UTU NEWS  For Immediate Release February 14, 2001

CONTACT:    John H. Horvath, UTU, 14600 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44107-4250
                         216-228-9400 Ext. 341

UTU, NCCC Talks Stall on Entry Rate Elimination Timing

Cleveland, Ohio (February 14, 2001) -- Reporting progress in finalizing a tentative national rail agreement, United Transportation Union (UTU) International President Byron A. Boyd, Jr., announced today that after two days of talks, UTU and National Carriers' Conference Committee negotiators remain stalled over the timing of the elimination of entry rates of pay for current employees.

"For reasons we do not fully understand, the carriers say they made a mistake in the language agreed to last September in Port Ludlow on that issue," said Boyd.  "We managed to resolve our other differences in the questions and answers that will accompany the tentative agreement when we put it out for ratification," Boyd added.

Boyd also said UTU managed to improve the health and welfare provisions of the tentative agreement by separating itself from the handling by other unions.

"We have agreed to maintain the NRC/UTU Plan administered by United HealthCare and Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield unchanged," Boyd said, "and if we can demonstrate comparable savings to what is contained in the final resolution with other unions -- and we have already shown $10 million in savings from improved administration -- our plan will not change.

"The membership would vote on any changes in the future," Boyd added.

"This agreement is very valuable to our members, particularly in the elimination of the dual basis of pay and entry rates for current employees and we are hopeful of clearing this last hurdle so the membership can speak," Boyd concluded.

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