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

As a Delegate, do you feel the UTU is responsive to the membership?

"I'm a first-time delegate representing Union Pacific enginemen on the former Chicago & North Western. I believe my participation will make a difference, or I wouldn't be here. A former delegate told me what to expect, and at a local meeting, we discussed how I'd vote, so I think our members have confidence their concerns are represented. Charlie Little's approach of being proactive instead of reactive has made quite a difference in our union and in the attitude our members have towards it."
-- STEVE STALEY, L-597, CHICAGO, ILL.

"Absolutely, I do. From my experience serving as a delegate five times, I'm very comfortable with the procedures and the results they produce. Delegates have an opportunity to keep the UTU on track to do what's necessary to deal with the rail industry and other organizations giving us problems. The members of my local offer their ideas and suggestions on proposals they're familiar with and any position up for election, but I was given blanket privilege to use my judgment on their behalf."
-- VAUGHN D. BECKER, L-1, BUFFALO, N.Y.

"No, I feel the various people in the highest offices are not really in touch with the working members out here, and I don't think there's enough power in being a delegate. I first served as a delegate in 1995, and I feel voting for offices should be handled differently because it takes too much time. There's too much politics, and the business is not being addressed. Maybe we need to extend the convention longer than five days, or have the delegates work longer into the night."
-- LARRY D. THACKER, L-48, NORFOLK, VA.

"I'm an LACMTA train operator, a third-time delegate, vice local chairperson and treasurer. We're on track to being more responsive, and with Charlie Little in charge, we can keep going in that direction. The bus department needs parity. My local has 1,000 members, but the same vote as a 100-member local. We've again proposed one delegate for every 300 members to give the department more influence. We have 6,000 bus members, but one international vice president. We need to change that."
-- THOMAS E. ISAACS, L-1565, LOS ANGELES, CAL.

Click here to see previous "Voices" columns