The UTU News regularly contacts members at random to report their thoughts on a question of interest to the general membership. This month's question:

Do you agree with the decision to withdraw from the AFL-CIO?

"I'm an LACMTA bus operator with almost 24 years on the job. At first, I had some concerns about the withdrawal, but it's OK with me. Paying into something that we're not getting a return from doesn't make sense. I was concerned about strength and unity, but I feel we can grow and be strong enough that we can be the major player in transportation. Transportation being a major force in the economy, we need an organization that understands this industry and is willing to stand up for us. All brothers and sisters should be treated fairly, no matter where they are in this land."
-- Willie Fulwiley, L-1563, El Monte, Cal.

"I've been a rail worker since 1977 and went into engine service on BNSF the following year. I suspected our withdrawal from the federation would be coming, and I agree with the decision. I remember when we left the AFL-CIO over the coal slurry thing. I have a problem with the AFL-CIO taking our money and giving it to the BLE so they can fight against us. I trust that what our organization is doing will lead to the unification of the UTU and BLE. That's what I'd like to see happen. We elect these people to do what's right for us, and at some point, you have to trust that's what they're doing."
-- Curt Jones, L-5, Kansas City, Mo.

"I'm a BNSF engineer with about 27 years of railroading, and I have no problem with the UTU withdrawing. I'm not a big AFL-CIO lover, and never thought we should belong to it. There's so many other unions there whose interests are opposite of ours, including some of the coal people and the airlines. I don't think it's a big loss. I think we should have done it earlier. I'd still like to see the operating unions join together, as do a lot of my BLE counterparts. We should be working together to be sure we have two people in the cab. We need to protect the craft of conductor."
-- Mike Ritchie, L-445, Niota, Ill.

"I'm an engineer working for the Kansas City Southern, with about 27 years of railroading experience, and I agree with the decision 110%. I think the AFL-CIO does good things for other unions, but I really don't think they've done anything much for the UTU. I think the UTU has great leadership and will stand on its own. The UTU is fighting for the workers out there, and we need that because the BLE is trying to put the UTU out of business, especially with the black box. I know BLE engineers, and they'll sell a trainman's job out for $5 a day. I'm glad Charlie Little pulled out."
-- Robert W. Snow, L-1088, Jackson, Miss.

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