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 notifie [...]
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 o [...]
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 [...]
Brothers and Sisters: In a few weeks, the tentative national rail agreement with the major carriers on wages, rules and working conditions will be distributed to affected members for a ratification vote. The negotiating committee recommends a “yes” vote, and on Ma [...]
By Norman K. Brown, M.D., UTU medical consultant Please wash your hands. Micro-organisms – bacteria, viruses, yeasts – are all around us. Bacteria live especially closely with us, most often in a friendly manner, in the nose, mouth, lower intestine, genitals, on t [...]
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: The UTU Discipline Income Protection Plan (DIPP) has remained steadfast in looking for ways to pay claims of participants. By contrast, other job benefit plans are looking for ways to AVOID paying claims. A pattern of harsh discipline imposed by the carr [...]
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 becau [...]
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