Brothers and Sisters: As we approach the six-month point of our administration, we are pleased to report that UTU finances have been improving steadily. When we took office Jan. 1, there were forebodings of financial disaster just around the corner. For sure, there were financial difficulties, but nothing of the nature that, as we had […]
Brothers and Sisters: Meetings are underway across the country to explain our tentative national rail agreement and provide members the opportunity to ask questions. Check with your local officers, general chairperson or state legislative director if you have not been notified of a meeting near you. A listing of meetings also is provided on the […]
By Mike FutheyInternational President A railroader’s most cherished workplace safety assurance is the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), which turns 100 years old this month. Railroading is among the most dangerous occupations in America. In an industry that too often puts profits ahead of safety, the FELA is a powerful prod to improved workplace safety. […]
By Mike FutheyInternational President We have been receiving numerous reports of members disciplined following an on-the-job injury. Too often, the injury was the result of a carrier’s failure to correct its own safety hazard or safety violation. But if there is no paper trail of the safety hazard or carrier safety violation prior to the […]
By Mike Futhey UTU International President Brothers and Sisters: The tentative national agreement with BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific, which you will vote on soon, was hammered out in an intense two-day bargaining session Jan. 22-23 because the carriers recognized the unity the UTU brought to the negotiating table. Equally […]
Brothers and Sisters: We know our rail members employed by BNSF, CSX, KCS, NS and UP are anxious about the status of talks with the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC). The talks resume Jan. 22 in Jacksonville, Fla. It has been a year since the UTU and the NCCC held negotiations; and, in the interim, […]
Brothers and Sisters: This is another in a series of what will be many leadership messages to our membership. Our first week in office involved: Familiarizing ourselves with the day-to-day operation of the International; Assessing the financial condition of the UTU and the UTUIA; Reviewing activities of the past few months that affect our union […]
By UTU International President Mike Futhey In spite of a federal court ruling Dec. 27 that UTU members were provided insufficient — and even misleading — information regarding the proposed merger with the Sheet Metal Workers’ union, seven current members of the UTU Board of Directors demanded in a letter to me Jan. 3 that […]
Brothers and Sisters: The membership of our union spoke through their delegates last August and chose a new team to lead us forward in these challenging times for labor unions. We accept that challenge and pledge today — as we pledged in August — to move the United Transportation Union forward with the sole objective […]
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