UTU Local 426 Archived News.
Subject:
Date: 04/30/2008
News
The following times and locations have been established to hold the meetings regarding the UTU National Agreement. We will be meeting joint with the UP local from here in Spokane. Super 8 Motel I-90 and Argonne 2020 N Argonne Spokane Meetings are scheduled for 9 AM and 1 PM. John Fitzgerald and Jay Sholmeyer will both be present to conduct the meetings. They will be arriving on the evening of the fourth and departing a 5 o’clock flight on the 5th. I have attached a document that could be distributed and posted at Yardley and Hauser and Wenatchee. If you know anyone that can post these ASAP please reply. If you have any suggestions or see anything wrong with these arrangements, please contact me. Respectfully, Scoter Pischel UTU 0426 S&T
Subject: Engineer gets $2.6M for fume-caused asthma
Date: 04/30/2008
News
A Lucas County, Ohio, Common Pleas Court jury yesterday (April 28) awarded $2.6 million to a former Conrail locomotive engineer for the asthma he developed from inhaling diesel fumes, the Toledo Blade reports. Frank Battaglia, 65, of Canton, Mich., worked for several years as an engineer in the locomotives used to move rail cars in metro Detroit train yards. Lawsuits can be filed where the incident occurred or where the company does business. The attorney who represented Mr. Battaglia said Judge Denise Ann Dartt had ruled that his asthma was a result of inhaling the fumes and that there were violations of both the Federal Employers Liability Act and the Locomotive Inspection Act. After a week of testimony, a jury deliberated about five hours to decide the amount of damages. The attorney said it is against federal regulations for diesel fumes to be in the cabin of a locomotive. (This item appeared April 29, 2008, in the Toledo Blade.)
Subject: UPDATE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS -- NOW!
Date:
04/07/2008
News
Not having a current address on file with the International could prevent those affected by the tentative national rail agreement from receiving the package allowing them to vote on that agreement. Those packages will be mailed in mid-May. Additionally, the UTU International pays hundreds of dollars a month to the U.S. Postal Service because many members do not let the union know they have moved, and their monthly copy of the UTU News must be returned to the International. If you have moved and are not sure the UTU has your new address, or if you are planning to move, please inform the UTU International and your local secretary of your new address. You can update your address via the UTU Web site (www.utu.org) by clicking on the "Address Change" button on the home page. You also can inform the UTU International by e-mail at directory@utu.org, or phone the International at (216) 228-9400, ext. 336.
Subject: Q&A For Tentative Agreement
Date:
04/03/2008
News
The Questions and Answers for the tentative national agreement are now available for review at the link. http://utu386.org/QATentativeNatAgmt.pdf