Pro-Amtrak budget
WASHINGTON -- On February 7, President Clinton released his fiscal 2001 budget that would fund intercity passenger rail programs at the $989-million level authorized for Amtrak.

The request divides this amount between two programs. The president's request for Amtrak is $521 million in general funds. Separately, there is another $468 million for a new "Expanded Intercity Rail Passenger Service Fund," to be available for Amtrak and/or states. This fund would draw from part of the $3 billion in gas-tax revenues the federal government now projects that it will collect in 2001 in excess of estimates used in TEA-21.

Unfortunately, there is big opposition to the $468 million in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which control use of gasoline tax revenues. Many legislators think that excess gas-tax revenues, even at the $3-billion level, should all go to highway programs, even if passenger rail starves.

Negotiations scheduled
Contract negotiations between the UTU and organized Renzenberger employees in Kansas and Missouri should begin soon. Alternate Bus Vice President Percy Palmer was scheduling dates with company representatives as this issue of the UTU News went to press.

Negotiations should also begin shortly for school bus drivers and aides at Delco School Bus in Darby, Pa., as UTU representatives there are making final adjustments to their contract proposals.

Also, the UTU is seeking to be recognized by Milepost, the company which acquired the van-service business of the former Renzenberger operation in Southern California, reports Bus Vice President Bernie McNelis. Should the company fail to recognize the UTU, McNelis said the union would take appropriate action to secure representation.

Insurance change prompts calls
The UTU International has received telephone calls from active and retired members inquiring about the notice of life insurance change which appeared on the front page of the January 2000 UTU News.

The notice explained that, with the implementation of the new NRC/UTU health and welfare plan in January, the life insurance benefits, which include accidental death and dismemberment benefits, of active and retired employees of BNSF, Conrail, CSXT, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific would now be handled by Minnesota Mutual.

This life insurance benefit, which is $10,000 for eligible active employees and $2,000 for eligible retired employees, is part of both the national health and welfare plan (GA-23000) and the NRC/UTU health and welfare plan. For those eligible UTU members either actively employed or retired from the railroad carriers listed above participating in the NRC/UTU health and welfare plan, this benefit is now being administered by Minnesota Mutual.

This is the only change in the life insurance benefit.

For those employees covered under the national health and welfare plan, this benefit continues to be administered by MetLife.

Minnesota Mutual and MetLife are cooperating to assure prompt and proper handling of any life-insurance claims received.

Further information can be obtained by calling Minnesota Mutual toll-free at (800) 328-9442 and/or MetLife toll-free at (800) 310-7770.

Monthly winner
This month's lucky winner of his choice of any item of apparel bearing the UTU logo is Richard Wirt of Princeton, W. Va.

Brother Wirt is a retired member of Local 655 in Bluefield, W. Va., which represents workers employed by the Norfolk Southern (N&W Proper).

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