UTU General Committee of Adjustment GO-001 held its 2007 Quadrennial Reorganization Meeting in Branson, Missouri March 29-31, 2007. A total of 54 Local Chairpersons from 30 Locals attended the three-day meeting, along with 35 spouses, friends and family members, making the meeting truly a "family affair."
In addition to electing General Committee officers to serve for the next four years and establishing the General Committee dues structure, the Local Chairpersons heard reports from each officer, adopted General Committee Bylaws and considered several new business items submitted by officers and members of the General Committee. Numerous guest speakers addressed the Committee, including UTU International President Paul C. Thompson. Representatives from all departments of UTU were present, as well as presenters from the Railroad Retirement Board and United Health Care. UTU Designated Legal Counsel conducted a panel discussion, answering questions regarding the Federal Employers' Liability Act, and a training session was conducted to provide new Local Chairpersons with some foundational skills for handling claims and grievances.
The following officers were elected to serve the Committee for this next four year term:
General Chairman - Robert Kerley
First Associate General Chairman (NP) - Gary Virgin
Second Associate General Chairman (Frisco) - Steve Green
Third Associate General Chairman (NP) - Frank Hickman
Fourth Associate General Chairman (GN) - Greg McNaghten
Vice Associate General Chairman (GN) - Jeff Shoop
Fifth Associate General Chairman (FWD) - Mike Williams
Vice Associate General Chairman (FWD) - Robert Cameron
General Committee Secretary - Scoter Pischel
Alternate Secretary - Mike Reagan
While in session the Committee reviewed and ratified a new Memorandum of Agreement addressing the utilization and accumulation of Personal Leave Days, 7 AM Markup (instead of midnight), Automatic Markup and an optional "No Call" List for both road and yard ground service employees. Final versions of the Agreement for the former Frisco, former NP and former FWD territories will be posted on this sight when an implementation date is set.
The Committee also honored former General Chairmen Al Lankford, Rick Marceau and Carl Vahldick by presenting each of them a UTU logo jacket during the banquet on the final evening of the meeting, which was attended by some 135 Committee officers, members and guests.
Complete minutes of the meeting are being prepared and forwarded to the International President's office for review and approval, and will then be distributed to the Local Chairpersons for their records.