Rail job offered a way off the farm
Retiree D.L. Young, who recently celebrated his 85th birthday, believes he may be Fred Harvey's oldest-living former news agent, or "butch." As Young recalls, a butch sold newspapers, candies, apples and soft drinks aboard passenger trains. For Young, a member of Local 1252 in Fresno, Cal., the Harvey operation was a way off the farm. -- Full story.

Support builds for Medicare drug benefit
A proposal to provide prescription drug benefits for all Medicare participants gained support last month, even though some Republicans are still insisting that Congress overhaul the entire program to cut costs. -- Full story.

Retired former union officials pass away
Four former retired UTU officials recently passed away, including Gene C. McCoy, Meade S. Stuckey, Gilbert B. Wood, and Jeremiah "Jerry" A. Parker, according to reports received at the International.-- Full story.

Social Security offers e-newsletter
Social Security recipients can keep up with the latest changes in benefits and rules through an electronic newsletter now available on the agency's website. The newsletter includes various topics of interest, and e-mail subscribers can customize the information they receive in the free monthly updates, the agency said. All that's required to receive the publication is an e-mail address. Those interested in subscribing can do so by signing up at <http://www.ssa.gov/enews>.

The Final Call
Listed here are the names of members of the UTU Retiree Program who have died recently, according to reports received at UTU International Headquarters. These brothers and sisters will be sorely missed by their many friends and by fellow UTU Retiree Program members. -- Full listing.