In accordance with the ratified 2011 National Agreement, pay rates were increased effective September 16, 2011. These were on jobs that fall under UTU agreeement and applied to a job with a start time after 0001 on the 16th. The pay rates were increased by 2 percent, then 2 1/2 percent. the 3 cent cost of living was also factored in and resulted in overall pay increase of approximatley 4.55 percent.

Retroactive pay adjustments are yet to be made, but will be 2 percent from July 1, 2010 and 2 1/2 percent from July 1, 2011.

Once per year, the Debs Foundation (named after Railroad Labor Leader Eugene V. Debs) holds a dinner and gives an award to honor someone outstanding to the Labor Movement. This years recipient is Actor Danny Glover who will receive the award on September 24, 2011.

In the Debs Foundation announcement, they recognize his numerous marches and demonstrations in support of worker’s rights as well as his activism and advocacy for human rights, both in the U.S. and Africa. They also state “Internationally, Glover has servied as a Goodwill Ambassador for the U. S. Development Program from 1998-2004 focusing on issues of poverty, disease, and economic development in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and currently serves as UNICEF Ambassador.”

Presenting the award to Danny Glover will be Bruce Raynor, who received the Award in 2004. Raynor retired this year as President of Workers United, ending a long career in union leadership which began in the education department of the former Textile Workers Union of America.

Attached is a list of fringe benefits for members making wages that would about the
maximum for railroad retirement tax in the year of 2011. The list indicates
that benefits paid amount to $3,496.08 per month or $41,952.00 per year. This
is just one aspect of the benefits of union representation. It also compares
very favorably to the amount of dues. In one hub, the average dues per Local
are under $94.00 per month with the highest of UTU Locals being under $106 per
month.

To review the list, click here – – Fringe benefits_1101