May 26, 2013

Working families are under attack

Robert Kerley

By Robert KerleyUTU International Vice President America’s soldiers and their families are sacrificing to preserve liberty and ensure justice throughout the world. As labor unionists, we can follow their example of service by remaining resolute in our struggle against injustice and the denial of human rights and dignity here at home. Liberty means freedom from [...]

Contribute to preserve collective bargaining

By International President Mike Futhey In state after state, anti-union right-wing extremists are targeting labor unions for destruction. It started with public-employee unions, but that’s not the end game. The end game is destruction of all labor unions in America. Extremist U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker have advocated [...]

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 differences settled at the bargaining table or in neutral arbitration — not through [...]

We stand in solidarity with public employees

By UTU International President Mike Futhey The right of workers to join a labor union and bargain collectively with employers over wages, benefits and working conditions is the foundation of workplace democracy. Brave and dedicated trade unionists before us risked their lives, freedom and economic security fighting for collective bargaining rights, achieving victory first in [...]

There is no ‘me’ in ‘union’

By Assistant President Arty Martin As I travel the nation attending local and regional meetings, I am often asked, “What has the union done for me?” Brothers and sisters, there is no “me” in “union.” Your union cannot make agreements for one individual, or a small sector of the seniority roster. It has long been [...]

2011: So, where are we headed this year?

By UTU International President Mike Futhey We continue making progress in negotiations to amend the national rail agreement, affecting some 40,000 UTU members employed by BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific and many smaller railroads represented by the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC). The national rail contract was opened for amendment in [...]

What election results mean to UTU members

By International President Mike Futhey What do the Nov. 2 congressional election results mean for UTU members and their families? Consider these facts that are not always obvious: While it is true that organized labor has more friends among Democrats, many of the Republicans elected Nov. 2 are friends of working families, and they received [...]

Labor-friendly lawmakers fight for YOU!

By UTU International President Mike Futhey When UTU members vote for labor-friendly candidates, we are voting for our union’s access to the highest levels of government — and improved opportunity for better wages, benefits and working conditions. Labor-friendly candidates understand the concerns of working families, and they deserve our vote on Election Day, Nov. 2. [...]

Your vote is crucial. Vote Nov. 2

By James StemUTU National Legislative Director Alfred E. Newman, the not-very-bright Mad magazine character, had an expression shared today by too many Americans: “I am not sure who is running, and my vote won’t make a difference anyway.” It is doubtful those harboring that opinion would give up their right to vote. Our war for [...]

Health insurance alert: Children under 26?

By UTU International President Mike Futhey One of the jewels of the Obama health care reform plan passed into law by Congress earlier this year allows certain dependent children to remain on an employee’s health care insurance plan until age 26 without regard to student, marital, residence of financial dependent status. This provision of the [...]