UTU announces innovative
job agreement with CSXT
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- United Transportation Union (UTU) International President Charles L. Little has announced an innovative agreement with CSX Transportation Inc. (CSXT) that preserves paychecks for about 650 UTU-represented workers. "This is another example of the cultural change occurring between CSXT and the UTU that should be the model for labor-management relations in the rail industry," Little said. -- Full story.

UTU scores win at SEPTA
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Commuter rail workers on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) scored a major victory recently when the United Transportation Union (UTU) was affirmed as their collective bargaining representative. SEPTA train service workers turned back a raid by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) by voting to retain their UTU representation, according to election results released December 29, 2000, by the National Mediation Board (NMB). -- Full story.

CSX conductor dragged, killed
CHICAGO, Ill. -- CSX conductor Teresa "Robin" Smith, 42, a member of Local 586 at Willard, Ohio, was killed January 10, 2001, at a rail yard in Chicago when a passing Norfolk Southern (NS) train apparently snagged the strap of her backpack and dragged her to her death. Smith had been with the CSX since November 1999. She formerly was secretary to the trainmaster for the Lake Terminal Railroad in Lorain, Ohio, which went out of business about two years ago. Full story.

Liftline workers pledge to join UTU
SANTA CRUZ, Cal. -- A new bargaining unit of transportation workers will likely join UTU Local 23 at Santa Cruz, Calif., soon, as their employer has opted to recognize the UTU as their authorized representative. -- Full story.

UTU rate tables effective Jan. 1, 2001
In this edition are rate tables, effective January 1, 2001, that result from the application of a 12-cent-per-hour cost-of-living adjustment, pursuant to Article II, Part C of the Award of Arbitration Board No. 559. Please contact your general chairperson if you have questions about these rates of pay. Yardmaster rates of pay also increased on January 1, 2001. Yardmasters should contact their general chairpersons for the exact formula. -- Rate tables.

Negotiations
to resume
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Meetings between the UTU and the National Carriers' Conference Committee are scheduled to resume February 12 and 13, 2001, in Miami, Fla.
"We hope to resolve the problems we are experiencing over the questions and answers and get a clear understanding of the intent of our tentative agreement reached last September," said UTU Assistant President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., chairperson of the UTU Negotiating Committee.
Members are encouraged to check the UTU's website at <http://www.utu.org> for the latest developments.
---

News & Notes

Rail Retirement fight
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The campaign to pass the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act (H.R. 180) is off and running.
Officers and legislative representatives from each union in the Coalition of Rail Employees for Improved Pensions (REIP) met in Washington, D.C., recently with railroad and retiree organization representatives to plan strategy to enact Railroad Retirement improvements this year.
Every union and railroad at the meeting pledged that achieving Railroad Retirement reform would be their top legislative priority this year. It was agreed to use the next two months to meet with new committee chairmen, their staffs, and key members of the Bush Administration to educate them on the merits of the proposal.
The goal is to have a bipartisan bill, essentially identical to last year's measure, introduced by the end of March, co-sponsored by the appropriate House and Senate committee chairmen and ranking members, with the acknowledged support of President Bush.
"Thanks to the unprecedented outpouring of letters and phone calls last year, the groundwork has definitely been laid," UTU National Legislative Director James Brunkenhoefer said. "There is not a returning member of Congress who is not familiar with our issue. For that reason, the coalition believes now is not the time to begin bombarding Congress with calls and letters. That time will come, probably when a bipartisan leadership bill is introduced."
Rail labor and management agree that whatever bill is introduced, it will include all of the elements agreed to last year: the lowering of retirement age, improved surviving spouse benefits, reduced vesting period, and other improvements.

Conductor dies in fire
S. MIAMI, Fla. -- CSX conductor Steven Greenstein, a member of Local 1138 at Miami, Fla., died in a fire at his South Miami home January 9.
Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire, but guessed it might be related to the use of a space heater, commonly found in many Florida homes in the past few weeks as residents battle unseasonably cool temperatures.
Fire officials said Greenstein's stepdaughter was awakened around 10 a.m. by a smoke alarm. She saw heavy smoke and flames in the hallway separating her bedroom from her parents' room.
Officials said several units responded to the fire within minutes of the first call, but flames were already shooting out the windows and through the roof of the three-bedroom wooden home when they arrived.
Greenstein, 53, had been railroading since 1969, first with the Seaboard Coast Line, then with CSX.

Monthly winner
This month's lucky winner of his choice of any item proudly displaying the UTU logo is James D. Duke of Local 1245, Atlanta, Ga., which represents workers on the Norfolk Southern. These items are awarded every month by random drawing as a show of appreciation to the many members who have been supportive of the UTU throughout the years.

UTU VISA Card saves you money
The new UTU VISA cards, issued by National City Bank, are now available to members, family and friends.

Don't forget, the VISA cards issued by National City replace the old UTU credit card. So, apply for the new UTU VISA and transfer your balance to 3.9% APR*.

UTU PRIME RATE
VISA PLATINUM AND CLASSIC VISA
-- Introductory 3.9% APR for the first six billing cycles;
-- Thereafter, the Prime Rate, currently 9%;
-- At least a 25-day grace period on purchases;
-- $35 annual fee for VISA Platinum; $25 annual fee for Classic VISA.

UTU NO-ANNUAL-FEE
VISA PLATINUM AND CLASSIC VISA
-- Introductory 3.9% APR for the first six billing cycles;
-- Thereafter, the Prime Rate plus 4.9%, currently 13.9%;
-- At least a 25-day grace period on purchases.

ADDITIONAL VISA PLATINUM BENEFITS
-- $250,000 travel accident insurance;
-- Automatic rental car insurance;
-- Global emergency travel assistance services

All UTU cards have a special Internet e-commerce rebate program that lets members earn rebates from 5% to 25% on purchases made through the PrimeCard e-commerce website. Rebates will be automatically received on the VISA statement for purchases from more than 500 merchants like Land's End, Barnes & Noble, The Gap, CarParts.com and The Sharper Image.

Start saving money now by transferring balances from higher-rate credit cards to 3.9% APR. You could save hundreds of dollars the first year alone.

To apply by phone, call 1-888-622-8434.

*The information about the costs of the cards described is accurate as of 01/31/01. The introductory 3.9% APR is valid for the first six billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. Thereafter, the APR for purchases and balance transfers will be variable, currently 9.5% for Prime Rate VISA and 13.9% for No Annual Fee VISA. The variable cash advance APR is currently 9% for Prime Rate VISA and 13.9% for No Annual Fee VISA. If you miss two consecutive payments, the default APR is the higher of 22.9% or a variable rate of Prime + 14.65%, currently 23.65%. Cash Advance Fee: 3% of advance amount, $5 minimum. Cash Equivalent Item Fee: 3% of advance amount, $10 minimum. Minimum Finance Charge: $.50 in any month finance charge is imposed. There is at least a 25-day grace period on purchases if the balance is paid in full monthly.