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 finan [...]
By Vic Baffoni, Vice President, Bus Congratulations to officers and members of Local 1589, New Brunswick, N.J., on a new contract that includes improved wages and benefits. The UTU International is working with members of Local 1697, employed by TNM&O Coaches in Texas, fo [...]
UTU local treasurers are not required to file Internal Revenue Service Form 990-N by May 15. However, said UTU International Auditor Steve Noyes, locals that are required to file IRS Forms 990 and 990-EZ must still file those forms by the May 15 deadline. Noyes said he was to [...]
By Vic Baffoni, Vice President, Bus The safety of our members in the work place has been — and will always be — a priority of this union and its officers. More and more, we are experiencing passenger assaults on drivers. Any environment where a bus operator fears [...]
By Bonnie Morr Alternate Vice President, Bus When operating a motor coach — whether carrying students, commuters, tourists or the handicapped – whenever we open the door, we are exposed to assaults. We are vulnerable to what we do see, and what we cannot see, such [...]
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 trai [...]
By Vic Baffoni Vice President, Bus Department Negotiations for improved wages, benefits and working conditions are Bus Department priorities in 2008. Negotiations are underway in Locals 710 (Newark, N.J.), 1589 (New Brunswick, N.J.) and 1670 (Laredo, Texas). Agreements held b [...]
Local treasurers and other officers should be aware that all UTU locals are now required to file Internal Revenue Service Form 990 for fiscal year 2007. The form must be filed no later than May 15, 2008. Previously, locals that ordinarily received less than $25,000 in adjuste [...]
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 NC [...]
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 UT [...]