2008 Archives
11/25/2008
FRA catches Amtrak again, recommends fines for three more Hours of Service violations on California Zephyr route—Szabo urges crews to insist on clearer instructions from supervisors
11/24/2008
Enjoy holiday cheer, classic urban town homes and a peek at U.S. rail-labor history at the annual Historic Pullman Candlelight House Walk
11/20/2008
Amtrak cites Illinois DOT for successful passenger-rail program
11/20/2008
Chicago Federation of Labor offers scholarships to children of parents in affiliated Chicago-area locals—three UTU locals qualify
11/20/2008
Revised RR police reform bill passes both houses of General Assembly
11/20/2008
Ill. House passes Resolution urging Amtrak to restore Galesburg crew base
10/14/2008
FRA recommends Amtrak be fined after supervisors hold crew for interrogation beyond 12-hour limit
10/14/2008
Membership Alert: Use Early Voting to cast your vote now. You don’t know where you’ll be on Election Day
10/13/2008
FRA recommends fine after sustaining third Complaint against Amtrak for Hours of Service violation on California Zephyr
10/10/2008
Carrigan re-elected to head state AFL-CIO, Szabo elected to 4-year VP term, Guy invited to tell delegates the “how-to’s” of UTU’s successful legislative program
10/01/2008
Congress adopts Illinois language in new rail-safety bill prohibiting carriers from interfering with employee medical treatment; State also to benefit from Amtrak Reauthorization.
09/23/2008
Historic Pullman: The one right place to celebrate Labor Day
09/23/2008
See one of rail labor’s most sacred shrines—and visit proud homeowners in their vintage town houses—at the Historic Pullman Annual House Tour Oct. 11 and 12
09/03/2008
Durbin heads UTU slate as Illinois Legislative Board issues its 2008 election endorsements—Register now so you can vote for him and for other UTU-endorsed candidates!
08/20/2008
Durbin calls for 1/4-cent of Federal Motor Fuel Tax diversion for passenger railcar construction so Amtrak and states can commit to long-range service expansions
07/28/2008
Conductor starts his own UTU-PAC drive and boosts local’s contributions 30%--Szabo says, “Here’s a member who understands the value of our PAC – he didn’t wait to be told, he acted”
07/14/2008
Durbin, Kummant plan “summit” to find more rolling stock for Ill. Amtrak trains—five rehabbed coaches hinted as short-term solution to sold-out seats
07/03/2008
Governor restores full funding for state-supported Amtrak trains—Service continues on all lines without interruption as all three Downstate corridors sell out for holiday
06/25/2008
Amtrak says Illinois trains will keep running despite proposed state budget cuts. Szabo says “Now is not the time to cut the nation’s most successful state-supported passenger-train program”
06/23/2008
FRA fines IHB for failure to include yardmasters performing “covered service” in drug testing pool
06/13/2008
Illinois labor joins broad coalition to oppose new constitutional convention—UTU says changes could endanger rights of Metra employees
06/10/2008
Labor again has a voice on Metra board—CFL’s counsel Widmer appointed unanimously to 4-year term
06/04/2008
CN agrees to fine and Cease & Desist order after ICC finds carrier interfered with state safety inspection
06/02/2008
General Assembly adjourns without acting on RR police reform bill; measure on hold until fall veto session. Szabo says all options are open
05/28/2008
Railroad police reform amendment passes Senate 35-17, referred back to House for Concurrence Vote
05/21/2008
H.B. 5159, the RR Police amendments passes out of Committee, moves to Senate Floor for final vote
05/07/2008
House passes bill to give Illinois State Police review power over railroad police--H.B. 5159 now moves to Senate
04/29/2008
Amtrak CEO invites UTU members to celebrate a new holiday--National Train Day--at Chicago Union Station May 10
04/17/2008
Membership Alert: H.B. 5159 is out of Committee and headed to floor—your phone calls are needed NOW
04/10/2008
Membership Alert: Call your State Rep now and ask for support of HB 5159
03/26/2008
UTU Complaint results in another Hours of Service citation against Amtrak, BNSF
03/14/2008
Former Macomb Mayor Tom Carper confirmed to Amtrak board
03/13/2008
House Rail Committee moves legislation to give Illinois State Police review power over railroad police
02/27/2008
Big bi-partisan turnout as state legislators salute UTU, honor retiring Assistant Legislative Director John Burner after two-day Quadrennial Meeting focused on training of UTU local legislative reps
02/25/2008
Szabo elected to 4th term as Illinois Legislative Director; Guy re-elected to serve first full term as Assistant Director
02/25/2008
FRA cites Amtrak for Hours of Service Violation following UTU Complaint
02/19/2008
FRA to fine Union Pacific for dispatching extended-haul train with “crew only” inspection of added cars
02/15/2008
Sen. Durbin asks Surface Transportation Board to demand conditions before allowing CN to buy EJ&E—Impact on Amtrak service, suburban communities and Metra could be negative
02/08/2008
Durbin meets with UP CEO, demands improvements on Chicago-St. Louis Amtrak line
01/16/2008
Early voting now open; vote early and support UTU-endorsed candidates!
01/15/2008
FRA says UTU was right: BNSF violated Utility Employee Rule at Corwith Yard
01/08/2008
Amtrak and IDOT release study for Quad Cities startup
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