UTU's newest members are especially suffering during this economic recession, whose depth and length is still not known.
Many of these new hires haven't worked enough days to qualify for Railroad Unemployment Insurance benefits.
And often having left non-railroad employment and paid out of their own pockets for training for their first railroad job -- only to be furloughed -- these new hires have had the economic winds and optimism knocked completely out of them.
On Norfolk Southern, General Chairperson Delbert Strunk (GO 687) searched for a means of salvaging the careers of eager new hires. Strunk knew he couldnt get them back to work until the economy improves, but he could make their return to work easier, and ensure they built seniority while on furlough.
Strunk, who also is first alternate International vice president - east, convinced Norfolk Southern to amend his on-property agreement and suspend application of a contract clause that required newly hired, and then furloughed, employees to be terminated permanently following 365 days of consecutive furlough.
Strunk and NS amended, for Strunk's general committee of adjustment, Article XII of the 1985 UTU National Railroad Agreement (still in force). The amendment suspends operation of Article XII until Oct. 31, 2010.
Now -- and through Oct. 31, 2010 -- new hires with fewer than three years of service who have been furloughed, or are furloughed, by Norfolk Southern on Strunks general committee, will not be permanently terminated by Norfolk Southern if their furlough extends for 365 consecutive days.
Thus, even if their furlough extends for 365 consecutive days, they will be called back to work in order of seniority without having to go through the rehire process -- and they will accrue seniority for that time on furlough.
Some 600 new hires on Strunks general committee will benefit.
Strunk's agreement was the first on Norfolk Southern, and he is working with other UTU general chairpersons to help them gain a similar agreement for their general committees.
"Our newest members should know that the United Transportation Union is totally committed to protecting every members rights, whether a 30-year veteran or a new hire," Strunk said. "This is a small step to ensure a prosperous and fulfilling career on Norfolk Southern for new employees."
UTU International President Mike Futhey credited general committee autonomy -- guaranteed under the UTU constitution -- for giving general chairpersons significant leeway to find creative ways to help members.
"The best ideas often are born at the general committee and local level, and then are shared with other general committees of adjustment," Futhey said. "We all benefit from this creativity and the autonomy of general committees."
International General Secretary and Treasurer Kim Thompson meets with Tri-State executive board member Rich Ross (Local 1973) and Alternate International Vice President - East Delbert Strunk. Photo by Carl Gurnicz.
