Column by Charles L. Little
The Power of the Internet
UTU is always looking for new ways to communicate with its members. On June 12, the UTU is taking the next step in providing you with the latest information when the UTU will become the first major North American international union to use the Internet to "webcast" live my annual "State of the UTU" speech from the Reno Regional Meeting. -- Full text.

Column by James M. Brunkenhoefer
UTU: The power in the
transport labor movement
There is only one great world power today: The United States. And just as this nation leads the other nations of the world, your UTU continues to set the standard by which other transportation labor organizations are judged. -- Full text.

Keep up the fight
for Railroad Retirement
Last month we told you about the campaign by 11 labor unions and several rail-retiree organizations, who represent more than three million Americans, to convince Congress to make the most significant improvements to the railroad retirement system in a generation.

This month we are urging you to continue the fight. Call and write your Congresspersons and Senators and tell them to vote for the "Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act of 2000." Available to you on the UTU website are addresses and phone numbers for your Washington representatives, and also sample letters that you can print out, sign, and send to them.

What remains puzzling is how any union can try to wreck legislation that will make railroad widows and widowers financially whole, lower the retirement age with healthcare, lower vesting to five years, and offer other significant improvements. But two unions -- the BLE and BMWE -- are, for their own bizarre reasons, intent on hurting millions of current and future rail retirees. The letter on the opposite page gives you some idea of the misinformation campaign being waged against you by these unions. We also suggest you read, if you haven't already, a May 9 letter from TCU International President Robert A. Scardelletti regarding the misinformation put forward by the BMWE and BLE against Railroad Retirement legislation. It is available on our website at <http://www.utu.org/DEPTS/PR-DEPT/NEWS/NEWS2000/051000-a.htm>.

The old saying goes, "Don't let a rotten apple spoil the barrel." Well, unless all of you tell your Congresspersons and Senators to support this legislation and ignore the two rotten apples, your improved retirement is in jeopardy. And while you're at it, tell the rotten apples what you think.

And the gold goes to...
Congratulations to all involved in winning a gold medal for the UTU's latest video, "Labor Unions and Railroads: Then and Now." This great video has been honored with a First Place Gold Camera Award at the U.S. International Film and Video Festival. Earlier this year, the video won a Telly Award after being selected for the honor from a field of more than 11,000 entries. This year, there were more than 1,600 entries from 30 countries eligible for a Gold Camera Award.

A listing of UTU videos now available can be viewed on the UTU's website at <http://www.utu.org/DEPTS/SUPPLY/video-1.htm> or can be obtained by writing to: UTU Videos, Supply Dept., 14600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107-4250, or by calling (216) 228-9400 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT.

What's your opinion?
We'd like to hear your thoughts on these topics, and others. Include your name, address, phone number, and (if applicable), your UTU Local number and an e-mail address with items submitted to:

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