UTU News, October 2000, Vol. 32, No. 10
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Volume October 2000 Number 10 32 The Official Publication of the United Transportation Union WELCOME TO THE “VOICE OF TRANSPORTATION LABOR” “The UTU stands behind our brave brothers and sisters who work on the MTA as they do what they must to get a fair and just contract. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of them during this difficult time.” – UTU International President Charles L. Little Senators line up behind rail retirement reform bill Special 4-Page More than two-thirds UTU members Election 2000 of Senate backs bill Guide Inside to improve rail pensions strike MTA LOS ANGELES – At 12:01 a.m., Sep- tember 16, thousands of UTU-represented WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the over- bus and rail operators hit the picket lines, NewsNews && NotesNotes whelming passage of the Railroad Retirement plunging the nation’s second-largest city reform bill in the U.S. House of Representa- into a strike. tives now a chapter in history, the unified 13- As this issue of the UTU News was going member Rail Labor Coalition is focused on to press, more than 4,300 UTU members quick passage in the Senate. were still on the picket lines and the UTU, carriers The coalition is also continuing a campaign MTA’s 450,000 daily riders had no public transportation. Negotiations had resumed. reach deal See Editorial, Page 4 The walkout came after months of bar- PORT LUDLOW, Wash. – As this issue of the UTU News was going to press, the UTU and seeking a White House endorsement of the Continued on page 8 the nation’s major freight railroads represented Railroad Retirement legislation. by the National Carriers Conference Commit- Since passing the House by a vote of 391 to tee announced that a tentative agreement has 23 in early September, at least 73 senators neers (BLE) and Brotherhood of Maintenance been reached for a new collective bargaining have now pledged to support the Railroad of Way Employes (BMWE) have dropped agreement. Retirement and Survivors Improvement Act their opposition in Congress to the legislation. It is the first agreement to be reached of 2000. In exchange for supporting the Railroad between the carriers and any of the 13 stan- Retirement bill before the U.S. Senate, the 11 dard labor unions taking part in the current Also, since the House okayed H.R. 4844, round of bargaining, which began last both the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi- Continued on page 8 November. The proposed agreement covers train and engine service employees, and yardmasters, who make up nearly one-third of the railroads’ Prankster nabbed L&DRR workers work force, on about 95% of the nation’s Class I rail carriers. in member death finally win pact Complete details of the tentative agreement will be made available in an upcoming edi- BROOKINGS, S.D. – Authorities have LAFAYETTE, La. – The employees of the tion of the UTU News and on the UTU web- arrested a man they suspect tampered with a Louisiana & Delta Railroad (L&DRR) waited site at <utu.org>. rail switch, causing a train derailment that seven years for the Brotherhood of Locomo- killed a UTU member and seriously injured tive Engineers (BLE) to get them a contract. another rail worker. Then they gave up and turned to the UTU. Regional Meeting dates Andrew Goltz, 20, was arrested days after The result was that the UTU got them a CLEVELAND – The UTU/UTUIA Regional the accident. He is charged with willful derail- Meeting dates and cities for 2001 and 2002 ment or damage to a train involved in inter- See Editorial, Page 4 have been announced. They are: June 25-27, state commerce, U.S. Attorney Ted McBride 2001, at the Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at said Aug. 30. contract in eight months, and a good one at Four Seasons/Joseph S. Koury Convention Cen- In the incident, a Dakota, Minnesota & that. ter in Greensboro, N.C.; July 23-25, 2001, at Eastern Railroad train was diverted to a side In 1992, the BLE won representation rights the Delta Winnipeg/Convention Center in track and plowed into parked rail cars. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; August 20-22, over the 18 train and engine service workers 2001, at the Hyatt Regency/Convention Center Conductor Bradley G. Davis, 38, a resident on the L&DRR, which operates about 100 in Albuquerque, N.M.; June 16-19, 2002, at of Huron, S.D., and a member of UTU Local miles of track between Lafayette and Thibo- the Reno Hilton in Reno, Nev.; July 28-31, 64 in Huron, was killed in the wreck. Engineer daux, La. But for more than seven years, the 2002, at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, Dennis C. Baum, also a resident of Huron and BLE left the workers in limbo, never bother- D.C.; August 18-21, 2002, at The Fairmont a member of UTU Local 64, had his left arm ing to hammer out a pact with the carrier. Hotel in New Orleans, La. Watch the UTU amputated and suffered broken bones in his Fed up with seven years of BLE inaction, the News and UTU website <utu.org> for com- plete details. Continued on page 9 Continued on page 9 Around the UTU News from around the U.S. and Canada Local 168, Chicago, Ill. members are mourning the death of Johnny Members are planning their annual Holiday D. Clark, 53, who succumbed to cancer Season Dinner, which focuses on the local’s August 15, said General Chairperson W. R. retirees and will be held at 6 p.m., December Eubanks. Brother Clark was a former local 13, at the Hickory Pit (2801 S. Halsted Street, chairperson of Local 363 (Roanoke) and is Chicago). Those who retired as members of survived by a daughter and a son. the local are urged to contact Morris Vander- Local 768, Decatur, Ill. hack or Monica Ferrer, or write to Secretary Norfolk Southern employees for the second Lee Channing at 8525 Oak Ave., Gary, IN year in a row raised money to fight cancer 46403, call him at (219) 938-8665, or send through an overnight “walkathon” called the him e-mail at <[email protected]>. Relay For Life, according to Secretary and Local 219, Hannibal, Mo. Representing the two UTU locals based in the District of Treasurer Larry Stephenson. Members are mourning the loss of BNSF Columbia and accepting the TPEL awards recognizing Local 807, Tucson, Ariz. conductor Kenneth C. Timbrook, 53, of New their fellow members’ contributions are (from left) Ray Deadline to register for the annual Special Cunningham, Steve Fritter and Eddie Johnson of London, who was killed while on duty Sep- Local 1933, and Pat Ryan of Local 1522. Informational Seminar and Meeting co-host- tember 9, according to State Legislative ed with Local 1800 (Tucson) and Auxiliary Director W.L. Foster, who noted the death is District of Columbia Local 800 (Tucson) is October 20, said Local under investigation. Timbrook had served as Chairperson Tom Moore, who noted advance local secretary and is survived by his wife, Lin- comes to TPEL’s aid registration assures a special rate at the Holi- da, a son, a daughter, and four grandchildren. day Inn Palo Verde (call 520-746-1161) and Since at least 1996, members in Wisconsin helps organizers plan the cocktail parties and Local 243, Fort Worth, Tex. have led the pack when it came to the average meals set for Friday and Saturday, November This summer’s Union Day event included a contribution per member, by state, to the 18 and 19, 2000. Saturday’s luncheon will be blood drive and a raffle, held in the name of Transportation Political Education League provided by Designated Legal Counsel The Daniel Fletcher (son of UTUIA Field Super- (TPEL), the UTU’s political action committee. visor Joe Fletcher), that raised $600 to fight Crow Law Firm. UTU Assistant President But this year, the announcement of the TPEL Byron A. Boyd, Jr., and Vice President Dan Cystic Fibrosis, said Secretary Randy Reed. In Achievement Awards held a surprise, with the attendance were International Vice President Johnson are expected as guests. To attend, call District of Columbia, where Locals 1933 and Moore at (520) 622-6902 or (520) 744-0381, Kim Thompson, UTUIA Field Supervisors 1522 are based, taking the top spot. Fletcher, Gene Felling and T.E. Condran, fax him at (520) 741-1170, or write to him at Besides recognizing the average contribution 606 S. Plumer Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719. State Legislative Director Connie English, per member by state, the TPEL Achievement and Designated Legal Counsel Rod Steinburg Awards also recognize the average contribu- Local 1405, St. Louis, Mo. and Michael Herzik. tion per member by local. For the first time, a The annual golf tournament and barbecue Local 469, Madison, Ill. District of Columbia unit, Local 1933, made was a great success, with thanks due to Desig- Members made the Labor Day parade and the top-ten list, with a fifth-place ranking. nated Legal Counsel Lance Callis and the Midwest Railroaders, said Treasurer Richard picnic held by the St. Louis/East Tri-City La- While some may attribute the ranking to a bor Council a great success, thanks to the Moore. Local Chairperson Bill Truelove statistical quirk, there’s no denying that behind (Local 333, N. Vernon, Ind.) scored a hole-in- sponsorship of Designated Legal Counsel the surge in the rankings is commitment, acti- Lance Callis and the Midwest Railroaders. A one a few pins too early to take home the Ford vism, generosity and wisdom. Mustang offered as a prize at the 17th hole.