The following letter was received by International President Charles L. Little from Past International President Al H. Chesser regarding the UTU's recent decision to disaffiliate from the AFL-CIO.

Dear Brother Little:

I want to assure you that I agree with you 100% regarding your decision to disaffiliate from the AFL-CIO. You, the officers, and Board of Directors, have my full support if it is helpful in any manner.

The UTU, since its beginning, has been one of the most outstanding and successful labor organizations in the entire North American labor movement. The character and integrity of our union remains unblemished.

WE have, through the years, been one of the greatest assets of the AFL-CIO. Two of our International presidents have served long tenures on the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO. We are not a "Johnny-come-lately" to membership in the AFL-CIO.

WE have set an example for the AFL-CIO as one of the strongest labor unions in North America.

WE have been one of the leaders among the AFL-CIO affiliates in securing better wages, excellent health and welfare benefits, working conditions, and educational opportunities for our members.

WE have been one of the leaders in the field of legislation to protect workers' lives, secure improved pensions, and to protect workers' welfare in general.

WE have asked for no trophies or accolades for our success as an affiliate of the AFL-CIO. Neither had we anticipated being sacrificed on the altar of labor by the officers of the AFL-CIO for an organization described by many as a small, scabby organization, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE).

WE can no longer be made to suffer the intended indignities and unjust treatment by the officers of the AFL-CIO.

They have chosen to interrupt our legal and rightful procedures under rail labor law. In doing so, they chose to protect a scab organization, the BLE, whose folly has been to order its members to cross legal picket lines in time of a legal strike.

They have chosen to protect an organization that finds joy in "selling jobs" of our brothers and sisters in order to gain a few pieces of silver for their members.

Never in all my years in the labor movement, as an officer of my union, and as a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council for many years, has the house of labor protected an organization which violates the very fundamentals of the American labor movement, and in doing so attempts to admonish one of its best affiliates.

Our character and dignity is something we cannot and must not sacrifice. So, in order to protect our membership from such harsh and unjust action of the AFL-CIO officers, we must take the high road and disaffiliate with the AFL-CIO.

You and I, and all of our officers and members, must never give up the fight to protect the working men and women of North America, and in particular those in the railroad industry. It is shameful that the officers of the AFL-CIO have forced us to make that fight separate and apart from the AFL-CIO.

Yes, brother president, you said it correctly in the last paragraph of your letter to AFL-CIO President Sweeney, which, I quote, "In conclusion, 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" end quote.

I extend my very best wishes to you, and your splendid and most successful administration of the UTU.

Fraternally yours,

Al H. Chesser
UTU Past International President