WAGE AND RULE PANEL?

Well now, a full page article in the UTU news on the Wage and Rule Panel by Dan Johnson, UTU Vice President.  "u" read the article and tell me if you have a clue what to expect from this panel?  It is more a non-article; a lot of "proactive" positive posturing which places a favorable light on Sac-C and the process by which we will get our just reward finally? It would appear that the salary issue is dead - particularly in view of Sac-C's answer in the El Paso Mini Region Meeting that the salary would have to be $75 an hour from the minute you left home until you returned? Asst. Pres. Boyd went on to explain everyone is already on a salary - just divide your paycheck by your hours of work and time away from home and that is your hourly rate. Unfortunately is varies so much for each employee, that a salary structure may not yet be possible?

I would feel downright relieved that my "Armageddon Agreement" predictions are not about to happen, if I could just trust my leaders! We had the "commitment letter" that never was (San Antonio) which was a lie.  We had the various forms of financing of the bus (Toronto, Houston, and Reno) which was also a lie (Yes, as the Express surmised years ago - it came from the job benefit fund!). And we have various "Special Representatives" (herein after referred to as "SR's - not to be confused with the SAR) advising that the "Smoot Issue" is done - completed years ago? Let me go on record stating that I do not believe the "SR's" are lying; I believe they have been lied to by Sac-C! 

The Smoot issue is far from dead - it sits like a "sleeping giant" in the Sixth Circuit and in the Virginia Bankruptcy Courts. Sac-C and his Rambo Washington Attorneys have played all their cards and they sit at the table (probably on a three legged stool) with a Ace, two, three, four, and a down card (6!), while Smoot sits across from them with a down card (unknown) and a king and 3 queens showing. Sac-C wants to raise 3 million (probably from the JBI Fund), bluffing he has the 5 (a straight), when if Smoot has a king or queen in the hole, he wins anyway! Problem is, Smoot's all in and that portion of the pot is his WHEN they turn the cards over, not if they turn them over! Sac-C wants to delay the result of the game until after the August Convention and he is using all his political clout to achieve this goal (successfully so far). Quite frankly, brothers and sisters, there is not enough money left in the JBI fund, no matter how many "SR's" he puts on the payroll, to maintain his lies for two more months given the web sites that are now available. "u" members are not stupid, "u" will put 2 and 2 together in due time, if "u" haven't already!

Let me start be saying Sac-C's position is now evident (Earnst & Young; Strong and Stable); that's my position and I'm sticking to it! Let's call it like I see it, a  new short line (the EYS&S) - Everyone, You're Silly & Stupid if you believe we ever said UTU's finances where strong and stable. And they didn't and won't! They said "garbage in; garbage out"! I find it amazing that we have the most qualified GS&T ever in this Union's short history (based upon his formal education and training - See Biography of Mr. Griffeth), yet all the hierarchy disagree with his view of the union's finances? It's no longer an issue for this writer, WE (UTU) have no money if we can't continue to tap "trust funds"! Oh, getting more Washington Counsel to present our position to the DOL? Bet "u" 3 million they got a 6 in the hole and there is no decision until after the August Convention? Hell, I bet it takes 10 or 20 grand to formalize our position and we don't even present it until late August?

Well, let's see now, "u" came over to this site to see the March 1998 Wage & Rule Panel document signed by NCCC Chairman R. A. Allen and President Little. Yes, the very same document that President Little agreed to supply this writer in January 1999 and again "as soon as he got back" yesterday at the El Paso Mini Region Meeting. Herein below, highlighted, is the reference to said document:

When and If Mr. Little supplies the actual document, we shall replace the above with it! The Express is not worried that a fabricated document may be submitted. Much like the "commitment letter", the true document will eventually appear if it favored the Carrier, and of course, it will also be the same when it does, it will be too "little" to late!