Transportation News

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‘He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother’

COVINGTON, Va. — The Jackson River, a tributary of the James, meanders east through the hollows of west-central Virginia. Flowing under CSX tracks in Covington, some 200 miles west of Richmond, the Jackson is only about two-feet deep — which partially save the lif [...]

UTU GC Draskovich honored by NMB

UTU General Chairperson Rich Draskovich (Union Pacific, GO 953) has been recognized by the National Mediation Board (NMB) for “a special achievement” in helping reduce the agency’s backlog of rail-labor grievances. In presenting the award, NMB Chairman Harry Hogla [...]

Our strength is in our PAC and numbers

By Assistant President Arty Martin The attack on public-employee collective bargaining rights by right-wing extremists is intended to destroy labor unions. Union busting is something expected in the private sector; that’s why we have laws to level the playing field, with most [...]

Wisconsin governor: ‘Mobilizer of the Year’

As expected, the Republican-controlled Wisconsin House of Representatives March 10 approved state senate passed legislation revoking collective bargaining rights for public employees. The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Scott Walker who promises to sign it into law. Noting t [...]

Retired NMB arbitrator Carvatta dies

Retired National Mediation Board arbitrator Roy J. Carvatta, known to many UTU general chairpersons, has died in Chicago at age 87. Carvatta served for many years as the NMB’s director of arbitration services, retiring in 1996. In an advisory posted by the NMB, it was s [...]

Union-busting bills gain in several states

The Republican controlled Wisconsin state senate, with all Democrats still absent, passed a bill late Wednesday, March 9, stripping from public employees almost all collective bargaining rights. The vote was 18-1, with a lone Republican, Sen. Dale Schultz, voting “no.&# [...]

Rising gas prices drive travelers to Amtrak

WASHINGTON — Amtrak reported March 9 that it has marked 16 consecutive months of ridership growth, and that February was the best on record, with 2.1 million passengers. “The ridership increase shows the continued popularity of rail travel and the need for continu [...]

Rails boost spending, hiring, dividends

Railroads, enjoying record profits, say they will invest $12 billion in improving their track and operations in 2011, a significant increase over the $10.7 billion spent on capital improvements in 2010. Additionally, the railroads say they will hire some 10,000 employees in 2 [...]

Diseases run in families; learn from your parents

By Dr. Norman K. Brown UTU medical consultant UTU members and their families have access to excellent wellness programs through health- insurance providers that help control and eliminate many bad habits such as poor nutrition, smoking and lack of exercise. But there are cert [...]

Martin: We must fight attacks on collective bargaining

By Assistant President Arty Martin The attack on public-employee collective bargaining rights by right-wing extremists is intended to destroy labor unions. Union busting is something expected in the private sector; that’s why we have laws to level the playing field, wit [...]