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Contract talks resume
CLEVELAND -- Negotiators made progress when contract talks between the UTU and the National Carriers' Conference Committee resumed last month in Miami, Fla. "For reasons we do not fully understand, the carriers say they made a mistake in the language agreed to last September with respect to the timing of the elimination of entry rates of pay for current employees. We managed to resolve our other differences in the questions and answers that will accompany the tentative agreement when we put it out for ratification," said UTU International President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., chairperson of the UTU National Negotiating Committee.
Members killed on job
Two UTU members recently lost their lives while on the job. One man was killed and his crewmembers severely injured when their CSXT train struck the rear of a stopped train near the southwest Ohio town of Carlisle. Killed was David J. Wund, 35, of Cincinnati, Ohio, a member of Local 1917 at Cincinnati. He started with the CSX Transportation Company in 1998. Suffering severe head injuries was Harry Everingham, 46, of Palestine, Ill., a member of Local 145 at Columbus, Ohio. Terry Stover, 45, of Columbus, Ohio, a BLE member, suffered severe back injuries in the crash. Ron Harvey, a 53-year-old switchman member of Local 1402 at Dupo, Ill., was killed December 28 when he was struck on the head by moving equipment. The 30-year railroad employee got off his engine outside the St. Louis Terminal yard in Dupo and found himself stuck between moving trains traveling in opposite directions. Minutes later, fellow railroaders found him face down, killed by a blow to the left side of his head. Harvey leaves behind two grown children; he was to be re-married just weeks after his death.
TPEL form online
CLEVELAND -- A TPEL pledge form is now available on the UTUInternational web site (http://www.utu.org) in the TPEL section. The form can be downloaded in the easy-to-use PDF format. For your convenience, the form should be printed out, completed, signed and dated, and sent to your local treasurer; save a copy for yourself. Retired members wishing to make TPEL contributions should contact the International for TPEL retiree contribution forms and envelopes, or simply send their contribution, payable to "TPEL," directly to TPEL, UTU, 14600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107. Remember, TPEL is an investment in your future.
Monthly winner
This month's lucky winner of his choice of any item proudly displaying the UTU logo is Ronald R. Kilen of Local 161, Seattle, Wash., which represents workers on Evergreen Trails. 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.
Regional Meetings
Members planning to attend one of the UTU/UTUIA Regional Meetings scheduled for this summer can speed the check-in process and save themselves money by pre-registering. -- More information.
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B.A. Boyd succeeds Little
as International president
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Byron A. Boyd, Jr., succeeded Charles L. Little as International president of the UTU and the United Transportation Union Insurance Association (UTUIA) last month in the wake of Little's unexpected announcement that he was resigning and retiring. Little, 64, attributed his decision to health considerations. Boyd, who held the post of assistant president at the time of Little's announcement, succeeded Little as UTU president immediately under a provision of the UTU Constitution. -- Full story.
TRRA vote goes to UTU
GRANITE CITY, Ill. -- In a winner-take-all election with significance for all rail operating employees, train and engine service workers on the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA) last month voted 83 to 17 as a single craft to choose the UTU as their bargaining representative. The TRRA representation election was ordered by a National Mediation Board (NMB) ruling on December 22, 2000, that included the finding that a single craft or class of operating employees is appropriate where the facts indicate a "mandatory progression from train service to engine service, and [a] similarity in working conditions and job functions.... -- Full story.
Transit workers approve pact
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A new three-year contract has been approved by members of Local 1715 in Charlotte, N.C., where bus operators, mechanics and cleaners employed by Transit Management of Charlotte, Inc., twice rejected previous proposals. The agreement, reached on January 28 but not approved until February 9, provides a 3.4% cost-of-living increase each year, an increase in the company's retirement plan contributions, three new bereavement days, an extra paid personal day and more sick-leave days. It runs from January 29, 2001, to January 29, 2004. -- Full story.
Star Transit workers choose UTU
LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- UTU Local 105 at Las Vegas, Nev., which represents bus drivers employed by Gray Line Tours of Southern Nevada, is about to expand its membership by nearly 100 members. By a more than 2-to-1 margin, the airport shuttle drivers and tour bus operators employed by Star Transit chose the UTU to serve as their collective bargaining representative in a representation election held January 16. -- Full story.
UTU, TCU defend 13(c)
CLEVELAND -- An effort led by the UTU and the Transportation Communications International Union (TCU) has resulted in the preservation and strengthening of the Federal Transit Act's (FTA) section 13(c) provisions protecting a wide range of transportation workers. -- Full story.
Cunningham appointed
human rights coordinator
CLEVELAND -- Ray Cunningham, Jr., has been named by International President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., to serve as UTU's human rights coordinator, a position created to educate and promote awareness of the advantages brought by diversity. -- Full story.
Join Hands Day set for June 16
CLEVELAND -- The UTU/UTUIA is proud to join together with the 88 other not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies comprising the National Fraternal Congress of America to sponsor "Join Hands Day," a nationwide day of volunteerism, learning and fun. Join Hands Day, set for Saturday, June 16, gives members a chance to mobilize to make life better for those less fortunate, to work and learn with young adults, and to prove again that UTU/UTUIA members are the greatest volunteers in the world. -- Full story.
AT&T Wireless deal on cell phones
UTU members and their families can save money on their cellular telephone service by signing up with, or switching over to, AT&T Wireless Services, one of the largest cellular carriers in the United States. The UTU International has reached an agreement with AT&T Wireless so that all members, active and retired, are eligible to receive these discounts. All new and existing AT&T Wireless customers will earn airtime and equipment savings, as well. -- Full story.
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