I see, once again, it is contract time. I also see you are on the negotiating committee. As a former UTU member, and soon to be one again if I understand the recent letter I just received from you; I thought you might appreciate some random thoughts on negotiation. Remember when you talked us out of the productivity fund? You patiently explained to us know-nothings how we would end up with nothing if we didn't vote for it. Although several others and myself declined your advice and voted against it, in the end it passed anyway. I must say though, there are some among us not comfortable with the vote count. The men on the Poco division, without the benefit of this enlightened guidance, voted against it (for keeping the productivity fund) and are today receiving the maximum annual bonus something like $20,000 per year: Negotiating point #1; when the company is pushing their agenda you don't endorse and promote it for them, instead try to assume a more opposing position. Remember when we had five and six people on a crew? Now robots are eating up the few jobs we have left, and the UTU by all appearances seems to be endorsing it! (See negotiating point #1) Remember when we had a choice between unions? When one union wasn't doing its job you could voice your dissent by moving to another union. I don't believe the UTU's position that the movement away from the UTU is because of members seeking lower dues. And I don't think anyone just up and decides to change unions on a whim, rather I believe it is a last desperate attempt to get the unions attention. This is essentially how we used to get the attention of the carriers when they wouldn't listen to reason... we withheld what they wanted... our labor! In both cases it works. The evidence of this, in the UTU's case, is the last ditch attempt to rescue its crumbling empire with their "seniority maintenance fees". Just what the hell is that anyway, Delbert??? Do you really expect us to believe the carrier has any interest in scrambling the seniority roster if we neglect to submit $74.50 to the UTU monthly? I suspect about the only maintaining this fee will accomplish is to maintain the lifestyle to which you and your colleagues have become accustomed.
Remember when we had the meaningful right to strike? I know it was a long time ago, but I've heard tales about some railroaders actually refusing to work when the carrier refused to bargain in good faith. They say some of these old fools had the crazy idea that their labor was a bargaining tool. Some called this ancient practice "Solidarity". They also hinted that if the right to withhold their labor were ever suspended there would be no more bargaining. They, fools that they were, said, "If the right to strike is ever lost, we'll just be beggars". What do you think, Delbert? Remember the contract of '96, the one we voted down because it was no good and yet it was forced down our throat anyway. What was the purpose of that vote?
Remember when a new contract meant, at the very least, staying even with the cost of living? A little story: In 1985 I was working the Peru pool. Granted we had a lot of arbitraries then; initial, final, fifty-mile pull in for outlaws, and not to mention the one hundred mile day. All whittled away ending with the grand finale. ..trip rates. (See point #1) At that time you could figure your pay at about a dollar per mile and not miss it by much. This was good pay, but then somewhere along the way someone seemed to have forgotten about the cost of living, because although our living cost rose, our wages didn't. Now let's look at this. Taking the standard 3% inflation rate per year compounded to present (wages + 3% per year), the Peru pool should now be paying $349.54 for 188 miles. Instead they tell me they're getting $225.00 and paying part of their health care in the bargain, and yet every contract is proclaimed a victory! While the most recent engineers contract is not the best, it might be called a victory when compared with the trainmen's. Our contract is pitiful! And does memory serve me properly when I recall you receiving about a 100% pay raise in '99 or 2000? Who negotiated that? The UTU has become a LIE. The officers have become too far removed from those who still practice the noble art of railroading. They have nothing in common with those of us who still swing a lantern for a living. As a result, the union is no longer "united" and the only "transportation" the UTU seems interested in is transporting dues to their pockets. We who, out of our wages, have fed and kept you and your lot for years now find ourselves forgotten and abandoned. It seems the local chairman are the only ones who still associate with us and try to get us help needed from the union. They do this while still working a full time railroad job. The most we've come to expect from upper union is the self-congratulatory UTU newsletter we receive monthly. You, intoxicated with your own rhetoric, betrayed us in favor of your own ambitions. Remember when you worked for the NS, when you were out swinging a lantern with the rest of us? Do you remember the "all injuries are preventable" mentality spawned from the noble NS harassment award? All injuries are indeed preventable... even if it takes a little shady paperwork. You are also, no doubt, aware of the fine program NS has on discipline. There are some among us who think maybe you should be on property challenging these situations. It's been quite awhile since I've heard of you even stopping by the tin shanty for a visit. Delbert. It was not always with regret that I claimed myself a UTU member but it seems the UTU is no longer the union it once was. I am now embarrassed for the UTU. Even aside from the convicted felons I am embarrassed for the leadership that seems to have lost its way. Their ambitions and egos seem to match those displayed by a few corporate CEO's we've seen recently in the news... some wearing handcuffs.
Since you'll once again be receiving dues from me, here is an opportunity to earn a portion of them. YOUR MISSION, should you decide to accept it: On 9/5/04 while working my regular assignment, 286L3, the crew was pressed into relief service and we submitted applicable mileage. We were on duty 11 hours and 15 minutes. The mileage exceeded the overtime made so I didn't expect any, but I did expect the mileage. The engineer was paid the mileage claimed but I was paid neither the mileage nor the overtime. Calling payroll, they explained "your not entitled to mileage because you're on trip rate". "Well then, shouldn't I get the overtime", I asked? "Of course not" I was told, "the mileage you claimed ate up your overtime". The mileage? I said, "You didn't pay it". "Certainly not" was the reply, "your not entitled to mileage because you're on trip rate". So more or less if you're on overtime and claim additional miles, you don't get either! Just between you and me Delbert, I don't know if I like this trip rate stuff.
If you decide to pursue this claim, I will post any successes you have with it along with this letter at the administration building and the tin shanty in Bellevue.
Doug Duffield
P.S.- Looking over my membership application I have to wonder if I can meet the qualification. It says at the bottom, " a member must be of good moral character". You didn't have any trouble getting in, did you? Cc: Pertinent Local Chairman