UTU, coalition
reject H&W pattern
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- UTU International President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., and a coalition of rail labor leaders met last month with National Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC) representatives to express concern about the carriers' perception of the health and welfare provisions in the tentative national contract negotiated by the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE). In particular, some rail labor leaders are taking exception to the fact that the railroads are considering the provisions a "pattern" for the industry. -- Full story.

Senate gets
retirement bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Companion legislation to H.R. 1140, the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act, labeled S. 697, has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.). If passed into law, the legislation would provide long-needed improvements in the surviving spouse benefit, full retirement annuity at age 60 with 30 years of service, elimination of artificial caps on benefits, vesting after five years instead of 10, and provisions that require the railroads to insure future fund solvency with future tax increases if necessary. -- Full story.

Members die in accidents
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Two UTU members and a BLE member were killed recently in separate accidents. A UTU-represented conductor and BLE engineer, both Union Pacific employees, were killed while deadheading from Houston to the Union Pacific terminal in Alexandria, La. W.E. "Bill" Dyer, a Burlington Northern Santa Fe conductor and member of Local 949 at Sherman, Tex., was killed early on the morning of April 9, 2001, in a switching accident at a rock quarry. -- Full story.

UTU, BLE, BNSF
to meet at Safety Summit
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The UTU and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) were slated to attend a joint safety summit with management of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) on April 30 in Kansas City, Mo., as this edition reached deadline. The original call for the summit came from UTU International President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., on March 14. -- Full story.

Members ratify
SEPTA contract
UPPER DARBY, Pa. -- The bus and trolley operators of UTU Local 1594 at Upper Darby, Pa., approved a new three-year contract April 8, one week after reaching a tentative agreement with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) that averted a possible strike. -- Full story.

UnitedHealthcare
to change GA-223111
CLEVELAND, OHIO -- At recent meetings with the railway labor organizations constituting the policyholder under GA-23111, it was agreed that payment rate changes would be made for coverage effective June 1, 2001. -- Full story.

UnitedHealthcare
adds new website
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Railroad Health Plan members covered by UnitedHealthcare now have a convenient website available to obtain a variety of services and information at <http://www.myuhc.com>. -- Full story.

LMRDA brings
rights, responsibilities
The Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) guarantees certain rights to union members and imposes certain responsibilities on union officers. The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) enforces many LMRDA provisions while other provisions, such as the bill of rights, may only be enforced by union members through private suit in Federal court. -- Summary of law.

WC stockholders
OK merger with CN
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation stockholders have approved a merger between WCTC and a subsidiary of Canadian National Railway Company (CN). That's bad news for about 250 workers, whose jobs would be eliminated if the consolidation is approved by authorities. -- Full story.

AT&T offers
members phone plans
UTU members are eligible to receive discounts on rates and cellular equipment not available through AT&T retail stores! -- Full details.

UTUIA accidental death benefit
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A $30,000 accidental death benefit for only $5 per month? No physical exam required and no medical questions asked? -- Full details.

News & Notes

UTU Auxiliary
moves offices
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The offices of the UTU Auxiliary, formerly located in Columbus, Ohio, have been moved into the UTU International Headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio.
"I am excited to be able to work more closely with International President Byron Boyd to help strengthen and expand the UTU Auxiliary," Auxiliary International President Edythe M. Walter said.
Walter and International Secretary/Treasurer Joan P. Montgomery now can be reached by mail at 14600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107; by calling (216) 521- 1161, faxing (216) 521-2588, or e-mailing <auxiliaryed@aol.com>.

Steelworkers
grateful to UTU
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- In the wake of the recent UTU News centerspread on the plight of the nation's steel industry, UTU has received a letter from United Steelworkers of America President Leo W. Gerard thanking the UTU for its support.
Gerard urges members to work for the passage of House Bill 808, the Steel Revitalization Act of 2001.
"As you are well aware, each steelworker job supports about four other jobs in the community, including those of UTU members," Gerard said. "Together we will win this battle. As we both know, losing is not an option."

Rutter named
new FRA chief
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Bush has named Allan Rutter to head the Federal Railroad Administration.
Rutter has been transportation policy director in the Texas governor's office since 1995, serving under Bush from 1995 until Bush assumed the presidency. Since then, Rutter has served under Bush's successor, Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Rutter was deputy executive director of the Texas High-Speed Rail Authority from 1990 to 1995. He served Texas Govs. Mark White and William Clements as a senior budget analyst from 1985 to 1990. Rutter must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

"Cramdown"
deal negotiated
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Following the lead set by the UTU more than a year ago, a number of rail labor organizations have signed a "cramdown" agreement with the nation's major rail carriers that will provide protection for workers affected by mergers.
In February 2000, the UTU was given the right to select which contract would apply once a merger or consolidation was complete; the carriers could no longer "cram down" inferior contracts upon UTU members.
Last year, the UTU predicted its agreement would serve as a guide for other unions interested in protecting their members. Railroads signatory to both agreements are the UP, NS, CSXT, BNSF and KCS.

Monthly winner
This month's lucky winner of his choice of any item of apparel bearing the UTU logo is Ryan D. Brown of Local 383, New Albany, Ind., which represents workers on the Norfolk Southern Railroad. 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.