Category: Leadership Messages
We will not back down
By UTU International President Mike Futhey and SMWIA General President Joe Nigro – We are just months from one of the most important Election Days in our careers. Not in our lifetimes has organized labor been under attack as we are today from corporate-funded anti-worker con [...]
Arty Martin: “We will protect you”
PORTLAND, Ore. — Reflecting on violence against air, bus and rail members, UTU International Assistant President Arty Martin told attendees at the union’s regional meeting here June 20 that protecting the working conditions and safety of members is among the highest of [...]
Vigilance key to protecting pension benefits
By UTU International President Mike Futhey – Railroaders should not lose sleep over a rumor that Congress will cut Railroad Retirement benefits. The rumor began after language was inserted in a budget report by conservative Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) suggesting the federal defi [...]Vote as if your job, family depend on it
By UTU International President Mike Futhey – It has been said that the comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor. Working families today feel the pain of that comment. Most are struggling to keep their heads above water as the gap between the middle-cla [...]
SMART will boost UTUIA financial strength
By UTU International President Mike Futhey – Congratulations go to Art Rayner, the United Transportation Union Insurance Association’s man of the year for 2011. Art was recognized for his sales and leadership performance – attributes that helped propel the UTUIA last year to [...]Merger update: Moving forward constructively
By UTU International President Mike Futhey “Stay calm and carry on” has always been the best advice during challenging times. It is appropriate advice for UTU members and employees as we move forward following the October 10 merger arbitration award. That arbitration ruling [...]
Local meetings source of information, inspiration
By General Secretary & Treasurer Kim Thompson As a young railroad employee, I wondered why we had the wages and benefits that we had, why we had rules for assignments and for the work we performed. I wondered what could be done to make things right when things didn’t seem [...]
National rail contract delivers ‘more, now’
AFL founder Samuel Gompers said the objective of labor is, “more, now.” Our national rail agreement fulfills that objective. In an economic environment that has our brothers and sisters in other industries in a vice grip of difficult times, our agreement delivers more than ju [...]