January - June 2006 Minutes

January - June 2006 Meeting Minutes

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, January 16 2006

Meeting opened by the Local Chairman in due form.
Members present: Brother's R. Etienne, T. Reddish, DL Greene, M. Cousineau, J McHenry, S Barnes, B. Knowles and T. Jacobs. Brother St John had a family emergency and was unable to attend.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read. No corrections made. Motion to accept as read by Brother Barnes, seconded by Brother Reddish. Motion passed.
Finances: Due to Brother St John being absent, there was no financial information available.

Terry Reddish: Nominations were taken for a Vancouver Cab Committee to work with the other cab committees. Brother Haney and Brother Reams were nominated, and elected by acclamation.. Meetings were to be scheduled.

Legislative Rep: Brother Knowles informed us the State Legislature was in session. He talked about a bill that would allow the WUTC to go on the carrier’s property without permission to check on Hazmat problems, and with cab condition problems.

Due to not getting hold of the vice president to find out if he would finish the term of retiring President Balkowitsch, a proposal was made to appoint an acting president to fulfill the requirements of the Standing Constitution. Brother Barnes was nominated to fill the position until the vice president could be contacted. The motion was seconded by brother Cousineau. Motion passed.

It was discussed to write a letter of appreciation to retiring President Balkowitsch for all his hard work and dedication to the division during his years with us. Motion passed.

Local Chairman: The following issues were discussed.

T-6 Lease – there is nothing further at this time. No news can be good news.

Switching Limits: Mr. Ness seems to have approved the agreement for road switchers, and it will be a hybrid agreement. It appears the limits will be extended to McLoughlin east, and perhaps MP 120 North. When the final draft is completed, it will go out for ratification to our division, and it will also have to go to several UTU locals for ratification. There will probably be two road switchers and a 4 day relief job. There may be more as needed.
This job may move solid over the road trains from one end of the terminal to the other, but it cannot put away trains already in switching limits.

Whistle Rule: The carrier is going to be enforcing the new FRA whistle rule. They plan to use downloads and on board cameras and remote microphones to do the enforcing. All members need to be aware that there are lots of Ops testing going on. Be sure to whistle at any Xing with a whistle board, as they plan to make this a level “s” offense. I guess if you can’t get trains over the road, you might as well beat up on the employees. In order to give us the tools to comply with this issue, this committee has asked carrier for verification of whistle boards on the Fallbridge.

Emergency Order 24: FRA has instituted EO 24 regarding hand throw switches in non signaled territory. This is serious with fines up to $27,000 for willful violation. FRA is checking up to make sure of compliance.

Shoving over Crossings: Be sure that crew members are not riding on cars going over crossings, unless they are protected by gates. If you are in demoted status, be sure not to do the same. The rule requires the man to be standing on the ground protecting the crossing. Protect yourself, because I’m sure we will be held responsible.

Shoving rule: The carrier has determined that there are too many failures on shoving rule system wide, so they plan to blitz the divisions. We know how the hit teams operate so be sure to watch for the following:
Failure to protect point or see end of equipment
Direction/Distance.
Engineer Acknowledgement when distance is more than 4 cars.
Minimum car count expectation.
Not using 1/2 plus car counts.
Not using "Ahead" or "Backup" as required by rule.
Not using required verbiage "Stop".

Deadheading in inclement weather: If you are instructed to travel by van, be sure to check the weather out, and empower yourself if the weather is bad. Don’t refuse service, but make sure carrier knows you fear for your safety and are empowering yourself. Be sure to use common sense!

COLA: we received a raise of .31 hour. Whee! Rate tables are posted.

Floor opened for discussion and new business.

Motion to close by Brother Knowles, seconded by Brother Greene. Meeting adjourned at 1427.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, February 20 2006

Division 758 Meeting opened by the S. Barnes, acting president in due form.

Members present: Brother's R. Etienne, S. Barnes, D. St John, D. Haney, V. Smith, H. Bailey, C. Gunther, R. Moore, J. McHenrey, B. Black and B. Knowles. The minutes of the previous meeting were read. No corrections made. Motion to accept as read by Brother Bailey, seconded by Brother Haney. Motion passed.

Finances: Correspondence received was presented and discussed. The current membership is 111. Status of finances for the division was given and discussed. Motion to pay the bills by Brother Haney, seconded by Brother Knowles. Motion passed.

Legislative Rep: Brother Knowles presented the budget from the WSLB-BLET for 2006. This budget was not totally correct as some areas had been cut by this date but was useful as a general outline. Bill also read a note from M. Ricci, the Washington State Legislative Representative, concerning bills SB 669 and HB 3052. The first is the Regional transportation authority. These bills are designed to create a multi-county regional transportation authority. Our piece of the puzzle is how this might effect commuter and passenger rail service. At present, the focus is on Puget Sound. A Spokane Representative friend of the BLET suggests it will not progress to a successful conclusion. Also the Transportation budget. The transportation budget spends $88 million on freight rail projects. In addition it has increased funding for the Seattle to Portland passenger rail service Cascades. A new train will begin in July of 2006.

Local Chairman – Rick thanked everyone for the effort put forward in petitioning the NMB to require the carrier’s to return to bargaining.

Incentive Pay – Rick gave copies of the agreement and opened the floor for discussion. This agreement only applies to the road and not the yard. This agreement can be cancelled at either parties’ request within 45 days. Keep an eye out as it may go at any time.

Switching Limits Agreement: Copies of the agreement were given out and the floor opened for discussion. There was a good debate prior to our vote. Motion to vote by D. Haney, seconded by Harvey Bailey. Motion passed.

Whistle Rule: We have been informed that whistle rule violations will be a level “S” offense. Carrier says they are interested only in if we whistle, not how long we whistle. Be aware that there are lots of Ops testing going on. Be sure to whistle at any Xing with a whistle board. This committee has asked carrier for verification of whistle boards on Fallbridge.

Track work on the Fallbridge – This work is supposed to start at the end of Feb. Carrier still has no idea how to get their trains over the road. They can’t get them over the road now, how about then? We haven’t talked to them about any changes, because they truly don’t have any ideas yet.

Excessive on duty times – Please document when you are on duty 15hours or more. Leave this committee a copy of your delay report and any comments to show your attempts to get relieved in a timely fashion. The ID agreement requires the crews to be transported to the opposite end. Promoting a return home while other crews are getting held away at Pasco will be discouraged.

Hot box and hot wheel detectors – Be sure to familiarize yourselves with the changes in this rule. If you get a reading, you cannot leave until the warm bearing detector desk gives the OK. Crews are getting in trouble for leaving before given permission. Please be sure to comply. Don’t let the dispatcher ramrod you into leaving before given permission. Permission can only be given by warm bearing desk.

Deadheading in inclement weather – If you are instructed to travel by van, be sure to check the weather out. Empower yourself if the weather is bad. Don’t refuse service, but make sure carrier knows you fear for your safety and are empowering yourself. Use common sense.

Profit sharing – Most of you should have received this by now. It was the full 8%. Wages paid in 2005 but earned in 2004 won’t count. Last year’s profit sharing payout won’t count.

Floor opened for discussion and new business.

Cab committee report by D. Haney – They are putting out some forms and request that everyone use them. R. Reams should have a better report to give next meeting. He has some books available that are the FRA guidelines for cab and engine conditions. If you want one, please let him know.

Since S. Cordes will be filling R. Balkowitch’s position as President, there will be nominations at the next meeting for Vice President for the duration of the 3 year term.

Motion to close by Brother Haney, seconded by Brother Knowles. Meeting adjourned at 1446.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, March 20 2006

Division 758 Meeting opened by the R. Etienne, acting president in due form.

Members present: Brother's R. Etienne, D. St John, R. Reams, L. Weed, R. Moore, S. Hill, R. Huelle T. Jacobs, W. Pelham and B. Knowles. Guests, P. Bovarnick and M. St. John. The minutes of the previous meeting were read. Corrections were made where noted. Motion to accept as read by Brother Reams, seconded by Brother Weed. Motion passed.

Finances: Correspondence received was presented and discussed. The current membership is 110. Status of finances for the division was given and discussed. Motion to pay the bills by Brother Knowles, seconded by Brother Huelle. Motion passed.

Legislative Rep: Brother Knowles discussed a few issues but there is not much currently going on. M. Ricci the Current State Legislative Rep is asking for our support in his bid for VP Safety for the BLET.

Cab committee report by R. Reams – He discussed several issues including refrigerators. People are cutting the cords on the refrigerators to use for computers etc. Please don’t do this; the carrier is not going to replace them. Bathrooms, report any defects to mechanical, then fill out the appropriate forms that they have available. We cannot fix this with out information. We have checklists available also, please use them. We need to do our part to keep the cabs clean also, if you see an issue with your fellow workers please let them know or let us know. More information will be coming.

Paul Bovarnick – Gave a brief presentation on the Locomotive Standards Act. The floor was opened for discussion.

Local Chairman – Cameras on Engines – Please leave them alone. We currently are having issues with people messing with them. This is being considered extremely serious and could be used to fire you.

The weekend Incentive Agreement was cancelled by the BNSF effective 1159hrs on 03/25/06.

Yard Limits Extension Agreement – Our NP brothers and sisters voted to ratify this agreement. It had been turned down, but after campaigning by UTU General Chairman, it was accepted. Not sure when it will go into effect. Still needs to be signed. Manpower not available right now. Extra mileage will be paid on top of trip rates if you go past Vancouver.

Whistle Rule – We’ve been informed that whistle rule violations will be a level “S” offense. We are working on making sure whistle boards are accurate. We are trying to get whistle boards down where they shouldn’t be. If there is a whistle board with no crossing, like Wishram, still whistle.

Track work on the Fallbridge – Will continue until the middle of April. Held away is up at Pasco, but will continue to monitor. Re-routes still iffy. Still unable to project accurately.

Hot box and hot wheel detectors – Be sure to familiarize yourselves with the changes in this rule. If you get a reading, you cannot leave until the warm bearing detector desk gives the OK. Crews are getting in trouble for leaving before given permission. Please be sure to comply. Don’t let the dispatcher ramrod you into leaving before given permission. Permission can only be given by the warm bearing desk.

New General Manager – Jackson is now gone. Doug Jones from Nebraska is our new GM. He’s a former BN and allegedly a decent person. Maybe he will temper the hostility of our management at Vancouver.

Yard Job 229G – Notice was sent to the carrier last week to bulletin 229G. Job had gone more than 3 days with an engineer. To date, carrier has ignored the request. We will research and timeslip for whomever should own the job.

Vacation bulletins – Vacancies for vacations are posted for bidding. One successful bid will be accepted per employee. This will prevent any one person from taking all the vacancies.

Vacation Buy Back – The carrier has posted a notice on buying back vacations. If you choose to sell your vacation, please allow this committee to change a prime week for one that isn’t. Once the week is sold, it’s no longer available for filing. We’d rather fill the prime weeks and have the other’s go away. Please think of others.

Laying off – Carrier has changed the way management can lay off employees. We are appealing to the GCA to help fix this. We are a 24/7 industry, but the management works day hours. Terminal Manager and above are only ones that can approve layoffs once the allocation is reached. Unfortunately, they are counting everything, including CBT in the allocation. Please let this committee know if you are having a problem.

Floor opened for discussion.

Motion to close by Brother Huelle, seconded by Brother Jacobs. Meeting adjourned at 1450.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, April 17 2006

Division 758 Meeting opened by the president in due form.

Members present: Brother's R. Etienne, D. St John, S. Cordes, D. Haney, T. Reddish and B. Knowles. The minutes of the previous meeting were read. Corrections were made where noted. Motion to accept as read by Brother Haney, seconded by Brother Reddish. Motion passed.

Finances: Correspondence received was presented and discussed. The current membership is 110. Status of finances for the division was given and discussed. Motion to pay the bills by Brother Haney, seconded by Brother Knowles. Motion passed.

Legislative Rep: Brother Knowles reported. The Washington Dept of Transportation conducted a rail listening session. There were approximately 60 people there. They broke into discussion groups to decide what the state could do to help improve the rail industry in Washington. The main feeling that occurred was they are going to come up with approximately 2million dollars and try and help railroad workers and railroads. The representatives there were happy to see labor representatives there and Bill and Mark Ricci were asked questions by all concerned. Bill made available a report by the WSLB with an overview of what they are currently working on. There were also made available maps outlining the state representative districts in our area.

Safety Representative T. Reddish – He will be in Pasco tomorrow for a town hall meeting with D. Jones the new GM in Seattle. He will also have his boss with him. He appears to be bringing some new ideas into the area and we will continue to monitor how things go. He will report back next week.

Cab committee report by D. Haney – Not receiving many cab reports from engineers. Most of the one’s we are getting are from Conductors. We can’t get anything done without your help. Please fill out these forms when you have any cab issue. Have had some contact with mechanical forces and have been able to fix 80% at this point.

Local Chairman –

Yard Job 229 – was awarded then cancelled after 7 days.

Sleep modules that were required with intrusive questions are now supposed to be voluntary. Please let us know if you are required to take these.

Yard limits extension agreement – We are already seeing abuse of this agreement. Road switchers on duty 0500 and 1700. These jobs cannot replace yard jobs already working. These jobs can put trains away that they dog catch outside yard limits. If train arrives in yard limits, they cannot put the train away – only shuttle whole trains across terminal. These jobs cannot go east of McLoughlin. Pool crews/road crews can take trains as far as MP 120. Extra mileage will be paid on top of trip rates/mileage if you go past Vancouver. When more manpower is available, jobs will go to 5 days with a relief job. If you are asked to go beyond Vancouver Jct. North, and you haven’t been there in 12months, be sure to ask for a pilot. Failure to do so can result in a FRA decert.

Cameras on locomotives – Please be sure to leave these cameras alone. They appear to be hooked into the pulse system. Real time monitoring is taking place. Carrier wants to make a federal case out of messing with them. Protect yourselves – leave them alone. Also, be sure to whistle for the 15 seconds when you have a camera. It’s recording everywhere you go.

Track work on the Fallbridge is over now. MOW blitz is now on the Hi-line. Perhaps we will get some reroutes our way.

Excessive on duty times – Please document when you are on duty 15 hours or more. Leave this committee a copy of your delay report and any comments to show your attempts to get relieved in a timely fashion. It appears our new GM has some plans to cut down the excessive on duty times. We still need delay reports when it happens.

The carrier has posted a notice on buying back vacations. If you choose to sell your vacation, please allow this committee to change a prime week for one that isn’t. Once the week is sold, it’s no longer available for filing. We’d rather fill the prime weeks and have the other’s go away. Please think of others.

Claims – This committee continues to need 816’s for claims to be processed. Also, complete paperwork in order to work the claims. Claims without proper documentation will be returned to claimant.

61 & 62 car change in train at Pasco – It appears letting the 61 car be first out on their rest has been working. What does the division say about possibly letting the 61 & 62 car continue to do this? Shall we discuss this and possibly vote on it later? Floor was opened for discussion. Issue tabled in order to gather more information from the members. We will try and make a decision about this at the May meeting.

Floor opened for discussion.

Due to opening in VP positions and in accordance with current Bylaws and as bulletined. No written nominations were presented. Floor was opened for nominations. Brother Etienne nominated T. Jacobs for position of VP, Seconded by T. Reddish. Motion to close by Brother Haney, Seconded by Brother Reddish. As there were no other nominations T. Jacobs is elected by acclamation.

Motion to close by Brother Reddish, seconded by Brother Haney. Meeting adjourned at 1445.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, May 15 2006

Due to several important issues that need to be addressed combined with the low turnout we have seen recently, the Local Chairman requested an extended meeting to be held from 0900 until 1600. Division 758 Meeting opened by the president in due form at 0900.

Members present: (note: this information is a compilation of the extended hours of all present) Brother's R. Etienne, D. St John, S. Cordes, D. Haney, T. Reddish, R. McCartney, K. Atwood, R. Jacobs, H. Bailey, J. McDaniel, M. Fischer, J. Jones, M. Taylor, M. Cousineau, W. Pellens, R. Huelle, K. Kawawaki, T. Jones, A. Nollette, E. Taylor, J. Johnson, S. Hill, P. Patterson, W. Pelham, K. Taylor, J. Blau and D. Green. Also special guest P. Bovarnick.

The reading of the minutes of the previous meeting were suspended due to extended meeting.

Local Chairman – Rick provided several printouts concerning the assigned cars, FML, and various correspondence that we will be discussing during the meeting.

FMLA – The GCA has notified the Carrier that the US District Court ruled in favor of the organizations concerning forcing the employee’s to use paid leave while exercising their rights under FMLA. They are continuing to work on this so please let us know if this happens to you. It was suggested that members file a special claim for a basic day for each PLD or Vacation day the carrier pays you for when claiming FML. A copy of the wording to be used for this claim was made available. If you don't have one, let Rick know and he'll get you a copy.

Whistling at crossings – The carrier has issued letter saying this will be a dismissible offense. Please be sure to whistle at all crossings with a whistle board. Currently there are still some private crossings with whistle boards. Continue to blow at them to be safe. Please review the carrier’s outlook on operations testing. Please be sure to whistle until the knuckle of the locomotive is across the intersection. Remember, if there is a whistle board, be sure to blow the whistle. The carrier has said they will dismiss anyone who fails to whistle at a crossing with a whistle board.

RCO Jobs being filled by Engineers – If you see an RCO job being filled more than 3 days in a row, please be sure to let this committee know so we can make them bulletin the job. You are the eyes and ears of the division.

RCO’s sitting in Cab – If you see an RCO in charge of any shoving movement while sitting in the cab of the locomotive please be sure to get information for this committee. We need date, time, engine # and who it is if possible. If you come across anyone doing this feel free to warn them. Keene has promised to cite anyone caught doing this.

Vancouver XBD's Dog catching east of Wishram while in short turn around service. – Please be sure to document and notify this committee any time you are sent east of Wishram for a dog catch, and called off the XBD for short turn around service. Please provide a copy of the delay report and working timeslip.

Trip Rates on the OE – A new trip rate goes into effect June 1, 2006 on the OE. The rate does not factor in the basic day penalty for dog catching while enroute for 664. The rate has factored in ITD & FTD. The rate will be $274.9454 or $274.95 per trip plus SPD & CP.

Labor Relations Web Site – All the GC’s have a problem with LR direct dealing with employees through their web site. Letters have gone out requesting this stop. This is considered “direct dealing”. More as it develops.

Laying off – Carrier has cancelled the general notice advising that limits would be imposed on advance layoffs. This issue will be taken up again in July by the various GC’s. Please let this committee know if you are denied an advance layoff. We would like to know when someone is denied a compensated lay off day.

Claims – This committee continues to need 816’s for claims to be processed. Also, complete paperwork in order to work the claims. Claims without proper documentation will be returned to claimant. Please don’t leave any claims without the necessary documentation. This causes double handling of claims.

Engineer’s Report Card – Carrier has started an “engineer’s report card”. This has not been addressed nor accepted by the GCA. The measurement process would be at the whim of the carrier. You could have 100 “good” trips, but they could measure you on only one “bad trip”. The GCA is still appealing this. If the carrier tries to give you one, protest the whole thing and sign under protest.

Assigned Cars – The assigned cars are not working. The 61 car has lost their train. The 62 car is being held in Pasco for extensive times. The 63 car is peeving everybody. What do we do about it? Getting rid of the assigned cars is not an option. We need to make this work if we want to keep them. Just because you may not be able to hold one today doesn’t mean you may not be able to hold one tomorrow.

After much discussion, a motion was made, drafted and seconded, that would allow the 61, 62, & 63 cars to be made first out after obtaining 8 hours rest. They would each stand to be called for any train call or deadhead that was called on duty after their 8 hours rest. The assigned cars would go in the order of their arrival to each other. This motion will be discussed at the June meeting, and if agreed to, at that time will be put out for a ballot vote to the members. There will be no more profiling or picking and choosing trains.

Yard Limit Extension – Carrier is violating the road switcher agreement from the first day. The GC and LR are in discussions. Ness seems to think “road territory” means the territory the road switcher works on. The issue of the RS taking the yard jobs work was clearly addressed at meetings prior to the agreement being ironed out. Everyone agreed to the same thing. The minute the ink was dry, Ness violated it, and is violating it daily. If LR and GC can’t come to an agreement, what do we want to do about it? Do we want to cancel the agreement? This will mean an automatic extension of the yard limits to Rocky Point & Mt. Pleasant. We see how wonderful this thing is working now. The division decided to leave things as they are until next month's meeting. This will give the GCA a chance to work things out if possible.

Snug Harbor Crossing at Stevenson (lawyers crossing) – If you do not get a favorable signal make sure and stop prior to blocking this crossing and ask the dispatcher how long you are going to be there. Or wait until you hear a train at the detector prior to blocking crossing. Carrier seems to want it to be our responsibility on this rather than give the crews the proper information to guide you by. Let us know if you have problems when doing this.

The floor was opened for discussion.

Safety Representative T. Reddish – The cab committee is still not receiving many cab reports. We know that engineers are being forced to take engines that have FRA defects. Please make sure you get as much information as possible if this happens to you. Make the person requiring this to instruct you on channel one so we can get a recording of it. Also they are working to get a policy out of the roundhouse’s to get air-conditioned power on the point of all trains going east. Will let you know how this worked out.

Paul Bovarnick gave a brief presentation on several issues.

Meeting adjourned at 1600.