Another organizing win for UTU; 21 since 2008

Maintenance-of-way employees on Georgia & Florida Railway — where train and engine workers have been UTU members since 2006 — have voted unanimously in favor of UTU representation.

UTU organizer Mike Lewis, who has secured numerous previous organizing wins, led the organizing drive. Lewis thanked UTU International President Mike Futhey for “his continued strong commitment to organize non-union workers on railroads, transit and bus properties, and regional airlines.

“Since Mike Futhey was elected UTU International president in 2008, we have organized 21 properties — 14 shortlines, three regional airlines, two commuter railroads, and two bus properties,” Lewis said.

The UTU organizing department is headed by Rich Ross. In addition to Lewis, International organizers include Billy Moye, Carlos Wallace, Bonnie Morr, Ed Carney, Larry Grutzius and Calvin Studivant.

Georgia & Florida Railway, an OmniTrax property, is a 264-mile shortline serving southcentral Georgia, including the cities of Albany, Adel, Thomasville and Valdosta, and extending into Foley, Fla. It interchanges with CSX and Norfolk Southern. Its principal commodities include beer, wood pulp, ethanol and agricultural products.