January - June 2012 Minutes

January - June 2012 Meeting Minutes

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, January 16, 2012

Meeting was opened by the President in Due Form.

Members in attendance – R Pratt, R Etienne, K Atwood, R McCartney, T Beckwith, R Hill, D Byrum, R Tiffany, E Gruber, P Nuebel, T Brown, R Jenkins, E Taylor, D McIver, D Haney, K Black, G Bryson, T Jacobs, R Maggio, K Ring

Minutes from the December meeting were read. Sister Neubel motioned to approve, Brother Atwood seconded. Minutes approved.

Presentation of bills made by Secretary, Motion to pay bills by Brother Bryson. Seconded by Sister Neubel. Motion passed.

The current membership is 137.

Safety / Cab Committee – Need pics of BNSF 2093 & 2096. Cab report should be given to Rod Tiffany. Form is located above computers in main office. Use them. Be sure to check if you have a Code 8 on defect column of wheel.

Safety Feed coming at end of month.

Local Chairman –

National Contract

•         The National Contract passed with about a 2-1 ratio.
•         Not the best, but better than a PEB.
•         Our GC is in talks with LR to revise our pay structure.
•         If not, no more on property agreements ever.

100% Rules Compliance – It's your choice, comply 100% or don't complain.

Isolating and Reporting Engines

• SYS Gen Not talks about isolating and reporting isolated engines. We can no longer ring up Mechanical and report to them, we now have to report by VTR known as LIR. Failure to do so will result in ops failure.

• There is a new remote desk that works only HPT compliance, there phone #'s are 817-593-7670 or 800-327-3230. We are now required to report any change in consist (pickup, set out, change in HPT etc.) and this should be done prior to pulling.

• Ops failures are being given out at MP 10.4, so report before you pull. Remember to take care of all their rules before you pull. If they ask what's taking so long, just quote some of the stupid requirements.

Division Safety Meeting

• The quarterley Division Safety Meeting was held in Seattle. Loud detectors were discussed. Carrier is in process of switching radios to narrow band. Whendone, volumes should be evened out.

• Mandatory FCC requires all old radios be turned in and resissued narrow band compliant. A fine from FCC will be given after the close odate for anyone using old radios. Cut-off date is 010113. The purpose is to narrow the bands to allow more channels to be used.

•         BNSF plans to hire 5,000 employees, with 140 planned for the new in the first half of 2012. There were 113 lost due to attrition/firings
•         2011 hired 5188 employees system wide. 4859 scheduled, 329 exempt.
•         258 TY&E HIRED IN 2011 on NW Division.
•         9 fatalities system wide 2011
•         1 MOW fatality 2012
•         74 reportable injuries in 2011 (48% decrease TY&E, 30% mechanical & 5 engineering)
•         152 REI's with 27 shoving, 27 speeding and 40 bypass drawbars
•         87 shoving violations
•         32 deadly (10 in-between, 2 50', 5 riding side, 2 fouling tracks, 13 shoving)
•         2012 goals
◦       under 2% injury, reduce HFREI's by 40%, reduce severity ratio to 1.45
◦       Goas is to have fewest injures possible.
•         NW Division closed 637 SIRP with 24 open at the end of the year.
•         New SIRP form allows better distribution to get the problem to the one who fixes it.

Mobilization Teams

We need to continue to fine tune our Mobilization Teams. If you have a new phone number or email, please let Sean or Brian Campbell know. Let your local committee know, to

Roosevelt, WA

We are meeting with FRA, Carrier and Rabanco Wednesday to discuss the ongoing issues at Rabanco. With FRA on our side, we should see the Carrier finally take safety seriously there.

Enhances Safety Classes

We will be doing Enhances Safety classes in February. Be sure to sign up if you want to take the class. Lost earning will be paid for those with a regular job. XBD guarantee for XBD employees.

No new business.

Motion to close meeting by Brother McIver and seconded by Brother Jacobs. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1450.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, February 20, 2012

Meeting was opened by the President in Due Form.

Members in attendance – R Pratt, R Etienne, C Nibler, N Scruggs, D. McIver, R Maggio, R Tiffany, D. Kautz, R. Roaldson, J. Dobson, T.Ponciano, K. Black, J. Ragan, G. Bryson, K. Dunn, G. Howell, W. Cacas, J. Hassler, K. Anderson, M. Bahr.

Minutes from the January meeting were read. Brother Anderson motioned to approve, Brother Kautz seconded. Minutes approved.

Presentation of bills made by Secretary, Motion to pay bills by Brother Bryson seconded by Brother Roaldson, Motion passed.

The curent membership is 135

Safety / Cab Committee – Safety committee new officers are Mike Weathers as chairman and Kevin Howard as Vice Chairman.

Legislative Rep – None.

Local Chairman –

100% Rules Compliance – Carrier keeps telling us to slow down and comply 100%, who are we to argue. Its your choice.

Recertification – Remember that the carrier doesn't send out packets anymore. You can do the year B classroom training in a recert year. Its important to remember to take care of the items needed to be done on a recert year, vision/hearing, driver's abstract or the form Sandy has for Oregon residents. Failure to complete these by the expiration date of your card will result in being pulled from service, and if you operate a locomotive while your card has expired, it is an automatic level S.

Triangle - Carrier has evidently served notice of an Article 9. Both Organizations have asked to go to arbitration before they enact the triangle, no word yet on the carrier's decision. If they force the triangle, it will be up to each one of us to timeslip each time we are runaround by one of those pool people, information needed would be name, date, time, train symbol. For the claim you must be first out and the train must be going the proper direction.

Low hours – If you get notified you need to come talk to the carrier about possible low hours, make sure you have representation with you, if you sign a letter without representation, you will have that over your head forever. Call one of yours reps, or Union officer to go in with you.

Willbridge going RCO – Carrier plans to make 101G and 305G RCO sometime in the near future. We all know how dangerous that main line track coming into the yard can be, we've warned them, but as always they have to see it to believe it, if you work RCO, and bid on those jobs, be careful of the grade.

UTU Training coordinator wishes to have one engineer to use whenever a new hire class is being taught how to get on/off etc. Its up to the members if they want to do this, what do you say?

Vacancy on local committee of adjustments – Due to Dave Haney's retirement, a vacancy on the committee exists and we need to fill it until the elections in November.

FRA Questions – Currently have 3 questions into the FRA, waiting for response.

            HOS rest for those on regular assignments after attending EST?
            Is it OK to get off the locomotive to line a switch?
            What is the dollar value of a derailment that may require in decertification?

We will let the member know when we get and answer, FRA is spread thin, so it may be awhile before we get an answer.

Roosevelt WA – Mike Bahr and Todd Jacobs went to Roosevelt WA with SupOps Lucero and discussed the following issues – B/O air gauges, contract employees climbing on cars, Bob trying to hurry crews, Bob messing with air/hand brakes, list out of Pasco and air tests. We will have more as it develops.

Enhances Safety classes – Enhances safety classes are going on now, be sure to sigh up if you want to take the class. Lost earnings will be paid for those with a regular job and XBD guarantee for XBD employees. Classes will be on Tues-Thurs.

New Business

Motion is made by Sister Black to have an email ballot sent to all members to decide on the position of Vice local chairman, the candidates are R. Tiffiany, T. Jocobs, H. Allington. Motion seconded by Brother Roaldson, motion passed.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Cacas and seconded by Brother McIver, Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1446.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, March 19, 2012

Meeting was opened by the President in Due Form.

Members in attendance – R Pratt, R Etienne, C Nibler, D. McIver, R Maggio, R Tiffany, R. Roaldson, K. Black, G. Howell, W. Cacas, M. Bahr, T Jacobs, D. Byrum, R. Hill, J. Dobson, D. Lynd, K. Atwood, K. Anderson, N. Scruggs, S. Cordes, K. Baker, A. Nollette, S. Clark, H. Allington, J. McHenry, M. Miller.

Minutes from the February meeting were read. Brother Atwood motioned to approve, Brother Jacobs seconded. Minutes approved.

Presentation of bills made by Secretary, Motion to pay bills by Brother Atwood seconded by Brother Jacobs, Motion passed.

The curent membership is 141

Safety / Cab Committee – Health fair will be the last Saturday in August. Wire theft is on the rise, keep an eye out.

Legislative Rep – None.

Local Chairman –

Designated Legal Counsel – BLET is discontinuing their role in a designated legal counsel, now a list is put out by the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys (ARLA). This list provides choices for any FELA attorney to give a better spread of choices. ARLA will police themselves, not by the BLET.

Do your homework before choosing an attorney.

10 Minute EMC Policy – The 4 BLET GCA's have succeeded in getting the carrier to ease off on the 10 minute EMC policy they established. Carrier agreed to split the difference between 20 and 10 and make it 15 minutes. Each # will be called twice, then a 10 minute wait, then the final attempt.

Triangle - Copy of the letter by the GCA to the carrier asking for postponement with a request for arbitration is also included. Organization wants two arbitration awards, while carrier wants one.

Two would give two chances to bust the agreement.

Malicious Rules Compliance – Once in a while a carrier officer will threaten a crew with the malicious compliance word. Be sure to report any such case to a union officer. We are told by highest authority to slow down and comply 100% and this is what we should be doing.

Carrier is getting chafed that productivity is slowing down, too bad, we're doing what top management wants us to do. A by product that they can't ignore is a huge reduction in HFRIE's and injuries.

Two new conventional yard jobs being added – Carrier plans to add two new yard jobs soon, 131G and a relief job will be added, probably afternoon.

Vacancy on local committee of adjustments – Howard Allington won the election for Vice Local Chairman and will be taking on oversight of he XBD mileage. He will also start training to answer questions of the members.

FRA Questions – FRA answered several questions for us. It's OK to get off and line a switch as long as we can be sure our train won't move and we must be in the immediate vicinity of the train.

As always, it is always our choice to do so or not.

Roosevelt WA – Testing is still going on out there, be careful and follow the rules. Be careful about riding cars and engines and be sure to do a Class 1 air test if in doubt.

RO Claims at Felida – Claims for RO just because the inbound train isn't parked exactly at the signal is without merit. Most limits have a built in “head space” to allow the train to arrive at a location. Just because the train is back a number of feet doesn't change the fact the train is in limits, if you can see the signal from the cab when boarding, the train is considered in limits.

If you go to 129, 127 or further north, then you have a RO claim.

Paperwork for Claims – Getting worse, not better. 95% of claims forwarded electronically do not have the paperwork left without phone calls or emails. Enormous amount of time spent sending texts, emails or phone calls, if you forward a claim be sure to include the appropriate paperwork, 816, delay report, you should always get a copy of the delay report from your cdr in case of pay issues.

Notices of Investigation – Would really appreciate a phone call notifying the committee that you have been cited for something. Its not the committee's job to call any one cited to ask them if they want to be represented.

New Business

Motion is made by Brother Etienne to allow him to write a letter to GCA president Matt Wilson for clarification on MP 130.7 claims (RO). Seconded by Brother Roaldson. Motion passed.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Atwood and seconded by Brother Jacobs, Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1513.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, Apri116, 2012

Meeting was opened by the President in Due Form.

Members in attendance – R Pratt, R Etienne, C Nibler, D. McIver, R Maggio, R. Roaldson, G. Howell, W. Cacas, M. Bahr, R. Hill, J. Dobson, K. Atwood, K. Anderson, S. Cordes, S. Clark, J. McHenry, G. Bryson, B. Huppunen, J. Nibler, R. McCartney, M. Cousineau.

Motion to dispense reading of the March minutes was made by Brother Hill and seconded by Brother Roaldson, motion passed.

Presentation of bills made by Secretary, Motion to pay bills by Brother Atwood seconded by Brother Cordes, Motion passed.

The current membership is 141

Safety / Cab Committee – Health fair will be the last Saturday in August.

Legislative Rep – No OSHA meeting can be scheduled for this year of 2012.

Local Chairman –

If you go to 129, 127 or further north, then you have a RO claim.

Paperwork for Claims – Getting worse, not better. 95% of claims forwarded electronically do not have the paperwork left without phone calls or emails. Enormous amout of time spent sending texts, emails or phone calls, if you forward a claim be sure to include the appropriate paperwork, 816, delay report, you should always get a copy of the delay report from your cdr in case of pay issues

Cell Phone Usage Rules – Be sure to review the rules concerning cell phone usage. May be use for 3 functions – calling, texting and checking email. No going on line for any reason including to check train tracking, no facebook, twitter or on line games.

Enhanced Safety classes – Enhanced safety classes are going on now, be sure to sign up if you want to take the class. Lost earning will be paid for those with a regular job, XBD guarantee for XBD employees.

New Business

Motion is made by Brother Hill to have the prior months minutes copied and made available at the next months meeting, seconded by Brother McIver. Motion passed.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Bahr and seconded by Brother Anderson, Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1431.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, May 21, 2012

Meeting was opened by the President in Due Form.

Members in attendance – R Pratt, R Etienne, C Nibler, D. McIver, R Maggio, J. Dobson, K. Atwood, S. Clark, R. McCartney, J. Zozosky, H. Allington, T. Jacobs, J. Skaurud, M. Fisher, J. Edwards, M. Taylor, R. Maggio, T. Kent, W. Pelham, D. Keder, K. Black, T. Brown, A. Nollette, K. Morgan, B Campbell, E. Gruber.

Motion to dispense reading of the March minutes was made by Brother Clark, seconded by Brother Etienne, motion passed.

Presentation of bills made by Secretary, Motion to pay bills by Brother Fisher, seconded by Sister Kent. Motion passed.

The current membership is 141

Safety / Cab Committee – Health fair will be on the 25^th of August at Firstenberg. Flags will be places at all entrances to form B's within the terminal. June 11^th thru July 20^th will have maintenance windows.

Legislative Rep – None.

Local Chairman –

Felida Limits – The GCA has made a determination that if a train arrives at Felida, but hasn't pulled up close to the block it is still considered to have arrived. This would also apply to trains that road switchers & K trains are required to put away, these trains are also considered to be inside the terminal. If a train is behind another one already stopped at Felida, that 2^nd train is not considered inside the limits.

New UTU Rest Cycle Agreements – New UTU rest cycle agreements have been forwarded to me, they are similar to the ones we looked at when Smart Rest was voted in. Do you want this committee to have GCA pursue a similar agreement? We voted down our Attachment A & B when Smart Rest was voted in.

Cell Phone Usage Rules – Be sure to review the rules concerning cell phone usage. May be use for 3 functions – calling, texting and checking email. No going on line for any reason including to check train tracking, no facebook, twitter or on line games.

Roosevelt Air Tests. - When the carrier met with FRA they were told a class 1 test was required if the train had been split up. Lucero told us Friday the carrier got a new interpretation from the FRA and a class 3 is all they now need if air is maintained. We need to keep doing a class 1 until the carrier tells us in a bulletin to do a class 3.

Air Test in Terminal for Switching – Be sure to read the general notice outlining which (if any) type of air test is needed for various switching moves. W yard needs only a set & release, if air is all the way through the cars. Transfer air test needed on the transfers, and if the distance travelled is over 1 mile, a transfer test is needed from Rivergate to Ramsay Yard. When the new Rivergate yard is complete, all air test will be done there.

2 Year Injury Free Award – Be sure to sign up for your choice of a safety award, currently the choices are going to be a backpack from the makers of Swiss Army Knives, a waterproof rain jacket, and a Carhartt Jacket.

Triangle – Rumors keep cropping up that the carrier plans to start the triangle in June, no official word from GCA yet. If it happens, we need to timeslip any triangle engineer that takes one of our trains in the direction we are going. Promise when we find out anything, all will be given the info.

Decerts & Other Issues – Fallbridge has been almost incident free since Sept 2011, we've had one event since then. Fallbridge is among the leading subs as far as discipline issues, congrats and keep of the good work. Hopefully we see a relaxing of the heavy handed discipline. We had a sample recently where a switch crew messed up big time and the crew was allowed to take a formal reprimand where this could have resulted in a dismissal, so maybe the relaxing has started.

Engr. Card Expiration – Be sure to check to see when your engr. Card expires, we don't want to operate a loco with an expired card, this would result in a Level S offense. Carrier is having some problems getting new cards out. Be sure to let the carrier know if your card is getting close to expiring and get a temp card if your card does expire while waiting for your new card

New Business

Motion is made by Brother McIver to pay Chris Nibler one day pay for moving our union office to a storage facilities. Seconded by Brother Maggio. Motion passed.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Nollette and seconded by Brother Taylor, Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1520.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, June 18, 2012

Meeting was opened by the President in Due Form.

Members in attendance – R Pratt, R Etienne, C Nibler, S. Roaldson, K. Anderson, J. Nibler, J. Dobson, J. Zozosky, C. Gerlack, B. Black, T. Brown,. K. Morgan, E. Gruber, G. Bryson, M.
Grimm, T. Beckwith, J. Ragan, K. Dunn, K. Black, T. Kent, M. Miller, D. Richardson, K. Newell, M. Bahr, W. Wasnoska.

Motion to dispense reading of the March minutes was made by Brother Morgan, seconded by Brother Bryson, motion passed.

Presentation of bills made by Secretary, Motion to pay bills by Brother Bryson, seconded by Brother Bahr. Motion passed.

The current membership is 139

Safety / Cab Committee – For switch repair in the yard, contact Donnie Alexander on Ch. 36..

Legislative Rep – None.

Local Chairman –

Roosevelt Air Tests. - Carrier's notice says a Class 3 air test is all that's required at Roosevelt, however if the conditions that allow for a class 3 don't exist, then we still have to do a Class 1.

Triangle – The carrier is accusing us of being mean and not giving info to crew while piloting and claim we have even told those crews they couldn't ride in our van. Shircliff has an inflammatory video out accusing us of harassment without listening to the truth, they have made up their minds already. We need to make sure we treat those crews with respect and professional, give them the info they need to get over the road safely. If the conductor needs info about ground work, advise respectfully we don't know the craft and they will need to ask the dispatcher or TM. We don't want to give the carrier anything to take to court. Arbitration will depend on us doing this. And please stop the face book postings about this issue, the carrier is reading it.

First in Pool dispute – Both the National Division and GCA's on the BNSF are working on this. If it goes through, laying off will result in another srop in the pool and placement will be first in first out at both ends. If we are called to work manpower shortage, no one knows what you will get paid, so make up your mind accordingly. We may be losing money to do this “favor” for the carrier, make your decisions wisely.

2 Year Injury Free Award - We have until 22 June to make our decision, backpack, jacket or rain jacket. See Cart to make your decision.

Engr. Card Expiration – Be sure to check to see when your engr. card expires, we don't want to operate a loco with an expired card, this is a level S offense to operate a loco with an expired card.

Be sure to let the carrier know if your card is getting close to expiration and get a temp card if yours does expire.

Student Engineer Dodges Level S Discipline – We had a happy ending with a student engineer who had a mishap while training. The carrier wanted to give him a Level S, this was after carrier wanted to hold the train crew accountable. After much talking and begging, Robert Johnson agreed to a formal rep so now the student has a fighting chance to succeed.

New Business

Motion was made by Brother Richardson to accept as new members to the BLET 758, B. Margenson, K. Chapman, C. Preiss, C. Robins, C McDonnell, Jennings. Seconded by brother Black. Motion passed.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Bryson and seconded by Brother Morgan. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1522.