UTU Local 1529 News Headlines

Arbitrator Named in Entry-Rates Dispute  Posted: August 25, 2008
DOT Delays Drug-Test Rule  Posted: August 25, 2008
Court Challenge on Drug-Test Rule  Posted: August 14, 2008
Highball for Rail Safety Bill  Posted: August 10, 2008
UTU Protests DOT Observer Rule  Posted: August 10, 2008
Obama Pledges Solidarity With UTU  Posted: July 17, 2008
House Subcommittee Hearing Sheds Spotlight On Truck Size/Weight Issues  Posted: July 17, 2008
Arbitrators To Rule On Rails’ FMLA Application  Posted: July 17, 2008

UTU International News Headlines -- Click here for latest news updates!

Clicking on the link above will take you to the UTU News Archives website where you can keep up to date with the latest news concerning our union and labor in general.

When may trainmen on the yard extraboard quit answering their phone for call? -- July 25, 2006

The following answer is in response to an e-mail question concerning our members protecting the yard extraboard. Please print and post this around so that everyone is aware of when we must protect the extra board and when we are relieved of protecting the extra board... -- Read More

Tentative Agreement Reached!
January 25, 2008

The United Transportation Union (UTU) and the National Carriers. Conference Committee (NCCC) reached a tentative agreement Jan. 23 on wages, rules and working conditions retroactive to Jan. 1, 2005, and continuing in force through Dec. 31, 2009.

The tentative agreement, which must be ratified by some 46,000 affected UTU members, applies to conductors, brakemen, engineers, firemen, hostlers, switchmen and yardmasters employed by Burlington Northern Santa Fe, CSX, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific and smaller railroads party to the national agreement between the UTU and the NCCC.

After nearly three years of negotiations, a new bargaining team, headed by recently elected UTU International President Mike Futhey, reached the tentative agreement two days into resumption of talks.

Other members of the negotiating team were Assistant President Arty Martin, National Legislative Director James Brunkenhoefer, UTU International Vice Presidents John Babler, J. R. (Jim) Cumby and Robert Kerley, and UTU General Chairpersons John Lesniewski and Delbert Strunk.

Although the specifics of the tentative agreement will not be released until after discussion with affected (District 1) general chairpersons, Futhey said it provides for a 17 percent general wage increase over the life of the agreement, a retention of the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), and a cap on health-care contributions. The wage increases also include retroactive payments covering the period July 1, 2005, to the implementation of the tentative agreement.

Additionally, the tentative agreement provides a mechanism for resolution of the entry-rates dispute, an increase in the held-away-from-home-terminal (HAHT) meal allowance, and, for the first time, contributions by the carriers to the yardmasters. supplemental retiree medical insurance program.

Futhey thanked the negotiating team for their "participation and their contributions to the negotiating process. The UTU and the NCCC have made commitments to a cooperative process that returns the industry to a spirit of interest-based resolution of matters of mutual concern. This is a process that will pay dividends to the membership."

Details of the agreement may be viewed here: 2008 UTU NATIONAL AGREEMENT (Tentative)

For the latest news concerning agreement negotiations, please CLICK HERE.