez, president of the United Farm Workers

   As these great leaders confirm, labor unions are 
essential for the well-being of working men and women 
everywhere.



YARDMASTER REPORT
--"Klinker, former VP of RYA, passes away" ......##N
   Editorial by Don R. Carver
   Assistant to the President, Yardmasters' Dept.

   Former Railroad Yardmasters of America (RYA) Vice 
President Ralph Klinker passed away. Ralph made his 
final call February 28, 2000, in Ash Grove, Mo. He had 
served the yardmasters many years as an elected 
representative, holding the offices of local chairman, 
general chairman on the former St. Louis San Francisco, 
and at the time of his 1985 retirement national vice 
president and member of the RYA Executive Board.

   Ralph continued to serve others in retirement through 
active service in his church as well as chaplain at 
Columbia Hospital and VFW Post 3403.

   Ralph is survived by five daughters. One of his 
daughters, Leah Crane, is a yardmaster in Tulsa, Okla., 
and member of UTU Local 1972. Leah represents the Tulsa 
yardmasters as a vice local chairperson on the BNSF 
Yardmaster Committee.

   Meanwhile, General Chairperson J. M. Mercurio began 
contract negotiations for the yardmasters of the SL&H 
(former D&H). The opening sessions were held March 27 
and 28.

   -- General Chairpersons W.B. Headrick, Jr. and R.J. 
Cooper report progress is being made in negotiations 
with the Norfolk Southern on a single system agreement 
for the yardmasters.

   -- I had the opportunity to attend the Ohio State 
Legislative Board reorganization meeting. 
Congratulations to Director Thompson and Assistant 
Director Boda on their leadership as evidenced in their 
re-election. Congratulations also are in order for 
yardmaster David W. Otten, legislative representative of 
Local 1962, and local chairperson of GO-348. Dave was 
elected to the office of secretary of the Ohio State 
Legislative Board.



EDITORIALS

--Moratorium makes sense ...........................##O

   The Surface Transportation Board (STB) made the right 
decision by imposing a 15-month moratorium on rail 
mergers. Not that everybody is happy about it. As this 
issue of the UTU News goes to press, both Canadian 
National and Burlington Northern Santa Fe have filed an 
appeal seeking to overturn the STB's decision.

   But for railroad employees, the STB, under the wise 
leadership of Linda Morgan, has brought a welcomed 
breather to a workplace that suffers from merger 
fatigue.

   It's interesting that CN and BNSF say that their 
merger will be better than the ones before it. But we've 
heard the same tune before. The existing mega-mergers 
and acquisitions on UP, CSX and NS need time to 
stabilize before what is sure to be the final round of 
mergers.

   The UTU was the first rail union to oppose the 
CN/BNSF merger, and the leading union to testify against 
more rail mergers at this time. On the other hand, the 
BLE was willing to be the lackey for CN/BNSF and happily 
carry out their agenda, which would have put thousands 
of workers out of jobs in exchange for some empty 
promises.

   We don't believe the CN/BNSF merger is good for the 
industry. It would only benefit a few at the expense of 
many others, and greed appears to be the primary motive. 
In addition, it would harm the national security of both 
the U.S. and Canada. By putting a hold on the CN/BNSF 
merger, the STB will allow the settling of the industry 
and help restore shipper confidence. Another merger at 
this time would cause irreparable harm and could 
threaten the viability of the American freight rail 
system by creating further service disruptions and 
operational problems.

   The CN/BNSF merger is not an "end-to-end" merger as 
the two carriers claim, because there is significant 
parallel trackage involved, and rail traffic could be 
diverted from one side of the border to the other in the 
west.

   Parallel mergers are duplicative, eliminate 
competition, and create captive shippers. If the CN/BNSF 
merger moved forward, it would force competing rail 
carriers, such as UP, KCS, CP, and perhaps even NS and 
CSX, to respond in defense in order to compete. The 
likely result is that two major carriers would remain in 
North America if this merger takes place. And nobody 
needs that right now.



--"A tough, but right, decision" ................##P
   by Charles L. Little
   UTU International President

   When you believe you are right, sometimes you have to 
make tough decisions. Our decision to withdraw from the 
AFL-CIO was one of those decisions.

   It is a step that we took because we believe it is in 
the best long-term interest of our members and their 
families. In the past, other labor organizations -- the 
Teamsters, United Mine Workers, and teacher's union -- 
have left the AFL-CIO's tent because of disputes over 
representation issues and national political policy. Our 
disaffiliation is no different.

   Over the last few years, the UTU Board of Directors 
and I believe the federation has demonstrated a serious 
lack of evenhandedness in its decisions regarding 
representation issues in the railroad industry. In 
addition, several positions it has taken on national 
transportation policy have been detrimental to railroad 
employees and UTU interests.

   While we regret having to leave the AFL-CIO at this 
time, we believe our current irreconcilable differences 
left us no other course. That was the feeling of 
President Fred Hardin and the UTU back in 1986 when we 
withdrew from the federation for three years over a 
political dispute concerning coal slurry policy that 
threatened the jobs of thousands of railroad workers.

   If membership in the federation presents a roadblock 
to bringing about the needed changes in the structure of 
representation for rail operating employees, then it is 
our job to remove the barrier. As it is currently 
written, the AFL-CIO Constitution does not address, nor 
provide an appropriate hearing process, to resolve the 
specific representation issues endemic to rail labor. 
What's more, it allows for a serious manipulation of the 
process that doesn't benefit operating rail employees.

   In that regard our ongoing representation dispute 
with the BLE stands as testimony to the ineffectiveness 
of the federation's bylaws when it comes to rail labor.

   Sadly, the federation has allowed the BLE, which only 
joined in 1989, to try to avoid the election on NS, 
manipulate its internal processes so that there is no 
longer a level playing field for the resolution of 
serious structural changes that are necessary in the 
archaic and splintered rail labor representation system.

   If we, as union leaders, are more concerned about 
making the AFL-CIO's leaders in Washington happy instead 
of solving the serious challenges that affect our 
industry and the future well-being of UTU members and 
their families, then we do not deserve to represent you.

   If we are afraid to stand up and do what we know is 
right -- no matter what slings and arrows are thrown our 
way -- then we do not deserve to represent you.

   But sometimes the only way to create positive change 
is to take a strong position and stick to it no matter 
the barbs that are thrown your way. Nobody ever said it 
was easy, but doing what is right has never been easy. 
It has always been much easier to go along to get along. 
Just ask all of those who make their living protecting 
the status quo.

   We wish the federation well and our withdrawal does 
not signal a total break in our affairs. In fact, we are 
actively taking a leadership role working in a coalition 
with nine other rail labor organizations to pass a major 
Railroad Retirement bill. And we will continue to work 
with the federation in matters of common interest.

   Our goal is to bring the Power of One union to 
operating rail labor. We only wished we could achieve 
that goal on a level playing field within the 
federation. Sadly, that is not possible at this time.



--"An Open Letter to Rail CEOs .....................##Q
   by James M. Brunkenhoefer
   UTU National Legislative Director

   Your biggest competition, the trucking industry, is 
in a world of hurt. There is a severe driver shortage 
because the big truck lines pay so little and the small 
truck lines pay even less. However, that is not their 
biggest problem. The cost of diesel fuel has taken off 
like the stock market - it has gone straight up. Of 
course, that's everyone else's stock, not yours.

   Of course your locomotives burn fewer gallons per 
ton-miles than those polluting trucks do. You are 
sitting there, positive that the shippers will soon be 
rewarding you with their business. Well, put down the 
scotch and pour yourself some coffee. It is time for a 
double shot of reality.

   A few years ago you tore out the secondary main line, 
sold it for scrap and now your single main line is 
overloaded. You downgraded the signal system or 
eliminated it altogether. You simply do not have the 
capacity to carry much more freight than you already do. 
While you have been ripping at your capacity, the 
federal government has been using fuel taxes to add 
capacity to your competitor's system. While your friends 
at the country club have been praising you for fighting 
government regulations and subsidies, the truckers have 
been laughing at you.

   The trucking industry understands that it is their 
responsibility to deliver profits to their stockholders. 
You have never heard a trucker protesting the 
construction of a new highway because it was paid for 
with tax dollars. 

   Even though Joe may be parking his truck because his 
costs are up, soon a non-American will be showing up to 
take Joe's place, and he will be driving a truck filled 
with cheap, substandard, untaxed Mexican diesel fuel. He 
will be pulling that double boxcar-sized rig onto the 
subsidized highway system at a dollar or two an hour 
with no workers comp.

   Oh sure, if he makes point-to-point domestic U.S. 
delivery he will be in violation of the treaty, but do 
you really think that's going to be enforced?

   You rail against government subsidies and government 
regulations without regard to the benefits that your 
stockholders, and employees, could gain by joining the 
subsidized and regulated truckers, barges and airlines. 
They know there is gold available to them in Washington.

   Are you in the political philosophy business or the 
profit business? Your competitors sure do understand 
what business they're in.



--Feedback: "UTU and new Amtrak fare system .....##R
   by Local Chairperson Dave Brooks
   Local 1470, Edmonston, MD

   With the input of UTU members, Amtrak and Motorola 
have created a new onboard fare collection system that 
represents a great step forward for the passenger 
carrier, its employees, and its customers.

   The new system will go into service with the high-
speed Acela Express later this year, and UTU members are 
being  employed as instructors in the pilot training 
programs that began in March.

   The manual ticket collection and payment process that 
Amtrak has used for years has served the company well. 
But the mandate Congress gave us to become operationally 
self-sufficient by 2003 made the push to develop a more 
modern fare collection system a priority.

   Since the mid-1990s, Amtrak management has been 
committed to developing an automated fare collection 
system, and from the very beginning of the project has 
called on the UTU and others to be involved in the 
process.

   Recognizing that conductors have historically taken 
tickets aboard the train, Amtrak created a system that 
respects and enhances that role in a major way, putting 
the latest technology in the hands of our conductors.

   The new two-piece system includes a hand-held device 
(HHD), which is actually a mini-computer, that 
conductors will use to scan tickets and process credit 
cards. The other piece of the system is a small printer 
that conductors will wear on their belts. Information 
loaded into the HHD will be transmitted automatically to 
an onboard computer, then to the reservations and ticket 
system, where station agents can access the information.

   This advanced system will help Amtrak meet its 
obligations to Congress in two very important ways.

   First, instead of having to wait for weeks, we will 
have the capability to produce "real-time," or up-to-
the-minute, ridership data, proof that Amtrak is a 
commercially oriented business. The technology will 
enable us to stay on top of our inventory and keep our 
seats sold. It will also create greater flexibility, 
allowing Amtrak to resell cancellations and no-shows, 
producing increased revenue for the carrier.

   Second, the system will address safety and liability 
issues. Whenever our train crews and passengers are 
involved in an accident, the corporation is held 
accountable to the National Transportation Safety Board 
and the Federal Railroad Administration. We'll now be 
able to produce the most accurate passenger manifests 
possible, allowing us to keep and deliver more reliable 
records of who is aboard our trains at any given time.

   Although the equipment is not heavy, it is different, 
and getting accustomed to it will take a little time. 
However, I'm confident that conductors quickly will see 
the benefits in reduced paperwork, faster ticket and 
fare collection, and easier credit card transactions.



--Feedback: "Accident reveals CDL weaknesses .......##S
   by Carolyn Scarsella, Int'l VP-East-Bus
    General Chairperson, National School Bus

   At a recent National Transportation Safety Board 
(NTSB) hearing, I heard the tale of a fatal bus accident 
that happened on Mother's Day 1999 near New Orleans, 
which resulted in the deaths of 22 senior citizens. 
During two days of NTSB hearings in January, the safety 
board was looking into the commercial drivers' licensing 
(CDL) program as well as the medical certification 
process for drivers.

   The Mother's Day crash was used as a case study, and 
it is a startling story. According to accounts from 
passengers, the coach, which was transporting senior 
citizens to a casino, was traveling between 60 mph and 
65 mph when it drifted across two lanes, onto the 
shoulder, breached a guard rail, vaulted over a golf 
path, and smashed headlong into an embankment. Nine 
passengers were ejected, along with the driver, and 22 
were killed.

   What is startling, in retrospect, is that the driver 
was behind the wheel of the bus. Reports said he was 
high on marijuana and dizzy from Benadryl. He also 
suffered from congestive heart failure, was undergoing 
kidney dialysis, and had been released from the hospital 
less than eight hours before reporting to work that 
fateful morning.

   The federal government fined the bus company $10,000 
for failing to thoroughly check the employment history 
of the driver. That was the cost for 22 killed.

   However, a background check would have shown that the 
driver had been fired from two previous jobs after 
testing positive for drugs. He also was rejected for 
employment at Greyhound Bus Lines after testing positive 
for cocaine, which was at least the fifth time he had 
failed a drug test. In addition, he also had been fired 
by a transit line after testing positive for marijuana 
twice in four years, and there were other such events in 
his past.

   In 1998, the driver suffered a mild heart attack and, 
six months later, when his medical certificate was up 
for renewal, a doctor diagnosed him with congestive 
heart failure. Although this condition is an automatic 
disqualification for a commercial drivers' license, the 
doctor renewed the certificate. In 1999, the driver's 
worsening diabetes required that he start undergoing 
dialysis three times a week. Company officials, however, 
say they were unaware of any health problems.

   The day before the crash, the driver worked four 
hours and then received dialysis treatment, after which 
the doctor gave him Benadryl. After two attacks of 
nausea, the driver was rushed to the hospital where he 
was treated for dizziness, nausea and falling blood 
pressure. He was discharged at 11 p.m., just a little 
more than seven hours before reporting for work. 
Sometime between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m., tests showed he 
smoked marijuana.

   This accident has raised many serious concerns, and 
now government agencies are looking for ways to get 
drivers off the road before similar accidents happen. A 
bill has passed the U.S. House of Representatives to 
form new agencies called the National Motor Carrier 
Safety Department and the Passenger Vehicle Safety 
Department. The measure is now before the Senate.

   Under the proposed regulations, an employer will be 
able to look at all convictions, including failed drug 
tests, of a prospective employee. There will be 22 
requirements that states must comply with or risk losing 
federal funding. Also being looked at is an entry-level 
training program where a new driver would graduate to a 
full CDL based on experience and training, such as an 
apprenticeship program.

   The NTSB would also like to create a CDL 
certification program similar to the pilots' 
certification program administered through the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA). However, there is a need 
for certified medical examiners who can evaluate drivers 
to see if any medical condition will impair driving 
ability. Right now personal physicians qualify drivers, 
most of whom are unaware of proper medical requirements. 
Under the new criteria, drivers would be qualified or 
not qualified, and operating with medical restrictions 
will not be allowed.

   Under upcoming rulemaking, the medical certification 
form will be revised and added to the commercial 
drivers' license record. Drivers will have to sign a 
statement that the information is accurate and correct 
on a new form. Currently, because any physician can do 
the exam, a driver can go from one to another physician 
to get qualified.

   The NTSB would like to implement a program that would 
centralize CDL licensing, medical certification, drug 
and alcohol testing, drivers' records and a national 
medical examiners record combined into one registry, 
including Canada and Mexico. Under the proposed 
regulations, all future employers would be able to pull 
up a complete history of the CDL driver.

   That, of course, raises the issue of confidentiality, 
disability, discrimination and possibly other legal 
issues. We, of course, are concerned about the safety of 
our members and the public. However, we have to be 
careful to protect the rights of all those involved.



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

   The UTU NEWS regularly contacts members at random to 
report their thoughts on a question of interest to the 
general membership.

   This month's question: IS THE STB MORATORIUM ON RAIL 
MERGERS NECESSARY?

   "I've been a switchman on the Alton & Southern, now 
the Union Pacific, for 27 years, and I think there 
should be a moratorium. First thing they do is they cut 
jobs, they close yards, and then things get backed up. I 
work the automatic hump, and it seems like there are 
never enough crews to move the trains. They need to work 
things out before they allow more mergers. The main 
problem I see is they try to implement these mergers too 
fast. There should be at least a three-year moratorium. 
It took BNSF about three or four years to smooth things 
out after their last merger."
   -- DWIGHT BAXTON, L-1929, E. ST. LOUIS, ILL.

   "I'm working on the Illinois Central as a conductor, 
with 25 years of railroading experience. I don't think 
the STB should block all mergers, but it ought to take a 
good look and get an idea of what the railroad plans to 
do. You never can tell what the people in the head 
office are planning on doing. For example, with this 
proposed CN/BNSF merger, the outlook on it could be 
negative, and then it could be positive. With the CN/IC 
merger, I think it was positive because it was an end-
to-end merger, with few parallel lines. I think the STB 
needs to more closely review merger plans."
   -- RICK EVERETT, L-339, JACKSON, TENN.

   "I'm an engineer on the UP, with my 22nd anniversary 
coming up in May. I feel they should put a moratorium in 
place because of my past experience with UP. Their last 
merger was detrimental to customers, the labor force, 
and pretty much everyone, even the railroads. We should 
stop the madness, step back, and look at what benefits 
everyone. Why do we put so many people through so much 
adversity simply to appease the greedy people at the 
top? I don't think the railroads are geared up and ready 
for the BNSF/CN merger. It would put all the burden on 
the crews."
   -- LYMAN A. FRANK, L-933, JEFFERSON CITY, MO.

   "I'm an engineer and a conductor, and I've been with 
BNSF for about 29 years. I'm definitely against the 
proposed BNSF/CN merger. I think this merger wouldn't so 
much hurt the train service people, but the clerks, the 
callers, and people like that would take a real beating 
on this merger. When they merge, the first thing they do 
is cut jobs, and I think they cut too many jobs off. I 
think the mergers have gone as far as they should go. 
They've merged too much. These mergers really hurt 
individual people, all the workers on the railroads, and 
not just those in train service."
   -- ROBERT GILMORE, L-331, TEMPLE, TEX.



POWER OF ONE
--The Power to Get Real Results ....................##U

NOTE: This month's print edition of the UTU NEWS 
includes a special "Power of One" unity poster. Members 
are encouraged to display this poster to show support 
for unity among UTU and BLE members. Below is the text 
that appears on this month's poster.
--------------------------------

ONE UNION WITH THE POWER
TO GET REAL RESULTS FOR ITS MEMBERS

   Only one union -- the United Transportation Union -- 
has the power to get real, tangible results for its 
members in the 21st Century.

   Here are some real examples:

   -- The UTU is the only union that has an agreement 
with the carriers to end "cramdown" in all future U.S. 
railroad mergers.

   -- The UTU is the only operating rail union working 
in a coalition with nine other rail labor organizations 
(excluding the BLE and BMWE) to improve Railroad 
Retirement by lowering the retirement age to 60 years of 
age with 30 years of service, bringing parity to 
surviving spouses, lowering the vesting requirement for 
younger workers to only five years, repealing the 
retirement maximum benefit for long-term employees, and 
providing health insurance for those who retire early.

   -- The UTU is the only union that offers thousands of 
its members working under UTU contracts on Class I 
railroads the option of increased healthcare choice by 
offering BlueCross/Blue Shield as an option in its 
National Health and Welfare Plan. Already more than 25% 
of UTU members have taken that choice.

   -- The UTU is the only union that stood up in 
Washington, D.C., against the proposed merger between 
Canadian National and Burlington Northern Santa Fe 
Railroads - a merger that was placed under an 
unprecedented 15-month moratorium by the Surface 
Transportation Board.

   -- The UTU is the only union that has committed to 
ending the entry rate and dual basis of pay for all new 
employees on the railroad.

   In the 21st Century, we need the Power of One union 
that can get real results at the bargaining table and in 
Washington, D.C., representing all operating employees.



REGIONAL MEETING PREVIEW

--Message from Int'l President C.L. Little ......##V

   This year's Regional Meetings once again come at a 
history-making time in our union and the transportation 
industry.

   Since last summer's meetings, the UTU has pushed 
forward with a bold program to unify all of the 
historical rail operating crafts under a program we call 
The Power of One.

   We believe that the best way to protect the future of 
all operating rail employees - and all transportation 
workers - is to create a large, powerful union that has 
the power to stand up against the railroads and other 
transportation companies. The challenge for 
transportation labor in the 21st Century is to put aside 
outmoded 19th Century notions of labor representation 
and to dynamically create a new union structure that 
will be able to get the most for our members and their 
families.

   That's why the theme of this summer's Regional 
Meetings in Reno, Birmingham and Minneapolis is The 
Power of One. In addition, we will offer our highly 
informative workshops that have been so well received by 
our members the last few years. This special section 
gives you a glimpse of what we are offering. And, as 
always, we want everyone to have a good time and get to 
know each other to build our fraternal bonds.

   At last summer's meetings, national political 
leaders, including Vice President Al Gore, Rep. Richard 
Gephardt and Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan, acknowledged 
the UTU as the premier rail-transportation union in 
North America.

   So, join us this summer and help make North America's 
premier transportation union even better. I look forward 
to seeing you.

Fraternally yours,
C.L. Little
UTU International President



--Session descriptions, presenters .................##W

BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY LIFE
Primary presenters: Valerie McKinney and Linda Donahue. 
This workshop, developed by Cornell's Institute for 
Workplace Studies, will examine the challenges and 
strains of balancing work and family for workers in the 
transportation industry. Drawing on data from the 
Cornell Workplace Study, participants will discuss new 
research, working trends, and strategies for improving 
the balance between work and family life.

BASIC COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
Primary presenters: Robert Kerley, Levon Nelson, Terry 
Reed, Delbert Strunk, Arty Martin and Warner Biedenharn. 
This workshop explores the basic understanding of the 
collective bargaining process at the local level. 
Participants will become familiar with how to develop 
local agreements and contracts. Teams of general 
chairpersons, selected geographically depending on the 
location of the Regional Meeting, will lead this 
workshop and be able to talk about the collective 
bargaining process used in the locations where the 
participants live and work.

BUS WORKSHOPS
Primary presenters: Steve Young, Francis X. Quinn, Kevin 
Brodar/Dan Elliott, Bernie McNelis. These workshops will 
address grievance handling, arbitration, chairpersons' 
open workshop, unemployment-willfull misconduct, third-
party and product-liability lawsuits.

CP PENSION WORKSHOP
Primary presenter: Louis Schillaci. This workshop will 
examine recent changes in the Canadian Pacific pension 
program, and modifications made during the last round of 
contract negotiations.

DESIGNATED LEGAL COUNSEL WORKSHOP
Moderator: Monte Bricker. The participants in this 
workshop will explore off-track transportation issues. 
The workshop presenters, UTU designated legal counsel, 
will share their experience in handling legal cases 
involving van transportation, third-party insurance, 
product liability cases against manufacturers, and other 
related issues. Participants will learn how to protect 
themselves when involved in these types of situations.

DESIGNATED LEGAL COUNSEL, GENERAL SESSION
Moderator: Monte Bricker. A team of designated legal 
counsel will help participants understand when they have 
rights to an attorney, the specific role of Federal 
Employers Liability Act (FELA) attorneys, and the role 
and value of a UTU attorney to both the member and the 
organization.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING: THE UTU PERSPECTIVE
Primary presenter: Ray Lineweber. This workshop will 
outline current updates on Federal rules for CDL 
operators, operating crafts, airline pilots, etc.  Also 
covered will be the proposed changes in 49 CFR Part 40. 
There also will be a number of other topics discussed, 
such as substitution, dilution and adulteration 
phenomena; due process dilemma, and alternative methods 
of testing.

DUTY TO ACCOMMODATE IN CANADA
Primary presenter: Guy Scarrow. This workshop will 
explain the laws in Canada and how they apply to UTU 
members living and working in Canada.

ELECTION 2000
Primary presenter: James Stem. This workshop will focus 
on the upcoming elections and the importance of getting 
involved. Only by taking a proactive role can we hope to 
maintain our place in society.

ENGINEER CERTIFICATION
Primary presenter: John Conklin. On January 7, 2000, 
amendments to the locomotive engineer certification 
regulation became effective. These amendments were 
developed through the collaborative efforts of the 
Federal Railroad Administration, railroad management and 
railroad labor. The amendments have made significant 
changes to the engineer certification process. The 
objective of this seminar will be to inform UTU members 
of those changes and to answer any questions that may 
arise.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN THE WORKPLACE
Primary presenters: Kathleen Vance and Clint Miller. 
This workshop will explore the numerous issues within 
the work environment, including discrimination, 
harassment, actions and inaction by management, and 
sensitivity to issues by employees.

FINANCIAL PLANNING WORKSHOP
Primary presenter: Stu Collins. This workshop will 
provide case studies and examples of savings and 
retirement strategies. This seminar is suitable for both 
members and spouses. Discussions will include recent 
tax-law changes, Roth IRAs, mutual funds, UTUIA products 
and changes in Railroad Retirement Board rules.

GENERAL CHAIRPERSON, PART I
Primary presenter: Charles P. Fischbach. The purpose of 
this workshop is to improve the skills of general 
chairpersons in the area of preparing cases for 
arbitration. The presenter will share his many years of 
experience in hearing arbitration cases, outlining the 
ingredients of successful case preparation.

GENERAL CHAIRPERSON, PART II
Primary presenter: Francis X. Quinn. Continuing the 
arbitration issues for general chairpersons, 
participants in this workshop will sharpen their skills 
in conducting arbitration cases. Chairpersons will be 
able to learn what tactics work and which ones should be 
avoided.

GRIEVANCE MEDIATION ARBITRATION
Primary presenters: Members of the National Mediation 
Board. This workshop will explore new concepts for 
handling grievances through the National Mediation 
Board. General chairpersons will benefit greatly from 
participation in this session.

HEALTH HAZARD PREVENTION
Primary presenter: Don Presley. A new product, Dust-Net, 
has been introduced which eliminates dust particles from 
sand. Attendees will learn how they can benefit from a 
much-improved workplace, free of dust and similar 
hazards which can be inhaled.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE AND THE FUTURE OF RAIL LABOR
Presenter: James McDonnell. This workshop traces the 
connection between the growth of the U.S. economy and 
the nation's transportation system. Participants will 
gain an understanding of how transportation and unions 
molded this country's past, and will mold the future.

HOW ARBITRATION WORKS
Primary presenters: Charles P. Fischbach, James 
McDonnell and Francis X. Quinn. These arbitrators will 
discuss how arbitration works and the problems which 
arise from insufficient preparation and inadequate 
documentation.

LEGISLATIVE I & II
Primary presenters: James Brunkenhoefer, James Stem, 
Larry Mann, Jack Shaver and Joe Szabo. This workshop 
will explain how state and federal regulations and 
legislation benefit UTU members and improve their work 
environment. The legislative process also will be 
explained in layman's terms. Current transportation 
issues and labor initiatives also will be discussed.

LOCAL CHAIRPERSON, PART I
Primary presenter: Alan Fisher. Participants attending 
this workshop will learn how to prepare for 
investigations. The presenter will impart his knowledge 
of what kinds of strategies work and should be included, 
and what strategies, if used, tend to dilute the case 
records and weaken the case when conducting the 
investigation.

LOCAL CHAIRPERSON, PART II
Primary presenter: Steve Young. A continuation of the 
local chairperson workshop, participants will now become 
familiar with all aspects of conducting investigations. 
From his experience as both a general chairperson as 
well as an attorney, Steve Young will explore what works 
and what does not work. Local chairpersons will come 
away from this session with improved skills in handling 
investigations.

LOCAL OFFICERS
Primary presenters: Charles Bethge and John Fink. 
Participants in this basic skill-building workshop will 
explore the duties and responsibilities of the local 
officer as defined by the UTU Constitution. Local 
officers will be able to perform their job 
responsibilities much more effectively once they attend 
this session.

RACING TO THE BOTTOM
Primary presenter: Arty Martin. This workshop is 
designed to help participants understand the fatality of 
continuing the "Race to the Bottom," and will help 
members understand what they can do to secure a brighter 
future.

RAILROAD SHIPPERS' ASSOCIATION WORKSHOP
Primary presenter: Ed Emmit, president of the National 
Industrial Transportation League. This workshop has been 
designed to familiarize those attending with the 
business of rail freight transportation from the 
shipper's point of view. Emmit will outline the aspects 
of the movement of freight, which are directly tied to 
railroad employment and jobs.

RAILWAY LABOR ACT: MAJOR AND MINOR DISPUTES
Primary presenters: Clint Miller and Charles P. 
Fischbach. Participants attending this workshop will 
enjoy a discussion of the Railway Labor Act requirements 
covering the sections describing major and minor 
disputes. There is probably no sections of the act more 
misunderstood than those outlining the requirements for 
each of these disputes, and those attending will have a 
thorough understanding of what qualifies under each.

RENEWING THE UNION TRADITION
Primary presenters: William Sonnenstuhl and Linda 
Donahue. Unions were founded on beliefs in brotherhood 
and sisterhood; these familial bonds held union members 
together for generations. Within this mutual aid ethic, 
members looked to one another in their struggles to 
combat harsh working conditions and to maintain healthy 
lives. Drawing on data from the Cornell Workplace Study, 
this workshop will examine the mutual aid ethic in the 
UTU and strategies for renewing and strengthening it.

SECRETARY/TREASURER WORKSHOPS I & II
Primary presenters: Paul Thompson, Gene Felling, John 
Fink and Matt Dolin. These two workshops are designed 
for all local secretaries and treasurers. It will focus 
on the duties and responsibilities of these individuals 
and will include discussions of the UTU Constitutional 
requirements of this elected position. Additionally, a 
presentation will be made explaining the process 
required when a member purchases a UTUIA product. 
Railroad Retirement regulations also will be included.

SWITCHING OPERATION FATALITY ANALYSIS (SOFA) WORKSHOP
Primary presenters: Joe Lydick and Dave Brickey. This 
workshop will examine the findings and analysis of the 
SOFA Working Group. During this session participants 
will learn, from Federal Railroad Administration and UTU 
representatives, the recommendations and the five major 
actions taken to improve safety during railroad 
switching operations.

THE UTU AND YOU
Primary presenter: John Nadalin. Living in a period of 
constant change requires new ways of involving local 
union members in workable solutions that will result in 
greater success for the union and greater satisfaction 
for the member. That is why the UTU's "Power of One" 
campaign demands clear thinking and a cool head. This 
workshop will address achieving the proper focus and 
culture that lead to the conclusion that we must protect 
the union that protects us all, the UTU!

UNDERSTANDING FATIGUE
Primary presenter: Colonel Gregory Belenky. Having been 
responsible for virtually all fatigue research and 
countermeasures within the U.S. Army, Col. Belenky comes 
prepared to help attendees understand the scheduling 
practices that generate fatigue and human-factor 
failures. Attention will be drawn between the cross 
application of examples in the military with those in 
the railroad industry.

UNDERSTANDING TRANSPORTATION STOCK ANALYSIS
Primary presenter: Tony Hatch, NYSE stock analyst. This 
workshop will help participants view their industry from 
a new and unique perspective: Wall Street. Investors and 
labor are no longer on opposite sides in the effort to 
create a viable transportation system. The role of the 
stock market will be explored, with simple analysis made 
regarding how investors view the value of railroads and 
rail service.

UTU AUXILIARY WORKSHOP
Primary presenter: President Edythe Walter. The UTU 
Auxiliary workshop will provide information vital to 
spouses and promote membership. There will be a 
continental breakfast and door prizes for attendees. In 
addition, a presentation will be made by Karen Wigent, 
Longaberger independent sales consultant, on the maker 
of hand-woven baskets, fine pottery, wrought iron and 
home decorating accessories. The demonstration will 
include a brief history of Longaberger, information on 
its products and usage ideas. A drawing will be held for 
a free basket. Proceeds from items sold will go to the 
UTU Auxiliary. Longaberger and the other basket names 
are the property of Longaberger. This fundraiser is in 
no way connected with or sponsored by Longaberger.

WOMEN IN TRANSPORTATION
Moderator: Carolyn Scarsella. This workshop will 
highlight the different issues affecting the working 
women in our union, as well as the transportation 
industry.

YARDMASTERS WORKSHOP
Primary presenters: Don Carver and Jerry Martin. This 
workshop will explain current and ongoing national 
negotiations and serve as a general committee meeting 
for yardmasters.

YOUR MONEY AND HOW IT WORKS
Primary presenter: John Nadalin. This workshop is 
designed to stress the importance of knowing what the 
economy is doing to you and for you, so we have as much 
control as possible over our destiny.



--Schedules, meetings, tours ....................##X

   Printed below is the tentative daily schedule for the 
UTU/UTUIA Regional Meetings. This schedule, and the list 
of presenters, is subject to change. NOTE: The Reno, 
Nevada, Regional Meeting has been designated as the 
joint U.S./Canadian Regional Meeting.

-----------
MONDAY
-----------
8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
General Session, with International President Charles L. 
Little

10 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
Break

10:15 a.m-noon
Bus Workshop: Interviewing
Secretary/Treasurer: Open Session
Basic Collective Bargaining
Alcohol and Drug Testing
Historical Perspective: Future
Understanding Fatigue

Noon-1:15 p.m.
Lunch with Guest Speaker

1:15 p.m.-3 p.m.
Bus Workshop: Grievances I
Secretary/Treasurer: Open Session 
DLC Workshop: Off-track transportation.
Renewing the Union Tradition
Election 2000
Railway Labor Act
Auxiliary tour departs

3 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Break

3:15 p.m.-5 p.m.
Bus Workshop: Grievances II
Yardmaster Workshop
General committee meetings
Auxiliary returns 4:30 p.m.

7 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Buffet Dinner with entertainment, casual dress


-----------
TUESDAY
-----------
8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
Bus Workshop I: Open Chairpersons' Meeting
Secretary/Treasurer: One on One
Local Chairperson I: Preparing for Investigation
The UTU and You
Alcohol and Drug Testing
Switching Operation Fatality Analysis Workshop
Auxiliary Open Session I

10 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
Break

10:15 a.m-noon
Bus Workshop II: Open Chairpersons' Meeting
S&T: One on One
Local Chairperson II: Conducting an Investigation
Race to the Bottom
Equal Opportunity in Workplace
Engineer Certification
Auxiliary Open Session II

Noon-1:15 p.m.
Lunch with Guest Speaker; Evaluation Awards

1:15 p.m.-3 p.m.
S&T: One on One
General Chairperson I: Preparing for Arbitration
Your Money and How it Works
Legislative Workshop I
Women in Transportation
Auxiliary III - Longaberger demonstration

3 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Break

3:15 p.m.-5 p.m.
S&T: One on One
General Chairperson II: Conducting an Arbitration
Health Hazard Prevention
Legislative Workshop II
Balancing Work & Family Life

6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Tropical theme reception, with entertainment, heavy hors 
d'oeuvres, dress accordingly


-----------
WEDNESDAY
-----------
8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
Bus Workshop: Arbitration I
Railroad Shippers' Association
Financial Planning
Grievance Mediation Arbitration of Rail Labor
Switching Operation Fatality Analysis Workshop
Equal Opportunity in the Workplace
Duty to Accommodate -- Canada

10 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
Break

10:15 a.m-noon
Bus Workshop: Arbitration II
CP Pension Workshop
Designated Legal Counsel General Session

Noon-1:15 p.m.
Lunch with Guest Speaker; Evaluation Awards

1:15 p.m.-3 p.m.
How Arbitration Works
Local Officers Training
Understanding Transportation Stock Analysis
Race to the Bottom
Engineer Certification

3 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Break

3:15 p.m.-5 p.m.
State Legislative Board meetings

6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
President's Reception/Banquet, semi-formal dress

-----------
RECEPTION SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY NIGHT
   At the 2000 Regional Meetings, all attendees are 
invited to a welcoming reception the Sunday evening 
before the Regional Meeting formally begins. The 
reception will run from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m., and 
refreshments and light hors d'oeuvres will be served. 
Casual dress is suggested.

LUNCHEONS, RECEPTIONS AND BANQUETS INCLUDED
   At each Regional Meeting, all lunches are included.

   On Monday evening, a buffet dinner will be held. 
Cocktails, soft drinks and entertainment will be 
provided. Ample seating will be available for all. 
Casual attire is suggested.

   On Tuesday evening, a tropical theme reception will 
be held at each Regional Meeting. Cocktails, soft drinks 
and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be provided. Entertainment 
will be supplied by The World-Famous Pink Flamingos. 
Recommended dress is tropical casual, so bring your 
Hawaiian shirt.

   On Wednesday the President's Reception and Banquet 
will conclude the festivities of this year's Regional 
Meetings. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the event will include 
cocktails, a sit-down dinner, and closing comments by 
President Charles L. Little. Suggested dress is semi-
formal.

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
   At all Regional Meetings, general chairpersons will 
be gathering with their local officers and members to 
discuss issues specific to their properties.

STATE LEGISLATIVE BOARD MEETINGS
   At all Regional Meetings, state legislative directors 
will be gathering with their local legislative 
representatives and members to discuss issues specific 
to their states.

AUXILIARY MEETINGS
Members and prospective members of the UTU Auxiliary are 
cordially invited to attend a meeting of the group on 
the Tuesday of each meeting from 9 a.m. until noon. A 
continental breakfast will be served.

AUXILIARY TOURS
At the Reno Regional Meeting, Auxiliary members, family 
members and friends will be offered a tour of Virginia 
City; in Birmingham, a Southern Living Magazine tour 
will feature many local attractions, and in Minneapolis, 
Auxiliary members will be able to visit the Mall of 
America, the largest shopping center in the world.

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES ROOM
The Membership Services Department will have 
representatives from Regence BlueCross/BlueShield, 
Magellan Behavioral Health, Aetna/U.S. HealthCare, 
Merck-Medco Managed Care, Inc., MetLife, Railroad 
Retirement Board, United HealthCare and ValueOptions to 
meet one-on-one with the membership and/or their 
spouses. The Membership Services Room will only be open 
the first two days of the Regional Meetings between 7:30 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m. UTU members, as well as their spouses 
and families, are encouraged to stop in.

UTU INSURANCE ASSOCIATION ROOM
At the 2000 Regional Meetings, representatives of the 
United Transportation Union Insurance Association will 
be available from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days to 
answer questions regarding any UTUIA insurance or 
investment products. 
UTU members planning to attend one of the 2000 Regional 
Meetings should know that discount air fares to the 
Regional Meeting cities have been arranged by the 
International.



--Registration, hotel, golf information ............##Y

   The UTU/UTUIA's Regional Meetings scheduled for this 
coming summer promise fraternalism, education and fun.

   Each Regional Meeting lasts a full three days, with 
the President's Banquet on the evening of the third day.

   The $125 advance registration fee per member or guest 
includes: Sunday welcome reception; Monday lunch and 
evening buffet dinner and entertainment; Tuesday lunch 
and evening dinner and entertainment; Wednesday lunch 
and evening Presidential reception and banquet, as well 
as all training workshop materials. On-site registration 
is $175 per member or guest.

   New this year are one-day registrations for those 
members who would like to attend the Regional Meetings 
but can't spare the time away from work or family. The 
cost of a one-day registration for any day is $50. 
Payments for individual events, such as lunches and 
tours, can be made at each meeting.

   Also new this year are registration procedures, with 
separate registration forms for members and guests. 
Additionally, credit cards are now being accepted for 
payment of Regional Meeting fees. At this time 
registration is not available on the UTU website.

UTU/UTUIA GOLF OUTINGS
   Arrangements have been made for golf outings in each 
of the UTU/UTUIA Regional Meeting cities. They are held 
the Sunday before the start of each meeting at 
challenging local golf courses. A registration form has 
been included in the print edition of the April 2000 UTU 
NEWS, and a text-only version follows below. Please make 
note of the registration deadline for each golf outing. 
The registration fee, $80 per golfer for each outing, 
includes the greens fee and golf carts, lunch and round-
trip transportation to the course from the host hotel.

   NOTE: All courses require soft spikes, collared 
shirts and proper attire. The format at all golf outings 
will be scramble/best ball. All foursomes will be 
established by draw from a handicap pool; no pre-
arranged foursomes will be considered. Foursomes will be 
made up of one golfer from each of four classes: A, B, C 
and D. Please complete the form and send it with your 
registration fee (payable to "UTU") by the applicable 
deadline to UTU Regional Meeting Golf Outing, 14600 
Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107.

RENO, NEV., GOLF OUTING
Date: Sunday, June 11, 2000; registration deadline June 
1
Place: The Golf Club at Genoa Lakes, Genoa, Nev.
Tee-off: 8 a.m. shotgun start

BIRMINGHAM, ALA., GOLF OUTING
Date: Sunday, July 9, 2000; registration deadline June 
30
Place: Oxmoor Valley, Birmingham, Ala.
Tee-off: 8 a.m. shotgun start

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., GOLF OUTING
Date: Sunday, Aug. 27, 2000; registration deadline Aug. 
17
Place: Majestic Oaks Golf Club, Ham Lake, Minn.
Tee-off: 7:30 a.m. shotgun start

   Make all checks (U.S. funds only, please) payable to 
"UTU Regional Meeting." Send your completed forms to UTU 
Meeting Registration, 14600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 
44107-4250. You may cancel seven full days prior to 
arrival with no penalty. Please fax any changes or 
cancellations immediately to the UTU International at 
(216) 228-5755.

------------------------
June 12-14, 2000
Reno Hilton
2500 East Second St.
Reno, Nevada 89595
Hotel direct reservations: (775) 789-2126
Toll-free reservations: (800) 648-5080
Reservation code: UTU Regional Meeting
Room rate: $99 single/double; $109 triple; $119 quad
Reservation deadline: May 1, 2000
Self parking: free; valet parking: tip only

------------------------
July 10-12, 2000
Sheraton Hotel
2101 Civic Center Blvd., Birmingham, Ala. 35203
Hotel direct reservations: (205) 324-5000
Toll-free reservations: (800) 325-3535
Reservation code: UTU Regional Meeting
Room rate: $99 single/double; $105 triple/quad
Reservation deadline: June 1, 2000
Parking: self $7 per day; valet $12 per day, both with 
in/out privileges

------------------------
August 28-30, 2000
Minneapolis Hilton and Towers
1001 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis, Minn. 55403
Hotel direct reservations: (612) 397-4999
Toll-free reservations: (800) 445-8667
Reservation code: UTU Regional Meeting
Room rate: $119 single/double; additional person $20
Reservation deadline: July 20, 2000
Parking: self $12.50 per day; valet $20 per day both 
with in/out privileges



--Regional Meeting pre-registration forms ..........##AA

------------------------------------------------
UTU REGIONAL MEETING PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
------------------------------------------------
   By registering in advance for the UTU/UTUIA Regional 
Meetings, you will speed registration at the meeting 
sites and help organizers plan more accurately. Name 
badges and information kits will be waiting for you upon 
arrival.

Which Regional Meeting will you be attending?

_______ Reno, Nev., June 12-14, 2000

_______ Birmingham, Ala., July 10-12, 2000

_______ Minneapolis, Minn., August 28-30, 2000


UTU Local _______ or other affiliation ______________

Name/Title __________________________________________

Name for Badge (if different) _______________________

Home address ________________________________________

City ________________________________________________

State _______________________ Code __________________

Daytime phone number (_______) ______________________

How will you be paying?

_________ By enclosed check

_________ By credit card

Circle type of credit card:  VISA     MasterCard

Credit card number _________________________________

Date of expiration _________________________________

Amount charged _____________________________________

Signature __________________________________________

Advance registration fee of $125 (U.S.) per person 
included with this form?

______ Yes          ______ No

NOTE: Advance registration fee per member or guest is 
$125; on-site registration per member or guest is $175.
Make all checks payable to "UTU Regional Meeting." Send 
this completed form to: UTU Meeting Registration, 14600 
Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107-4250. Please fax any 
changes or cancellations immediately to the UTU 
International at (216) 228-5755.
----------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------


------------------------------------------------
UTU REGIONAL MEETING GUEST REGISTRATION FORM
------------------------------------------------
This form is to be used by spouses, children and guests 
of UTU members attending a Regional Meeting.

Which Regional Meeting will you be attending?

_______ Reno, Nev., June 12-14, 2000

_______ Birmingham, Ala., July 10-12, 2000

_______ Minneapolis, Minn., August 28-30, 2000

Name ________________________________________________

Name of member ______________________ Local _________

Relationship to member ______________________________

----------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------


------------------------------------------------
UTU REGIONAL MEETING GOLF REGISTRATION FORM
------------------------------------------------
Which golf outing will you be attending?

_______ Reno, Nev., June 11, 2000

_______ Birmingham, Ala., July 9, 2000

_______ Minneapolis, Minn., August 27, 2000

Name _______________________________ Local __________

Address _____________________________________________

City/State/ZIP ______________________________________

Handicap or average 18-hole score ___________________

----------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------



SENIOR NEWS

--Camping keeps retirees together ...............##Z

   Retiree Program member DELBERT E. FUNK loves the 
outdoors, enjoys the company of other retired 
railroaders, and now finds himself in an ideal position.

   As president of the National Rail Roaders Camping 
Association, Inc. (NRRCA), Funk would like nothing 
better than to see some new faces join the fun.

   "Most of our members are retired unionized 
railroaders and their families," Funk said, "but we 
offer associate memberships for friends."

   For 27 years, Funk has been a member of the group, 
which was begun in 1968 by the late ELMER COLLINS, 
GEORGE HICKMAN and DON CEARLOCK. Members of the 
Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen (BRT), and after 
unification, the UTU, the three founders worked on the 
same railroad in Kentucky, bumped into each other by 
coincidence at the same campground, and decided to 
organize their outings.

   The non-profit organization today includes nearly 200 
families. A first-year fee of $15 is charged, and each 
year's renewal costs $10.

   "We use the money for door prizes, meals, and 
activities for the grandchildren at the national camp-
out," said Funk. This year's national event will be held 
July 17-23 at Shady Lakes Campground in New Windsor, 
Ill.

   Funk began his rail career as a trainman on the Gulf, 
Mobile & Ohio in 1967. A member of BRT Lodge 234 in 
Bloomington, Ill., he went to work for Amtrak as a 
conductor in 1987, and served UTU Local 1525 
(Carbondale, Ill.) as secretary and treasurer before 
retiring in June 1998.

   "It's like family," Funk said of the campers. "People 
in their 80s are still coming, and we try to make it 
convenient for everybody."

   For more information, contact NRRCA Secretary Darlene 
Ewing at 813 Yorktown, Valparaiso, IN 46385-7906, or 
call her at (219) 462-0757.



--New number of Retiree Program Rx benefit ...##AA

   Retirees trying to price or order prescription drugs 
through the mail-order program offered by the UTU 
Retiree Program will be glad to learn a new, dedicated 
toll-free number has been established by Merck-Medco and 
staffed by knowledgeable service representatives.

   Retiree Program members in good standing who wish to 
put their mail-order buying privilege into effect, or 
who simply wish to compare Merck-Medco's prices with 
those at local pharmacies, are now directed to call 1-
800-770-2805 and identify themselves as UTU Retiree 
Program members.

   According to Merck-Medco, first-time callers will be 
given the help and information they need to establish a 
purchasing account. Those who already have accounts may 
also call 1-800-770-2805 for current prices or to reach 
a registered pharmacist.

   Following placement of the initial order, an account 
is set up to keep track of the member's name, address, 
allergies, chronic diseases and drug sensitivities. Pre-
addressed envelopes are then mailed to the member for 
subsequent orders. These envelopes should be used 
whenever an order is placed.

   Mail-order drug purchasing is available to all 
Retiree Program members and their spouses. No ID card or 
insurance coverage is necessary or associated with this 
program.

   For more information about this or the UTU Retiree 
Program, write to: UTU Retiree Program, 14600 Detroit 
Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107-4250, or call (216) 228-9400.



--Events bring PRR retirees together ...........##BB

   Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) veterans in Pennsylvania 
and in Indiana are gearing up for a pair of events, 
including the annual RETRENSO dinner and dance in 
Delmont, Pa., and the 21st annual PRR reunion in 
Columbus, Ind.

   According to Retiree Program member A.V. "Jock" 
Powers, western Pennsylvania's PRR/

   Conrail retirees who belong to the RETRENSO Club 
(Retired Trainmen and Enginemen Social Club) will be 
holding their 18th annual dinner and dance on Sunday, 
May 7, at the Lamplighter Restaurant on State Route 22 
in Delmont, Pa.

   Powers, a member of Local 1948 in Youngstown, Ohio, 
said retirees from all departments and crafts attend and 
all are welcome. For more information, write to him at 
P.O. Box 325, Westmoreland City, PA 15692, or call (724) 
863-1232.

   Meanwhile, Retiree Program member R.L. Brown of Local 
1518, Indianapolis, Ind., said the 21st annual 
Pennsylvania Railroad reunion will be held Tuesday, July 
11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Columbus, Ind., Holiday 
Inn on State Route 46.

   Brown said last year's reunion drew about 100 
participants, who enjoyed the entertainment, 
refreshments and door prizes. For more information, 
contact Brown at (812) 376-8273, or write to him at 3170 
Flintwood Dr., Columbus, IN 47203.



--Hawaiian cruise features Miller/Dorsey .....##CC

   The UTU Travelers Club has secured arrangements for a 
cruise of the Hawaiian Islands aboard the S.S. 
Independence, Nov. 4-11, 2000, featuring a big band 
theme and performances by the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

   Round-trip airfare from anywhere in the U.S. can be 
arranged for just $395 per person when trip deposit is 
received by May 8, 2000.

   For a brochure and information, including pricing and 
cabin availability, call 1-888-280-7657, or write to 
Lynn Westphal Tours, 33015 Hollow Tree Oval, N. 
Ridgeville, OH 44039.



--The Final Call ...............................##DD

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
0077    Rohan, Thomas             E. Durham, NY
0098    Brooks, Don E.      San Luis Obispo, CA
0150    Grundy, Alfred R.         Aliquippa, PA
0194    Galbreth, Joseph A.           Niles, MI
0202    Sundem, Jr., Alvord A.    Lancaster, MN
0212    Rososki, Edward              Albany, NY
0258    Griffin, Floyd J.            Moline, IL
0262    Fair, James A.            S. Dennis, MA
0298    Arnold, Robert              Phoenix, AZ
0298    Butler, Loren N.             Mendon, MI
0298    Frisch, Wilson W.         Ft. Wayne, IN
0312    Anderson, Clifford A.        Waseca, MN
0312    Kulas, Raymond J.            Winona, MN
0378    Kettunen, Toivo E.         Eastlake, OH
0407    Thomas, Ralph C.         Charleston, SC
0464    Denning, Orville I.   Oklahoma City, OK
0471    Gardner, Carl L.             Eugene, OR
0473    Broyles, C.W.             Hermiston, OR
0473    Stoddard, William L.         Weiser, ID
0556    Eaton, Earl L.           Gig Harbor, WA
0577    Bush, Wilfred J.             Peoria, IL
0577    Reinke, Eugene J.           Lombard, IL
0577    Shaw, Lewis L.         Melrose Park, IL
0610    Ahalt, Charles W.          Columbia, MD
0610    Anderson, Lawrence D.  Gerrardstown, WV
0632    Berardinelli, Alphonse    Gallitzin, PA
0645    Knajdl, John C.          N. Merrick, NY
0650    Anderson, Ralph W.         St. Paul, MN
0674    Moragne, Richard C.      Greenville, SC
0693    Bongini, Raymond C.       N. Canton, OH
0744    Metcalf, Charles W.       Brookston, IN
0762    Griffin, Thomas E.       Montgomery, AL
0793    Long, John C.             Lancaster, SC
0835    Coats, Carroll V.            Fresno, CA
0847    Johnson, Rufus B.        Gardendale, AL
0931    Hart, William C.             Easely, SC
0945    Barnes, Donald E.        Dodge City, KS
0945    Brown, Walter E.           La Junta, CO
0951    Fay, Walter R.             Sheridan, WY
0965    Osgood, Paul R.         Duncanville, TX
1007    O'Leary, Robert J.        Rochester, NY
1129    Ross, Harold P.             Raleigh, NC
1200    Goff, Jeryl R.             Oroville, CA
1245    Mann, Alfred W.              Harlem, GA
1313    Wilson, Henry M.           Amarillo, TX
1345    Price, Wayne                 Etowah, TN
1382    Dirks, Elmer L.            Lakeland, FL
1386    Vaughn, Arthur L.       Parkersburg, WV
1389    Townsend, George W.        Bushnell, FL
1491    McGroarty, John H.      Brecksville, OH
1501    Hebert, Raymond W.         Bushkill, PA
1522    Gray, Woodrow                 Ocala, FL
1524    Gilbert, Ted C.            Hemphill, TX
1545    Brazil, Travis A.         Le Compte, LA
1574    Goodnight, Walter H.       Portland, OR
1594    Wilson, John R.          W. Chester, PA
1607    Wisler, Curtis W.         San Paula, CA
1626    Fuller, Kenneth A.        Anchorage, AK
1722    Kepner, Ira L.       Nw. Providence, PA
1722    Lawrence, Richard L.      Lancaster, PA
1722    Lydon, Sr., Michael J.       Hellam, PA
1814    Duncan, James T.        Spartanburg, SC
1962    Lambert, Thomas            Mattawan, MI
1962    Walls, Lonnie T.             Smyrna, GA



TPEL HONOR ROLL
--Contributors' growing support recognized....##EE

PLATINUM CLUB
($1,200 or more per year)
NAME                  LOCAL   CITY/STATE
Downes, Daniel J.      528    Chicago, IL
Parker, Clayton L.    1033    Atlanta, GA
Zakovics, Zig I.      1468    Walla Walla, WA
Huston, James A.      1532    Kansas City, KS
Hoey, J. Dillon       1895    Chicago, IL

DOUBLE DIAMOND CLUB
($600 or more per year)
NAME                  LOCAL   CITY/STATE
Cuellar, Steve         473    La Grande, OR

DIAMOND PLUS CLUB
($400 or more per year)
NAME                  LOCAL   CITY/STATE
Carnathan, Stephen A.  598    Mobile, AL

DOLLAR-A-DAY CLUB
($365 or more per year)
NAME                  LOCAL   CITY/STATE
Daniels, Richard R.    113    Winslow, AZ
Sampson, Dirk A.       117    Vancouver, WA
Mock, Dennis W.        219    Hannibal, MO
Biggs, Dale M.         240    Los Angeles, CA
Keown, William H.      511    Atlanta, GA
McDermott, Steven J.   835    Bakersfield, CA
Massey, Danny J.       847    Birmingham, AL
Haselton, Bradley E.  1081    Glendale, AZ
Young, Daniel L.      1081    Glendale, AZ
McIntyre, Rufus       1316    Ravenna, KY
Adkins, Larry K.      1389    Russell, KY
Mount, Michael D.     1494    Chicago, IL
Whiteley, Michael F.  1593    Brownwood, TX
McNelis, Bernard      1594    Upper Darby, PA
Brawner, Ace L.       1607    Los Angeles, CA
Goolsby, Glenn E.     1887    Fairfield, AL

DIAMOND CLUB
($300 or more per year)
NAME                  LOCAL   CITY/STATE
Packard, Ronnie D.     243    Ft. Worth, TX
*Fredericksen, D.D.    265    Pocatello, ID
Turner, Robert L.      513    Gainesville, TX
*Bonham, Paul D.       656    N. Little Rock, AR
*Courvoisier, R.A.     683    Detroit, MI
Holland Jr., Jack      830    Harrisburg, PA
Iannone, C.A.          838    Philadelphia, PA
Knight, Robert L.     1092    Teague, TX
Hays Jr., John        1168    Clovis, NM
*Boyle, Edward P.     1581    Bakersfield, CA
Garrett, Steven C.    1974    Ft. Worth, TX
Sparks, Roger A.      1975    Kansas City, MO

GOLD CLUB
($100 or more per year)
NAME                  LOCAL   CITY/STATE
Calderon, Salvador      23    Santa Cruz, CA
*Miller, Joseph O.      30    Jacksonville, FL
*Hubbell, Roman K.      84    Los Angeles, CA
Hague, Thomas L.       171    Aurora, IL
McGinn, Michael P.     171    Aurora, IL
Giza, John R.          199    Creston, IA
Hinde, Patrick W.      200    North Platte, NE
Jochum, Douglas E.     200    North Platte, NE
Johns, Mark B.         200    North Platte, NE
*Hill, Donald W.       202    Denver, CO
*Foster, Jack R.       221    N. Little Rock, AR
Delano, David J.       228    Cedar Rapids, IA
Hardy, Melvin G.       238    Ogden, UT
*Thornton, James L.    238    Ogden, UT
Bond, Robert H.        239    Oakland, CA
Gavril, Richard A.     258    Savanna, IL
Brothers, H. William   283    Portland, OR
Wilcox, Timothy J.     298    Garrett, IN
Dawson, Terry S.       303    Springfield, MO
Lyons, Paul B.         303    Springfield, MO
Reagan, Connolly M.    303    Springfield, MO
Remington, Bruce M.    303    Springfield, MO
Kadavy, Wayne E.       305    Lincoln, NE
*Norrell, George W.    324    Seattle, WA
*Hackett Sr., L.R.     328    New Haven, CT
*Jackson, Thomas W.    367    Omaha, NE
*Castaldo, Anthony     385    Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Barbee, Carl E.        412    Kansas City, KS
*Kalil, Paul           421    Conneaut, OH
*Hicks, Merlyn R.      464    Arkansas City, KS
Edwards, Scott R.      490    Princeton, IN
Robinson, Joseph A.    490    Princeton, IN
Jarratt, Thomas C.     493    Waterloo, IA
*Stephens, Eugene R.   493    Waterloo, IA
Thiele, Robert F.      493    Waterloo, IA
Blankenship, Phillip   496    Portsmouth, OH
Badders, John W.       508    Smithville, TX
Leiferman, Lance L.    508    Smithville, TX
Rugg, James E.         511    Atlanta, GA
Parrish Jr., Joshway   511    Atlanta, GA
Goodwin, Roger E.      533    Osawatomie, KS
Valentine, Larry D.    586    Willard, OH
Brunt, John T.         590    Portage, WI
Westerman, Charles E.  605    Grafton, WV
King, Barry J.         607    Thayer, MO
Davidson Jr., A.L.     610    Baltimore, MD
*Conlee, Donald W.     643    Ft. Madison, IA
Suter, Daniel J.       650    Minneapolis, MN
Eubanks, Jimmy D.      656    N. Little Rock, AR
Gibbs, B. J.           656    N. Little Rock, AR
*Robinson, James       693    Detroit, MI
Williams, Samuel       759    Newark, NJ
*Lytle, Harold O.      811    San Bernardino, CA
Bullard, Jerry D.      823    Big Spring, TX
Allbee, Darryl         835    Bakersfield, CA
Bowman, Wesley L.      835    Bakersfield, CA
Brown, Richard D.      835    Bakersfield, CA
Calvillo, Daniel N.    835    Bakersfield, CA
Massoni Jr., John P.   835    Bakersfield, CA
McBurney, Steven J.    835    Bakersfield, CA
Shank, Terry C.        835    Bakersfield, CA
Smith, Paul K.         835    Bakersfield, CA
Wahl, Gregory L.       835    Bakersfield, CA
Weeks, Trevor R.       835    Bakersfield, CA
Wilie, Conrad J.       835    Bakersfield, CA
Williams, J. Chad      835    Bakersfield, CA
Avery, Jimmy F.        853    Amory, MS
Whitney, John J.       872    Omaha, NE
Palmer, Devon C.       866    Rawlins, WY
Sjogren, Ronnie J.     866    Rawlins, WY
*Daum, William F.      878    Greenville, TX
*Hale, Harold R.       878    Greenville, TX
*Voss, Lloyd           878    Greenville, TX
*Wagner, Roger F.      891    Whitefish, MT
Beaumont, Louis F.     894    Tulsa, OK
Klass, Norman A.       894    Tulsa, OK
Moore, Donny G.        937    Mart, TX
St. Clair, Larry G.    949    Sherman, TX
Halvorson, Bruce D.    965    Dallas, TX
Hernandez, Raul        965    Dallas, TX
Holt, John D.          965    Dallas, TX
Blanton, Alton N.      971    Crewe, VA
George, F.W.           977    Pasco, WA
Peake, Tyler C.        977    Pasco, WA
Murphy, David M.       982    Rochester, NY
Phelps, Larry R.       996    Ste. Genevieve, MO
Alexander, Lindsey A. 1000    Minneapolis, MN
*Nelson, Floyd R.     1000    Minneapolis, MN
*Liston, Thomas F.    1006    Brownsville, PA
Campbell, Johnny W.   1031    Savannah, GA
*Ritz, John E.        1074    Freeport, PA
Dean, Michael J.      1081    Glendale, AZ
*Hadnott, Alton H.    1106    Rocky Mount, NC
Boren, Dennis A.      1136    Sterling, CO
Henton, James L.      1136    Sterling, CO
Ferguson, Frank E.    1168    Clovis, NM
Gillean, Jack D.      1168    Clovis, NM
Skaggs, Jimmy R.      1168    Clovis, NM
Lajcin Jr., Louis J.  1186    Gary, IN
Newton, Walter S.     1186    Gary, IN
Boiser, John R.       1205    Kingsville, TX
Chastain, Dana L.     1245    Atlanta, GA
Wright, Clemmie C.    1245    Atlanta, GA
Wright, Jessie L.     1245    Atlanta, GA
Williamson, Pullen R. 1261    Atlanta, GA
Fountain, Randall     1263    Valdosta, GA
McDaniel, John R.     1263    Valdosta, GA
*Johnson, Warren W.   1292    Proctor, MN
Freitag, Paul W.      1292    Proctor, MN
Haburt, Mark W.       1292    Proctor, MN
Kindgren, Phillip C.  1292    Proctor, MN
Larson, Kenneth A.    1292    Proctor, MN
Malknecht, Paul S.    1292    Proctor, MN
Hill, Ronnie R.       1316    Ravenna, KY
Tiffany, Brian W.     1366    Salt Lake City, UT
*Weaver, Herman R.    1376    Columbus, OH
*Colonna, George A.   1378    Wilmington, DE
Singleton, Mark C.    1397    Columbus, OH
Wiley, Kevin D.       1403    Kansas City, MO
Harbers, Alan R.      1405    St. Louis, MO
*Guttler Jr., John    1413    Jersey City, NJ
Brock, Robert M.      1445    Elizabeth, NJ
*Walker, Sam          1458    DeQuincy, LA
*Barnes, Alvin R.     1518    Indianapolis, IN
*Clark, Arnie         1548    Indianapolis, IN
Cade-Jackson, Tara    1564    Los Angeles, CA
Munford, Berlina B.   1564    Los Angeles, CA
Taylor, Garrett O.    1574    Portland, OR
*Kmieciak, Robert J.  1582    Albany, NY
Dedrick, Jack W.      1608    Chatsworth,  CA
Roberts, Richard M.   1620    Elkhart, IN
*Wardleigh, N.K.      1629    Phoenix, AZ
*Drake, John W.       1730    Richmond, CA
*Welch, Donald C.     1770    Los Angeles, CA
Ryan, Janice A.       1780    Kansas City, MO
Blake, Stanley L.     1857    Green River, WY
Caschetta, Larry A.   1883    Riverdale, IL
Franson, Michael D.   1883    Riverdale, IL
Hinski, Daniel J.     1904    Houston, TX
Matsler, James W.     1918    El Paso, TX
*Williams, Carver D.  1948    Youngstown, OH
Moore, Stephen W.     1957    Silsbee, TX
Hilton, William D.    1975    Kansas City, MO
Sears, Mark E.        1976    St. Paul, MN



FELA UPDATE
--About contributory negligence ................##FF

   A recent column discussed how lawsuits are valued. It 
mentioned that if the injured person is at fault, then 
the value of the case is reduced. That concept is known 
as contributory negligence.

   A railroad is responsible for injuries to its 
employees caused by the employer's negligence. However, 
the law says that if the injured person is also at 
fault, then the amount of damages awarded is to be 
reduced by the percentage of fault on the part of the 
employee.

   There are some exceptions to this rule of law. 
Generally speaking, the employee's fault will not be 
used to reduce the value of the case if the injury is 
caused by a penalty defect, such as a defective coupler, 
brake or sillstep.

   Determining issues such as these requires experience 
and expertise. Contact a UTU Designated Legal Counsel to 
find out the answers to any questions you may have about 
these matters.

Monte Bricker, coordinator
Designated Legal Counsel Program
1-888-241-7076



NOTICES

--Monthly winner .............................##GG

   This month's lucky winner of her choice of any item 
of apparel bearing the UTU logo is Yvonne Guyton of San 
Diego, Cal.

   Sister Guyton is an active member of Local 81 in 
Vista, Cal., which represents drivers employed by the 
North County Transit District.

   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 Sister Guyton!



--Airlines offer discounts to meetings .........##HH

   UTU members planning to attend one of the 2000 
Regional Meetings should know that discount air fares to 
the Regional Meeting cities have been arranged by the 
International.

   Members wishing to inquire about discount air fares 
to Reno, Nev., or Birmingham, Ala., should call 
Southwest Airlines toll-free at (800) 433-5368. Identify 
yourself as with the UTU and refer to I.D. code G0530 
for Reno or I.D. code G0540 for Birmingham, Ala.

   Those inquiring about discount air fares to 
Minneapolis should call Northwest/Continental Airlines 
toll-free at (800) 328-1111 and refer to code: World 
File NMPFR.

   For the lowest-possible fare, a Saturday night stay 
is required.



--UTUIA Disability Income Replacement ........##II

   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, please contact your UTUIA 
representative, or complete and return the coupon below.
====================================================
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====================================================
The preceding may be reprinted or re-posted in 
electronic form, in part or in whole, to any network 
or computer system worldwide, or distributed via disk, 
provided proper credit is included and no alteration 
of text occurs other than for formatting purposes.
====================================================
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                        UTU NEWS                    
                     ONLINE EDITION                 
====================================================
        -------------------------------------
                      APRIL 2000
        -------------------------------------
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      -----------PROGRESS THROUGH UNITY-----------
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                         -30-