Yet another packet of right-to-work bills has made an appearance, this time in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania legislators drafted House Bills 50, 51, 52 and 53 to become a “Right-to-Work” state.
Ten different unions marched in downtown Chambersburg, Pa., in protest of the bill over the weekend. If passed, the bills would allow non-union members the same benefits that dues-paying members receive, such as higher wages and benefits and union representation.
House Bill 50, sponsored by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, seeks to end union membership or dues payment by non-members as a condition of employment.
House Bill 51, sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp, seeks to prohibit unions from collecting dues from non-union public school employees.
House Bill 52, sponsored by Rep. Fred Keller, would prohibit unions from collecting dues from non-union state employees.
House Bill 53, sponsored by Rep. Jim Cox, seeks to prohibit unions from collecting dues from non-union local government employees. Rep. Stephen Bloom is also proposing House Bill 250, that would repeal a state law known as “maintenance of membership.” The bill would essentially allow dissatisfied union members to quit their union at any time, as opposed to a current 15-day window toward the end of contracts. Rep. Jerry Knowles also seeks to pass an umbrella bill that would prevent union membership from being a condition of employment in the private sector.
Metcalfe has introduced this union-busting legislation in every session over the past 14 years. This year is viewed as different, because Republicans control both the House and Senate of the Pennsylvania Legislature, as well as the governor’s seat.
Legislators in favor of the bill hope to introduce it to the House speaker soon.
Author: paul
Two ethanol safety seminars are being held in Ohio this week hosted by The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway.
The first safety seminar will be held Wednesday, April 24, at the American Red Cross in Akron, Ohio, and the second is to be held in Canton, Ohio, at the auditorium of the Canton Township Training Center on Thursday, April 25. Both seminars are free and have two sessions. The first session is from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and the second is from 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. on each day. The seminar is free and a meal will be provided at each session due to a grant received from the Federal Railroad Administration.
Attendees will receive information on ethanol safety and what to do in case of an accident involving ethanol. The seminar focuses on transportation and transfer of ethanol-blended fuels, storage and dispensing locations, firefighting foam principles, health and safety considerations for ethanol-blended emergencies and tank farm and bulk storage fire incidents.
The RFA will be co-hosting Ethanol Safety Seminars throughout 2013. Scheduled seminar locations and dates are Troy, Mich., (May 9, 2013); Grand Island, Neb., (June 12, 2013); Columbus, Neb., (June 13, 2013); Salem, Ore., (June 18 & 19, 2013); and a statewide tour of California throughout July.
Those interested in attending a free seminar should register at www.rfa.traincaster.com. More information on ethanol emergency response can be found at www.ethanolresponse.com, or by calling (402) 391-1930.
The SMART Transportation Division (UTU) general committee of adjustment representing conductors and assistant conductors employed by Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has reached a tentative contract with the commuter railroad.
The agreement calls for wage increases totaling 11.5 percent over the five-year life of the contract that are similar to increases the carrier agreed to with the Transport Workers Union in 2009. TWU represents bus and subway operators and mechanics employed by SEPTA.
Approximately 390 conductors and assistant conductors are represented by SMART Transportation Division (UTU) Local 61 in Philadelphia.
Local 61 Treasurer Elliott D. Cintron said contract ballots, which have been mailed to all affected members, will be tabulated after April 24.
The tentative agreement must also be approved by SEPTA board members.
Amtrak employees represented by the SMART Transportation Division (UTU) have ratified a five-year agreement with management of the National Railroad Passenger Corp. (Amtrak).
The new pact covers approximately 2,300 members employed as conductors, assistant conductors, yardmasters and dining car stewards.
The agreement is retroactive to 2010 and the new rates of pay should become effective within 30 to 45 days. Payment of retroactive wages will be made approximately 60 days after the wage rates take effect.
“The membership recognized the value of the proposed contract and in ratifying the agreement have secured the wages and benefits that were hard-fought and hard-won by the negotiating team,” said SMART Transportation Division Assistant President John Previsich.
With the assistance of Previsich, the contract negotiations were conducted by Amtrak General Chairpersons Dirk Sampson (GO 769), Bill Beebe (GO 663) and Robert J. Keeley (GO 342).
“I must thank President Mike Futhey and Assistant President John Previsich, whose efforts made this agreement possible,” Sampson said. “Despite moments of uncertainty that existed, their leadership, patience and confident demeanor kept this very long and difficult round of negotiations moving forward. I would also like to recognize the efforts of General Chairperson Bill Beebe, Vice General Chairperson Charlie Yura and Local 1361 Chairperson Gary J. Hopson for their assistance in bringing these negotiations to a conclusion.”
Chairperson Robert Keeley added, “I would also like to thank the aforementioned, along with General Committee Secretary Charles Fowler, Vice General Chairperson Salvador Ruiz, Local Chairpersons Keenan Lett and James Madden, and Brother Cleophas Brickhouse,” Keeley said. “Solidarity has always been a fragile thing, fraught with complex and difficult commitments. Real solidarity is an easier statement to make than it is to keep and put into practice. We walked into negotiations together, and we found success together. I want to be sure to thank all involved for demonstrating union solidarity at its very best.”
The agreement was passed by nearly 60 percent of eligible train-service members that voted and by 86 percent of eligible yardmasters that voted.
Local 30, Jacksonville, Fla.
Two Amtrak conductors were recognized by the carrier’s Southern Division News after their actions resulted in the arrest of a New York murder suspect, Secretary & Treasurer David K. Lee reports. Bruce Brown and Jeremy Lindstam contacted Amtrak Police Det. Steve Chambers after a passenger reported to them a conversation overheard by the suspect in Spanish in which he supposedly discussed the murder. Brown was able to identify the suspect using his e-ticketing mobile device after the suspect approached him regarding the train’s arrival time. He was later arrested by U.S. marshals. “It was shocking that someone like that was on the train, but I was glad we were able to help apprehend him,” Brown said.
Local 196, Beardstown, Ill.
Local Chairperson Robert C. Taylor reports that Richard Whiteman, 64, is retiring after 10 years of service. “Rich started out kind of late on the railroad, but we all wish him the very best in his retirement,” Taylor said.
Local 199, Creston, Iowa
This BNSF Railway local, in December, held a retirement party for numerous members and former members who retired in 2012, Local Chairperson Billi Vavra reports. In other news, Vavra also noted the deaths of former retired Local President Dale Weeds and retired member Edwin Roberts.
Pictured at the 2012 retirement party, from left, are Dennis C. Gross, Vic Sloan, Bob Culberson,
Roger Jackson, Bruce Brown, Bob “Nummy” Williams (back), Keith Hoepker (front), Mark Bacon,
Rich Springer (back), Keith Moore (front), Butch Penno, Jim Mason, Rick Van Pelt, Randy Goodrich (back),
Mark Hayes (front) and Roger Fry.
Local 498, Allentown, Pa.
This CSX local has established a website at www.utusmart498.org, webmaster and Vice Local Chairperson Joanna Sedler reports. Areas on the site include News & Topics, Penalty & Claim Q&A and Safety Concerns, as well as the local’s monthly meeting schedule. Members should contact a board member to access the site’s password-protected area.
Local 594, Mineola, Texas
At a joint meeting of Locals 439, 594 and 976 March 4 in Longview, Texas, International Vice President Troy Johnson and GO 927 General Chairperson Steve Simpson presented engineer and Local Chairperson Ronnie Burris with a pin commemorating 40 years of active rail service.
Local 607, Thayer, Mo.
Vice Local Chairperson Fred Komm, center, and Local Chairperson Doug Cozort present a check
in the amount of $500 Feb. 13 to radio station KKountry 95 (KAMS) Manager Lynn Hobbs
during the station’s annual radiothon in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.Local President Chris Skaggs said the local has supported the hospital through the radio station for the past five years.
Local 662, Richmond, Va.
Former Secretary & Treasurer Jimmy Galbraith reports that Sam and Steve’s House of Beef, located at 10753 Jefferson Ave. in Newport News, was chosen as the local’s new meeting location during odd-numbered months. A 6 p.m. social hour will precede the 7 p.m. meetings. Meetings during even-numbered months will remain at Carini Italian Restaurant, located at 3718 Williamsburg Rd. in Richmond, at the times above. Following adoption of new bylaws separating the offices of local secretary and treasurer, the local will be holding a special election to fill the local secretary position. In other “good news for our members,” Galbraith said that CSX announced many furloughed trainmen will be called back to work by the end of the second quarter, 2013.
Local 1557, Memphis, Tenn.
Ronald Dunn, 42, lost his foot in a switching accident early Feb. 28 at the Canadian National/Illinois Central’s Johnson Yard in Memphis, Tenn. Dunn, who had a UTU seniority date of less than one year, has been in therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Saint Louis.
Local 1957, Silsbee, Texas
State Legislative Director Connie English presents a plaque to Local Legislative Rep. Roy McLeod
and members of this BNSF Railway local for their outstanding PAC contributions per person.
“Roy and Vice Local Chairperson Jeremy McCart have worked hard signing up the local’s membership in
Beaumont, Lafayette, Conroe and Longview for contributions to our PAC,” said Secretary & Treasurer Steve Soffes. Pictured, from left, are Local Chairperson James “Mike” Wilson, April Blaze, McLeod, English,
Gerald Maze, Sean Gaffney, Mario Gobert Sr. and Soffes (seated).
CSX GO 347
This general committee of adjustment has established a website for CSX yardmasters and for a number of short line railroads that fall under the committee’s jurisdiction, webmaster Steve Cline reports. The site can be found at www.go347.org and contains news, officer contact information, agreements, claim forms and other information.
Long Island Rail Road GO 505
The UTU’s Long Island Rail Road General Committee of Adjustment is hosting its annual golf classic May 13 to benefit families on Long Island affected by autism. The gold classic will tee off at 9:30 a.m. at the Hamlet Wind Watch Golf & Country Club in Hauppauge, N.Y., and GO 505 is seeking both sponsors and participants for the event. The cost for participation in the tournament is $225 per person, which includes breakfast, 18 holes of golf with cart, drinks, snacks, cocktails and buffet dinner with dessert. A registration form for participants and sponsors can be found at www.utulocal645.com by clicking on the Social Events tab. For more information, contact GO 505 Vice General Chairperson Vinnie Tessitore at (631) 661-3500.
WASHINGTON — Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) and ranking member Nick J. Rahall II (D-W. Va.) April 16 announced the members of a special panel tasked with examining the current state of freight transportation in the United States and how improving freight transportation can strengthen the U.S. economy.
The full committee’s Vice Chairman, Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. (R-Tenn.), will chair the “Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation.” Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) will serve as the panel’s ranking member. By the rules of the committee adopted at the beginning of the Congress, the special panel will serve for a period of six months, beginning with its first scheduled hearing on April 24, 2013.
The Republican members of the panel are: John J. Duncan Jr., Tenn., chairman; Gary Miller, Calif.; Rick Crawford, Ark.; Richard Hanna, N.Y.; Daniel Webster, Fla.; and Markwayne Mullin, Okla.
The Democratic members of the panel are: Jerrold Nadler, N.Y., ranking member; Corrine Brown, Fla.; Daniel Lipinski, Ill.; Albio Sires, N.J. and Janice Hahn, Calif.
“Given that freight transportation cuts across many modes, this panel will play a critical role in providing recommendations on how to improve the efficient movement of goods between highways, ports, inland waterways, railroads, air carriers, and pipelines,” said Chairman Shuster. “I am confident Chairman Duncan and the members of the panel will provide the committee with valuable insights for the improvement of freight transportation and our nation’s economy.”
“Almost all manner of goods sold or produced in this country take a ride on our rails, pass through our ports, wind down our waterways, or travel our highways,” said ranking member Rahall. “The smooth movement of cargo across all these modes of transportation is essential in keeping our economy moving which is why this panel’s task of improving the efficiency of our interconnected freight network takes on such importance.”
“In the past, the conversation about freight transportation and goods movement has focused only on one specific mode of transportation or another,” said Rep. Duncan, the new panel’s chairman. “But freight doesn’t move just by ship, or by rail car, or by truck. Chances are the goods you buy at the store got on the shelves thanks to all those methods of transportation. Bottlenecks during any leg of that journey from the manufacturer to the market drive up costs. That’s why improving the flow of freight across all modes of transportation is so critical to a healthy economy.”
“The movement of freight is one of the most critical transportation questions for the 21st century,” said Rep. Nadler. “How we prioritize, invest, and develop freight infrastructure will have considerable bearing on how our economy grows, how we compete on the world stage, and how we create a sustainable and environmentally clean future at home. I look forward to working with Chairman Duncan and my other colleagues on this important panel to give freight movement the attention it deserves.”
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama last week re-nominated three individuals to serve on the National Mediation Board, which administers the Railway Labor Act affecting railroads and airlines.
Nominees Harry Hoglander and Linda Puchala are current members of the board. The third nominee is Nicholas C. Geale, a Republican staff member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
Hoglander, an attorney and NMB member since 2002, previously was a senior staff member for former House member John Tierney (D-Mass), an executive vice president of the Air Line Pilots Association, an airline captain flying for TWA, and a U.S. Air Force pilot.
Puchala, an NMB member since 2009, previously was an NMB mediator and International President of the Association of Flight Attendants.
Prior to his work with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Geale was an attorney in the Labor Department.
Democrats Hoglander and Puchala hold expired seats on the board and await Senate reconfirmation. The law permits NMB members to continue serving, following expiration of their term, until a successor is confirmed or they are reconfirmed.
President Obama previously nominated Geale on Dec. 17, 2012. Because the Senate failed to act on his nomination prior to Dec. 31, the president had to make new nominations when the new Congress was seated in 2013.
If confirmed Geale will succeed Republican Elizabeth Dougherty, who resigned in July 2012 following expiration of her second term. Obama nominated Republican Thomas Beck to succeed Dougherty, but after the Senate failed to hold a confirmation hearing on his nomination, he withdrew his name.
Typically, Republican and Democratic nominees are paired for confirmation.
The SMART Transportation Division’s CSX B&O General Committee (GO 049) has reached agreement with Bombardier Transit Services on a new contract for employees who will operate the Maryland to Washington commuter service known as MARC.
A new agreement is required due to the selection of Bombardier to operate the service after CSX announced it would not renew its current contract with the agency.
The new agreement will provide wages and working conditions very similar to those enjoyed by our members who currently operate the service under the CSX collective bargaining agreement. Bombardier will accept applications for employment from CSX employees, with first priority given to those who are currently operating the service, followed by those who are qualified but not currently assigned to the service, and finally to all CSX employees on the Northern Mid Atlantic seniority roster.
Bombardier will send invitation letters to the employees who are currently assigned or qualified to operate the service. All others who are interested in applying for employment should contact Bombardier directly.
A hiring pool will be created in the event that applications exceed the number of positions available at startup. CSX employees who accept employment with Bombardier will be placed on the new seniority roster in the same relative order as on the CSX roster. The terms and conditions for a leave of absence from CSX are still being negotiated.
The negotiating team was led by General Chairperson Steve Mavity, with the assistance of Assistant President/GS&T John Previsich, and included Vice Chairpersons Jeremy Ferguson and Jamie Modesitt.
“The team did an excellent job of securing National Agreement wages and working conditions for employees of the new operator,” said Previsich, who added, “this will protect current employees who choose to work for the new operator and, in addition, provide industry-standard wages and benefits for all future employees of the service.”
As I work with our members from around the country I hear about struggles that we are facing.
Whether it is discipline where our members may be losing their jobs, or a legislative issue that will impact our work, the union voice is there.
All of us deal with negotiations. Some negotiations are for our labor agreements, some are with our supervisors about which job I will have that day. Some negotiations deal with our pay claims, but whatever the situation, we are always negotiating.
There is nothing better or stronger than the collective voice. We have seen that around the country as we fight for the rights of workers, health and safety issues and pensions.
I am thankful that we have the union voice to get our message out and to let our voices be heard. If we did not have the union voice, things would be a lot different. The people would not be heard and our needs would go unmet.
Because we have the union voice, we can negotiate for things such as better working conditions, raises and time off.
I get calls from our membership asking about how we can assist them in various situations with the resources we have.
With the union voice I can reach out to many different areas, both in our organization and to other unions and government agencies to get the answers our members need and deserve.
When we come together we have the union voice and we are all stronger.
By John Previsich, Assistant President/General Secretary & Treasurer –
Discipline’s roots in the rail industry reach back nearly 150 years. Following the Civil War, the industry was expanding at a breakneck speed, with Congress and the American public being hornswoggled on a continual basis by the robber barons of the day.
From the “every other tie” strategy of Union Pacific to Southern Pacific’s importation of Chinese laborers by the boatload, the railroads were in a race for territory that required not only the rapid expansion of employees and track, but also the need for experienced managers at every level.
Where, in that era, could a company find management expertise that was familiar with a widely spread work force that was largely self-supervised while in the field? There was really only one source and, interestingly enough, that source fit almost perfectly into the requirements of the time.
The country was awash with ex-military personnel newly released from their Civil War obligations, both enlisted men and officers, most of whom were looking for work anywhere they could find it. Once hired into the railroad industry, the new employees helped to define discipline and labor practices that mirrored those of their former military careers and that continue to influence railroad labor relations into the modern era.
The “command and control” environment implemented by the railroads adopted the terms general manager and general chairman (authority figures similar to a military officer), investigations and hearings (court martial), firings and dismissal (dishonorable discharge).
Such procedures were intended to provide an orderly process for fair handling of employee issues, but instead they proved to be a poor substitute for due process, and employees were too often on the receiving end of unfair and discriminatory job practices. Consequently, it wasn’t long before the employees’ fraternal associations blossomed into full-fledged collective bargaining organizations.
The unions fought long and hard from the waning years of the 19th century all of the way through World War I to obtain the collective bargaining rights to which our members were entitled and the due- process handling of discipline and grievances they deserved.
Such battles promoted an adversarial relationship between the employees and railroad, with unfair labor practices and service interruptions a common occurrence.
The railroads were the primary mode of transport for people and goods in that era and such interruptions had an enormous impact on the economic vitality of the country and the day-to-day convenience of the newly prosperous and mobile population.
As a result, the voting population grew weary of the continual turmoil and demanded that something be done to stabilize the industry.
During that era, unlike today, when the voters spoke Congress listened. The result, passed in 1926, was the Railway Labor Act, the law that to this day still governs the handling of disputes in our industry.
In my next column, we will explore the relevance of the Railway Labor Act to modern times and how it affects our members in today’s world.
To read Brother Previsich’s earlier article on discipline, go to www.utu.org and click on “Leadership Messages.”