The delegates voted 356-58 in favor of amending Article XII of the UTU Constitution, which now will read:

"The Board of Trustees shall also be empowered to make agreements with vendors to provide members with disability insurance coverage or other benefits through the International, at the members’ cost, on an opt-out basis."

Of 524 delegates mailed ballots, 414 were returned, with 86 percent of those voting favoring the change to the UTU Constitution.

"Group disability insurance will be an essential financial backstop for UTU members, many of whom have been denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions resulting from their railroad employment," said UTU International President Mike Futhey.

The UTU International Board of Directors put the amendment change to a vote of delegates, noting that a review of such available policies had earlier determined that a group disability policy available from Mutual of Omaha could best serve UTU members. Mutual of Omaha is an A+ rated insurance carrier with more than $4 billion in assets.

The search was made under the leadership of UTU General Chairperson Paul Emert (GO 898), who, with assistance from his Assistant General Chairperson Mark Cook and UTU General Secretary & Treasurer Kim Thompson, contacted numerous top-rated insurance companies seeking bids.

Under this Mutual of Omaha policy, every UTU member will be eligible for guaranteed coverage during the open enrollment period, regardless of existing health conditions. The policy will be made available within 90 days, Thompson said.

As further details become available, they will be announced at www.utu.org.

Especially attractive is that the coverage will allow members with a UTUIA disability plan to keep that plan in addition to the Mutual of Omaha plan without any reduction in plan benefits.

Benefits will be for up to $1,500 monthly for up to 12 months per disability. The coverage will be for accidents or sickness, 24/7, on or off the job and will be tax free.

This is important to those seeking greater coverage than will be offered by the Mutual of Omaha plan.

UTUIA field supervisors supported the Mutual of Omaha plan and are pledged to assist members with questions during the open enrollment period.

Because of the large UTU membership base and the UTU's collective buying power, premiums will be especially low -- less than $30 per month, through payroll deduction.

A similar policy -- even if it could be purchased individually from an insurance company -- would cost UTU members up to $100 monthly.

Emert, writing in a column in UTU News in February, said: "UTU officers have an obligation to do whatever is necessary to provide for and protect the needs of the membership. This includes ensuring our members have income to protect their families and property during times of sickness and injury. This policy from Mutual of Omaha will do just that."

Thompson said that "still other benefits to members, as they are identified, now can be offered down the road as a result of this change to Article 12."