January - June 2003 Meeting Minutes
Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, January 20, 2003
Meeting opened by the President due form.
Members present: D St John, R Etienne, D. Haney, R. Balkowitsch, C. Nibbler, E. Taylor, W. Pelham, S. Cordes, C. Boomgaarden, J. McHenry, G. Bryson, M. Montgomery, S. Barnes, C. Ruzsa.
Minutes of previous meeting not read account unavailable.
New membership received for J. Zozosky, motion to accept by Brother Nibbler, seconded by Brother Bryson. Motion passed.
Reports of Committees:
Budget Committee: Brother Barnes reports we had no meeting and will meat after receiving paperwork for LM-3.
Finances: Presentation of current status made by sec/tres. Current membership is 106 plus one trainman. The current balances of accounts were discussed and several questions were asked from the floor. The bills due for payment were presented and discussed. Motion to pay the bills by Brother Haney, seconded by Brother Pelham.
Motion passed.
Local Chairman: The following topics were discussed:
There were discussions and several questions from the floor.
Motion to close by Brother Haney, seconded by Brother Bryson. Motion passed.
Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, February 17, 2003
Meeting opened by the President due form.
Members present: D St John, R Etienne, D. Haney, R. Balkowitsch, B. Knowles, C. Marsh, A. Ashkannejhad, M. Montgomery, J. Blau, T. Jones, .
Minutes of previous meeting were read. Motion to accept as read by Brother Barnes, seconded by Brother Haney. Motion passed.
Reports of Committees:
Budget Committee: Brother Barnes reports we had no meeting and will meat after receiving paperwork for LM-3.
Finances: Presentation of current status made by sec/tres. Current membership is 106 plus one trainman. The current balances of accounts were discussed and several questions were asked from the floor. The bills due for payment were presented and discussed. Motion to pay the bills by Brother Haney, seconded by Brother Knowles. Motion passed. Discussion was held about current condition of computer equipment and if replacements are needed.
Safety committee: Terry Reddish has attended several local neighborhood meetings to discuss remote control. Letters to WUTC are out and need to be sent in. Please have friends and neighbors do so also. Please continue to use unsafe condition reports. This is the main way of tracking issues at Vancouver. We can only test the carrier with your help. The first actual meeting will be held this week and more will follow.
Local Chairman: The following topics were discussed:
Discussion was held concerning the recent accident in Nebraska in which a coal train hit a local. There is an issue with inside switches not being wired to the main line. Please report any point in which you are aware of these switches. At this time, no switches on our division have been found to be not wired. Concerns about the inside switch on the NP side (south end), and the inside switch at Whitcomb Pit were raised, but this committee has been informed that these switches are properly wired.
OE, the STB has ruled against the BNSF concerning some aspects of the lease. Anyone who was forced out of the valley needs to be putting in paperwork for lost wages. Contact Rick if you have any questions.
Reroutes on baretable trains. They are going to continue until the middle of the march. This is due to maintenance on the UP down south.
Colt Radios - This is still an issue, do not take these on the point. These are the old Santa Fe style radios with the push buttons.
Dash 8 locomotives - again this is an issue please be aware these are not to be used on the point. These engines have been found to have severe lateral motion, and can cause injuries.
Locomotive defect log. Please be sure to use this, it is the only way to track defects. The link to this log is: http://jaysworks.com/419/. This is our only weapon to keep track of engine defects in case something terrible happens down the road. Please take those few moments to fill out the form.
Crew calling log - We have a site available to track crew calling problems. http://jaysworks.com/tes/. Please use this to report problems you are having with the crew desk.
Roundhouse problems - discussion was held over the continuing problems of locomotive problems, headlights etc. It was determined that the carmen cannot do work on locomotives while they are attached to a train while any part of it is on the main line without blue flagging it. The solutions may be to detach the locomotive, and pull forward; take the locomotive to the roundhouse, or switch out the power. Please remember to empower yourselves.
Automatic downloads - Please remember that all the computer locomotives are being downloaded on the fly at most locations. Flags are automatically raised on Heavy reduction (15lbs above 20 mph), stalls, air not set at stops, loss of comm. with Fred, power braking, hpt, independent brake above 10 mph, etc.
Setting out/backing up. Another issue of a crew making a set out without watching the shove occurred. The derail was gone over. Be sure to protect your shoves. Don't allow ground man to be lax. Verify protection provided.
The floor was opened for discussion.
Motion to close by Brother Haney, seconded by Brother Jones. Motion passed.
Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, March 17, 2003
Meeting opened by the President in due form.
Members present: D St John, R. Balkowitsch, D. Haney, J. Johnson, E. Taylor, T. Jacobs, R. McCartney, J. McHenry, K. Atwood, H. Bailey, Bill Pelham, W. Pellens, R. Etienne and guests J. Craddock from the UP and Dale Jeremiah, Safety Coordinator for the Northwest Division.
Minutes of previous meeting were read. Motion to accept as read by Brother Bailey, seconded by Brother Jacobs. Motion passed.
Reports of Committees:
Budget Committee: Brother Barnes reports we had no meeting and will meat after receiving paperwork for LM-3.
Finances: Presentation of current status made by sec/tres. Current membership is 107 plus two trainman. The current balances of accounts were discussed and several questions were asked from the floor. The bills due for payment were presented and discussed. Motion to pay the bills by Brother Haney , seconded by Brother J. Johnson. Motion passed. Discussion was held about current condition of computer equipment and if replacements are needed.
Guests: John Craddock, from UP gave presentation on their actions for Remote Controls. They have been doing several presentations at town meetings and will be meeting with the city of Portland. Solicitation for help was made and several members discussed what actions could be taken.
Dale Jeremiah: Gave a short presentation about remote's. The Wash state utilities and transportation hearing will be on Wednesday the 19th in Olympia. Use exit 104 off I-5 then first right then first right again. If anyone could attend it would be to our benefit. Instructions will be available on request.
Local Chairman: The following topics were discussed:
Automatic downloads - Please remember that all the computer locomotives are being downloaded on the fly at most locations. Flags are automatically raised on Heavy reduction (15lbs above 20 mph), stalls, air not set at stops, loss of comm. with Fred, power braking, hpt, independent brake above 10 mph, etc.
HPT - be aware this is a big issue with the carrier. Don't get caught out of compliance. If your HPT is rated lower than the horsepower you have, you need to isolate to comply. It's up to the dispatcher to allow you to put other engines on line if track speed cannot be maintained. We will be found in violation if we don't comply.
Deadheading by Greyhound. There have been several issues come up but people have not written these up. We can not make any complaints to the carrier without some type of documentation.
Compliance: On all issues that come up, ask for instructions from your supervisor's. Do not leave yourself hanging out by making the decision on your own.
We need to document any issues with trains, up and BNSF coming into the yard without permission or notification.
Rules test - the carrier has decided that you must take the test by the due date or they will not pay you. Make sure you contact the Road Foreman of Locomotives if you haven't received the paperwork by a month out.
The floor was opened for discussion.
Motion to close by Brother Johnson, seconded by Brother Jacobs . Motion passed.
Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, April 21, 2003
Meeting opened by LC Etienne in due form.
Members present: D St John, R. Etienne, K Huelle, R. Huelle, H. Bailey, W. Boomgaarden, D. Green, B. Knowles, J. McHenry, S. Cordes, R. Reams, S. Barnes and Guests Paul Bovarnick, BLE designated legal council and his investigator Michael Woods.
Minutes of previous meeting were read. Motion to accept as read by Brother Huelle, seconded by Brother Knowles. Motion passed.
Reports of Committees:
Budget Committee: No report made.
Finances: Presentation of current status made by sec/tres. Current membership is 106 plus two trainmen. The current balances of accounts were discussed and several questions were asked from the floor. The bills due for payment were presented and discussed. Motion to pay the bills by Brother Bailey, seconded by Brother Green. Motion passed.
We have received paperwork for the IWC convention in Sparks, Nevada in June 1-5 2003. Anyone wanting information may contact Rick or Dennis.
Local Chairman: The following topics were discussed:
Terry Reddish has been dealing with the Colombian, and neighborhood organizations and city council meetings. This has been to establish and maintain our contacts for Remote Control. Terry also attended the WUTC meeting held in Olympia last month. He presented a great presentation to the committee. Terry should be commended for all his tireless efforts to put the skids on RCO in Vancouver.
ABTH 104.3.1(K): New notice is out concerning contacting the dispatcher when you lose your air. System General Order 112. This involves several types of information. Please comply with this rule. You can guarantee this will become part of an Ops test. Since there is no differentiation regarding how or why the air goes, it is assumed that you would report to the dispatcher any and all loss of air. This would include set outs, dynamiters, changing ends on locomotives, resetting triple valves etc.
Following the rules: The above rule, along with the one about calling block signals should be embraced with gusto. Instead of complaining about these rules, we should be following them with all the efforts we can. This way, if detectors can't be heard, dispatchers understood, or movement signals can't be heard, all movement on the BNSF will cease while we are following these brilliant rules. We are the ones who will be cited and lose time for not complying.
HPT on unit trains: All unit trains, including empty grain or coal trains have a limit of 9000 HP per ABTH rules. Don't be fooled by the high HPT that some empty grain or coal trains have on their profile. This is a trap. If you allow more than 9000 HP to be on line, you are in violation. Please remember, the two cardinal no no's we can do on BNSF at this time are: 1. Get hurt, and 2. Waste fuel.
Half the range of vision: Several engineers have been DECERTIFIED, or given time over this issue. We must make every attempt to comply with this rule. We have two local engineers currently serving time for this. If your ground crew doesn't give you distances, and doesn't keep talking to you in a timely fashion, STOP. Audits are being done. The engineer is the one serving time, not the train or yard crew. Remember, you need to be STOPPED in 1/2 the distance. This means if you are told 10 cars, they better talk to you prior to 5 cars, or you better be stopped at 5 cars. The carrier has told this committee that kicking cars does not follow the same requirements. It was told that when kicking cars, the ground personnel are responsible for keeping you from running into things. The 1/2 the range rule only applies when shoving or pulling cars. Again, protect yourselves! Stopping a few times while making a set out may encourage the ground person to be more talkative, and it sure will ensure your continued employment.
Engineers Rest Day Extra Board Agreement: Lay offs outside your rest cycle are to be in 24hr increments. This is in the agreement, paragraph 3.5. The carrier has made some interesting interpretations of the agreement. They have decided that if you choose to work your work cycle, you can not change your mind in the middle of the cycle. They will not let you lay off LRC during your rest cycle. In fact, it will be required of you to be shown as LOP or LOS. Then, due to another wonderful quirk of BNSF interpretation, by having an LOP or LOS this will then roll your entire month of lay offs, including your LRC's into the attendance guidelines, and then it will be used against you in the availability cycle. Gotta love their creativity. Please understand, the carrier is trying to bust this agreement and will try to harass us over this issue. Be aware. The desire is for us to choose the new and improved agreement that takes away the "red day", defaults to remaining marked up in case one forgets to enter anything in that option 26; and allows for your start time to float, but allowing you 72 hours off once you are allowed to begin your rest cycle. Doesn't help when you have made plans or reservations somewhere.
Attendance guidelines: Carrier is holding attendance guideline investigations again. It is up to each of us to comply or not. In the event you are cited, it is up to you to let whomever you choose to represent you know so a defense can be prepared. This committee will represent any and all, but will not initiate contact to ask if someone wants representation. That task belongs to the one being cited.
In between:, Recently an event took place where the conductor used the wrong signal for "in between". The engineer, realizing what was being conveyed, answered with the proper signal. The stealth team then cited the crew for an improper signal. They cited under the "7 deadly sins" rule. The carrier is being adamant about this. Even though the intent of the rule was followed, the crew is being brought to task for failing to give the proper signal. We can take our chances at investigations or follow their rules. Please understand. It's not about doing the right thing. It's not about moving trains. It's about following the rules issued by someone in Ft. Worth who has never been on a train before, but gets paid to make rules. Stupid as it is, it's not about the intent of the rule, it's about blind compliance. This decision is not a local one, but as always, corporate out votes local management. Please make sure you give and acknowledge the PROPER signal. We have a crew cited for giving the old signal. Oh yes, another thing; the engineer was cited for acknowledging the improper signal. Further, the hit squad took issue of the fact the engineer said "OK to cut, set and centered" before the Cdr. said "in between". Guess we will have a stalemate there. The Cdr. can't make the cut before we tell them it's OK to cut, and we can't tell him it's OK to cut. Hmmm.
Greyhound bus's at Pasco: If you are called to deadhead on Greyhound in Pasco, and you have just gone to bed, you can politely decline the deadhead until you are rested. Being that tired, you could become unsafe. You have the option to book your rest before boarding the bus. You also do not have the right to go eat after deadheading on Greyhound. This option has never been available to us.
Safety Coordinator: Dale Jeremiah has vacated his position as Division Safety Coordinator. Anyone wishing to seek this position please let Rick know.
Empowerment: You need to use this if in anyway you feel a situation is unsafe. Don't let them buffalo you on this.
Power braking: There is no agreement that guarantee's you can power brake, don’t do it. They will cite you and you will lose.
The floor was opened for discussion.
Guest Paul Bovarnick: Spoke about his experience at the Western Region GCA meeting and Remote Control. Compliance with the rules is not only important for protecting your job but also your health. You need to comply to protect yourself in case of injury. Several examples were given in which non-compliance with the rules resulted in injury and mitigated the award that was given. You can look at a violation of the rules by yourself as not only asking for an injury but also taking money out of your own pocket. The management counts on you not complying so they don't have to manage don't let them do it. FMLA must be renewed every year. Make sure and comply with any request the railroad makes.
Please list unsafe acts or conditions. If you don't write it up it isn't unsafe. Carrying a camera is in your own best interest. You can document anything with this prior to their cleanup or obstruction of the facts.
Special thanks from all in attendance to Sister Evans for providing fresh pizza for the meeting.
Motion to close by Brother Huelle, seconded by Sister Huelle. Motion passed.
Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, May 19, 2003
Meeting opened by the President in due form.
Members present: D St John, R. Etienne, R. Balkowitsch, T. Reddish, W. Pelham, T. Jacobs, H. Allington, C. Nibler, R. Huelle, S. Evans.
Minutes of previous meeting were read. Motion to accept as read by Brother Nibler, seconded by Brother Pelham. Motion passed.
Reports of Committees:
Finances: Presentation of current status made by sec/tres. Current membership is 107 plus two trainmen. The current balances of accounts were discussed with questions asked from the floor. The bills due for payment were presented and discussed. Motion to pay the bills by Brother Allington, seconded by Brother Jacobs. Motion passed.
Terry Reddish has been appointed to the Division Safety position for the BLE. He covered the following topics: Colombian and Oregon articles. There was a lengthy discussion over these. The BNSF has lied about the loss of jobs associated with this. Dale Jeremiah did a good job and was well organized; he has helped a great deal with bringing Terry into the job. You can reach him for safety issues at tpreddish@juno.com or company line 418-6324. If you need to register to vote by mail you can contact him for this also. We need to begin keeping records of how often you are walked on over the radio. We need to track this so we can show how unsafe both the block calling and emergency radio conversations are. Be aware that there was a recent incident regarding DP power; please be aware that documenting these incidents is the only way to address them. Make sure and fill out a pink unsafe condition report for any incident or other unsafe condition you see.
Local Chairman: The following topics were discussed:
The carrier is upping the HPT to 1.0 as a minimum so let us know if this does not happen.
Safety: We need a replacement for the
Vancouver Safety Committee. Interested parties let me know.
We are working on the panels on dash-9 under the Engineer. Again please document
any problems. The roundhouse doesn't seem to be able to answer this problem in a
timely fashion.
New rule on Emergency applications ABTH 104.3.1 (K). Be sure to call the dispatcher whenever train goes in emergency. This includes when you are stopped and set air because of a dynamiter.
New rules on calling Loco desk. You need to report isolated engines, shut down engine and ones on-line. Remember, the carrier doesn't seem worried about the excessive radio chatter, so we shouldn't either. Simply stop working until the radio frequency is clear again. It's their party, and we need to remember to dance their steps. If trains don't run, it won't be our problem.
Empowerment: If the carrier denies your empowerment, let us know ASAP.
Locomotive Defect Log: Be sure to use these, it is the only way to document any defects.
Palm updates: Bulletin updates are available when time allows, Give your name to Rick if you want these.
Rest Cycle Abuse: Carrier's want to break our rest cycle agreement. They want us to take one that will be of less benefit to us. It includes floating 72 hours, no Red Day and the computer default to mark up. Only benefit is rest cycle will start at 0001, if called to work between 0001-0530. Days off will snap back to original days if 72 hours is after regular return time. Layoffs outside rest cycle are currently to be in 24-hour increments, Carrier made policy that LRC subject to attendance guidelines if any other lay off in month. Per current agreement, the only time a minimum of 12 hours is allowed when subject to a rest cycle agreement is during your LRC period. Remember, this only applies to those covered by a rest cycle agreement.
1/2 range of vision: If your ground crew doesn't give a distance when they are controlling the movement, don’t move. Kicking cars is OK, carrier says different rule applies. Ground personnel are responsible when kicking. When shoving, we need to stop in 1/2 range vision, or specified. Carrier is Ops testing by seeing if we stop in 1/2 distance specified. When setting out, if conductor doesn’t talk, stop. We will be doing hard time for violations.
Remotes in Pasco: remember to get permission from A desk yardmaster whenever entering or leaving East yard. Later, other zones will be added. Failure to do so will be same as red block violation. Verify with yardmaster where RCO are working. Take precautions for yourself. Remember, an empty cab doesn't mean it's not going to move.
DH on Greyhound out of Pasco: Mr. Ness is checking to see if any busses bypass the meal period at Biggs. He agrees we shouldn't have to sit outside waiting for the driver to eat. Remember, if you want, you can obtain full rest before DH on bus from Pasco.
Attendance Guidelines: Numbers are creeping up again, be careful not to be in violation. Investigations are being held. Hate the policy all you want, but you do need to remain a full time employee. Too many weekend days off will get you an investigation. Please remember that there are lot's of engineers wanting some weekend days off, and it's not right that a few try to take all of them. Please allow each engineer to have their share.
Locomotive inspections: FRA fining for not sending in forms to roundhouse. Carrier has been given notice to provide forms. COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT. The inspection books are located in the cabinet near the copying machine where the crew packs are located.
Direction of Flow for air test. FRA has decided there is no need for direction of flow for IT air tests. As long as the air is not absent for over 4 hours, there is no need for another IT air test when changing directions of head end. This includes garbage trains, baretables at Wishram, grain trains at Pasco, and OE.
Roll by's: Mr. Ness is gung ho on roll by's. When the business car came to town,. there was a distinct absence of roll by's by trains on the route. Perhaps we should remind the conductor about this, you never know when a carrier officer is watching. There will be poster children on this. If your Cdr. doesn't wish to roll trains by, this is on him, so don't get into a fight with them. A gentle reminder should do.
Rules test by due date. GCA is still fighting with the carrier about getting those paid who took the test after the due date. Seems BNSF has decided that a "policy" supercedes a schedule agreement. Gotta wonder why they even have the RLA. Make sure and get it done.
The floor was opened for discussion.
Please list unsafe acts or conditions. If you don't write it up it isn't unsafe. Carrying a camera is in your own best interest. You can document anything with this prior to their cleanup or obstruction of the facts.
Motion to close by Brother Pelham, seconded by Brother Huelle. Motion passed.
Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, June 16, 2003
Meeting opened by the President in due form.
Due to the Secretary Treasurer being out due to illness, there were no official minutes taken. Previous minutes were read and accepted.
Reports of Committees:
Finances: There was no financial report given.
Local Chairman:
Safety marathon was discussed. Advantages and disadvantages were discussed.
It was determined that advantages for safety for our members outweighed the
feelings caused by working with the carrier.
NWE Division new GM is now in Seattle.
We are in line for a new Vancouver Terminal Supt. Mr. Anderson is going back to
Engineering in Northern California.
Empowerment: Remember you have the right to
empower yourselves.
Inspecting Locomotives: Please remember to fill out the inspection forms. FRA is fining employees for not doing so.
Isolating for HPT: Be sure to do so. The two biggest offenses on BNSF at this time are getting injured and wasting fuel. Please remember that you are being tracked in everything you do, and how you operate.
Missing Calls/Laying off on call: The carrier is holding investigations for these events. Please ensure you are available and ready for work when you are marked up.
NetSim: Netsims are coming to Vancouver, probably in August. It will go where the old CBT room was.
Sympathy Card for families of drowning victims: A resolution was passed for this Division to send sympathy cards to the survivors of that tragic accident on the Oregon Coast where many of our friends and co-workers perished during a fishing outing.
Jerry Bowman: Jerry Bowman is going on an extended leave of absence. Our Division resolved to send a card and flowers to him and his wife.
The meeting was closed in due order.