A Transportation Security Administration effort to help protect ports against terrorism was creation of a tamper-resistant biometric worker-access pass known as the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) that is issued, in addition to maritime workers, to rail crews entering port facilities.
Obtaining a TWIC requires submitting to a FBI background check and completion of a security threat assessment. Some 6,500 rail employees currently hold a TWIC.
The program, initiated in 2009, has had problems, however, and the UTU National Legislative Office, in conjunction with the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department, has been working with congressional lawmakers on various improvements.
One problem nearing solution is a logistical and financial burden for workers in renewing their TWIC credential.
The House Homeland Security Committee has taken the first step toward solution by approving legislation (H.R. 4251) – which still must be approved by the entire House and the Senate – to postpone requiring workers to renew their TWIC credential until June 30, 2014, and mandating reforms relating to enrollment, activation, issuance and renewal.
“Despite concerns about the program from the outset, workers across the country fulfilled their legal obligations by applying for the TWIC biometric cards, which, without the proper hardware in place at ports, turns TWIC cards into expensive flash passes,” the Transportation Trades Department told lawmakers. “The first wave of applicants, beginning in October, must pay $132.50 to renew their cards if this legislation is not enacted.”
This bill also would ensure workers are required to make only one in-person visit to an enrollment center, lifting a logistical burden from workers who may be hundreds of miles away while on the job.
Voters in Wisconsin appear to have returned control of the state senate to a labor-friendly majority, even though anti-union Gov. Scott Walker, anti-union Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and three political extremist state senate candidates gained a victory in a recall election.
The change in the balance of power in the state senate — the result of a fourth senate seat in this recall election being returned to labor-friendly Democrats — sends a strong message in Wisconsin and elsewhere that organized labor can overcome the political spending advantage of corporations and wealthy conservatives by turning out the numbers at the ballot box. It was the state senate last year that gave final passage to a Walker-Kleefisch backed bill curtailing collective bargaining rights for public employees and otherwise attempting to weaken organized labor.
With Democrats back in control of the Wisconsin senate, they now can block further attempts at anti-labor legislation advanced by Walker should he call a special session of the legislature. Republicans still control the state assembly, but Democrats now have the senate advantage for the first time since Walker took office in January 2011, when he began his crusade against labor unions.
The retaking of the Wisconsin senate (by a very close margin after news reports as late as 3 a.m. reported that political conservatives had held the state senate) is only one of the positives to emerge from Wisconsin.
* Union brothers and sisters across Wisconsin forced the recall election by obtaining almost one million registered voter signatures – a showing of widespread solidarity and a nationally recognized demonstration of the ability of organized labor to deliver large numbers of energized voters who oppose legislative attacks on labor unions. UTU National Legislative Director James Stem called the Wisconsin efforts a “dress rehearsal for congressional and state elections in November, identifying strengths we will build on to increase the labor-friendly majority in the Wisconsin legislature and install more labor-friendly lawmakers in Congress and other state legislatures.”
* Tuesday’s retaking of the senate in Wisconsin follows last August’s successful unseating of two anti-union state senators in an earlier recall election, where a third conservantive senator resigned rather than face a recall election.
* Wisconsin voters will have another opportunity to send a strong political message in November, when half of the Wisconsin state senate seats and all state assembly seats are up for election.
* A state court in March invalidated portions of the Wisconsin law — one provision requiring annual recertification of a union, and another denying workers the right to have union dues withheld from their paychecks. Both were found in violation of constitutional free speech rights.
* In Ohio last year, after organized labor-led efforts obtained 1.3 million signatures to force a referendum on a state law curtailing collective bargaining rights, voters struck down that law by nearly a two-to-one margin — a significant blow to Ohio’s conservative legislative majority.
* The UTU Collective Bargaining Defense Fund was instrumental in so many ways — helping to obtain the nearly one million petition signatures in Wisconsin to force the recall election, assisting in delivering the votes that changed the balance of power in the state senate Tuesday, in successfully unseating the three Wisconsin political extremists last August, and in helping to obtain the 1.3 million petition signatures in Ohio that put that state’s anti-collective bargaining law on the ballot, where it was defeated.
* The UTU Collective Bargaining Defense Fund also helped organize large rallies in numerous states drawing attention to the attack on working families by political extremists in Wisconsin, Ohio and elsewhere.
UTU International President Mike Futhey praised the efforts of UTU and Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA) members who, on their own time, attended rallies, helped obtain signatures for the recall petition in Wisconsin and the referendum petition in Ohio, and who went door-to-door in both states explaining the issues to voters and urging union-friendly votes.
Futhey recognized the leadership efforts in Wisconsin of Stem, Alternate National Legislative Director John Risch, UTU political consultant Dean Mitchell, now retired Wisconsin State Legislative Director Tim Deneen and his successor, Craig Peachy, as well as Assistant Wisconsin State Legislative Director Jeff Thompson and Chris Tassone, secretary of the Wisconsin State Legislative Board.
Futhey also praised the work of UTU local officers in Wisconsin who reached out to members encouraging that they and their family members register to vote and vote in the recall election.
Stem said, “All of organized labor has benefited from this experience – especially the new levels of communication that have been developed. The struggle of workers for improved wages, benefits, job security and working conditions continues.”
As to “new levels of communication,” Stem noted:
* In recent months, more than 22,000 Wisconsin UTU members and retirees received a minimum of 15 unique contacts via direct mail, recorded phone calls and letters. The recorded phone calls were made by Futhey, Stem, Deneen, Peachy and Thompson, reaching almost 1,200 UTU households. The SMWIA also reached out to its members across Wisconsin.
* 37 percent of the UTU membership in Wisconsin signed the petition seeking the recall election.
* UTU Minnesota State Legislative Director Phil Qualy and UTU Illinois State Legislative Director Bob Guy reached out to members of Minnesota and Illinois locals who live and vote in Wisconsin.
“We will redouble our efforts in November in support of labor-friendly candidates seeking state legislative and congressional seats,” Futhey said. “The UTU Collective Bargaining Defense Fund, the UTU PAC and the SMWIA political action fund will play key roles in those efforts, as will our brothers and sisters throughout the labor movement.”
Turner
UTU-represented maintenance-of-way employees on Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad, who chose the UTU as their bargaining representative in January, have ratified their first collective bargaining agreement.
UTU Alternate Vice President Doyle Turner, who assisted with the negotiations, said these members now will join with other UTU-represented shortline employees in achieving “parity in wages, benefits and work rules in addition to the many other protections offered by union membership.” Turner also heads the UTU’s shortline railroad initiative.
Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad, a RailAmerica property, operates some 530 miles of line in Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri, with trackage rights over Union Pacific and connections with BNSF and Kansas City Southern. Its primary commodities include coal, grain, frozen foods, minerals, steel, chemicals and asphalt.
Funeral services have been set for Alan Thomas, 51, a bus driver for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and member of Local 1563, who was murdered aboard his bus May 20 by a lone gunman. Services will be held Saturday, June 9, at 10 a.m. at the Second Baptist Church, 2412 Griffith Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90011. The phone number of the church is (213) 748-0318.
Voters in Wisconsin will decide Tuesday, June 5, whether to recall their anti-union Gov. Scott Walker, a recall election engineered largely by working families and union members after Walker successfully pushed state legislation to curtail collective bargaining rights of public employees and weaken the ability of labor unions to represent workers across the state.
Walker, a Republican, is being challenged by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a Democrat, whom Walker defeated in 2010 by a 50-45 percent vote margin.
Also facing recall Tuesday are Wisconsin Republican Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and three Republican state senators, all of whom joined Walker in support of the anti-union legislation. A fourth senator resigned from office prior to facing a recall election. That vacant seat will be filled in Tuesday’s election.
In August 2011, two state senators who had supported Walker’s assault on collective bargaining rights were successfully recalled and replaced by more moderate lawmakers.
The UTU Collective Bargaining Defense Fund played a significant role in the successful recall election effort last year, as well as the current recall election. More than 900,000 signatures were obtained on petitions to force Tuesday’s recall election.
Walker is the first governor in Wisconsin history to face recall. Only two governors have been removed from office through recall votes: California Gov. Gray Davis in 2003 and North Dakota Gov. Lynn Frazier in 1921.
UTU members, along with members of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA), and brothers and sisters from dozens of other unions, have been active across Wisconsin in rallies and other activities to energize voters to elect Barrett in place of the anti-union Walker.
The UTU Collective Bargaining Defense Fund provided resources to obtain the petition signatures as well as for direct mailings, door-to-door visits of voters and recorded phone calls by UTU International President Mike Futhey to UTU members and retirees in Wisconsin explaining the issues and encouraging votes for Barrett on Tuesday.
Barrett told CNN June 3 that “Scott Walker wants to be on the national stage as the rock star of the far right, as the poster boy of the Tea Party.”
Emotions are running so high in this election that the U.S. Justice Department is sending teams of poll watchers to Wisconsin.
Millions of dollars have flowed into this race from conservatives and business executives across America, providing Walker with an 8-1 spending advantage over Barrett for political advertising.
As for Wisconsin’s anti-labor legislation that was approved by Republican legislative majorities last year, a federal court in March invalidated portions of the Wisconsin law – one provision requiring annual recertification of a union, and another denying workers the right to have union dues withheld from their paychecks. Both were found in violation of constitutional free speech rights.
Tori Nakol Swoape, a niece of UTU International Vice President Delbert Strunk, was, according to friends, a “beautiful” and “very bubbly” 15-year old high school sophomore. Tori committed suicide in May, the victim, say friends and family, of relentless physical and verbal bullying in her new school in Bloomington, Ind. This is news not because Tori was Delbert’s niece. It is news because one in-four students has become a victim of bullying, according to statistics, with the result that thousands of children awake afraid to go to school – and too frequently some, tormented beyond their mental capacity to cope, tragically choose to end their lives. As most states have anti-bullying laws, and most schools have strict policies to combat bullying, victims of bullying – or their parents or friends – should report bullies to school guidance counselors or teachers. Additional tips are available at this website: http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/bullies.html Following her tragic death, Tori’s friends created a Facebook page, “Stop Bullying,” and participated in various high-profile community activities intended to make the problem of bullying better recognized. “Tori is going to make a difference in so many people’s lives, I just know it,” said her grandmother, Vicki Swoape. “This ordeal is simply heart wrenching and there are no words that we can say to the family that can ease the pain of losing a child or grandchild,” said Strunk. “If this article can save one child from harming themselves, then we have made a difference.” Adding to the pain is that Tori’s single mom, Lana, in addition to struggling with the details of this inconsolable tragedy, is straining to pay for Tori’s funeral. If you would like to help, contributions may be sent to: Fund for Tori Nakol Swoape Chase Bank 3301 S. Madison Street Muncie, IN 47302
OTTAWA – Some 4,800 striking Canadian Pacific Railway locomotive engineers, conductors and rail traffic controllers represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference are returning to their jobs June 1 following final passage by Parliament of back-to-work legislation. The strike in Canada began May 23.
The legislation provides for appointment of an arbitrator, who will have 90 days to craft a compromise agreement that will then be imposed legislatively.
“With no prospect of resolution in sight, the government acted to ensure continued rail services for businesses, families and the economy,” said Labor Minister Lisa Raitt.
In recent years, the conservative-controlled Canadian Parliament has also ordered an end to strikes on Canadian National Railway and Air Canada, according to reports.
During the month of May, one UTU member was killed in North Dakota in a rail switching accident, another was murdered on his bus route in Los Angeles, and another lost a foot in Missouri in a yard switching accident.
On CP Rail (Soo Line) in Kenmare, N.D., conductor Robert J. Glasgow, 38 (UTU Local 887, Harvey, N.D.) died May 28 while setting out cars as part of a two-person crew at a CP yard. Kenmare is some 50 miles northwest of Minot.
Initial reports are that Glasgow had mounted the lead car of 28 cars being switched conventionally when the lead car sideswiped other cars. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital following evacuation by a local emergency medical crew. The Federal Railroad Administration is investigating.
Glasgow, of Minot, N.D., who had six years’ service as a maintenance-of-way employee, had been a conductor for some 10 months.
Los Angeles County Metropolitican Transportation Authority (LACMTA) bus operator Alan Thomas was shot to death May 20 aboard his coach in Los Angeles. Click on the following link to learn more about that fatal shooting:
On BNSF in Crystal City, Mo., some 40 miles south of St. Louis, brakeman Mike J. Bolen, 50, reportedly tripped while walking alongside eight cars being conventionally switched and suffered severe trauma to his right leg when struck – but not run over — by one of the moving cars. Hospital physicians reportedly later amputated the brakeman’s right foot. The FRA is also investigating this May 28 accident.
Bolen, of Jackson, Mo., had eight years’ service and is a member of UTU Local 947 (Chaffee, Mo.)
Glasgow is the second UTU rail member killed on duty in 2012. Local 1383 (Gary, Ind.) member Michal M. Shoemaker, 55, was killed in a switching accident Jan. 30 in Gary, Ind.
Ten UTU rail members were killed on duty in calendar year 2011, eight in 2010 and eight in 2009.
For information on rail safety — including rail yard safety — click on the following link:
Railroad employees and/or their eligible dependents covered under the national railroad medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits plans may now find information about those benefits on a single web page.
Note that this web site pertains only to the nationally negotiated railroad health and welfare plans. If you and/or your eligible dependents are not covered by those benefits plans – and this includes Amtrak employees – you should continue to seek information about your health care benefits from your employer.
Each of the benefits administrators for rail employee health care insurance negotiated under the national railroad medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits plans hosts a home page at the Railroad Information Depot. The providers include Aetna, Highmark, MetLife, Medco, vsp, and United Healthcare.
By logging on to www.rrinfodepot.com, rail employees will find a central point of access for information about health care benefits, regardless of which benefits administrator provides coverage.
Here are some of the categories that will be available at the new website:
* Information on completing a health risk assessment to help you stop smoking, lose weight or become a happier person.
* Tips on reducing risks of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases that are largely preventable.
* Alerts and important dates regarding annual open enrollment periods.
* Current topics of interest and news on specific health issues.
* On-line access to each of the summary plan descriptions.
* Information on medical care, mental health, substance abuse, disease management, wellness programs, pharmacy, dental care, life insurance, vision care, and sickness benefits – regardless of the health care benefits administrator.
* Links to network providers, helpful tools and educational materials, contact information, and the various forms necessary for filing for benefits.
* A dedicated retirement section providing information and links to assist you in transitioning into retirement.
* Railroad Enrollment Services information to ensure you understand who is eligible for coverage under your plan and the documentation required.
Once at the website, you will be able to navigate over a topic to read more about what it offers; and, if it’s what you are looking for, you will need only to click on the topic to find more in-depth information.
UTU Virginia State Legislative Director Walter W. Yeatts (UTU Local 971, Crewe, Va.) died unexpectedly Sunday, May 20. He had celebrated his 51st birthday May 12 and was a UTU member for more than 30 years, including service on Norfolk Southern and predecessor Norfolk & Western Railway. He is survived by his wife, Hardy; sons Whit and Jonathan; daughter Jennifer, and grandson, Caleb. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital, 950 West Faris Rd., Greenville, S.C. 29605, or a charity of one’s choice. “We have all lost a brother, a good friend and a most effective state legislative director,” said UTU National Legislative Director James Stem.
Voters in Wisconsin appear to have returned control of the state senate to a labor-friendly majority, even though anti-union Gov. Scott Walker, anti-union Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and three political extremist state senate candidates gained a victory in a recall election.
Tori Nakol Swoape, a niece of UTU International Vice President Delbert Strunk, was, according to friends, a “beautiful” and “very bubbly” 15-year old high school sophomore.
Railroad employees and/or their eligible dependents covered under the national railroad medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits plans may now find information about those benefits on a single web page.
UTU Virginia State Legislative Director Walter W. Yeatts (UTU Local 971, Crewe, Va.) died unexpectedly Sunday, May 20. He had celebrated his 51st birthday May 12 and was a UTU member for more than 30 years, including service on Norfolk Southern and predecessor Norfolk & Western Railway.