News Archive
3 crewmembers dead in VIA Rail derailment
BURLINGTON, Ont. – Three Canada VIA Rail crew members riding in the lone locomotive of a five-car passenger train died in a derailment here Feb. 26. More than 40 passengers and another crew member were injured, many seriously. News reports indicate the fourth crewmember suffe [...]Treasurers’ workshop scheduled for May
The UTU International will conduct a workshop for local treasurers May 15-17 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland workshop will be held at the UTU International offices in North, Olmsted, Ohio. Attendance is limited to 24 registrants at the Cleveland workshop. Newly elected loca [...]
UTU officer pushes transit safety improvements
Just ask UTU District of Columbia Legislative Director Willie Bates about safety standards for rail-transit systems. Unlike freight and passenger railroads, rail-transit systems are not bound by federal construction standards, nor are their workers in safety senstive position [...]UTU aiding locked out workers in six states
UTU locals and state legislative boards in Minnesota and North Dakota are collecting non-perishable foods to aid union brothers and sisters who have been locked out of their jobs in six states by American Crystal Sugar (Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers [...]Oil, natural gas drilling benefits rail workers
A lot is being written about reducing America’s dependence on foreign energy; and increased domestic exploration of crude oil and natural gas is paying meaningful dividends to railroads – and, by extension, to their workers, whose jobs, wages and benefits are being made more [...]
Caltrain pact protects UTU members in changeover
In preparation for a new operator of Caltrain commuter service in Northern California, the UTU has moved to protect its members who choose to transfer from Amtrak to the new operator. Caltrain operates south from San Francisco to San Jose and Gilroy. TransitAmerica Services, [...]
Committees work to create new SMART union
In a joint message to members, the leadership of the UTU and the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association (SMWIA) pledged “to move forward and grow, and place all hostilities behind us” as the two organizations strive to cement a seamless merger. The merger of the UTU a [...]