The UTU Board of Directors, acting under authority of Article 2 of the UTU Constitution, has filled three vacant alternate vice president positions as well as two vacant positions on the UTU Executive Board.
Elected by the UTU Board of Directors to vacant alternate vice president positions were James A. Huston (Local 1532, Kansas City, Kan.), Doyle K. Turner (Local 1962, Toledo, Ohio) and John R. England (Local 1674, Los Angeles).
Also, Idaho State Legislative Director George Millward (Local 78, Pocatello) and Troy L. Johnson (Local 594, Mineola, Texas) were elected to vacancies on the Executive Board. Steven C. Mavity (Local 298, Garrett, Ind.) was elevated to the vacant post of alternate to the Executive Board.
Additionally, District 1 general chairpersons have approved Railway Labor Act Section 6 notices to be served in early November on carriers bargaining under the umbrella of the National Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC). Among those carriers are expected to be BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific.
The Section 6 notices were constructed based on input from UTU members. Their contents will be released when served on the carriers.
Carriers and unions exchange their respective demands for rail contract changes through so-called Section 6 notices. The national rail agreement between the UTU and carriers represented by the NCCC is open for revision effective Jan. 1. Under the Railway Labor Act, collective bargaining agreements never expire and remain in force until revisions are agreed upon. The previous round of negotiations provided for the Jan. 1, 2010, reopening date for revising the national rail agreement.
