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Around the UTU/UTU News
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Elected to a newly created vice presidential post, C.A. Iannone, vice general chairperson with GO-769, is no newcomer to issues involving passsenger rail operations. -- Full story.
Local 2, Toledo, Ohio
Member Ray Bottles, one of the last active trainmen to work on the New York Central's 20th Century Limited, was on hand in late August to participate when the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a five-stamp series commemorating America's great passenger trains. The other trains pictured on the stamps include the Daylight, the Congressional, the Hiawatha, and the Super Chief.
Local 4, Charny, P.Q.
Local Secretary and Treasurer Louis-François Garceau, who serves as secretary of the Quebec Provincial Legislative Board, is creating a railway magazine entitled TRAQ (Transport sur Rail Au Québec), which translates as "Transport on Rail into Quebec." The 32-page, bimonthly is being sponsored in part by the Quebec Provincial Legislative Board, Local 4, and individual members. For information, contact Garceau at (418) 832-2114, or send e-mail to <yahwe@total.net>.
Local 469, Madison, Ill.
UTU members played a major role during last month's Madison County Labor Day parade and picnic, according to Secretary and Treasurer John Payer, who noted that members of Locals 1405 and 1388 (both in St. Louis, Mo.) and Local 1929 (E. St. Louis, Ill.) joined those who participated. Membership I, the UTU's mobile education and training lab, led the UTU contingent, followed by a locomotive-and-caboose float occupied by UTU members' children, who tossed candy to the other children lining the parade route. The float earned a second-place trophy, and the event was followed by a picnic featuring free food and beverages, live music and an antique car show, thanks to the sponsorship of the Midwest Railroaders and Designated Legal Council F. Lance Callis.
Local 504, Wheeling, W. Va.
Beautiful weather promoted good attendance as nearly 150 active and retired workers gathered in Grandview Park in Moundsville, W. Va., for the annual Labor Day picnic, according to West Virginia State Legislative Director John R. Pennybacker, Jr. The event, chaired and coordinated by Ronald E. Helms, received considerable support from Designated Legal Counsel Thomas C. Wood, Jr., and the firm of Chattman, Gaines & Stern.
Local 577, Northlake, Ill.
Members enjoyed great weather during their Labor Day picnic, held at the Busse Woods Ned Brown Preserve near Elk Grove Village, Ill., said Local Secretary Kenneth J. Larson, who expressed his gratitude to the officers and members who made the event a success. Larson also thanked the Designated Legal Counsel law firms that sponsored the event for their generous support.
Local 597, Des Plaines, Ill.
Members working for the Union Pacific Railroad on former Chicago & North Western lines are taking pride in the accomplishments of fellow member John W. Babler, according to Local Chairperson and President Mark F. Doyle. Brother Babler, a general chairperson, was elected to the position of Second Alternate Vice President-West at the recent UTU convention.
Local 759, Newark, N.J.
Members are already making plans for a Christmas party, and continue to face issues related to the purchase of their employer, Community Transportation, by Coach USA, according to Local Chairperson George Adams. Regular meetings are held on the third Monday of the month at the DAV Chapter I in Passaic, N.J., but efforts are underway to change the meetings to Sunday to boost attendance.
Local 823, Big Spring, Tex.
During the President's Banquet at the recent UTU convention in Miami Beach, Fla., Jerry O. Barker was pleasantly surprised to be presented with a UTU Brass Lantern Award in recognition of his many years of effort and hard work for the union and his local. Barker, who has served more than 20 years as local secretary and treasurer, is also local chairperson, legislative representative and delegate for his local.
Local 1462, Boston, Mass.
Members of the local will be among those attending a fund raiser for the family of John P. Keefe III, an Amtrak foreman and member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 103, according to Secretary and Treasurer David M. Bowe. Keefe was lost at sea in a boating accident, and because his body was never recovered, the family cannot collect Railroad Retirement or life insurance benefits. The event is set for 7 p.m. on November 5 at the IBEW Hall in Dorchester, Mass. For more information, call (617) 436-3710.
Local 1715, Charlotte, N.C.
As this edition went to press, members were slated to nominate candidates for local positions at the meeting planned for the first week of this month, according to Local President James O. Shannon, Jr.
Local 1778, N. Vancouver, B.C.
Members recently hosted a testimonial dinner in honor of Clyde Mulhall, who retired after 42 years of dedication to the trade union movement, according to Secretary and Treasurer David Moorhouse. Brother Mulhall had served as the local's chairperson and as general chairperson for BC Rail workers.
Local 1908, Buffalo, N.Y.
Mechanics working for National School Bus have ratified a new contract that will bring them a 10% wage increase over three years, but the pact can't be signed and implemented until the bus drivers on the property ratify an agreement, according to General Chairperson Carolyn Scarsella. In the meantime, the local's mechanics have agreed to an extension of their existing contract through October 31, 1999, in exchange for retroactive pay back to June 26, 1999.
GO-020 (BNSF)
The general committee's merger with former GO-012, a committee led by Penelope B. Wilson (the UTU's first female rail general chairperson), has reached another benchmark with the streamlining of the claims-handling process. General Chairperson C.D. "Bud" Davis said he and Wilson, now associate general chairperson, can report that discipline cases are being heard, and issues involving Public Law Boards from both committees are being handled in a timely matter. The committees, which merged effective July 1, 1999, now cover a geographical area stretching from San Francisco, Cal., to Chicago, Ill. Visit their website at <http://pages.prodigy.net/utu-e/>.
GO-663 & GO-769 (Amtrak)
Ballots were being mailed at presstime to members under the jurisdiction of these two general committees of adjustment headed by General Chairpersons W. A. Beebe (GO-663) and A.L. Suozzo (GO-769), allowing them to vote on the long-awaited contract proposal. Those who failed to receive a ballot should contact Suozzo at (215) 564-1750, or by writing to him at 1515 Market St., Ste. 515, Philadelphia, PA 19102. International Vice President Pete Patsouras has endorsed the proposal and urges its adoption.
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