UTU General Chairmen have succeeded in securing a written commitment from the Carrier that prohibits the Carrier from terminating employees who are furloughed for long periods of time. Article XII of the October 31, 1985 National Agreement contained an onerous provision that employees who remained furloughed for 365 consecutive days in the first three years of employment would forfeit their seniority. Several employees around the system were recently in jeopardy of being terminated under this rule, and the Agreement signed October 29, 1999 eliminates that threat. A copy of the Agreement has been mailed to UTU Local Chairmen.