H-LABOR
UNITED TRANSPORTAION UNION
ON-LINE EDITION
(August 1995)

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                            UTU NEWS                                            
                         ONLINE EDITION                                         
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                           AUGUST 1995                                          
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          -----------PROGRESS THROUGH UNITY-----------                          

        A Service of the United Transportation Union                            
                Public Relations Department                                     
                     G. Thomas DuBose                                           
                 International President                                        
                            ---                                                 
                     Charles L. Little                                          
        International General Secretary & Treasurer                             
                     Editorial Offices:                                         
                          UTU News                                              
                     14600 Detroit Ave.                                         
                  Cleveland, OH 44107-4250                                      

The following may be re-posted in electronic form, in part or in whole, to any network or computer system worldwide, or distributed via disk, provided proper credit is included and no alteration of text occurs other than for formatting purposes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS --The UTU News On-Line Edition takes advantage of the search-and-find features in your editor or word processor. For example, to read about a Federal Railroad Administration finding regarding whistle bans ("Whistle bans prove deadly"), have your editor or word processor search for the text ##E.

IN THIS EDITION --Accidents claim UTU members' lives...............##A --Amtrak bill imperils pensions, agreements.....##B --Charles L. Little elected next UTU president.....##C --Profile of Charles L. Little..................##D --Whistle bans prove deadly........................##E

BUS DEPT. / STREET BEAT --"Stop kissing Massa Jones's Butt"............##F

       Editorial by Gertraud K. Weber                                           
       Vice President and Director, Bus Dept.                                   

--U.S. House okays Section 13(c) protections.......##G

ON THE MOVE --UTU Convention Delegates amend constitution...##H --UTU debt retirement fund established.............##I --Regional Meeting raffle boosts TPEL...........##J --Red River Valley & Western workers vote UTU......##K --UTU challenges second Metro North PEB.........##L --V.L. Speakman reappointed RRB Labor Member.......##M

NOTICES --Mailing precedes November elections...........##N --U.S. Regional Meeting dates, locations...........##O --Canadian Regional Meeting planned.............##P --Spokane Regional Meeting details.................##Q --Spokane Golf Classic registration notes.......##R --Directory of UTUIA Local Units...................##S --UTUIA cancer policy available across U.S. ....##T


IN THIS EDITION

--Accidents claim UTU members' lives...............##A

Southern Pacific conductor/brakeman Al Boggio, 55, died recently in an industrial switching accident near City of Industry, Cal.

Boggio, a member of Local 0240 in Los Angeles, Cal., was walking a cut of cars into a siding when he was run over. He had 24 years' service with the carrier.

He leaves a wife, Patricia, and two daughters.

In late July, Conrail conductor David L. Spaar, 61, was killed in a switching accident at Hershey Yards in Hershey, Pa.

Spaar was riding the second of a three-tank car cut when he fell between the wheels and was decapitated.

Spaar, a member of Local 0830 at Harrisburg, Pa., had worked in railroading for more than 40 years.

He is survived by a wife and two daughters.

--Amtrak bill imperils pensions, agreements.....##B

Letters and phone calls from UTU members in the U.S. are needed now to ensure the sanctity of collective bargaining agreements and protect the solvency of the Railroad Retirement System.

The Amtrak and Local Rail Revitalization Act of 1995, an authorization measure approved by the Senate Commerce Committee and soon likely to be considered by the full Senate, would jeopardize rail pensions, break existing contracts and amount to a Federal intrusion into collective bargaining-unless UTU members act now.

As written, the measure would allow Amtrak to contract-out work currently performed by Amtrak employees to those who pay no rail retirement taxes, relieving Amtrak of the obligation under the Internal Revenue Code to pay $150 million in taxes that support the Railroad Retirement System.

The measure does not guarantee that anyone would make these payments. Instead, the measure is based on the presumption that Federal appropriations would make up the lost amount, but offers no guarantees that the money will be made available.

The measure also breaks existing collective bargaining agreements between Amtrak and its employees. For the first time in history, Congress would break existing, private collective bargaining agreements, and through Federal law, force employees and management to negotiate from scratch.

In an attempt to privatize Amtrak, the measure would eliminate collective bargaining by requiring binding arbitration on whether Amtrak can contract-out work currently performed by Amtrak employees. Under the measure, binding arbitration is required even when existing contracts, privately negotiated, contain restrictions on contracting-out that do not expire for years.

UTU members must tell President Clinton and their senators that it is unacceptable to hurt the Railroad Retirement System, and that while Amtrak should be preserved, it cannot be done at the expense of retirees.

At the very least, all members should call their senators today at (202) 224-3121 to explain to them the problems posed by the measure.

Members are also urged to call the White House now at (202) 456-1414 to tell President Clinton that Tom Downs, the president of Amtrak, is hurting retirees and employees, and that he should be removed if he doesn't immediately stop.

One good letter can be worth 10 phone calls and can result in added impact if you've already phoned. Those who choose to write should remember the ZIP code for the U.S. Senate is 20510, and for the White House is 20500.

When members call or write, they should note that the Amtrak and Local Rail Revitalization Act of 1995 imperils earned pension benefits and threatens to undermine the Railroad Retirement System.

Members must also express their support for Amtrak, but not at the expense of rail retirees.

UTU members should also note that Amtrak has already eliminated thousands of jobs, and eliminating thousands more by encouraging Amtrak to contract-out work now performed by Amtrak employees not only hurts the pension system and those who rely on it, but seriously intrudes on collective bargaining agreements.

Members must also make the President and their senators know that Amtrak should be required to pay rail retirement taxes, just like every other rail employer. Merely hoping that the Government will make up Amtrak's shortfall, as the current measure does, is simply not an answer.

The Amtrak measure is seriously flawed and needs serious fixing. Lawmakers should be made to realize now that without such fixing, the bill is unfair, jeopardizes pensions, and simply should not pass.

Without the immediate cooperation and efforts of all UTU members in this matter, the Railroad Retirement System will be in serious trouble, and there may be no end to the collective bargaining agreements that will be open to Federal intrusion.

--Charles L. Little elected next UTU president.....##C

Delegates to the United Transportation Union's seventh quadrennial convention elected Charles L. Little to the post of International President.

Little had been serving the union as the general secretary and treasurer.

Little, 59, and all newly elected officers, will assume office January 1, 1996, in accordance with Article 9 of the UTU Constitution.

Elected to the post of assistant president was Vice President Byron A. Boyd, Jr. The position of general secretary and treasurer was won by Roger D. Griffeth, secretary/treasurer of Local 1261 at Atlanta, Ga.

In his acceptance speech, Little thanked the delegates for their support and pledged to unite the union, calling upon members to "remember we're the 'United' Transportation Union."

"I sincerely appreciate the vote of confidence and trust expressed by the members and delegates," Little said. "As we all work to make the UTU the best organization it can be, the voice of organized labor in the transportation industry, I will need the committed efforts and energies of every UTU officer and member. Through our unity will we realize our strength," Little said.

Incumbent International President G. Thomas DuBose, who is retiring from active union service, expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to serve the union for 36 years, 28 of them as international officer. "I feel I left this union in better condition than I found it. I wish Brother Little much success in leading this union and strongly urge all officers and members to support the elected officers," DuBose said. "Unity is of prime importance as we face an uncertain future."

DuBose also expressed his thanks and best wishes to those officers who will retire from their International union positions at the end of the year. They include Assistant President L.W. Swert; Canadian Legislative Director Ron Bennett; vice presidents John Easley, Warner Biedenharn and Willard Pearl; alternate vice presidents Ernest Phillips, Toby Criswell, D.B. Snyder, Jim Clark and Lloyd Mills; Canadian Alternate Vice President Lou Schillaci; Board of Appeals members Jim Banks and Lance Ruck; Executive Board member Jack Arnold and alternate T.E. Isaacs; Trustee John R. James and alternate Sam Arrington.

A complete tally of election results follow:

OFFICE OF THE INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT Charles L. Little (1524)

OFFICE OF ASSISTANT PRESIDENT Byron A. Boyd, Jr. (0117)

OFFICE OF GENERAL SECRETARY AND TREASURER Roger D. Griffeth (1261)

OFFICE OF U.S. NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR James M. Brunkenhoefer (0083)

OFFICE OF ALTERNATE U.S. NAT'L LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR Eugene R. Plourd (1400)

OFFICE OF CANADIAN LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR Timothy S. Secord (0537)

OFFICE OF ALTERNATE CANADIAN LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR Robert Michaud (0414)

OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT-POSITION 1 Cliff Bryant (0027)

OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT-POSITION 2 Peter L. Patsouras (0693)

OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT-POSITION 3 Paul C. Thompson (0094)

OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT-POSITION 4 Larry R. Davis (0074)

OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT-POSITION 5 Bruce R. Wigent (1709)

OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT-POSITION 6 Albert L. Smith (0535)

OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT-POSITION 7 Larry H. Olson (1233)

OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT-POSITION 8 Alan M. Lankford (1368)

OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT-POSITION 9 Robert W. Earley (0610)

OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT-POSITION 10 Robert D. Snyder (1345)

OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT-POSITION 11 J. Michael Hone (0700)

OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT-POSITION 12 Malcolm B. Futhey, Jr. (0950)

OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT-POSITION 13 Richard L. Marceau (0891)

OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT-POSITION 14 Bernard J. McNelis (1594)

OFFICE OF ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT-YARDMASTERS Donald R. Carver (1963)

OFFICE OF ALTERNATE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT-YARDMASTERS Robert C. Arthur (1949)

OFFICE OF FIRST ALTERNATE VICE PRESIDENT- EASTERN TERRITORY Michael A. Eman (0117)

OFFICE OF SECOND ALTERNATE VICE PRESIDENT- EASTERN TERRITORY Dennis J. Schuler (0027)

OFFICE OF FIRST ALTERNATE VICE PRESIDENT- WESTERN TERRITORY Daniel E. Johnson, III (0807)

OFFICE OF SECOND ALTERNATE VICE PRESIDENT- WESTERN TERRITORY Arthur Martin, III (0078)

OFFICE OF FIRST ALTERNATE VICE PRESIDENT- SOUTHERN TERRITORY Kim N. Thompson (0226)

OFFICE OF SECOND ALTERNATE VICE PRESIDENT- SOUTHERN TERRITORY Jerry L. Batton (1088)

OFFICE OF ALTERNATE VICE PRESIDENT-CANADA William G. Scarrow (0344)

OFFICE OF ALTERNATE VICE PRESIDENT-BUS- WESTERN TERRITORY Seymour N. Kramer (1741)

OFFICE OF ALTERNATE VICE PRESIDENT-BUS- EASTERN TERRITORY Gertraud K. Weber (1908)

OFFICE OF BOARD OF APPEALS-POSITION 1- ENGINE SERVICE W. James Shelton (0933)

OFFICE OF BOARD OF APPEALS-POSITION 2-ROAD SERVICE James E. Fitzgerald (0211)

OFFICE OF BOARD OF APPEALS-POSITION 3-YARD SERVICE Glenn D. Welch (1092)

OFFICE OF BOARD OF APPEALS-POSITION 4- COMMUTER AUTHORITIES Edward J. Carney (1440)

OFFICE OF BOARD OF APPEALS-POSITION 5-BUS James T. Harford (1741)

OFFICE OF CANADIAN BOARD OF APPEALS-POSITION 1 Robert W. Sharpe (1778)

OFFICE OF CANADIAN BOARD OF APPEALS-POSITION 2 Serge Couture (0618)

OFFICE OF CANADIAN BOARD OF APPEALS-POSITION 3 Barry L. McLafferty (0502)

OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE BOARD-POSITION 1 Michael F. Tello (1882)

OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE BOARD-POSITION 2 David L. Harden (333)

OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE BOARD-POSITION 3 James A. Huston (1532)

OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE BOARD-POSITION 4 John J. Risch (1344)

OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE BOARD-POSITION 5 John W. Armstrong (1874)

OFFICE OF ALTERNATE TO EXECUTIVE BOARD Titus R. Shelby (951)

TRUSTEE AT LARGE Stephen T. Dawson (0811)

--Profile of Charles L. Little..................##D

Charles L. Little, who will assume the office of International President of the United Transportation Union in January, was born May 5, 1936, in Burnet, Tex.

Little began his railroading career with the Houston Belt & Terminal Railroad Company in 1955. He became interested in union affairs and was elected secretary and treasurer of his local, UTU Local 1524 at Houston, Tex., in 1973 and general chairperson of the HB&T in 1979.

He was elected alternate vice president of the UTU by delegates at the 1983 convention and was elevated to full vice president in 1984. He was re-elected vice president at the 1987 convention and was elected general secretary and treasurer of the UTU at the 1991 convention.

During his tenue with the UTU, Little also served as alternate delegate and delegate of his local in 1975, 1979 and 1983 and as labor co-director of the Houston Terminal Project.

The union officer served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1953 to 1955. He and his wife Mary Ann have a son and a daughter. The family home is in Houston, Tex.

--Whistle bans prove deadly........................##E

In a report that may hasten Federal rules requiring railroads to sound whistles at all crossings, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has found accidents 84% more likely to occur at highway crossings where locomotive horns are banned.

Nearly 2,100 of the nation's 168,000 rail-highway crossings are affected by whistle bans passed by local communities to limit excessive noise in residential or other areas.

Last year, 610 motorists were killed and another 1,923 injured in 4,921 rail-highway grade-crossing accidents.

On average, 10 motorists are killed and 47 injured in the 145 accidents that occur annually at crossings where whistle bans are in effect. The FRA said crossing accidents fell 38% where bans have been lifted.

BUS DEPT. / STREET BEAT

--"Stop kissing Massa Jones's Butt"............##F

       Editorial by Gertraud K. Weber                                           
       Vice President and Director, Bus Dept.                                   

Dear Fellow Members:

This month I want you to read a piece written by Jerry Klein, a syndicated radio host originating from WBT-AM in Charlotte, N.C., for a local Charlotte publication. You can contact him on-line at jerrykwbt@aol.com. It was sent to me by Transit Management of Charlotte General Chairperson Jim Fox.

"You hear it everywhere you go these days. It's like a national mantra. It's somehow sunk so deep into this country's collective psyche that no one questions it. It's become God's truth:

"'The problem with this country is that too many people sit on their butts and won't pull their fair share of the load, and then they expect the government to take care of them. What those people need is a good swift kick in the pants.'

"You know the rhetoric, and many of us seem to have come to believe it. But it's that attitude and the people who foster it that need a kick. Because, in swallowing this garbage, in allowing ourselves to buy into this concept that the poor are one great, lazy, wallowing mass sponging off the rest of us hard-working folks, and that, if not for them, we'd all be better off

"A mark of a society's maturity isn't how hard it is on those least fortunate among them --- it's the extent to which we reach out to those who struggle. And by that measure, we fail miserably these days, at least in our hearts, which have been poisoned by the rhetoric.

"The saddest part of it all is that those at the top, the ones who are working hardest to strip people of what Ronald Reagan used to call the 'safety net,' are the same ones who are laughing at the rest of us all the way to the bank. Here's the truth: They've got us fighting among ourselves for whatever they're willing to let us have, like a pack of starving hyenas ripping at a carcass already picked clean by the lions. And we're expected to be grateful to the lions for having provided anything for us in the first place!

"Last month a non-partisan study was released that ought to shake you to your toes, whose conclusions were, to me, so striking that they ought to be repeated at the beginning of every news program daily for a month, just to make sure you got it:

"Forty percent of this country's wealth is controlled by one percent of the population. And over the past 20 years or so, that figure has doubled. It used to be that one percent owned 20%. This is progress?

"Did you get that? Do you need to have it shouted out louder? You're mad at the wrong people! You're blaming the wrong folks! The richest among us have doubled their take over the past two decades! No wonder the rest of us are struggling, that we're pointing fingers-looking around for someone to yell at -- there's lots less available for the rest of us to split!

"And what's worse, they've convinced a lot of you that that's the way things ought to be, that somehow these folks ought to be congratulated for their success, and worshipped for having allowed us to have a job. You know the line --- only rich people have the money to invest in new businesses, and if it weren't for them none of us would be employed.

"Gee, thanks, Massa Jones, from whom all blessings flow!

"No, sir. The problem isn't the welfare cheats, isn't those fast-breeding teenage moms, it isn't the Democrats taxing you too much to give to people who don't deserve it. The problem is that you've become numb to the real injustice, that you've come to believe there's nothing you can do about it if fewer and fewer people have more and more.

"Well, folks, as long as you believe that, it will continue to be true. But let's try reminding ourselves of some basic human nature and some of this country's history:

"Employers and business owners only pay you what they think they can get away with. If they can get someone else to do the same job for less, they will. And the only time the take for working people in this country has ever changed substantially for the better was during the years when the union movement was strongest.

"That's because without organizing, without making a pact among ourselves that we're not going to take away each other's job, we have no power to influence Massa Jones. Wake up, folks! Things are no different now than they were 100 years ago. Massa sits in his rocking chair up at the big white house on the hill and tells us, 'Sorry, but I just can't afford to pay you any more. I'd go out of business if I did, and then where would you be?'

"It's control by fear. And it works. They've got us just where they want us. And until you begin demanding your fair share again, until you go back to telling Massa that if he doesn't take better care of those of us who've allowed him to prosper, well, then, his ventures will just come to a grinding halt --- until we collectively speak out, nothing changes.

"Corporate profits last year were among the highest in this country's history. Did you know that the average take of those at the top increased 11% last year? What about you? Did you get an 11% raise, too?

"I don't think so. Some of the biggest companies based here in our own home town, who raked in profits at a record pace, continue to hold your salaries to barely cost-of-living increases. And you're supposed to be grateful.

"The only people who equitably shared in their company's success last year were those in which unions had previously negotiated some form of profit-sharing for its members. You'd think this would begin to sink in for the rest of us-but it hasn't. Because after the rough times of the past few years, we're all gun-shy. We're afraid to ask for more, because we're afraid someone else will be willing to take whatever Massa decides to let go of --- even if it's not enough to live on comfortably.

"That's the facts, folks. Wages continue to stagnate. Massa screams every time someone dares to propose a raise in the minimum wage, even though, at $4.25 per hour, (which works out to be less than $9,000 per year!), there's been only one increase in the past 15 years. It now takes two incomes in a family to keep up with what one used to provide a generation ago. And the change in the demands placed on all of us has happened at the same time that those at the top have doubled what they control --- and at the same time that the union movement has been weakened.

"The poor are not to blame for this country's problems. And neither are you, except to the degree by which you've bought into a con, to a line that says you ought to be happy just to have a job. You deserve to be able to live in reasonable comfort and security if you put in your 40 hours.

"Stop kissing Massa Jones's butt. Tell him you have to have more. Believe me, he can afford it."

One final thought: Dreaming of the person you want to be, is wasting the person you are.

Fraternally,

Gertraud K. Weber Vice President and Director, Bus Department

--U.S. House okays Section 13(c) protections.......##G

The House of Representatives has passed a $38.1- billion transportation spending measure that contains both good and bad news for UTU members.

The bad news is that the bill increases spending for highways and air traffic control at the expense of trains and mass transit. It slashes grants that subsidize buses, subways and commuter trains by $500 million, to $2 billion.

The good news is that the measure keeps intact a law requiring that transit systems have a collective bargaining agreement in effect in order to obtain Federal funds.

The rule, known as Section (13c) of the Federal Transit Act, was instituted in 1964 to protect the rights of workers at failing private transit companies when Congress provided local governments money to take over those systems.

In a rare victory for labor in this business- dominated Congress, by a vote of 233-186, House members voted to oppose the repeal of the Federal collective bargaining protections. Forty-four Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the repeal.

ON THE MOVE

--UTU Convention Delegates amend constitution...##H

Delegates at the UTU's Seventh Quadrennial Convention approved a number of amendments to the union's constitution. They are as follows:

                        ARTICLE 2                                               
       Delegates passed two amendments to Article 2. One                        

establishes a separate Board of Appeals for Canada. The other continues the U.S. Board of Appeals as a five- member board.

                        ARTICLE 7                                               
       Article 7 was amended so that members serving as                         

local officers and local committee of adjustment officers who serve on a part-time basis need only be members in good standing to retain their office.

                        ARTICLE 10                                              
       The delegates voted to amend Article 10 so that the                      

delegate of each local will be mailed a copy of the International's Annual Report.

                        ARTICLE 12                                              
       An amendment to Article 12 was approved to increase                      

International dues, from $11.50 per member per month to $13.50 per member per month, effective November 1, 1995. The amendment also provides that the International Board of Directors may grant a reduction of monthly International dues in situations where special circumstances exist. Requests for reduced International dues must be presented to the International Board of Trustees for consideration and subsequent referral to the International Board of Directors with a recommendation. Upon receipt of a Board of Trustees' recommendation concerning a local's request for reduced International dues, a decision will be issued by the International Board of Directors within thirty (30) days.

                        ARTICLE 20                                              
      Delegates passed an amendment to Article 20 to                            

establish an Association of State Legislative Directors for the purpose of coordinating concerted efforts for securing the enactment of laws and regulations, or the repeal or modification of laws and regulations to ensure the protection and welfare of the members of the UTU, to exchange information regarding political and legislative activities affecting UTU members and to recommend a legislative agenda for the UTU.

                        ARTICLE 92                                              
       Article 92 was amended to state that any UTU member                      

who crosse the picket lines of the UTU, or the picket lines of any other railroad union(s) that the UTU has recognized as on legal authorized strike, for the purpose of assisting the struck carrier(s) by rendering service, consultation, or advice for wages, profit, gain, or gratis, will pay a fine of $1,000 plus $2 for every $1 in any wages, expenses or compensation received upon conviction thereof under the trial procedures of the constitution. The article also was amended to raise strike benefits to $50 per day or a maximum of $600 per month.

--UTU debt retirement fund established.............##I

Delegates to the UTU's Seventh Quadrennial Convention last month were apprised of a legal debt retirement fund to help the union quickly pay off some of the unusual litigation settlemen it has made in recent years.

In late 1992, the UTU agreed to pay $16 million, plus $1.375 million in legal fees and costs, as settlement of a class-action suit brought against it by chair-car attendants and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. In late 1993, the union agreed to pay a settlement of $1.1 million to plaintiffs in a lawsuit brought by former Rock Island employees.

Convention delegates were advised of the establishment of a legal debt retirement fund that would help the union pay down these one-time legal expenses quicker and at a lower total cost to all union members.

All active and retired officers and members may voluntarily contribute to this fund. At the convention, all International officers each pledged to contribute $1,000 annually to the fund.

If you care to contribute, send a check or money order payable to the "UTU" (please note on the memo portion of the check that the contribution is for the "Legal Debt Retirement Fund") to the union at 14600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107-4250.

--Regional Meeting raffle boosts TPEL...........##J

A raffle held at the UTU/UTUIA Regional Meeting in Minneapolis in June raised more than $425 for the Transportation Political Education Fund (TPEL).

Shown manning the raffle table in a photograph included in the traditional print version of this month's UTU News are Local 0432 (Champaign, Ill.) Legislative Representative John Burner, Local 0453 (Clinton, Ill.) Secretary/Treasurer Frd Bruner, and Local 0453 Legislative Representative Lloyd Holman.

--Red River Valley & Western workers vote UTU......##K

A difficult organizing campaign has resulted in a UTU victory for train and engine service employees on the Red River Valley and Western Railroad (RRVW).

RRVW operates about 670 miles of former Burlington Northern track in North Dakota.

Al Bosch and Gary Miller have been named to the negotiating committee for the employees. Vice President Bruce Wigent will assist.

Among those who deserve credit for their efforts in the organizing effort are Kelly Donegan, legislative representative of Local 0279, Jamestown, N.D.; UTU North Dakota State Legislative Director John Risch; Phillip Craig of Local 0064, Huron, S.D., and UTU Organizing Coordinator Jake Halleron.

--UTU challenges second Metro North PEB.........##L

The UTU and other labor organizations are challenging the legality of efforts by New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), parent company of the Metro North Commuter Railroad, to have a second Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) appointed in the union's long-running dispute with the carrier.

More than 650 UTU members (conductors, assistant conductors and hostlers) are employed by Metro North. All are members of Local 0077 at New York, N.Y.

If the UTU and others can win an injunction against the MTA and halt a second PEB, UTU members will be free to take self help in their battle for fairer wages and better working conditions.

"Work rules are the major problem area," said Tony Bottalico, Metro North general chairperson. "The MTA also wants to pay us 36-month-contract wages over 48 months. We won't let that happen."

The MTA had earlier said it opposed a second PEB.

--V.L. Speakman reappointed RRB Labor Member.......##M

President Clinton has reappointed V.M. Speakman, Jr., as labor member of the Railroad Retirement Board.

His reappointment, for a term through August 1999, was based on the recommendation of the UTU and other rail-employee organizations and was confirmed by the Senate in June.

Speakman was first appointed to the board by President Bush on the recommendation of the Railway Labor Executives' Association in 1992. Prior to his appointment, he had been president of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen since 1987.

NOTICES --Mailing precedes November elections...........##N

In accordance with Article 57, lines 5-8, of the UTU Constitution:

          "An election for Legislative Representative                           
           and Alternate Legislative Representative shall                       
           be held in November, 1971, and quadrennially                         
           thereafter. Candidates for these offices must                        
           be qualified voters."                                                
                                                                                
       A Special Circular "Notice" with samples of all                          

election materials was forwarded to all locals on August 1; nominations for the above offices will be accepted at all local meetings held in October 1995, with the election to follow either by mail ballot or to be held at the local's November meeting, dependent upon local bylaws and procedures.

--U.S. Regional Meeting dates, locations...........##O

Below is the schedule and other important information regarding the remaining 1995 UTU/UTUIA Regional Meetings.

The meetings have been arranged to offer three days of important information, education and social activities for all UTU members and their families. All active and retired members are urged to attend one of the regional meetings to meet local, state and International officers and to learn more about present and upcoming union operations and programs.


August 7-9, 1995 The Concord Resort Hotel Kiamesha Lake, NY 12751 (800) 431-3850

Guest Room Rates:

       Standard........$83.64                                                   
       Superior........$87.96                                                   
       Executive......$100.92                                                   
       Towers.........$106.32                                                   
    Additional persons:                                                         
       Infants to age 16: Complimentary                                         
       Age 17 to adult: $57.71                                                  
    Rates are per person, per night, inclusive of tax                           
       and gratuities, and include three full meals daily                       
       starting with dinner on the day of arrival through                       
       lunch on the day of departure.                                           

Reservation cut-off date: July 22, 1995 Parking: Complimentary valet parking Guest room deposit: One night room and board per person required; applied to date given as arrival only Check-in: 4:00 p.m.; Check-out: 1:00 p.m.

       Regional Golf Classic: Sunday, August 6, 1995;                           
       Tee times will be in the morning                                         

August 28-30, 1995 Sheraton Spokane Hotel 322 North Spokane Falls Court Spokane, WA 99201 (509) 455-9600 or (800) 848-9600

Guest Room Rates:

       Standard Guest Room....$65 plus 10% tax                                  
       Executive Suite........$85 plus 10% tax                                  
       Two-room Suite........$110 plus 10% tax                                  
    Children under 18 stay free when occupying the                              
       same guest room as parents or guardians. Maximum                         
       occupancy is four persons.                                               

Rates are single or double occupancy Reservation cut-off date: July 31, 1995 Parking: Valet parking; $5 per day plus tax.

Self parking is complimentary Guest room deposit: Required;

applied to first nights' stay Check-in: 3:00 p.m.; Check-out: 1:00 p.m.

       Regional Golf Classic: Sunday, August 27, 1995;                          
       Tee time is 9:00 a.m.                                                    

--Canadian Regional Meeting planned.............##P

The Region 10 (Canada) UTU Regional Meeting will be held at Vancouver, British Columbia, on October 4-6, 1995. The site of the seminar will be the Sheraton Landmark Hotel, 1400 Robson St., Vancouver, BC, V6G 1B9, Canada. The telephone number for the hotel is (604) 687- 0511. Sheraton's toll-free reservation number is (800) 325-3535.

The Regional Meeting Golf Classic will be held Tuesday, October 3, 1995, at 9:00 a.m.

For more information, contact Meeting Chairperson Clyde S. Mulhall at 462 W. 21st Ave., Vancouver, BC, V5Y 2E7, Canada, (604) 731-2444, or the UTU's Canada Office at 1595 Telesat Ct., Ste. 750, Gloucester, ON, K1B 5R3 Canada, (613) 747-7979.

--Spokane Regional Meeting details.................##Q

The UTU/UTUIA Regional Meetings have been arranged to offer three days of important information, education and social activities for active and retired members and officers and their families.

For those planning to attend the UTU/UTUIA Regional Meeting in Spokane, Wash., the meeting agenda and associated activities are printed below.

Registration for the UTU/UTUIA Regional Meetings will be conducted at the meeting. The registration fee will be $60.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 10:00 a.m. .............Regional Golf Classic tee off 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. ...Registration 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. ....Reception

MONDAY, AUGUST 28 7:00 a.m. ..............Registration 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ...Health & Welfare,

Railroad Retirement Program 9:00 a.m.-2:15 p.m. ....Secretary & Treasurer Workshop 9:00 a.m. ..............Retiree Program 10:00 a.m. .............UTU Ladies' Open Meeting 10:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m. ..Coffee break 1:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m. ....Legislative Program 2:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m. ....Coffee/soda break 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. ....UTUIA Meeting &

                             Local Insurance                                    
                             Representative Seminar                             

6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. ....Reception

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29 7:00 a.m. ..............Registration 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. ....Continental Breakfast 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ...Local Chairperson Seminar 10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. ..Coffee break 12:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m. ...Seminar Luncheon 1:45 p.m. ..............General Committee/Legislative

Board Workshops 6:00 p.m. ..............Social Hour 7:00 p.m. ..............Regional Meeting Dinner/Dance

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. ....Breakfast Buffet 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. ...Legal Presentation and

                             UTU Designated Legal                               
                             Counsel Program                                    

11:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m. ..Coffee break 11:15 a.m. .............UTU International

                             President DuBose's                                 
                             Address to the Membership                          

--Spokane Golf Classic registration notes.......##R

SPOKANE REGIONAL MEETING GOLF CLASSIC Sunday, August 27, 1995 Indian Canyon Golf Course Tee-off time: 9:00 a.m. Format: Scramble Registration fee: $42.75 per player; includes cart Registration deadline: August 21, 1995


GOLF OUTING REGISTRATION FORM


Name


Local

Address


City


State
ZIP

Handicap or average 18-hole score:


If part of a foursome, please list partners:





Please complete this form and mail with your registration fee to:

                 SPOKANE GOLF OUTING                                            
                      JIM LARKIN                                                
                    E. 518 JOSEPH                                               
                   SPOKANE, WA 99207                                            


--Directory of UTUIA Local Units...................##S

Seventeen UTUIA Local Units have been established for the purpose of engaging in fraternal activities which will benefit both UTUIA members and the communities in which they live. All UTUIA members (those individuals having insurance with the UTUIA) are encouraged to participate in the activities of their Local Unit.

(P) = President (S&T) = Secretary & Treasurer

0001 Cleveland, OH, 2nd Tues., 4:30 p.m.,

          14600 Detroit Ave.                                                    
            (P)  Parker, C.L., 3299 E. Normandy Pk. Dr.,                        
                 Medina, OH 44256                                               
          (S&T)  Cummins, R.E., 4564 Forest Edge Dr.,                           
                 Brooklyn, OH 44144                                             

0002 Greenville, TX, 2nd Mon., 6:00 p.m.,

          4224 King St.                                                         
            (P)  Condran, T.E., P.O. Box 460724,                                
                 Garland, X 75046                                               
          (S&T)  Davis, L.P., 2315 Rabb,                                        
                 Greenville, TX 75402                                           

0003 Chattanooga, TN, 2nd Mon., 11:00 a.m.,

          7320 Shallowford Rd.                                                  
            (P)  Cox, C.T., P.O. Box 22936,                                     
                 Chattanooga, TN 37422                                          
          (S&T)  Dodd, M.W., 311 Hannah Lane,                                   
                 Hixson, TN 37343                                               

0004 Memphis, TN, 1st Mon., 7:00 p.m.,

          3185 Tulip Poplar                                                     
            (P)  Cunningham, J.F., 2228 Cornwall,                               
                 Germantown, TN 38138                                           
          (S&T)  Kraft, B.C., 5092 Colewood,                                    
                 Memphis, TN 38118                                              

0005 Rowland Hts., CA, 2nd Tues., 10:30 a.m.,

          18880 E. Gale Ave.                                                    
            (P)  Decoste, S.J., 2457 Valley View Dr.,                           
                 Chino Hills, CA 91709                                          
          (S&T)  Decoste, M.C., 2457 Valley View Dr.,                           
                 Chino Hills, CA 91709                                          

0006 Kansas City, MO, 1st Thur., 8:00 a.m.,

          1601 Universal Ave.                                                   
            (P)  Felling, E.B., 2751 Jackson St.,                               
                 St. Joseph, MO 64507                                           
          (S&T)  Trowbridge, H.W., 3624 Harris,                                 
                 Independence, MO 64052                                         

0007 Glenwood, IL, 4th Wed., 7:30 p.m.,

          Fireside Chalet, State & Glenwood Dyer Rd.                            
            (P)  Hale, S.C., 22684 County Rd. 118,                              
                 Goshen, IN 46526                                               
          (S&T)  Szabo, J.C., 14211 Tracy,                                      
                 Riverdale, IL 60627                                            

0008 Roseville, CA, 1st Tues., 7:00 p.m.,

          110 Park Ave.                                                         
            (P)  Lloyd, R.H., 9225 Ronan Ct.,                                   
                 Elk Grove, CA 95624                                            
          (S&T)  Stinchfield, D.M., P.O. Box 1197,                              
                 Rocklin, CA 95677                                              

0009 Columbia Hts., MN, 3rd Tues., 8:30 a.m. odd mos.,

          6:30 p.m. even mos., Sharky's,                                        
           4882 Central Ave. NE                                                 
            (P)  Hunsinger, D.A., 505 Lake Forest,                              
                 Bonner Springs, KS 66012                                       
          (S&T)  Clegg Jr., G.R., 3989 Central Ave. NE,                         
                 Columbia Hts., MN 55421                                        

0010 Jacksonville, FL, 2nd Tues., 6:00 p.m.,

          5221 University Blvd. West                                            
            (P)  Newell Jr., W., 1951 Ocean Dr. S., A-3,                        
                 Jacksonville Bch., FL 32250                                    
          (S&T)  Pope, T.W., 2330 Tweed Ct.,                                    
                 Orange Park, FL 32073                                          

0011 Harvey, IL, 1st Thur., 7:00 p.m.,

          17100 S. Halsted St.                                                  
            (P)  Reling, E.O., 12435 Deming Dr.,                                
                 Sterling Hts., MI 48312                                        
          (S&T)  Kortum, D.L., 8905 Henry St.,                                  
                 Dyer, IN 46311                                                 

0012 Baldwin, NY, 3rd Thurs., 11:00 a.m.,

          Coral House                                                           
            (P)  Robert, L.C., 831 Midwood Dr.,                                 
                 North Bellmore, NY 11710                                       
          (S&T)  George, E.B., 75 Lawson Ave.,                                  
                 E. Rockaway, NY 11518                                          

0013 Seattle, WA, 2nd Tues., 9:00 a.m.,

          9125 15th Place South                                                 
            (P)  Rookard, J.R., 8289 SE Culver St.,                             
                 Olalla, WA 98359                                               
          (S&T)  Lien, T.G., 13841 SE First St.,                                
                 Bellevue, WA 98005                                             

0014 Mobile, AL, 1st Fri., 6:00 p.m.,

          1708 Dauphin St.                                                      
            (P)  Russell, J.A., 721 S. University Blvd.,                        
                 Mobile, AL 36609                                               
          (S&T)  Moffett Jr., T.W., 116 Rita Ave.,                              
                 Spanish Ft., AL 36527                                          

0015 Washington, DC, time/date varies,

          400 N. Capitol St. NW                                                 
            (P)  Sullivan, J.P., 11768 Suncrest Dr.,                            
                 Walton, KY 41094                                               
          (S&T)  Cunningham Jr., M.R., 8303 Wigmore Ct.,                        
                 Richmond, VA 23227                                             

0016 Kansas City, KS, 1st Tues., 1:00 p.m.,

          500 Minnesota;                                                        
           also Osawatomie, KS, 1st Tues., 7:00 p.m.,                           
            City Auditorium, Room A                                             
            (P)  Lee, K.D., 7932 West 118th St.,                                
                 Overland Park, KS 66210                                        
          (S&T)  Lindsey Jr., D.F., 551 Main,                                   
                 Osawatomie, KS 66064                                           

0017 Philadelphia, PA, 3rd Tues., 7:00 p.m.,

          Cavanaugh's Restaurant, 119 S. 39th St.                               
            (P)  Fletcher Sr., J.M.,                                            
                 3000 Valley Forge Circle, Ste. 853,                            
                 King of Prussia, PA 19406                                      
          (S&T)  Gallagher Sr., R.J., 276 Candlebrook Rd.,                      
                 King of Prussia, PA 19406                                      

--UTUIA cancer policy available across U.S. ....##T

UTUIA is proud to announce that its Cancer Hospital Indemnity policy is now available to California residents. Now UTU members and their families in all 50 states can take advantage of this important insurance protection.

This policy provides a daily benefit of $50.00 for each of the first 90 days of continuous hospital confinement, and a $100.00 daily benefit beginning with the 91st day of continuous hospital confinement ($3,000.00 per month), to a maximum lifetime benefit of $52,500.00 for any one insured. Benefits are paid direct to the insured.

Cancer coverage is available for a monthly premium of only $2.00 for an individual policy. Member and spouse coverage is available for $4.00 per month. Or, you can cover your entire family including spouse and all dependent unmarried children under age 19 for the low monthly premium of $5.50.

The only medical exclusion is that the insured must never have had cancer in any form, including skin cancer.

Issue ages are 18 to 65, and the policy is renewable to age 100.

Contact your District Insurance Representative for details or write to: UTUIA, 14600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107-4250.




The preceding may be re-posted in electronic form, in part or in whole, to any network or computer system worldwide, or distributed via disk, provided proper credit is included and no alteration of text occurs other than for formatting purposes.

                            UTU NEWS                                            
                         ONLINE EDITION                                         
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                           AUGUST 1995                                          
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          -----------PROGRESS THROUGH UNITY-----------                          

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-- John H. Horvath dh268@cleveland.freenet.edu (216) 228-9400 Voice (216) 871-5912 Voice

-- John H. Horvath dh268@cleveland.freenet.edu (216) 228-9400 Voice (216) 871-5912 Voice