UTU International Vice Presidents Robert D. Kerley of Ozark, Mo., and David B. Wier Sr. of Smithton, Ill., have been elevated to the UTU Board of Directors following the retirements of International Vice Presidents Roy Boling and John Fitzgerald.
Kerley, age 56 (Local 303, Springfield, Mo.), began his railroad career as a brakeman with the former St. Louis San Francisco Railway (now part of BNSF), was elevated to conductor in 1973, fireman in 1977, and locomotive engineer in 1978.
He was elected a local officer in 1977, and later served five terms as an associate BNSF general chairperson before being elected a BNSF general chairperson (GO 001) in 1999, with re-election in 2003 and 2007. In 2003, Kerley was elected an alternate International vice president-West, and was elected an International vice president in 2007.
Kerley also served two terms as secretary of the UTU Western General Chairperson's Committee, secretary of UTU District No. 1 General Chairperson's Association, and was appointed to the UTU National Negotiating Committee for the 2004 round of negotiations that led to the 2008 national agreement.
In addition to his International vice president assignments, Kerley has a special assignment to coordinate with the UTU Information Technology Department and the National Mediation Board the development of a Web-based communications and training program. He also is assigned to assist general committees in the West on matters relating to implementation of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.
Wier, age 53 (Local 469, Madison, Ill.), began his railroad career in 1974 as a switchman on the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA). He was elected a local chairperson and then general chairperson (GO 919). In 2003, Wier was elected alternate International vice president-East, and was elected an International vice president in 2007,
As a TRRA general chairperson, Wier won two representation elections against the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and later successfully negotiated trip rates for yard trainmen and engineers on the TRRA.
Wier also served as a member of the Auxiliary Board of the Tri-Cities Area Division of United Way of Greater St. Louis.
His son, David B. Wier Jr., is currently general chairperson of GO 919.
Other members of the UTU Board of Directors are International President Mike Futhey, Assistant President Arty Martin, General Secretary and Treasurer Kim Thompson, National Legislative Director James Stem, and International Vice Presidents Tony Iannone, J.R. "Jim" Cumby, John Babler and Vic Baffoni.
