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UTU withdraws from AFL-CIO 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 Other major unions, including the Teamsters, mine workers' and teachers' unions, also have withdrawn from the federation over political and organizing disputes.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." |
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