Talk is cheap. Results, however, are hard to come by, and when one compares the cheap talk of others with the results UTU members achieve, the difference is unmistakable.

While others complain and embrace negativism, the UTU uses a positive approach to deliver economic benefits.

Start with the wage increases in our national rail agreement, which exceed those of every other organization. Post-'85 employees gained parity as the UTU took the initiative to eliminate the two-tier wage system. Not a single work rule was given up. Rates for deadheading were boosted dramatically.

We put to rest forever carrier attempts to increase the basic day to at least 160 miles. Arbitraries are rolled into the new trip rates, providing predictable paychecks and an end to grievances over how arbitraries are paid. The trip rates provide pay parity without diminishing the earnings capability of pre-'85 employees.

That UTU national wage agreement includes unique labor protection for our members. We now own the new technology. Had the others taken a positive approach, all the operating crafts would have gained similar protection, which the UTU offered them.

The new national health-care agreement for rail employees beats every other plan out there. UTU spadework and use of interest-based bargaining delivered a plan that the other organization now seeks to copy.

The unique bipartisan and positive approach of the UTU gives us unprecedented access to the House and Senate and regulatory agencies.

While others were on the sidewalk with bullhorns, we sat down with FRA officials to gain from them a written warning to railroads that future employee intimidation and harassment would be referred to a U.S. attorney for prosecution. The UTU obtained a congressionally ordered FRA study into remote control safety. The UTU led the fight for emergency Amtrak funding to avoid service and route cutbacks.

Railroaders represented by all organizations now retire with improved benefits because of Railroad Retirement reform achieved through UTU leadership. Again, we were confronted with opposition from others within rail labor.

We will continue our fight for an equitable solution to the problem of fatigue that does not restrict the ability of rail employees to maintain a satisfactory standard of living.

The UTU consistently has sought to protect all crafts through good and bad times. It has been the UTU and only the UTU that was required to provide that protection in the face of new technology, carrier greed, unfriendly governments, and even predatory unions who sought to gain at the expense of others. An accurate glance back shows it was the UTU that saved jobs in every operating craft, led the fight for safety legislation and consistently gave its members a vote on controlling their future.

Being at the front of the pack has risks, but the UTU will keep its eyes focused on the future through a leadership role that consistently delivers positive results. Our members can take that to the bank.