Column by Byron A. Boyd, Jr.
Single-craft representation simplifies the complicated
a merger between UTU and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) does not appear to be in the cards at this time. But the need for effective representation of all operating employees has not changed. Fortunately, a fair and simple approach is readily at hand. It's called single-craft representation, and by all indications, its time has come. Single-craft representation will bring added strength and democracy to the historic operating crafts. -- Full text.

Column by James M. Brunkenhoefer
The lights are on, but nobody is home
The pace of filling the new Administration's positions with new faces is unbelievably slow. Many questions that UTU members and others have about Railroad Retirement, railroad safety and other vital issues simply cannot be answered because there is no one there to answer them. -- Full text.

A wake-up call for Congress
An issue making headlines in the 1980s has gained new currency. We hope it reminds the 107th Congress that rust never sleeps.

Grabbing headlines in the UTU International's own backyard, Cleveland-based LTV Steel, with 18,000 employees in Ohio, Indiana, Alabama and other states, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on December 29, 2000.

LTV had already idled one blast furnace a month earlier, laying off 500 workers. Affected were the members of UTU Local 1661 whose employer, the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad, suddenly had little service to provide LTV.

Perhaps luckier were members of Local 27 working on the River Terminal Railway where, for the time being, LTV operations continue.

What at first blush appears to be a local problem may soon be making headlines in a city near you. Just days after LTV sought bankruptcy protection, it closed a facility at Hoyt Lakes, Minn., affecting the lives of 1,000 working families. In fact, within the last two years, at least seven U.S. steel makers have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

These developments do not go unnoticed by UTU-represented employees on railroads servicing steel producers. And as pointed out by UTU's Alternate Vice President-East Dennis J. Schuler, general chairperson on the River Terminal Railway, all UTU members have reason to be alarmed.

Schuler notes that, ultimately, a chain reaction occurs, and what are now local problems soon affect the national economy.

Nearly all involved with steel point a finger at the dumping, or sale below cost, of dirt-cheap foreign steel into the American market. Just as rust never sleeps, we hope the lawmakers of the 107th Congress are wide awake and aware of the events that heralded the beginning of the 21st century. The elections behind us and the seats won, the time for talk is over. It's now time for action.

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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