TWU’s Railroad Division conducted the first in a series of regional meetings and training seminars to encourage Local participation at minimal cost to the Local unions. The initial event was held in mid October in Cleveland and drew participants from eight Locals from five states. “I was really pleased with the attendance and the enthusiasm of the Local officers to what we’re trying to do,” said Railroad Division Director Gary Maslanka. The morning session of the day-long seminar covered information on the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), Railroad Retirement benefits, and legislation affecting railroad members. The afternoon session covered the history of the TWU Railroad Division, grievance handling and disciplinary case handling, as presented by International Research and Education Director Bob Wechsler. Also included was technology training presented by TWU’s IT Director David Moses.

Maslanka announced that the next two regional meetings will be conducted in New York for a winter session and Elkart, Indiana in the spring of 2009. Local union officers in attendance (photo above) were: Steve Kondash (L. 2009), Jeff Layne (L. 2011), Roy Murray and Sam Hardison (L. 2014), Tom Lutton, Wayne Rabbish. Bob Chirdon and Boyd Dunn (L. 2017), P.J. Smith, Eric Strodbeck, Doug Wegryn and Mark Victor (L. 2019), Dave Kellner (L. 2020), Joe Montana (L. 2022), and Rodney Hartman and Shane Barendregt (L. 2037).