Thinking of election to union office in the future? Want to improve your skills representing members? Or maybe you just want to gain a better understanding of labor law, grievance handling, transportation regulation and transportation safety?

UTU regional meetings are crafted to meet those objectives, and there is still time to register for the June regional meeting in San Antonio June 20-22, or in New York City July 4-6.

Click on the following link to learn more about registering:

www.utu.org/worksite/meetings.htm

Here is a sample of the workshops to be conducted at each regional meeting — all conducted by experts, who include attorneys, federal officials, seasoned arbitrators, UTU officers with considerable experience in the subject matter, and carrier labor officers:

• Responding to hazmat emergencies and keeping crew members safe.
• Reducing worker risks in rail yards.
• Understanding the Railway Labor Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the National Mediation Board and the National Labor Relations Board.
• Operation of a public law board, including a live arbitration hearing.
• Grievance handling for rail and bus members, and how to develop investigative strategies and techniques.
• Best practices in representing members.
• How to handle unruly airline, bus and rail passengers.
• Conductor certification and what it means.
• The basics of positive train control.
• Preparing for and participating in contract negotiations, and the role of mediators.
• Lobbying techniques before state legislatures and Congress.
• Understanding the surge in political attacks on collective bargaining rights, Railroad Retirement, Social Security and Medicare, and how union solidarity can halt the success of those attacks.
• The role of designated legal counsel in accident investigations and medical treatment.
• Local secretary-treasurer training, including requirements and duties and using WinStabs software.
• Yardmaster workshops.
• The role of the UTU Auxiliary.

Another significant value of attending regional meetings is to share experiences and strategies with members of all crafts and from across the nation — following workshops and during evening social gatherings.

Workshops also offer question and answer sessions.

Each regional meeting concludes with a state-of-the union message by International President Mike Futhey, and International officers will be in attendance at each meeting to respond to questions and concerns of members.

Many members bring spouses and children to regional meetings, where planned activities are provided for their enjoyment while members attend workshops.