By Retired GS&T Dan Johnson In the January issue of UTU News, the two-page centerfold summarized provisions of the Railway Labor Act. In the February issue, I explained how the Railway Labor Act is purposely designed to encourage both sides to reach a mutually acceptable solution that keeps the trains running. In the March issue, [...]
Why don’t we just shut ‘em down?
February 23, 2010
By Retired UTU GS&T Dan Johnson We frequently hear from frustrated members, “Why don’t we simply go on strike, shut the railroad down, and be done with it?” I, too, have shared these feelings witnessing excessive discipline, outrageous demands of arrogant managers, and carrier negotiators focusing only on their year-end bonus. But the fact is, [...]
National rail contract negotiators named
December 22, 2009
The UTU national rail contract negotiating team has been named by UTU International President Mike Futhey, who will serve as the UTU’s chief negotiator. Other members of this bargaining round’s negotiating committee include Assistant President Arty Martin; International Vice Presidents Robert Kerley and Delbert Strunk; General Chairpersons John Lesniewski (GO 049), Pate King (GO 680) [...]
Rails withdraw staffing & consolidation proposal
December 16, 2009
A month after the UTU filed a lawsuit in federal court to block a railroad demand to bargain over “staffing and consolidation,” the carriers have withdrawn that demand from their Railway Labor Act Section 6 notices. In a letter to UTU International President Mike Futhey, the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC), which represents most major [...]
UTU serves Section 6 notice on carriers
November 3, 2009
UTU general chairpersons on Nov. 2 served on railroads represented by the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) the UTU’s intended amendments to agreements affecting rates of pay, rules and working conditions. Such notices are required by Section 6 of the Railway Labor Act and are served on each other by parties to existing agreements. The [...]
