Safety tops legislative agenda
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The UTU's National Association of Legislative Directors (NALD) held its quadrennial reorganization meeting September 17 in Washington, D.C., to elect officers and establish its legislative agenda for the near future.

Michigan Legislative Director David Brickey was elected chairperson and W. Larry Foster of Missouri was chosen as vice chairperson. Also elected were New Jersey Legislative Director Dan O'Connell as secretary and Fran Marceau of Montana as treasurer.

The safety and security of UTU members topped the association's agenda. Discussion centered on the passage of H.R. 4844, the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act, van-service transportation and hours of service regulations.

"Our first order of business was discussing how to protect the livelihood of our members," Brickey said.

Besides the approval of H.R. 4844, Brickey said the group focused on the need to enact legislation to regulate the van-service providers which transport rail workers.

"I hope we can establish laws in every state, similar to the legislation recently passed in North Dakota, that regulates the companies that transport our members," Brickey said. "Right now, these companies are pretty much free from any oversight."

The association also examined the need for a system to coordinate the efforts of the UTU's state legislative directors.

"If Michigan runs into a roadblock getting van-service legislation passed, we need to alert all our other directors who may run into similar trouble," he said. "We also need to set up a plan that enables our membership to let us know what they want us to proceed on and get this information to President Little as soon as possible."

The group heard from several lawmakers and government officials. Congressmen Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii and David Bonior of Michigan spoke about the Railroad Retirement legislation, and Surface Transportation Board Chairperson Linda Morgan discussed railroad mergers and the effects of the Conrail acquisition by CSX and Norfolk Southern. Francis J. Duggan, the newest member of the National Mediation Board, also addressed the group.

Brickey said that Morgan told the association the STB would "put the hammer down" on any new rail mergers until those railroads could get a handle on things.

The directors also discussed railroads' attempts to challenge state lawmakers who are routinely passing legislation to penalize the railroads for blocking grade crossings, and how this could affect UTU members.

Brickey said that federal judges in Michigan and Indiana have ruled that states have no jurisdiction in this area. However, Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm is appealing the ruling there.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has no regulations pertaining to blocked crossings, said Brickey, "and if railroads are allowed to block crossings at any time for as long as they desire, it will definitely have an effect on our members and could promote the use of remote-controlled operations."

"Some municipalities are now asking Congress to pass laws ensuring their right to regulate and enforce grade-crossing legislation," Brickey said. "They [railroads] may have opened a can of worms they didn't want to open."

After the meeting, a seminar was held to instruct newly elected directors on the responsibilities of their office.

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