Column by Charles L. Little
Goals remain the same
While our rate of negotiating progress may have changed, and the political and economic climate may have changed, all parties should note this fact: The UTU's goals and determination remain unchanged. -- Full text.

Column by James M. Brunkenhoefer
Rail managers hear what they want to hear
My home seniority district is in Houston Tex., on the former Southern Pacific. I remember when we had nine different terminal superintendents in an 11-year period. Management kept sending new faces to solve Houston's problems. Every new face told management the same thing, that Houston needed more... Every time management heard that, they brought in a new guy. The superintendents who told management that they didn't need anything, and could actually make some cuts, got to stick around and probably received a raise. This continued until the whole system collapsed. I've seen a very similar circumstance here in Washington, D.C. -- Full text.

A new era begins
With great fanfare, Amtrak has begun offering high-speed rail service on the Northeast Corridor via the Acela Express.

A lot of Amtrak's hopes are riding on the Acela, which was launched a year and a half late because of an ambitious development schedule that encountered various technical glitches. Amtrak looks to the service to provide both money and momentum heading into 2002, when Congress says it will stop subsidizing the company.

Amtrak President George Warrington has made it clear he intends Acela to succeed, thus providing impetus for profitable high-speed routes nationwide.

With airports snarled by "winglock," and gridlocked highways crumbling faster than they can be repaired, Amtrak's vision of a new era of rail travel appears to have everything going for it ­ except the funding. With Acela's success, it is hoped our lawmakers will finally realize their shortsightedness in failing to invest in this mode of transportation.

Meanwhile, UTU members working on Amtrak can be counted on to do everything possible to ensure the success of the Acela Express so that it serves as a viable model for the modern passenger rail service the nation deserves.

Route to nowhere
Some who failed to learn from recent history apparently like failure.

A case in point is the San Fernando Valley Transportation Zone Interim Joint Powers Authority, which still thinks it's a good idea to spin off a new transit zone from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Their hope is to realize more "efficient" service by avoiding existing labor contracts. Their idea is doomed.

Despite the candid advice of its own consultant, the group still hasn't figured out that it's spinning its wheels. As a service to the group, here are some reminders as to why it should spend its time and energy elsewhere:

California Gov. Gray Davis recently signed legislation requiring smaller transit zones cobbled from existing agencies to abide by all existing labor contracts; and the MTA agreed in the recently ratified UTU contract, forged during a 32-day strike, that if such zones are created, positions will be filled by UTU members who will bring with them their existing contract terms.

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:

Feedback / UTU News
14600 Detroit Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44107-4250
Fax: (216) 228-5755
E-Mail: UTUNEWS@utu.org