2004 Year End Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jeff Agnew  (202) 828-9100 / Mike Goetz  (217) 789-6994

Addition of Five New Signatories in 2004 Confirms RAILCET’s Growing Influence in Rail Industry

SPRINGFIELD, IL (January 4, 2005) – The year 2004 was marked with great strides for the Railroad Cooperation and Education Trust (RAILCET) as well as the Railroad Transportation and Operation Agreement (RTOA). The addition of five new contractors as RTOA signatories, including Metroplex and DOT Track Services, tops RAILCET’s list of achievements last year.

“This past year was a remarkable success for RAILCET,” said Edward Smith, chairman of RAILCET and assistant to the general president, vice president and regional manager, Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA). “Not only did we add five new RTOA signatories, but we were able to meet our goal of increasing man hours worked under the RTOA by 14% from a monthly average of 81,947 to 93,515.”

Among RAILCET’s top achievements were:

  • Gained five new signatories to the RTOA. Working with LIUNA and the International Union of Operating Engineers, RAILCET secured commitments from Metroplex, which will add approximately 200 new laborers and operators to the RTOA workforce, and DOT Track Services, which brings with it an anticipated 40-70 new members to the company effective January 1, 2005;
  • Increased market share and man-hours worked under the RTOA by 14% in 2004;
  • Honored as a Member with Distinction in the Golden Spike Club of the Indiana High Speed Rail Association;
  • Worked to recruit signatory contractors to successfully bid on projects in southern states, proving that the RTOA can compete in non-union areas; and,
  • Utilized Target Funds to help signatories like Delta Railroad “get the bid” against projects that would have otherwise gone to non-signatory contractors.
  • “We are very pleased to welcome all our new RTOA members to the RAILCET team,” continued Smith. “This creates a win-win partnership. Having high quality rail contractors sign on will further strengthen RAILCET’s reputation within the rail industry while also increasing the contract potential for our signatories.”
  • RTOA contractors work under a unique labor agreement that reaches across the country with geographically zoned wage rates.  Under RTOA there is a 20-year record of labor-management harmony and peace.  RTOA also offers safety training, alcohol and drug programs that are unmatched in the railroad industry.

The Railroad Cooperation and Education Trust is an organization of railroad labor and management that promotes cooperation in all disciplines of railroad contracting. This includes formulas to “win the bid” for railroad maintenance and construction projects in a highly competitive environment and the promotion of railroad infrastructure legislation in Congress and the state legislatures that furthers the railroad construction business climate. RAILCET members understand the importance of job well-done, completed safely, on time and on budget.

For more information please visit our website: www.railcet.net