UTU NEWS
| Volume 30 | October, 1998 | Number 10 |
UTU NEWS ONLINE EDITION A Service of the United Transportation Union Public Relations Department Charles L. Little Roger D. Griffeth Editorial Offices: WELCOME TO THE VOICE OF TRANSPORTATION LABOR The Union Pacific listened to us and that's a major step forward. It's a positive sign that they have seen the wisdom to drastically reorganize operations and listen to us, the people who have kept the UP from going out of business this past year." UTU International President Charles L. Little TABLE OF CONTENTS IN THIS EDITION UP listens to UTU as it reorganizes ..............##A AROUND THE UTU News from around the U.S. and Canada ..........##J MEMBERSHIP PROFILE Local 1778 transforms boxcar into museum .........##K BUS DEPT. / STREET BEAT "Missing Manny" ...............................##L YARDMASTER REPORT "Negotiations" ...................................##M EDITORIALS Common sense wins on Union Pacific ............##N "Things on my mind..." ........................##P "The News from Beltway City" .....................##Q Voices: Members share their opinions ..........##R STATE WATCH SLDs offer election recommendations ...........##T SENIOR NEWS ........................................##U RRB working to ensure readiness for year 2000 TPEL HONOR ROLL Contributors' continued support recognized.....##V NOTICES Monthly apparel winner announced .................##W ==================================================== IN THIS EDITION --UP listens to UTU as it reorganizes ..............##A CLEVELAND -- The decision by the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) to reorganize operations into three regions in an effort to decentralize control and get the troubled railroad back on track was the direct result of suggestions proposed by the United Transportation Union (UTU). During a series of ongoing meetings with Union Pacific senior management, the UTU's top International officers told the carrier that the only way it could survive was to change the way it operates. Among the suggestions was to decentralize control from Omaha and create at least three operational regions. The UTU, the largest operating rail and transportation union in North America, is the largest union on the UP, which employs 17,000 UTU members. "The Union Pacific listened to us and that's a major step forward," said Charles L. Little, UTU International President. "It's a positive sign that they have seen the wisdom to drastically reorganize operations and listen to us, the people who have kept the UP from going out of business this past year. Bigger is not always better. During the last year, the UP has proven that you simply cannot run a railroad this big from one place." The Union Pacific decentralized the management of its operations on Sept. 1. That action was an admission that UP's centralization program after the merger with the Southern Pacific Railroad has not worked. The move will shift dozens of managers from UP's fortress-like headquarters in Omaha to new regional offices in Houston and Roseville, Calif. Union Pacific Corp. CEO Dick Davidson also announced the creation of a new Network Design and Integration (NDI) organization and the appointments of Brad King to lead the organization and Dennis Duffy to head its Operating Department. UP CREATES NEW ORGANIZATION The UP said the NDI organization would stand separate from -- but equal to -- Operating and Marketing. NDI will bring together into one organization the responsibility for decisions relating to railroad services, the development of transportation plans to deliver those services and the allocation of capital and human resources to support execution of the plans, UP said. "The Union Pacific has finally wised up and paid close attention to what we have been telling them during this long service crisis," said Little. "We hammered away about reorganizing the railroad and regionalizing service. We told them to put top operations people in charge. They are now doing those things, and it's good to see." By listening to the advice of its largest operating union and decentralizing control into more responsive hands, Little said the burden on operating employees "should start lifting." "And it better start fast," added Little. "Our members have suffered enough and they need to return to normal work lives." UTU PRIORITY IS SAFE JOBS Little reaffirmed that the UTU's priority is to make sure that "the 17,000 UTU members working on the Union Pacific have jobs and paychecks to support their families - and that they return home safely every day." UP's Davidson said during an inspection tour of the railroad's coal-hauling routes in Wyoming during late August that a direct connection existed between the decentralization decision and serious operating problems that began last summer and eventually engulfed UP and the rest of the U.S. rail system. UP will split roughly into northern, southern and western regions. Ironically, each of the regions is as big as big railroads used to be. Over the course of the summer, Little hammered away at the UP. In major speeches at the UTU's three Regional Meetings, Little said that the UP has to change the way it operates "or it will go out of existence." Little credits UTU members and officers with instigating the UP attitude change. Little said, "The power of our membership and the power of information is a winning combination." Little concluded, "The Union Pacific has listened well. Now the true test will be to make it all work, because it should." --UTU, engineer file rights suit ................##B MONTVALE, N.J. -- A New Jersey Transit locomotive engineer and the United Transportation Union allege in a lawsuit that police violated his civil rights by illegally forcing him to take a drug and alcohol test following a fatal crash at a rail-grade crossing. Engineer George Kreitz, Jr. and the UTU filed suit against the Montvale Police Department in August alleging police had no authority to test him after the April 20 accident which killed 68-year-old Elsa Laga. Kreitz said he sounded the train's horn and applied its emergency brake, but could not avoid hitting Laga's car at a rail-grade crossing. Two Montvale police officers boarded the train to investigate and conducted a field sobriety test on Kreitz. The officers told him he "was OK," said the civil rights complaint. Kreitz was then told that he would have to go to the police station for blood and alcohol testing, but federal regulations only allow such testing after an accident if probable cause exists, the lawsuit said. Kreitz and another New Jersey Transit official showed the officer the regulations, but the police pointed to discarded beer cans in the adjacent passenger car and said that he had probable cause. When Kreitz and the other official continued to protest, the officer "told them that if they continued to interfere, he would arrest everyone for obstruction of justice." The officers read Kreitz his Miranda rights and eventually placed him in a holding cell, but told him he was not under arrest. He was forced to give a urine sample, and then was "secreted out of the rear of the police station" to a hospital for a blood test. The blood and alcohol tests were negative said the complaint, filed by UTU designated legal counsel Lawrence M. Mann. Mann said he has successfully filed a dozen similar lawsuits around the country in the past decade. "This case is particularly egregious," Mann said. "Had the police officer not been shown the regulations, he could have said, 'I didn't know that.' He was also told by the official from the railroad that he shouldn't be doing that." A spokeswoman for New Jersey Transit, Donna Bodden, said that a senior railroad foreman on the scene that night checked Kreitz and found no probable cause of drug or alcohol use. Daniel J. O'Connell, the UTU's state legislative director in New Jersey, said that the UTU "will not stand by and let local police forces violate the rights of the workers the UTU represents." Kreitz, 44, has been a New Jersey Transit employee for nearly 15 years and has been a UTU member since 1979. --Conrail ends Labor/Management Project ............##C CLEVELAND -- After more than 15 years of solving countless problems and saving untold dollars, Conrail has ended its highly successful Labor/Management Project. Under the project's umbrella, Conrail employees and management worked together to find solutions to oftentimes complex problems, from cutting the costs of supplies to finding the fastest and most economical way to return end-of-train devices to their home railroads. What made the project unique is that all of its work went above and beyond the confines of the collective bargaining agreement. The program, in existence since 1982, was one of the most successful joint labor/management programs in the country. "The program had one heck of a reputation," said UTU Vice President Pete Patsouras, who represented the union on the project's Steering Committee. "Conrail Labor/Management Project members were called on to give demonstrations before the AFL-CIO on how labor and management could and should work together." Hundreds of UTU members and others from rail labor donated countless hours to making the program a success, Patsouras said. "UTU members who participated in the various committees throughout the Conrail system are to be commended, as well as the UTU Labor Director Bill Merritt and former Labor Director Charlie Bethge," Patsouras said. "We also must express our gratitude to Brother Dan Collins, former assistant general secretary and treasurer, for the major role he played in establishing this program." Patsouras explained that Conrail will continue to sponsor the Operation: Lifesaver program and the Critical Incident Response Team, but now will do so without any labor participation in policy-making decisions. "These programs are all company-sponsored now," Patsouras said. "The company will pick and choose who will serve on the committees, unlike before." Patsouras said CSX has been approached about retaining the Labor/Management Project committees on properties it will acquire from Conrail, but that no decision has been reached. He also said that Norfolk Southern has showed little interest in keeping the project in place on properties it will acquire from Conrail. --Update: UTU/BLE talks .........................##D CLEVELAND -- Discussions are continuing about creating a new labor organization combining the United Transportation Union (UTU) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE), as this issue of the UTU NEWS reaches deadline. By mid-September, the five committees appointed by the International leadership of the UTU and BLE concluded their work and submitted reports to the Oversight Committee for review. That committee includes UTU International President Charles L. Little, Assistant President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., BLE International President Clarence V. Monin and First Vice President Ed Dubroski. As agreed to in Montana under the direction of former AFL-CIO President Tom Donahue, a decision regarding a new union comprised of the UTU and BLE was to be made by September 30, 1998. For the latest information, check the UTU's website at <www.utu.org>. --Rumors of 55/30 retirement unfounded .............##E According to a current rumor that sounds almost too good to be true, the Railroad Retirement Board is considering amending the Railroad Retirement Act to allow for the granting of an unreduced annuity at age 55 or after 30 years of service, whichever comes first. Unfortunately, that simply isn't the case. As a result of the rumor and inaccurate reporting elsewhere, the UTU International is receiving inquiries about whether the union supports the amendment. While there has been discussion on the issue at meetings of the Rail Division of the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department, and a subcommittee has been established to investigate the possibility of pursuing an amendment such as this, the retirement board is considering no such amendment at this time. The confusion appears to have started when the board met to discuss how to respond to correspondence on the subject, and some took it to mean that the board was actively discussing the matter as an amendment. The UTU will fully support any proposal to reduce the current retirement age so long as it does not reduce the annuity and does not result in an increase in the amount of contribution employees make. UTU also will be part of the subcommittee looking into this matter and will provide information when it becomes available. --UTU job bank now online .......................##F The UTU's Job Bank, listing transportation job opportunities, is now up and running on the UTU web site <www.utu.org>. The site has links to the Railroad Retirement Board's job placement service, and to web sites of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe, CSX Transportation, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, which list job openings. All UTU local and general committee officers are being asked to submit available employment opportunities to the UTU, via mail or e-mail, so that they may be posted on the Job Bank. --Members' heroism cited in two incidents ..........##G A quick-thinking UTU member was recently credited with saving a 17-year-old girl from death or certain injury, while in a separate incident, a tragic outcome resulted despite a member's heroic efforts. Teenager Tamika Wood owes a debt of gratitude to Amtrak conductor Daniel M. Cadogan, a member of Local 898 in Boston, Mass. According to Framingham, Mass., police officer George Carey, who witnessed the incident, Wood had boarded a train to say goodbye to a cousin. As the train began leaving the station, Wood tried to leap off the car and onto the platform, but lost her balance, and began falling toward the wheels of the moving train. "Before I could react, conductor Daniel Cadogan grabbed the girl and started to pull her out from under the moving cars," said Carey. "Cadogan grabbed her by the hair and pulled her to safety. If Cadogan hadn't moved so fast, the girl could have been seriously injured or far worse." Meanwhile, brakeman Darrell Sukon of Local 1571, El Paso, Tex., was aboard a train 30 miles outside of El Paso last August which dragged a vehicle more than 150 ft. after the vehicle's driver failed to beat the train at a grade crossing. According to Local 1571 secretary/treasurer Martin A. Luley, Brother Sukon immediately exited the locomotive, pulled the driver to safety, then broke the vehicle's rear window to reach a passenger who was apparently asphyxiating. Sukon cleared the injured passenger's air passage and remained with him until emergency workers arrived on the scene. Despite Sukon's efforts, the injured passenger died shortly after reaching the hospital. --Hotline receives Illinois Central reports .....##H UTU members on the Illinois Central (IC) are encouraged to call the UTU's toll-free telephone hotline (1-800-964-9494) to report operating and other problems they encounter on the property. Once properly reported, the problems will be assigned to the appropriate union official for handling. When calling, please speak clearly and include your name, local number, telephone number, name of railroad and a brief message explaining the situation. Your call will be returned. --Joseph Debbs named Volunteer of the Year .........##I Joseph T. Debbs, long-time member of UTU Local 492 and UTUIA Unit 8, who resides in Elk Grove, Cal., has been named UTUIA's 1998 Volunteer of the Year. Born in Hominy, Okla., Joe was hired by the Southern Pacific in 1964 and is currently a conductor with the Union Pacific Railroad. Nominated by UTUIA Field Supervisor Kenneth D. Lee, Brother Debbs was honored at the 1998 Regional Meeting in Reno, Nev., and presented a plaque and a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond by International President Charles L. Little. For more than 25 years, Joe has been involved in the Sacramento community as an activist seeking viable solutions to problems that affect the quality of life for all citizens. About 11 years ago, however, his interests and activities were re-directed as a result of the brutal gang-related beating of his nephew. Following this tragedy, Joe mobilized a group of friends and family members, resulting in the first successful prosecution of gang members in Sacramento County. Joe then directed his energies to fighting drugs and gang activity, forming a community-based organization called AGANG (A Guard Against Narcotics and Gangs). Joe and the organization focus on "prevention," the same strategy that is being increasingly implemented on the national level. The organization's activities include identifying and marching on crack houses, meeting and talking with known gang members to try to diffuse potentially violent confrontations, and helping to create job opportunities. Joe's volunteer efforts have led to being featured on CNN in 1994 for opposing the promotion of violence through rap music. During the early 1990s, he worked as a volunteer facilitator for the SPIRIT (Student Problem Identification/Resolution Team) Program, a pilot program initiated by the Sacramento Police and Sheriff's Department. In May 1994, Joe's daughter sustained gunshot wounds from a drive-by shooting incident outside her home as she talked with two other young women. It was speculated that this incident might have been retaliation against Joe's work in the community. Joe's other volunteer activities have included: Community representative, Sacramento Metropolitan Stroke Task Force, American Heart Association, 1998; Co-Coordinator, Drug Aversion Team, Sacramento Switching Yard, 1996 to present; Chair, Community Action Committee, St. Paul Baptist Church, 1994 to present; Community activist, serving on numerous boards, committees, panels and organizations; and Safety Ombudsman, working with labor and management to achieve safety in the workplace. AROUND THE UTU --News from around the U.S. and Canada ..........##J NOTE: Contributions to this column are encouraged and welcome! Send your news items to: UTU News, 14600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107-4250, or call us at (216) 228-9400. Items may also be faxed to (216) 228- 5755 or sent via e-mail to UTU@compuserve.com. LOCAL 4, CHARNY, QUEBEC Members at this French-Canadian local working for Canadian National have a new website that offers English translations of documents upon request, according to Local Legislative Representative and Secretary Louis- Francois Garceau. The address for the site is http://members.xoom.com/tutcharny/. LOCAL 60, SUMMIT, N.J. Some 700 conductors and brakemen on New Jersey Transit have approved a five-year, $19.1-million contract retroactive to July 1, 1996, delivering wage increases totaling 16% over the course of the agreement, according to General Chairperson Dan. J. Bogen and Vice Chairperson Ronald B. Hicks. The pact includes five more sick days, four more personal days, and improved health and welfare benefits for active and retired members. LOCAL 333, NORTH VERNON, IND. Members are grateful to UTU Designated Legal Counsel Harrington, Thompson, Acker & Harrington, Ltd., for hosting the recent informational conference and picnic in Washington, Ind., according to Legislative Representative Dave Harden. LOCAL 762, MONTGOMERY, ALA. At the request of member R.O. Cobb, a special fund has been established to help Brother A.K. Smith, who lost his home and all possessions to a fire that sent his son to a local hospital. Donations can be sent to the A.K. Smith Fund, c/o The Montgomery Railroad Credit Union, Attn. Sue McMiken, P.O. Box 4702, 530 Pugh St., Montgomery, AL 36104. LOCAL 891, WHITEFISH, MONT. A reception was held recently to give members a chance to meet UTU-endorsed congressional candidate Dusty Deschamps, who also visited with Local 730 in Great Falls and Local 486 in Glendive and Forsyth, according to Montana State Legislative Director Fran Marceau. Also, Local 544 counted more than 150 attendees at its annual picnic, said Local President Al Lipp, and the Big Sky Airlines pilots held their first meeting as UTU members aboard Membership I on August 16 in Billings, Marceau said. LOCAL 1313, AMARILLO, TEX. Conductor Ken Montgomery recently suffered a chemical burn as a result of a yard derailment. Admitted to a Lubbock, Tex., hospital in critical condition, he spent two days in an intensive care unit before being listed in stable condition, according to Secretary/Treasurer David Arterburn, who also serves as local chairperson for some 260 conductors and brakemen. LOCAL 1526, MICHIGAN CITY, IND. Engineers, conductors and collectors ratified by a 2- to-1 margin a four-year agreement with the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) retroactive to July 1, 1998, that includes wage increases totaling 14.5% over the course of the pact, and an additional $5 per day for engineers for each day worked, according to International Vice President Pete Patsouras. Under the pact, NICTD will also pay health and welfare premiums through June 2002. Patsouras credited the National Mediation Board and Mediator Gale Oppenberg with making the agreement possible. LOCAL 1563, EL MONTE, CAL. Members recently won an arbitration made necessary when the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) tried spinning off more than 20 bus lines in violation of the local's labor agreement, according to General Chairperson James Williams. Final disposition of the case, however, is still pending. The arbitrator had asked the parties to work out a remedy between themselves after finding in favor of the local, but due to agency stall tactics, the arbitrator has agreed to take back jurisdiction over the award at the local's request. LOCAL 1670, HARLINGEN, TEX. Members working for Transit Management of Laredo (El Metro) are mourning the loss of Local Vice Chairperson Juan M. Rodriguez, who passed away suddenly on September 1 in Harlingen, Tex., according to Local President Jose Ortiz. Brother Rodriguez leaves behind a wife and three children. Those wishing to make a donation to his family may do so by contacting Antonio Urbina, Jr., at (956) 797-2213, or by writing to him at RR 1 Box 81P, La Feria, TX 78558. LOCAL 1800, TUCSON, ARIZ. An appeal for special assistance for David K. Holmes, who's hospitalized and in need of a liver transplant, was presented to those attending the UTU/UTUIA Regional Meeting in Reno, Nev., last August. As a result of International President Charles L. Little's intervention, insurance benefits for Holmes and his family have been reinstated, according to Local 807 Alternate Legislative Representative Greg Dion. Meanwhile, a fund has been set up to assist the family with bills from earlier this year. For information, contact Local 1800 Chairperson S.E. Collins or Local 807 Chairperson Tom Moore at (520) 622-6902, or contact the Broadway Christian Church in Tucson, Ariz., at (520) 795-9985. LOCAL 1895, CHICAGO, ILL. The UTU's mobile education lab Membership I made its first appearance on Norfolk Southern property on September 1 during a company-sponsored cook-out co- hosted by the local at Calumet Yard, according to Secretary/Treasurer Thomas Radovich. Built around a safety theme, the event drew more than 500 participants and gave members a chance to meet with General Chairperson Delbert Strunk, Assistant Chairperson Rex Grice, State Legislative Director Joe Szabo, and representatives from the UTU International. Also present were members of the local committee, including Wally Binner, Rich Ross and Local President Bill Ewing. MEMBERSHIP PROFILE --Local 1778 transforms boxcar into museum .........##K The members of Local 1778 in North Vancouver, B.C., have a great deal of pride in their work, past and present, and according to John Holliday, they're taking steps to preserve and chronicle their accomplishments. Last summer, a crew led by Secretary and Treasurer David Moorhouse emptied the contents of a locker that had been neglected for years, only to discover a treasure trove of union records and archival material, some of it dating back to 1908. At about the same time, their employer, BC Rail, agreed to donate an old, unused boxcar that members are now transforming into a featured attraction at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish, B.C. "We're setting up a museum within a museum," Holliday said. "We want to display documents, rule books, photographs and other items that will help tell the story of the unionists who make the railroad work." Members working on the project include Holliday, Erik Lonne, Colin Caldwell and Todd Hickey, with assistance from retired conductors Don Brownell, George Smith and Henry Reimer. During the summer, Holliday said, "BC Rail is the only railway in North America to run steam, electric and diesel on a mainline. UTU members have been crewing the two oil-burning steam engines for the past 20 years." The local sponsors a picnic each summer, and members keep an eye trained on the future by maintaining an exemplary website (http://www.ultranet.ca/utu/) in conjunction with Local 1923 in Prince George, B.C. Those who can donate items or contribute financial support to the "boxcar" museum can contact Holliday by calling (604) 984-7337, or by writing to him at 979 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam, BC, Canada V3J 2E9. BUS DEPT. / STREET BEAT "Missing Manny" ...............................##L I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Juan "Manny" Rodriguez, vice chairperson of Local 1670 in Harlingen, Texas, who passed away in September at 43 years of age. I had the opportunity to meet and work with Brother Rodriguez on several occasions and he simply wanted to assist his members, work hard on their behalf and to represent his members to the best of his ability, which he always did. I want to thank all of our bus members from throughout the United States and Canada who made this year's Bus Department regional meeting workshops such a success. All three meetings were well attended and all those in attendance thought the workshops were very educational and informative. We are already planning next year's workshops. Your suggestions for workshops are most welcome. As you know October 31 is Halloween. What's scarier than having a Republican-controlled Senate and House in Washington, D.C.? Let's change that in November. I want to be able to sleep at night. There was an article in a recent edition of Mass Transit magazine which pointed out why companies should cooperate with unions. The article said, "Today's employees want a degree of control over their working lives," "The new breed wants a voice" and "By working with the union they work together to fight the competition." I agree with those statements, but what these authors still fail to realize is that those are some of the reasons why the unions were founded to begin with, and what we have been trying to tell the companies for years. YARDMASTER REPORT "Negotiations" ...................................##M The Grand Trunk Railroad continues to resist meeting the demands of the Yardmaster Committee. At press time we are hopeful a mediated agreement will have been reached. The Yardmaster Department assisted GTW General Chairperson Lloyd Miller in mediation sessions held last month. Negotiations with the Union Pacific Railroad for a single system agreement are ongoing. General Chairpersons J.D. Martin, D.J. Just and A.C. Strain recently met with the UP. New York Dock arbitration was held in Chicago last month to determine agreement coverage and seniority districts for Conrail yardmasters employed in areas purchased by CSX Transportation pursuant to the CSXT/NS control of Conrail. Conrail General Chairperson J. R. Cumby and CSXT General Chairperson D. K. Turner reached and initialed a tentative implementing agreement with CSXT. General Chairperson R. P. DeGenova was unable to reach accord with CSXT. Implementing agreements have been initialed by NS General Chairpersons W. B. Headrick, Jr. and R. J. Cooper and Conrail General Chairperson J. R. Cumby. A ratification vote will be conducted following receipt of the CSXT arbitration decision covering the balance of the implementing agreement documents. The Burlington Northern yardmasters have ratified an agreement that improves the gain-sharing provisions. General Chairperson W. J. Cobean and the BN committee have reached a claims settlement understanding that will eliminate entry rates for yardmasters on the BNSF. EDITORIALS --Common sense wins on Union Pacific ............##N The Union Pacific Railroad's decision to reorganize operations into three regions is a victory for the power and persistence of the UTU's membership. Finally, UP Chairman Dick Davidson and his crew listened to our suggestions about how to get the troubled railroad back on its feet. They are decentralizing and putting some good operations people, like Dennis Duffy, in charge. UP finally realized it had to change to survive, and we give it credit for trying. But it now has to perform. The 17,000 UTU members who work on the Union Pacific kept the carrier from going out of business during its total meltdown this past year. While reports say things are getting better, we know there is still a long way to go. But one thing is sure: The grit and character of these 17,000 UTU members will go down in railroading lore for keeping the United State's largest railroad from going Chapter 11 just before the turn of the millennium. Ladies and gentlemen, you saved the No. 1 railroad in the land, and America owes you a big, "Thank You." --The New UTU Auxiliary ............................##O Over the years, the UTU Ladies Auxiliary did many wonderful things. Those who have been involved with the Ladies Auxiliary were a true asset to the UTU and all that we are. That is why we wish to be the first to officially welcome a big change taking place with the Auxiliary at the beginning of the New Year. On January 1, 1999, the organization is dropping the word "Ladies" from its name and will be known as The Auxiliary of the United Transportation Union. In a day and age when equality is a given, The Auxiliary will be welcoming all family members, both men and women, who wish to become involved in their many good efforts. We applaud the change and look forward to the new, invigorated Auxiliary. "Things on my mind..." ........................##P I thought I'd take this opportunity to report to you on some of the things we are working on here... UTU/BLE TALKS - As you can see on elsewhere in this issue, our discussions with the BLE about creating a new labor union together are continuing as this edition of the UTU NEWS is going to press. I'd like to thank all those who worked so hard over the summer to help move this process along. There are many complicated issues that Byron Boyd and I, as two of the four members of the Oversight Committee, are carefully examining. In Montana this summer, we agreed to make a decision by September 30. That is still what we intend to do. As we promised, a final decision will be made by September 30 regarding the creation of a new union combining the UTU and BLE. We are bound by honor to meet that deadline, and we are bound by our promise to you to make a decision that is in the best interests of our membership. So, stay tuned, and be sure to check out the developments as they happen on our website, <www.utu.org>. UP HOTLINE FOR IC - Our Union Pacific hotline has been such a success that we have now expanded it to cover the Illinois Central Railroad. If you work on the IC, please contact us with any special problem you may have. For your information, we have received more than 1,500 calls from UP members to the hotline. It has been extremely effective in making our points with the Union Pacific to help change operations. Now, we'll see about the IC. Warner E. Biedenharn, Jr., director of membership services, who oversees the hotline, offers this breakdown of UP calls: 17% pay issues; 16% left on train too long; 12% fatigue and rest; 11% safety issues; 8% inaccurate lineups; 8% harassment by carrier; 6% crew management and crew caller issues; 4% van and taxi issues; 1% lodging; 19% miscellaneous. THE NEW AUXILIARY - In keeping up with changing times, the UTU Ladies Auxiliary will be known, beginning January 1, as The Auxiliary of the UTU. Our hope is that more people - both women and men - will join The Auxiliary and carry on its good work while exploring new ways to expand its role. Here's a big "thank you" to outgoing president Mrs. M. Louise Riley, who when she retires at year's end will go down in history as the last Ladies Auxiliary president. And let me wish Godspeed and good luck to Edythe M. Walter, who will be the first president of the new Auxiliary of the UTU. The News from Beltway City" .....................##Q Every morning, I pass the District of Columbia Courthouse. For a long time it had the appearance of a circus, street festival or zoo. There have been radio and television trucks parked in the middle of the street. It used to be that the most dangerous place to be in Washington was in one of the tough neighborhoods. Now, it is between a microphone, a television camera and some victim the news media is trying to interview. The news media is now running around your nation's capitol looking under everyone's bed, and looking in it. They are opening up medicine cabinets, closets and rummaging through garbage. I am an avid newspaper reader and I recently got a copy of a British Sunday paper. I must compliment the British sense of humor. Our Washington, D.C., scandals are being printed in the British sports sections. Unfortunately our politics and politicians are simply becoming entertainment. No wonder the American voter is getting turned off. It is time for the news media to focus on those things that happen in Washington that really impact the voters' lives. During the recent Northwest Airlines strike, some of our elected officials in Congress proposed changing the Railway Labor Act and taking away our right to strike. Recently a Congressman wanted to raise the Hours of Service Act because some grain elevators in his district were not getting their cars before the crews tied-up. We were able to stop these efforts this time. If we cannot re-focus the voters attention away from what is going on in the politicians' lives and back towards those things that can really hurt voters, we may not enjoy the same success in the future. All of the primaries nationwide are over now and voter turnout was deplorable, at best. Many voters are just turned off by the process. We are hearing stories that the experts are expecting the smallest turnout on Election Day, November 3. The smallest turnout ever for the largest democracy in the world. If that happens, those things that really affect you negatively may become a reality. Another reality is this. The decisions that have to be made will still be made. The votes that have to be cast on the floors of the House and Senate will still be cast, scandal or no scandal. Whether you like the process or not, it is THE process. It is the process that governs every facet of your life from the time your mother puts you in your cradle until your children put you in your grave. You want your endorsed friends to make those decisions and to cast those votes for you. You do not want those votes cast by your enemies. The only way we can stop significant losses among UTU-endorsed candidates is for the highest possible voter turnout, not only because your vote counts, but because it counts even more. Please don't be diverted by the bright lights of the news media and the constant coverage of scandals. If you do, you and your family lose. Our friends deserve our thanks, our loyalty, our support and most of all, they deserve our vote. Without that vote they will perish politically and your worst nightmares will succeed them in office. --Voices: Members share their opinions ..........##R Periodically, the UTU NEWS will contact members at random to report their thoughts on a question of interest to the general membership. This month's question: WHAT DOES UNIONISM MEAN TO YOU? "To me, unionism has always meant strength. The bigger the union, the stronger we seem to be, at least here on the BNSF. You get strength through numbers. When it comes to safety items, it takes the union to get things passed. And in collective bargaining, unionism gives us an edge. It also gives us a voice, which has been important in the new-hire training program. The program is pretty thorough, but it could be better, and because of our strength, management is actually listening to our ideas." -- JOE FREILER, L-811, SAN BERNARDINO, CAL. "Unionism means a way of life, a good way of life. I'm a student of history, and have watched how people fought and died for a livable wage. The U.S. was founded on slave labor, and that mentality isn't too far removed right now. Corporations won't give you anything, and if we workers didn't have a voice or representation, we'd be up the creek. Sometimes, I hear people say, 'I don't need a union.' I ask them, 'If you didn't have a union, do you think people would be fair to you?'" -- LEON C. GIPSON, L-1798, SACRAMENTO, CAL. "Unionism means you've got people willing to go above and beyond, to protect each other and to back each other. One person at a time means nothing. But together, you're a union. I work for Anheuser-Busch's railroad, and what they want is to have just a few people left working for minimum wage. We've got to be able to work together and stay together to keep our union strong, because there's too many out there who want to bust the union. The rich would like to see unions go under." -- SUE HERMAN, L-469, MADISON, ILL. "Unionism means quite a bit to us working on El Metro transit system. It means job security, and a voice in the workplace. Otherwise, we're in a right-to-work state, and they wouldn't listen to us at all. If management could just go ahead with whatever they wanted, they would, but they have to meet with us. The whole concept means that you're not here all by yourself. There's a group behind you. If you run into something you've never seen before, there's somewhere to go for help." -- WILLIAM KOEHN, L-1670, LAREDO, TEX. --Feedback: Unions, carriers prepare for 1999 ......##S by Pamela M. Prah Reprinted with permission from "Daily Labor Report" The country's major freight carriers and railroad union officials have launched dozens of pilot projects aimed at tackling "festering" issues before the next round of labor talks in 1999, according to the head of the National Mediation Board. The projects stem from the National Wage and Rules Panel, which was created in 1996 to tackle long- standing, complicated issues that labor and management have not been able to adequately address in the heat of bargaining a national contract, NMB Chairwoman Magdalena G. Jacobsen told BNA in a July 16 interview. These include compensation and scheduling concerns, among others, she said. "Solving difficult problems in the cauldron of collective bargaining frequently doesn't work," Jacobsen said, and that is where the panel comes in. Negotiations in the railroad industry have been known to be particularly contentious, often relying on White House or congressional intervention to prevent a strike and to force the parties to agree on new terms. The panel, which has been meeting regularly since January 1997, was born out of the last round of bargaining, when Jacobsen said it became clear that some work rules and practices in the railroad industry may have become "antiquated" and no longer serve their intended purposes. Rail conductors and trainmen, for example, traditionally are not paid a wage based on an hourly rate, but rather based on the distance a train traveled per day, a practice that started decades ago. Scheduling rail workers' hours also is different than in most industries. Freight trains, for the most part, do not have scheduled service, like passenger trains, so many workers typically are "on call" and do not have predictable hours. PANEL CREATION PART OF CONTRACTS Creating the panel was specifically called for in contracts the major carriers reached in 1996 with the United Transportation Union and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. UTU is the largest transportation union in the rail industry, representing some 40,000 trainmen, conductors, engine service personnel, and yardmasters on the freight carriers, while BLE represents some 20,000 engineers. The two unions have taken different approaches in implementing that language. The NMB is directly involved with UTU's wage and rule panel while, at this point, the BLE is working independently of the NMB, sources told BNA. The BLE and UTU are discussing the possibility of merging the two unions, with an announcement due at the end of September, and some of the regional pilot projects resulting from the initiative involve both unions. The contract language lays out 14 specific issues the parties are to address, with most focusing on compensation, crew scheduling, work rules, and "quality of work life" issues, Jacobsen explained. The UTU has eight representatives on its National Wage and Rules Panel, including UTU International President Charles L. Little, Assistant President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., and General Counsel Clinton J. Miller III. The panel also includes 10 representatives of the national freight carriers and top officials of the National Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC), which represents the major freight carriers in labor talks. NCCC Chairman Robert Allen and NCCC Vice Chairman David P. Lee serve on the panel as do top labor relations officials for Burlington Northern Santa Fe; Consolidated Rail Corp.; CSX Transportation Inc.; Kansas City Southern Railway Co.; Illinois Central Railroad Co.; Norfolk Southern; and Union Pacific Railroad Co. Jacobsen facilitates the meetings and generally oversees the project, which she described as the first of its kind for the railroad industry. The panel's first meeting was in January 1997, during which members received an orientation on problem-solving and interest-based bargaining, an approach not traditionally used in the rail industry, Jacobsen said. That approach uses problem-solving, open communication, and cooperation, where the mutual interest of both the union and the employer are emphasized. This contrasts with the more traditional, and often more confrontational, approach to bargaining. EMPHASIS ON INTEREST-BASED BARGAINING Jacobsen said using the interest-based bargaining approach allows the parties to explore the "underlying issues" related to their proposals and hopefully enables the parties to be more flexible. For example, if a union is pressing for a no-layoff clause in a contract, the real issue may be job security, she said. The parties may be able to address that by including language that offers early retirement and cross-training in lieu of a strict no-layoff clause, she said. Both sides need a better understanding of factors that drive the other's proposals, she said. Workers need to understand, for example, the reasons for certain management decisions and the challenges managers face in running their operations in today's global, highly competitive market, she said. While the panel is not working on specific contract language, the parties will have projects from which to draw ideas in the next round of bargaining, she said. Some challenges that the parties in the railroad industry face include "just-in-time" inventory systems, in which customers demand great flexibility; multiple suppliers of parts who require safe, economical, and fluctuating response time. New technology, improved track and equipment, and rail mergers all have resulted in "dramatic" changes for the railroad industry, she said. NEARLY 30 PROJECTS UNDER WAY Jacobsen said about 27 or 28 pilot projects are under way stemming from the panel's activities. Generally the "operations" folks in a railroad who run the railroad business are separate from the labor relations people who deal with human resources issues, she said. And one of the first things the panel members did was to look at integrating the two, she said, noting that all the ongoing projects involve both operations and labor relations representatives. The pilot projects look at quality of life issues, considering, for example, fixed days of working and more predictable scheduling, which allow workers to plan for vacations and time with their families, she said. Projects in place at Union Pacific include labor- management studies that are aimed at identifying the factors that contribute to fatigue, and ways to manage work schedules to maximize safety. Panel projects also include the use of a computer model to explore alternatives to existing freight operating practices and ways to improve employee claim and grievance systems. Burlington Northern Santa Fe has several projects focusing on fatigue while Conrail's Marion, Ind., branch pilot project includes fixed and predictable rest periods, maximizes overnights at home, and provides a "salaried" approach to pay as an alternative to the traditional system that is based on mileage and availability to work. UTU's contracts with the carriers stipulate that if the parties have not reached agreement on all the issues by Jan. 1, 1999, the panel is to consider making recommendations for handling the unresolved issues no later than July 1, 1999. While the panel's recommendation are not binding, the parties "shall exert good faith efforts" to use the recommendations as a basis for settlement of the issues. Jacobsen, however, said she is optimistic that the panel will continue to make progress and that the members' efforts will have a positive impact on the next round of bargaining. These issues "can't fall through the cracks," she said, because the parties "won't allow it to happen." The sides have invested so much time and effort into the panel's activities, developing projects, communicating with one another, and learning "where the glitches are," she said. "There will be an outcome," she concluded with confidence. "We have achieved very open dialogue, a lot of candor," she said. "Instead of blame, we are talking about responsibility and accountability," she said. "That's where the trust comes in." REACHES OUT TO OTHER RAIL UNIONS Jacobsen said she is interested in getting the other labor unions that represent rail workers involved in some way. She said she would like to see all the other rail unions get oriented with interest-based bargaining before the next round of bargaining, which is set for late 1999. The UTU national wage and rule panel will receive a $100,000 grant from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, another independent federal agency, to be used to cover the costs of meeting rooms, supplies, and other support services. Jacobsen became NMB chairwoman July 1, replacing Ernest W. DuBester, who has served as chairman since July 1, 1997, and remains a board member. The third member is Kenneth B. Hipp. The top NMB post is rotated among the three NMB members. Jacobsen was first appointed to the NMB by President Clinton in December 1993, and served an earlier term as NMB chairwoman from July 1, 1995, through June 30, 1996. Reprinted with permission from Daily Labor Report, No. 139, pp. B1-2 (July 21, 1998). Copyright 1998 by The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (800-372-1033) http://www.bna.com. STATE WATCH --SLDs offer election recommendations ...........##T With the approval of International President Charles L. Little and National Legislative Director James M. Brunkenhoefer, the State Legislative Boards listed below have made the following recommendations for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives in their respective states. *denotes incumbent ARIZONA U.S. Senate Ed Ranger (D) House of Representatives Dist. 2 Ed Pastor (D)* Dist. 3 Stuart Starky (D) Dist. 4 Eric Ehst (D) Dist. 5 Steve Owens (D) CALIFORNIA U.S. Senate Barbara Boxer (D)* House of Representatives Dist. 1 Mike Thompson (D) Dist. 3 Sandy Dunn (D) Dist. 5 Robert Matsui (D)* Dist. 6 Lynn Woolsey (D)* Dist. 7 George Miller (D)* Dist. 8 Nancy Pelosi (D)* Dist. 9 Barbara Lee (D)* Dist. 10 Ellen Tauscher (D)* Dist. 12 Tom Lantos (D)* Dist. 13 Fortney Stark (D)* Dist. 14 Anna Eshoo (D)* Dist. 16 Zoe Lofgren (D)* Dist. 17 Sam Farr (D)* Dist. 18 Gary Condit (D)* Dist. 20 Calvin M. Dooley (D)* Dist. 22 Lois Capps (D)* Dist. 24 Brad Sherman (D)* Dist. 26 Howard Berman (D)* Dist. 29 Henry Waxman (D)* Dist. 30 Xavier Becerra (D)* Dist. 31 Matthew Martinez (D)* Dist. 32 Julian Dixon (D)* Dist. 34 Grace Napolitano (D) Dist. 35 Maxine Waters (D)* Dist. 36 Janice Hahn (D) Dist. 37 Juanita M. MacDonald (D)* Dist. 42 George Brown (D)* Dist. 46 Loretta Sanchez (D)* Dist. 49 Christine Kehoe (D) FLORIDA U.S. Senate Robert Graham (D) House of Representatives Dist. 2 Allen Boyd (D)* Dist. 3 Corrine Brown (D)* Dist. 5 Karen Thurman (D)* Dist. 11 Jim Davis (D)* Dist. 17 Carrie Meek (D)* Dist. 18 Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R)* Dist. 19 Robert Wexler (D)* Dist. 20 Peter Deutsch (D)* Dist. 21 Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R)* Dist. 23 Alcee Hastings (D)* INDIANA U.S. Senate Evan Bayh (D) House of Representatives Dist. 1 Peter J. Visclosky (D)* Dist. 2 Sherman A. Boles (D) Dist. 3 Tim Roemer (D)* Dist. 4 Mark J. Wehrle (D) Dist. 5 David Steele (D) Dist. 7 Edward A. Pease (R)* Dist. 8 Gail Riecken (D) Dist. 9 Baron Hill (D) Dist. 10 Julia M. Carson (D)* LOUISIANA U.S. Senate John Breaux (D)* House of Representatives Dist. 2 William Jefferson (D)* Dist. 6 Marjorie McKeithen (D) MARYLAND U.S. Senate Barbara A. Mikulski (D)* House of Representatives Dist. 1 Irving Pinder (D) Dist. 3 Benjamin L. Cardin (D)* Dist. 4 Albert R. Wynn (D)* Dist. 5 Steny H. Hoyer (D)* Dist. 6 Timothy D. McCown (D) Dist. 7 Elijah E. Cummings (D)* Dist. 8 Ralph G. Neas (D) MISSOURI U.S. Senate Jeremiah W. "Jay" Nixon (D) House of Representatives Dist. 1 William Clay, Sr. (D)* Dist. 3 Richard A. Gephardt (D)* Dist. 4 Ike Skelton (D)* Dist. 5 Karen McCarthy (D)* Dist. 6 Pat Danner (D)* Dist. 8 Anthony J. Heckemeyer (D) Dist. 9 Linda Vogt (D) MONTANA House of Representatives At Large Dusty Deschamps (D) NEW JERSEY House of Representatives Dist. 1 Robert Andrews (D)* Dist. 2 Frank LoBiondo (R)* Dist. 4 Christopher Smith (R)* Dist. 6 Frank Pallone (R)* Dist. 7 Bob Franks (R)* Dist. 8 William Pascrell, Jr. (D)* Dist. 9 Steve Rothman (D)* Dist. 10 Donald Payne (D)* Dist. 13 Robert Menendez (D)* NEW YORK U.S. Senate Alfonse D'Amato (R)* House of Representatives Dist. 1 Michael P. Forbes (R)* Dist. 2 Rick A. Lazio (R)* Dist. 3 Peter T. King (R)* Dist. 4 Carolyn McCarthy (D)* Dist. 5 Gary L. Ackerman (D)* Dist. 6 Gregory W. Meeks (D)* Dist. 7 Joseph Crowley (D) Dist. 8 Jerrold Nadler (D)* Dist. 9 Anthony Weiner (D) Dist. 10 Edolphus Towns (D)* Dist. 11 Major R. Owens (D)* Dist. 12 Nydia M. Velazquez (D)* Dist. 13 Vito Fossella (R)* Dist. 14 Carolyn B. Maloney (D)* Dist. 15 Charles B. Rangel (D)* Dist. 16 Jose E. Serrano (D)* Dist. 17 Eliot L. Engel (D)* Dist. 18 Nita M. Lowey (D)* Dist. 19 Sue W. Kelly (R)* Dist. 20 Benjamin A. Gilman (R)* Dist. 21 Michael R. McNulty (D)* Dist. 22 John Sweeney (R) Dist. 23 Sherwood L. Boehlert (R)* Dist. 24 John M. McHugh (R)* Dist. 25 James T. Walsh (R)* Dist. 26 Maurice D. Hinchey (D)* Dist. 27 Tom Reynolds (R) Dist. 28 Louise M. Slaughter (D)* Dist. 29 John J. LaFalce (D)* Dist. 30 Jack Quinn (R)* Dist. 31 Amo Houghton, Jr. (R)* NORTH DAKOTA U.S. Senate Byron L. Dorgan (D)* House of Representatives At Large Earl Pomeroy (D)* OHIO U.S. Senate Mary O. Boyle (D) House of Representatives Dist. 1 Roxanne Qualls (D) Dist. 2 Charles W. Sanders (D) Dist. 3 Tony P. Hall (D)* Dist. 6 Ted Strickland (D)* Dist. 8 John W. Griffin (D) Dist. 9 Marcy Kaptur (D)* Dist. 10 Dennis J. Kucinich (D)* Dist. 11 Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D) Dist. 12 Edward S. Brown (D) Dist. 13 Sherrod Brown (D)* Dist. 14 Thomas C. Sawyer (D)* Dist. 15 Adam Clay Miller (D) Dist. 16 Ralph Regula (R)* Dist. 17 James A. Trafficant, Jr. (D)* SOUTH DAKOTA U.S. Senate Tom Daschle (D)* House of Representatives At Large Jeff Moser (D) TENNESSEE House of Representatives Dist. 4 Jerry W. Cooper (D) Dist. 5 Bob Clement (D)* Dist. 6 Bart Gordon (D)* Dist. 9 Harold E. Ford, Jr. (D)* UTAH House of Representatives Dist. 1 Stephen Beirlein (D) Dist. 2 Lily Eskelsen (D) VIRGINIA House of Representatives Dist. 2 Owen B. Pickett (D)* Dist. 3 Bobby C. Scott (D)* Dist. 4 Norman Sisisky (D)* Dist. 6 David A. Bowers (D) Dist. 8 James P. Moran (D)* Dist. 9 Rick Boucher (D)* Dist. 10 Cornell W. Brooks (D) WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Patty Murray (D)* House of Representatives Dist. 1 Jay Inslee (D) Dist. 2 Jack Metcalf (R)* Dist. 3 Brian Baird (D) Dist. 5 Brad Lyons (D) Dist. 6 Norm Dicks (D)* Dist. 7 Jim McDermott (D)* Dist. 9 Adam Smith (D)* WEST VIRGINIA House of Representatives Dist. 1 Alan B. Mollahan (D)* Dist. 2 Robert E. Wise, Jr. (D)* Dist. 3 Nick Joe Rahall II (D)* WISCONSIN U.S. Senate Russell D. Feingold (D)* House of Representatives Dist. 1 Lydia C. Spottswood (D) Dist. 2 Tammy Baldwin (D) Dist. 3 Ronald J. Kind (D)* Dist. 4 Gerald D. Kleczka (D)* Dist. 5 Thomas M. Barrett (D)* Dist. 6 Thomas E. Petri (R)* Dist. 7 David R. Obey (D)* Dist. 8 Jay W. Johnson (D)* SENIOR NEWS ........................................##U --RRB working to ensure readiness for year 2000 The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is working to ensure that all computers responsible for critical functions are ready for the year 2000 by the end of this year, according to an agency spokesperson. Like others dependent on computers, the RRB is working against the march of time to battle a potential problem based on the fact that older hardware and software often denotes years in two-digit formats. In the year 2000, some computers may mistakenly "think" the year is 1900, or that the double zeroes they read are meaningless. The problem is sometimes termed the "Y2K" bug, and the RRB began addressing it in fiscal year 1996. Modifications already have been completed on a number of essential RRB systems, and the remaining work appears to be on schedule. By the end of 1998, RRB systems that issue daily and monthly benefit payments, release informational notices, process Medicare enrollments, calculate tax withholding rates, create tax statements, and handle other critical functions should be modified and ready for transition to the next century, allowing for a full year of testing and production during 1999 to detect possible problems that might arise. The agency plans to complete all adjustments to less essential systems by the end of fiscal year 1999. --U.S. direct deposit plan put on hold A federal program that would have required electronic direct deposit of U.S. government benefits for nearly 60 million people has been placed on hold in the wake of a public outcry. The Electronic Fund Transfer 99 program was to start Jan. 1, 1999, but now will become strictly voluntary for those receiving Social Security, Railroad Retirement and other such federal benefits, the Treasury Department said. The direct-deposit program had been mandated by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, which called for ending federal benefit payments by paper check. Nearly 70% of benefit recipients already get payments electronically, but the government learned that an estimated 10 million recipients do not have bank accounts. --Canadian Finance Minister scraps Seniors Benefit The Canadian Seniors Benefit proposed in March 1996 as an eventual replacement for the existing Old Age Security (OAS)/Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) has been scrapped, Finance Minister Paul Martin said. According to Martin, the Seniors Benefit was to come into effect in 2001, but the OAS and GIS programs instead will be fully maintained as in the past. The change is due to enhancements already made to the Canada/Quebec Pension Plan (CPP/QPP), the turnaround in the country's economic prospects and the many concerns raised by Canadians during the consultation process about the specific design of the Seniors Benefit, Martin said. Martin noted that under the Seniors Benefit proposal, a single senior with a retirement income exceeding $51,721, or a senior couple with a retirement income exceeding $77,471, would have had no Seniors Benefit paid to them. As a result, Canadians would have had little incentive to save independently or through Registered Retirement Savings Plans. In addition, Martin said analysis showed the new benefit would have a disproportionately negative impact on non-working spouses, the majority of whom are women. The benefit would have been determined based on the combined income of spouses, rather than individual income as is currently the case under the OAS system. For information regarding the Canada or Quebec Pension Plans, call (514) 873-2433. --Auxiliary's president ready for retirement When Mrs. M. Louise Riley officially retires at the end of this year, history will record her as the last international president of The Ladies' Auxiliary of the United Transportation Union. It's not that the organization will cease to exist. To the contrary, it will continue with undiminished vigor as The Auxiliary of the United Transportation Union, with Edythe M. Walter, now international secretary-treasurer, taking the reins as international president. "Delegates last August at our convention recognized that a lot of women now work in the transportation field," Mrs. Riley explained. "The name change reflects the fact that the husbands of these workers are now joining us." The organization will sport a new name and embrace a new leader, but it will continue to pursue an agenda backed by Mrs. Riley, who came to the job intent on expanding the membership base and organizing new lodges. Mrs. Riley joined Willing Workers Lodge #16 of the Ladies' Auxiliary in April 1963. She took office as international secretary/treasurer in January 1976, a position she held for 19 years before she was elected international president at the 1994 convention. During her term, she organized a lodge in Needles, Cal., in 1995, re-organized one in Edgemont, S.D., in 1997, and helped establish another in Tucson, Ariz., in March 1998. Riley said the Auxiliary raises funds for TPEL and continues to support A SPECIAL WISH FOUNDATION, INC., which grants the requests of children younger than 20 who have been diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions. "I thoroughly enjoyed my term as president, but was simply ready to retire, so I didn't run for another term," Mrs. Riley said. "I wish the best of everything for the new officers, and hope they attract a lot of new members." For more information about The Auxiliary, write to the Grand Lodge offices at 5151 Reed Rd., Ste. 213B, Columbus, OH 43220-2553, or call (614) 459-4443. --A.M. Strommen dies Retired former UTU General Chairperson Arnold M. Strommen of Local 1177, Willmar, Minn., passed away August 17, 1998, at the age of 82. Strommen, who retired in January 1981, was general chairperson on the Great Northern and Burlington Northern for 22 years. Strommen joined BLF&E Lodge #95 in Willmar in August 1939 while employed as a fireman on the Great Northern. Strommen was past president of the West St. Paul Senior Center Advisory Board. Memorial contributions will be used to aid the center. For information, contact Gary Virgin at (612) 482-9196, or write to him at Ste. W 952, 332 Minnesota St., St. Paul, MN 55101. --The Final Call Following are the names of members of the UTU Retiree Program who have died recently, according to reports received at the UTU International Headquarters. These brothers and sisters will be sorely missed by their many friends and by fellow UTU Retiree Program members. LOCAL NAME CITY 0006 Armstrong, Everett Carmel, IN 0094 Robbins, J.Q. Gravois Mls., MO 0206 Welch, Norman Peru, IN 0292 Rishel, George H. Utica, NY 0376 Gatewood, D. Owensboro, KY 0404 Heffley, Charles A. Heath, OH 0432 Clifton, Charles W. Pekin, IL 0446 Overturf, W.G. Phoenix, AZ 0492 Slingsby, R. Citrus Hts., CA 0495 Sumey, J.W. Minneapolis, KS 0605 Lepley, James A. Fairmont, WV 0605 Vines, Elbert A. Sarasota, FL 0632 Ragan, Stine A. Johnstown, PA 0650 Gillen, R.H. Mason City, IA 0724 Pallone, Thomas J. Ft. Wayne, IN 0768 Milo, George Decatur, IL 0783 Smith, Lester Spencer, NC 0847 Kelley Jr., M.M. Gardendale, AL 0847 Duhe Jr., W.C. Mt. Olive, AL 0903 Vermeulen, J.B. Jacksonville, FL 0941 Mullis, William T. Smiths, AL 0942 Johnson, James E. Florence, SC 0951 Peccia, R.C. Three Forks, MT 1062 Butcher, W.L. Huntington, WV 1074 Kolling, R.J. Pleasant Un., PA 1075 Vidican, Mike Southgate, MI 1117 Martin, James M. Minden, NV 1177 Strommen, A. Plymouth, MN 1291 Thomas Jr., L. Birmingham, AL 1344 Wiese, Lerond A. Jamestown, ND 1374 Zitney, Walter M. Leetonia, OH 1389 Frazier, Paul S. Huntington, WV 1393 Emmerling, F.W. Seneca, NY 1397 Willis, James E. Muskegon, MI 1501 Flick, Raymond J. Kenner, LA 1517 Brown, T.A. Upton Wirral, UK 1549 Myers, Robert Toledo, OH 1628 Barna, Alexander Clairton, PA 1628 Bush, Lawrence C. Sarasota, FL 1670 Rodriguez, J.M. Harlingen, TX 1915 Smith, Chas. S. Roseville, CA TPEL HONOR ROLL --Contributors' continued support recognized.....##V Below are benefactors of the UTU's Transportation Political Education League (TPEL) who have begun contributing more than $100 per year, or have increased their donations to more than $100 per year, within the last month. This list is a regular feature in the UTU NEWS, honoring those men and women who help make this union and nation great. * Denotes Retired Member PLATINUM CLUB ($1,200 or more per year) NAME LOCAL CITY/STATE Holland II, James R. 903 Jacksonville, FL LeNeave, Cortney 1000 Minneapolis, MN Pfiester Jr., R.E. 1813 West Colton, CA DOUBLE DIAMOND CLUB ($600 or more per year) NAME LOCAL CITY/STATE Wilson, Penelope 1313 Amarillo, TX Fritter, Steven P. 1933 Washington, DC DIAMOND PLUS CLUB ($400 or more per year) NAME LOCAL CITY/STATE Broadaway, Tom L. 28 Cheyenne, WY Garrette, Robert I. 83 Houston, TX Womack, Michael F. 613 Austin, TX Arterburn, David M. 1313 Amarillo, TX Miller, Tom R. 1344 Mandan, ND McCurdy Jr., John W. 1564 Los Angeles, CA DOLLAR-A-DAY CLUB ($365 or more per year) NAME LOCAL CITY/STATE Halsey, Rob 305 Lincoln, NE Hetrick, Donald L. 997 Enola, PA Hunegs, Richard 1000 Minneapolis, MN *Croonquist, W.A. 1177 Willmar, MN Foos, David A. 1470 Edmonston, MD Steward, Michael 1470 Edmonston, MD Morales, Steven A. 1607 Los Angeles, CA Bates, William H. 1933 Washington, DC Bellamy, Bedwick E. 1933 Washington, DC Benson III, W.E. 1933 Washington, DC Boone, James E. 1933 Washington, DC Cunningham Jr., M.R. 1933 Washington, DC Key, Darrell R. 1933 Washington, DC Morris, Richard A. 1933 Washington, DC Prince, Charles W. 1933 Washington, DC Reed, Lee A. 1933 Washington, DC Taylor, Keyster L. 1933 Washington, DC Walker, Jerry L. 1933 Washington, DC DIAMOND CLUB ($300.00 or more per year) NAME LOCAL CITY/STATE Ottmer Jr., Marvin L. 293 Houston, TX Pace, John C. 556 Tacoma, WA Knisely, Earl L. 997 Enola, PA Coffey, Steven B. 1081 Glendale, AZ Drabek, Robert E. 1293 Altoona, WI Hanna, Gary L. 1313 Amarillo, TX Pierre, Chantal 1370 New York, NY *Cutrer Jr., W.W. 1501 Baton Rouge, LA Swope, Glen 1687 Belen, NM Nelms, Charles R. 1775 Elko, NV Caldwell Jr., Robert 1933 Washington, DC Dixon, Louis W. 1933 Washington, DC Dye, Lawrence T. 1933 Washington, DC Heflin, Clifton E. 1933 Washington, DC Hetrick Jr., Raymond 1933 Washington, DC Hilliard, Isaiah 1933 Washington, DC Holland, Bobby N. 1933 Washington, DC Wallace, Causa 1933 Washington, DC Williams, Gary L. 1933 Washington, DC Hardy, Terry W. 1957 Silsbee, TX GOLD CLUB ($100 or more per year) NAME LOCAL CITY/STATE Gruver, Ned A. 194 Elkhart, IN Hickman, J.M. 194 Elkhart, IN Inks, Forrest N. 194 Elkhart, IN Tice, Mark R. 194 Elkhart, IN Barbee, Ben G. 200 North Platte, NE Blomstedt, Jack L. 200 North Platte, NE Bowers, Henry J. 200 North Platte, NE Brown, Allan C. 200 North Platte, NE Brown, Laverne D. 200 North Platte, NE Buffington, Tyson V. 200 North Platte, NE Butterfield, Brian 200 North Platte, NE Cleveringa, Delvin J. 200 North Platte, NE Collins, Kelly J. 200 North Platte, NE Conley, Aaron L. 200 North Platte, NE Digiovanni, Todd W. 200 North Platte, NE Downing, Timothy D. 200 North Platte, NE Dupree, William P. 200 North Platte, NE Edington, Luke V. 200 North Platte, NE Ellermeier, Robb W. 200 North Platte, NE Erickson, Jeffrey R. 200 North Platte, NE Eschliman, Rodney L. 200 North Platte, NE Ford, Roland W. 200 North Platte, NE Gibson, Zachary D. 200 North Platte, NE Gilbert, Russell 200 North Platte, NE Gilland, Randall C. 200 North Platte, NE Golter, Trevor J. 200 North Platte, NE Gonzales, Louis A. 200 North Platte, NE Ham, Robert L. 200 North Platte, NE Hatch, Jeffrey J. 200 North Platte, NE Hatton, Steven L. 200 North Platte, NE Hawkins, Stephen W. 200 North Platte, NE Heilig, Stefan 200 North Platte, NE Hoatson, Timothy D. 200 North Platte, NE Holmes, Donald V. 200 North Platte, NE Howell, Keith P. 200 North Platte, NE Hudson, Larry D. 200 North Platte, NE Hudson, Larry R. 200 North Platte, NE Hurley, Christopher P. 200 North Platte, NE Hurt, Craig 200 North Platte, NE Kantenseter, Michael 200 North Platte, NE King, Kenneth L. 200 North Platte, NE Lynch, Kevin J. 200 North Platte, NE McConnell, Matthew 200 North Platte, NE Miles, John 200 North Platte, NE Moore, Kenneth A. 200 North Platte, NE Myer, Joseph D. 200 North Platte, NE Niles, Walter B. 200 North Platte, NE Ostrander, Tony L. 200 North Platte, NE Price, Curtis M. 200 North Platte, NE Ragland, Thomas 200 North Platte, NE Reed, James A. 200 North Platte, NE Schomp, Cole C. 200 North Platte, NE Schnackenberg, T.R. 200 North Platte, NE Schneider, Jay R. 200 North Platte, NE Schneider, John R. 200 North Platte, NE Sehnert, Russell D. 200 North Platte, NE Severn, Anneline 200 North Platte, NE Story, Bobby L. 200 North Platte, NE Streit, Carlos 200 North Platte, NE Thayer, Rick A. 200 North Platte, NE Thompson, Gary D. 200 North Platte, NE Thompson, Jerry R. 200 North Platte, NE Trujillo, Robert J. 200 North Platte, NE Vigil, Anthony J. 200 North Platte, NE Volkmar, Greg 200 North Platte, NE Ward, Thomas L. 200 North Platte, NE Webb, Kevin R. 200 North Platte, NE Welsh, Jason 200 North Platte, NE Westberg, Bryan 200 North Platte, NE Whitmore, Russell J. 200 North Platte, NE Whyte, Thomas G. 200 North Platte, NE Wietzki, Carol J. 200 North Platte, NE Williams, Roger S. 200 North Platte, NE Winter, Mason A. 200 North Platte, NE Young, Terry L. 200 North Platte, NE Zogg, Jason D. 200 North Platte, NE *Jacobs, Wayne W. 281 Milwaukee, WI Wickliffe, Curtis L. 331 Temple, TX Thorp, Kim W. 432 Champaign, IL Smith, Bradley G. 492 Sacramento, CA Mick, Mitchell L. 508 Smithville, TX Hammer, Jeffery D. 513 Gainesville, TX Hardin, Randy L. 513 Gainesville, TX Kniss, Ronald K. 513 Gainesville, TX Hood Jr., Thomas C. 556 Tacoma, WA Ricci Jr., Victor J. 556 Tacoma, WA Courtright, William T. 577 Northlake, IL Kabele, Gordon R. 590 Portage, WI Giles Jr., Charles H. 598 Mobile, AL Barnes, Leslie W. 756 San Antonio, TX Parker, Larry A. 771 Needles, CA Schmidt, Edward A. 818 Ft. Worth, TX *Golden, Homer R. 847 Birmingham, AL *Teobben, R.L. 933 Jefferson City, MO Kaser, Ricky D. 940 Wichita Falls, TX Simpson, Arlie R. 940 Wichita Falls, TX Garley, Willie J. 953 Victoria, TX Benfer, Rodney E. 997 Enola, PA Bomgardner, Charles E. 997 Enola, PA Hough Jr., Edwin J. 997 Enola, PA Hummel, Donald K. 997 Enola, PA Long, Phillip E. 997 Enola, PA Ross, Larry D. 997 Enola, PA Schlegel, Steven C. 997 Enola, PA Skopatz, Richard D. 997 Enola, PA Ward Jr., Vaughn E. 997 Enola, PA Donohue, Terry R. 1043 Sparks, NV Coryell, William L. 1168 Clovis, NM Hayes, Jerry W. 1168 Clovis, NM Godwin, Robert M. 1200 Portola, CA Modlinski, Jeffery L. 1290 Portola, CA Blohm, Michael P. 1293 Altoona, WI Jacobson, Larry E. 1293 Altoona, WI Leboeuf, Robert H. 1293 Altoona, WI Mueller, Mark S. 1293 Altoona, WI Quinn, William R. 1293 Altoona, WI Shaw, Brandon C. 1293 Altoona, WI Lane, Robert J. 1370 New York, NY Gibson, Robert B. 1377 Covington, KY *Lewman, Ralph L. 1381 Hammond, IN Devine, Thomas J. 1390 Trenton, NJ Drayton, Kyle J. 1470 Edmonston, MD Landolina, James V. 1470 Edmonston, MD Obrien, James J. 1470 Edmonston, MD Spivey, Sherman L. 1470 Edmonston, MD Wilson, Larry G. 1470 Edmonston, MD Wood Jr., John W. 1470 Edmonston, MD Wright, Benjamin 1470 Edmonston, MD Alexander, Rodney B. 1522 Washington, DC Hale, Randall S. 1522 Washington, DC Maybury Jr., John B. 1522 Washington, DC *Balas, Frank J. 1529 Walbridge, OH *Ferguson Jr., Howard 1532 Kansas City, KS Sestrich, Jimmy L. 1532 Kansas City, KS Stout, Paris D. 1532 Kansas City, KS St. John, William A. 1557 Memphis, TN Platt, David W. 1559 Yuma, AZ Chip Jr., George L. 1571 El Paso, TX Meding, Aaron 1607 Los Angeles, CA Bain, William T. 1780 Kansas City, MO Motley, Paul J. 1780 Kansas City, MO Patrick, Gary D. 1841 Klamath Falls, OR Farnie, Carl T. 1886 Houston, TX Prewitt, Gerald L. 1918 El Paso, TX Barrieault, Ricky L. 1933 Washington, DC Buffkin, Dave E. 1933 Washington, DC Ikey II, Terry L. 1933 Washington, DC Johnson, Edmund W. 1933 Washington, DC Loggins, Lawrence B. 1933 Washington, DC Mohan, Eric L. 1933 Washington, DC Moss, Gregory M. 1933 Washington, DC Price, Ronald G. 1933 Washington, DC Thompson I, Michael 1933 Washington, DC Tiedemann, Ron E. 1933 Washington, DC Land Sr., Walter R. 1957 Silsbee, TX NOTICES --Monthly apparel winner announced .................##W This month's lucky winner of his choice of any item of UTU-logoed wearing apparel is Gordon F. Spinelli of Greenfield, Mass. Brother Spinelli is a retired member of Local 587 in Greenfield, Mass., which represents workers employed on the New England Lines. Brother Spinelli will be receiving by mail a gift certificate redeemable for any one of the many fine quality union-made UTU jackets, shirts or caps available through the International. (Many new items are now available; for details, write to the UTU Supply Department, 14600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107- 4250; or call 216-228-9400.) This program, in which active and retired members' names are drawn at random, is a way to thank the many men and women who make this union great. --RRB needs current address to send BA-6 ........##X Every year the Railroad Retirement Board mails a Form BA-6 (Certificate of Service Months and Compensation) to all who earned compensation subject to RRB withholding. If you did not receive a Form BA-6 within the last six months, the RRB may not have your correct mailing address on file. You can find the nearest office of the RRB in the telephone directory under United States Government. Your address also can be sent to RRB headquarters at 844 Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611. Be sure to include your Social Security number. Keeping your current address on file with the RRB helps ensure you receive proper credit for retirement and other benefits. --Aetna announces dental network ...................##Y Aetna U.S. Healthcare has announced that railroad employees and their dependents covered under the Railroad Employees National Dental Plan (GP 12000) now have access to Aetna's preferred dental network of 30,000 participating dentists across the country. This will enable all eligible participants to receive discounts when using a participating dentist. -- Negotiated discounts usually mean lower out-of- pocket expenses; -- No claim forms to complete. Participating dentists will submit claims for you. Some dentists may bill you at the time of service. -- Discounts extended to services not covered by the plan usually mean lower costs to you. Updated booklets reflecting the above announcement were mailed to covered employees' home during August. This booklet also reflects the benefit changes effective January 1, 1999, for those employees of railroads whose contracts include these changes. Please call the unit servicing railroad employees at (616) 942-6400 or, after October 1, 1998, toll-free at 1-877-2RR-DENT (1-877-277-3368) if you have questions or would like more information. You can also look for a participating dentist on the Internet at <http://www.aetnaushe.com>. --Aetna Healthcare drops hospitals ..............##Z Aetna U.S. Healthcare has announced that, effective Jan. 1, 1999, the Northern Tier Health Alliance PHO, including four hospitals in Northeast Pennsylvania, will no longer participate in the managed care network established under the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Program. These hospitals are MidValley Hospital in Peckville, Pa.; Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, Pa.; Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock, Pa., and Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale, Pa. Also, Aetna has reached agreement with Valley Hospital, which was added back to the Northern New Jersey network, effective July 28, 1998. Please direct questions about these changes to Aetna at (800) 842-4044. --United HealthCare holds open enrollment .........##AA United HealthCare holds an open enrollment period in December of every even calendar year for Group Policy GA-23111. You may obtain information and an enrollment form by calling (800) 842-5252. --Value Behavioral Health renamed ValueOptions ..##BB In June 1998, two mental health and substance abuse companies joined strengths to become ValueOptions. For UTU members and their families, the only change is the company name. The new company now answers the phone "ValueOptions"; everything else remains the same. All benefits administered by ValueOptions for the National Health and Welfare Plan remain the same. ValueOptions continues to have a dedicated Railroad Unit with the same staff members servicing calls. Call ValueOptions toll free at (800) 934-7245 for any referral needs and benefit questions. --UTU VISA Card boosts education ..................##CC The UTU has arranged with Huntington Bank (the union's banking partner for more than 60 years) to offer one of the best VISA credit card programs available. Every time you use a UTU VISA card, you let people know you are proud to support the UTU, and you also help support the union's educational programs, including Membership I, the UTU's mobile education and training motorcoach. The interest rate on the UTU VISA card is so low that most people cancel their other credit cards and transfer the balances to their UTU VISA card. If you transfer balances when you open your account, or anytime in the first 90 days, you pay no cash advance fees, so your savings add up right from the start. UTU members in the United States and Canada, both active and retired, as well as family members and friends of the UTU, can choose between one of two UTU VISA cards, both offering unsurpassed savings and value. PRIME RATE CARDS: The Prime Rate cards offer one of the lowest interest rates currently available. Designed for those who do not pay off their account in full each month, these cards charge the prime rate of interest (currently 8.5%), have a 25-day grace period, and no service charge on purchases. The cards carry a $35 annual fee for "Gold" cards and a $25 annual fee for "Standard" cards. PRIME PLUS CARDS: The Prime Plus gold and standard cards are designed for those who pay their balance in full each month. At present, the interest rate for the Prime Plus gold card is the prime interest rate plus 4.9%. The interest rate for the standard card is the prime rate plus 7.9%. Both cards feature a 25-day grace period, no service charge on purchases, and no annual fee. For the first six months of billing statements after the opening date of the account, both Prime Plus cards carry a special introductory interest rate of the prime rate plus just 1%. UTU VISA card holders also are entitled to emergency travel services; Warranty Manager (a purchase protection program); acceptance at more than 13 million locations worldwide; cash access at hundreds of thousands of financial institutions and automatic teller machines worldwide, and a convenient year-end statement, handy for budgeting and tax planning. Huntington Bank representatives will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the UTU VISA card, and send you an application. Call toll-free 1-800-611-8583 today for details. The preceding may be reprinted or re-posted in electronic form, in part or in whole, to any network or computer system worldwide, or distributed via disk, provided proper credit is included and no alteration of text occurs other than for formatting purposes. 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