SMART Union
BILLINGS, Mont. – U.S. transportation officials said Wednesday that details about volatile oil train shipments are not sensitive security information, after railroads have sought to keep the material from the public following a string of fiery accidents.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has ordered railroads to give state officials specifics on oil-train routes and volumes so emergency responders can better prepare for accidents.
Read the complete story at the Brandon Sun.
MAPLE PARK, Ill. – After viewing a video provided by Union Pacific Railroad, Maple Park Police Chief Mike Acosta said it’s likely a 14-year-old boy was engaging in an activity called “breezing” when the teen was fatally struck by a train last month in Maple Park.
Parker Wolfsmith, an eighth-grader at Kaneland Harter Middle School, died May 31. He was struck at about 9:30 p.m. that night at the North Liberty Street railroad crossing in Maple Park. Acosta said he viewed the video at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, along with representatives from Union Pacific and the Kane County Coroner’s Office. Acosta said he learned of the term breezing from the Union Pacific representative.
Member Carlos Wallace is a man with many titles: Union Pacific engineer, general committee secretary (GO 927), local chairperson, delegate, philanthropist and author. He can now add another – official spokesperson of the Texas chapter of USA Cares.
The U.S. Navy veteran of Operation Desert Storm and self-described “good ole’ country boy from East Texas” is a fifth-generation railroader and a member of SMART Transportation Division Local 11 at Houston, Texas.
USA Cares and its network of partners provide financial and advocacy assistance to post 9/11 active duty U.S. military service personnel, veterans and their families. They assist all branches of service, all ranks and components and treat all with privacy and dignity in appreciation for their service and sacrifice.
USA Cares enlisted Wallace in its “Authors United for Veterans” program after discovering his book “Life is Not Complicated, You Are,” detailing his journey from Jacksonville to Houston, railroad engineer to businessman and philanthropist. He uses his unique story of triumph over tragedy to demonstrate how everyone can use his or her past to become empowered.
The “Authors United for Veterans” program is a partnership between USA Cares and leading American authors willing to promote and support national awareness of veteran issues.
“I had faith the book’s message would reach a broad audience. But, when an organization like USA Cares takes notice and tells me my work will matter to those who have sacrificed so much for me and our country, I am humbled beyond words. Time to get to work,” Wallace said.
In his book, he addresses life’s moments of loss, setbacks and sadness and teaches how to turn these dark moments into opportunities to learn, heal and grow.
“When you reach a place where you can view setbacks as reminders to appreciate the good things in your life, you have taken the first step to owning your destiny as a happier, more joyful, and more successful person,” he said.
In a foreword to Wallace’s book, retired UTU Director of Organizing and current adjunct professor at Franklin University, John A. Nadalin, Ph.D., writes: “Carlos Wallace understands that genuine reflection on our upbringing, good or bad, will allow us to make better choices in our life, or at least, to minimize the mistakes we have all made from time to time. He notes that the legacy we will leave to those who survive us is entirely within our control and that we should never waste the opportunity to ensure that this legacy is one we can be as proud of in life, as it will be in death.”
Wallace is also the president and CEO of a Houston-based philanthropic and entertainment company called Sol-Caritas which, translated from Latin, means “elite giving.” The company, while promoting entertainment venues, assists local charities, gives back to education through scholarships provided by the Alice Wallace Foundation, and supports businesses by offering valuable sponsorship advertising. “Dedication to charity, giving back to the community and enrichment of the community guides our purpose,” Wallace says.
He said that his primary work as a USA Cares spokesman will include speaking with cadets and counseling them on maintaining financial stability as they transition from military life to civilian life.
USA Cares has already responded to over 50,000 requests for assistance with over $11 million in indirect-support grants.
“Be a better man every day,” Wallace said. When asked how he defines “success,” he answered that a person’s success is determined after he or she has passed.
“When the void left by that person impacts those who were in his or her life in such a way that they ask, ‘How can we ever replace him?’ – this is the true sign of success.”
WASHINGTON –U.S. Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), chair and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Transportation, respectively, June 17 introduced a bill that would authorize a new Short Line Rail Safety Institute to enhance the safety practices and culture of short line railroads. There are 550 short line railroad companies that operate over 50,000 miles of track, or nearly one third of the national railroad network. The tracks can be as short as two miles or up to more than 1,000 miles long.
The legislation introduced by Sens. Collins and Murray would authorize funding to support grants for research, development, evaluation, and training efforts.
“Whether a train is carrying crude oil on a major rail line or on a short, local route through small towns across America, we need to make sure everyone is safe, both on the train and near the tracks,” Senator Murray said. “We need to have the right policies in place to prevent accidents and respond to emergencies wherever they happen, and establishing a Short Line Rail Safety Institute is a strong step in the right direction.”
“The horrific derailment that occurred in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, last year – just 30 miles from the Maine border – brought to light the importance of ensuring the safe transportation of energy products,” Senator Collins said. “We must ensure that we are taking the necessary steps to prevent another Lac-Megantic, while not overburdening an industry that has a proven track record of safety.”
The new Short Line Rail Safety Institute would:
On May 15, the two senators sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx expressing support for the creation of such an institution.
“As we discussed when you testified before our Subcommittee, there is no silver bullet to improving rail safety. It is a complicated multi-faceted issue involving prevention, mitigation, and response aspects,” the Senators wrote in the May 15 letter. “The proposed Short Line Railroad Safety Institute could be an important part of the larger solution and would help improve the safe transportation of crude oil and other hazardous materials.”
The bill follows an April hearing held by Murray and Collins to specifically focus on safety issues related to rail shipment of crude oil. Secretary Foxx, National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman, Director of the Seattle Office of Emergency Management Barb Graff, and Rangeley, Maine, Fire Chief Tim Pellerin, who led emergency response efforts after a train carrying crude oil derailed in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, in 2013, each testified at that hearing.
WASHINGTON – Even as millions of baby boomers approach retirement, the Social Security Administration has been closing dozens of field offices, forcing more and more seniors to seek help online instead of in person, according to a congressional report being released Wednesday.
The agency blames budget constraints.
Read the complete story at the Associated Press.
Former UTU Designated Legal Counsel Frank O. Burge Jr., 87, passed away June 13.
A native of Birmingham, Burge graduated from Ramsay High School. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Tulane University. After college, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and later the reserves, attaining the rank of colonel.
Burge was a lawyer in Birmingham for more than 50 years. He loved representing people, and as an advocate, he had few peers. He was recognized as a Fellow by the Alabama Law Foundation, a designated legal counsel by the United Transportation Union and listed for years in The Best Lawyers in America.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jeannine (Kitten) Burge; children: Courtney Brown (Phil), SMART Transportation Division Designated Legal Counsel Frank Tucker Burge (Mary), Claire Morgan and Paul Allan, whom he also considered one of his children.
A memorial service was held Monday, June 16, at Shades Valley Presbyterian Church in Birmingham.
PHILADELPHIA – Passengers expressed relief Sunday that Philadelphia-area commuter trains were back on track after a one-day strike threatened to disrupt work schedules for tens of thousands of commuters in the coming week.
Employees ended their walkout after President Barack Obama appointed an emergency board to mediate the contract dispute between the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and two of its unions.
Read the complete story at the Associated Press.
After serving two terms on the Sedalia, Mo., City Council, retired Union Pacific conductor Stephen J. Galliher was elected the city’s mayor in April.
Galliher, 65, a member of SMART Transportation Division Local 933 at Jefferson City, Mo., was sworn into office at a city council meeting April 21.
He received 68.45 percent of the vote in the town of about 22,000 residents.
“Back before I was on council, I had a couple of buddies that kept telling me, ‘you need to run, you need to run,’ so to get them off my back, I said OK,” Galliher said. “Once I got in (council), I really enjoyed it and I still enjoy it. That’s why I decided to run for mayor. It’s a part-time job, but it’s been full-time for me.”
Asked what has been the most rewarding aspect of his political career, Galliher directed the conversation to his constituents.
“More than any one thing, getting a phone call and being able to help one of your constituents, that gives me the most satisfaction. That’s the best thing about being on council and being mayor, being able to help folks when they need it.”
Galliher said he’s a Democrat, but his politics run mainly down the middle of the road. “We’re not too partisan here. You know, if our big government could work like some small cities, we could actually get something done. We have the best city employees and staff anywhere. They’re happy, and that’s why our city is growing.”
During his political tenure, the city has had a $30-million dollar sewer project, built a new fire station, purchased a new fire truck and repaired a library that was damaged by shifting due to drought conditions. Galliher said he’s proud of all of those things.
Married to his wife, Sherry, for 40 years, the couple has two children and four grandchildren. Asked what Sherry thought of his political involvement, Galliher said, “She told me, ‘you do what you want to do.’”
His daughter still lives in Sedalia and her sentiments are the same. “She doesn’t mind. She knows I like it, so she’s behind me, too. I have a good, supportive family.”
He also has the support of SMART Transportation Division Missouri State Legislative Director Ken Menges. “Steve has worked hard to see that all city employees are paid a fair wage and has worked to protect the rights of the employees who work for the city,” Menges said.
Galliher hired out with Missouri Pacific in 1971 and retired from UP Feb. 1, 2010.
He was happy to hear from the SMART Transportation Division News and looks forward to receiving a copy of the newspaper. “Once UTU, always UTU,” he said.
To keep up on Galliher and Sedalia, visit the city’s website at http://ci.sedalia.mo.us.
Missouri State Legislative Director Ken Menges, right, meets with the new mayor of Sedalia, Mo., retired conductor Stephen J. Galliher of Local 933 at Jefferson City, Mo.
Long Island Rail Road union leaders and MTA managers will meet Friday for their first face-to-face contract negotiation session in nearly two months, five weeks before a possible strike that could strand 300,000 daily commuters, a key union official and an MTA source said.
“It’s a good start that we’re getting in the room,” Anthony Simon, general chairman of the LIRR’s largest labor group, the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Union/United Transportation Union, said Thursday. “If it goes well, we’ll go to a second day, then a third day. If we’re making progress, we’ll continue to sit down.”
Read the complete story at Newsday.
By John Previsich,
SMART Transportation Division President –
Organizing – it is good for you, for our members, for our union and also for America.
Those of us who enjoy the benefits of working as organized labor are acutely aware of the value that our membership in the union provides for us and for our families. Good wages, excellent health care and retirement programs that are the envy of working people everywhere are goals that are strived for by every union negotiator in every contract. The success of unions in achieving these goals is beyond argument. There is no industry where workers who do not belong to a union are better off than those who have chosen to bargain collectively.
Why is organizing good for you, our members and our union? Aside from the obvious benefits of better wages and working conditions, union jobs provide better security, protection from discriminatory employment practices and the opportunity to negotiate as a group for improvements to income and work rules. As successes are achieved on short lines, bus companies and airlines, our membership grows, resulting in a stronger union. But just as importantly, good contracts raise the bar industry-wide. For example, when the railroad industry first started to spin off branch lines after the Staggers Act deregulation of the 1980s, it was not unusual for “mom and pop” operators to come in and pay near minimum wage for seasoned, professional railroad workers. Now, after many years of successful organizing, the short line world is much different, operated to a great extent by large companies who pay a good union wage. This has changed the financial incentives for creating short lines and as a result, the jobs of our members on the larger railroads are more secure than ever before.
Why is organizing good for America? Setting aside the occasional stumble due to recessionary cycles, business has done very well in the last half of the 20th century and the first years of the 21st century. During the industrialization era that followed World War II, American workers shared in that prosperity, creating an economic engine that was second to none. Unionized labor was widespread, workers received a fair share of the profits that they helped to create and as a result, were able to purchase a house or a new car and send their children to college to continue the upward mobility of the middle class.
And then things changed. Over the past few decades, there has been a disturbing trend in the economics of our country. Rules that support unions have been weakened and right-to-work-for-less laws have been enacted in many states. Companies have moved manufacturing offshore, taxes on the wealthy have been reduced and loopholes created that allow Warren Buffet to be taxed at a lesser rate than his secretary. Conglomerates are permitted to park their profits outside of the country, effectively paying no tax at all while sitting on hundreds of billions of dollars that were not shared with their substandard-wage workers overseas. Income that used to be shared with the employees now either sits offshore, goes toward stock buy-backs or is used to pay senior management salaries that are thousands of times greater than that of their workers.
As more and more of the available capital is gathered up by fewer and fewer people at the top, workers are forced to compete for an ever-shrinking piece of the pie. This drives down wages, reduces spending power and contributes to the overall widening of the gap between workers and the wealthy. The current path is unsustainable and its continuance contributes to a downward spiral for our country and its workers.
The benefits of organizing new members are many. The downside of not organizing is substantial. Accordingly, the SMART Transportation Division Board of Directors and the SMART General Executive Council have approved my budget request to expand our already very effective organizing department. We are in the process of doing so and will keep you updated on the outcome of our efforts in the months ahead.