A history lesson from UTU's chief - Rail Update - United Transportation Union's Byron A. Boyd, Jr. promotes negotiation - Brief Article - Interview
Railway Age, March, 2002

In a further explanation of the United Transportation's Union's about-face on the use of remotely-controlled yard locomotives in the U.S. (RA, February, p. 15), UTU International President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., said, "We must learn from history or pay a steep price. Rather than say 'hell, no' to remote control technology as we unsuccessfully said, 'hell no' to radios and end-of-train devices, we have embarked on a new course called negotiation."

That course, he said, should not be confused with capitulation: "Negotiation means that remote control pilot projects will remain pilot projects until the safety of remote control is assured." Boyd also said there's "an ironclad guarantee that no train or engine service jobs will be lost or compensation reduced because of remote control pilot projects."

TRANSPORTATION UNION (UTU)

Intl. President Pleads Guilty to Bribery & Racketeering

Byron Boyd, Jr., Intl. president of the United Transportation Union (UTU), pled guilty on Mar. 11 to labor racketeering conspiracy. He also resigned the union presidency. He is the last of the 4 frmr. union officials indicted in a nationwide bribery scheme involving lawyers in the union's Designated Legal Counsel (DLC) program.

Boyd and the other officials have admitted soliciting and accepting bribes from lawyers to be included in the DLC program, under which about 50 lawyers represent union rail employees whose job injuries result in claims against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA was enacted into law by Congress in 1908 to specifically address the dangers faced by rail employees and their need to seek compensation for injuries.

Boyd and the other officials used the money for their own personal benefit. Boyd offered $100,000 of his take, along with a pickup truck to Charles Little to step aside as Intl. president. After Boyd spent some of the bribes to win election to the union presidency, he never paid Little. The UTU is based in Cleveland, but the U.S. Attny. Ofc. for the Sou. Dist. of Tex. prosecuted the case. Five Houston lawyers were granted immunity for their cooperation. Boyd is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10. [Houston Chronicle, 3/11/04: Miami Herald, 3/11/04]

Is this ann answer to the $15 an hour "good wages" question? This is for the training and will go up, once seniorty is established, but wages per hours worked and control of operating employee lives, in the railroad industry, is worse than ever. As a former UTU Officer in the 70's and 80's I watched as folks who I knew personnally like Bryon, put themselves first and those they represented last. And, today, I'm glad I'm out of the industry. Although, running an engine is truly a wonderful and rewarding experience, one of the best I ever had.