Members in attendance: D. Richardson, R. Huelle, S. Cordes, G. Johnson, J. Dobson, W. Hall, D. McIver, R. Etienne, R. Bodenhamer, K. Howard, S. Barnes, B. Campbell, R. McCartney, L. Coughlin, C. Howard, J. Edwards, J. Edwards, M. Bahr, M. Bell, E. Gruber, S. Clark, K. Fox.

Special Guests: Marty Dollar of Hildebrand McLeoad & Nelson LLP and Paul Bovarnick Legal Council.

Special guest Mary Dollar spoke regarding his company services and about recent claim settlement of a railway worker.

Special guest Paul Bovarnick spoke about setting up training and informational meetings regarding FILA/FMLA/RR RETIREMENT sometime in April (second or third week).

Presentation of the bills made by Secretary and discussion of current status of finances/taxes brought to members. Agreed to a $13 dues increase to keep up with the raises that the International/GCofA and Legislative boards have imposed in the last several years. First Dues increase since 2005. Motion by Brother M. Bahr, second by Brother W. Hall. Motion passed.

Current membership is 144.

Local Chairman:

 We need to look at the current version of the attendance guidelines that were sent out via email and understand the new requirements the company has set forth regarding attendance.

 Camas Turn - Carrier wants the ability to use Camas turn to go North on days that they will not work Camas. The present agreement covers this as they are a road switcher but they can only go north/south or east/west per day. Cannot go north and then east on same day or east and then north on the same day. Pay is 130 mile day and meal in route paid.

 SIRP all lineup crew problems regarding PNW Triangle per General Chairman M. Wilson.

 International sent letter in regards to a member being sued in a road crossing accident. Most often the railroad is the liable party.

 Certification – If you are called as an Engineer make sure you work as the Engineer. If a demoted Engineer works in your place you are still responsible per the new licensing guidelines.

 Y2’s – discussion regarding "K" trains. Tabled for more discussion next meeting.

 Local Chairman to attend L/C workshop in Ft. Worth, TX on 2/19.

New Business:

BLET auxiliary to set the first meeting in the near future. Contact Sister K. Black regarding auxiliary website on Facebook.

Two safety committee positions open. Nominations for the positions:

1. Brother R. Bodenhamer nominated by Brother K. Atwood second by Sister Black.

2. Brother R. Tiffany nominated by Brother R. Hill second by Brother Swayze.

3. Brother Knowles nominated by Sister K. Ruzsa second by Brother Coughlin.

4. Brother D. McIver nominated by Brother S. Clark second by Brother Edwards.

5. Brother W. Hall nominated by Brother C. Howard second by Brother R. Bodenhamer.

6. Brother L. Rau nominated by Brother S. Cordes and second by Brother R. Huelle.

7. Brother K. Morgan nominated by Brother R. Huelle second by Brother R. McCartney.

8. Brother M. Bell nominated by Brother S. Cordes second by Brother by C. Howard.

9. Brother L. Coughlin nominated by Brother J. Dobson second by Brother S. Clark.

10. Brother R. McCartney nominated by Brother K. Howard and second by Brother R. Etienne.

Members agreed on email ballots. Two ballots will be sent out via email with the counting at the March meeting.

Motion to adjourn meeting made by Brother McIver and second by Brother Campbell. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 1605.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, March 18, 2013

Meeting was opened by the President in Due Form.

Members in Attendance: R.Bodenhamer, R.Huelle, S.Cordes, D.Luther, C.Howard, J.Dobson, N.Scruggs, D.Richardson, D.McIver, M.Bell, M.Bahr, T.Kent, M.Fischer, W.Hall, T.Jacobs, M.Miller, R.tienne, R.McCartney, P.Nueble, E.Taylor, A.Garrand, K.Howard, T.Brown, K.Anderson, R.Collins, M.Cambell, J.Blau, K.Atwood, M.Wetherholt, R.Tiffany, S.Barnes, R.Jenkins, K.Newell, G.Howell, S.Papenfuse, D.Mitchel

Special Guests: Brother Skip Barnes spoke about a presentation to be put on April 24th, 2013 at the Elks Lodge 11605 SE McGillivray Vancouver, WA 98683, regarding changes in FELA, whistleblower act, statute of limitations, and railroad retirement board will be at presentation to answer questions. All are encouraged to attend and spouses are welcome also. Will be taking applications for the BLET auxiliary.

Secretary/Treasurer: Presentation of the bills made by Secretary and discussion of current status of finances/taxes brought to members. Monthly audit report brought to the membership for review. Current membership is 152. Motion to pay the bills brought by Brother S. Clark, Seconded by Sister P. Nueble.

Safety Committee: Brother K. Howard; carrier is currently having EST training. Human factors are down. 200 days injury free. Mentors are for Ground Crews ONLY. Crew Shuttles going to the roundhouse will not use the crossings that are for the Carmen and there Kabotas only. Derail to be installed at North Portland Hole. Division meeting to be held on April 9th, 2013 at Vancouver Hilton Convention Center.

Cab Committee: Sister P. Nueble; Discussion regarding kidney pads on the new series of locomotives. Do we want these on the new locomotives? Report to mechanical (phone # (817) 352-2840, 234-6259) any problems regarding locomotives then to sister Neuble. Pictures can be helpful just remember to comply with carrier policy regarding them. GEM radios are being replaced on all locomotives.

Local Chairman: Old Business; Safety positions where awarded to Brothers R. Bodenhamer and R. McCartney via email vote. Attended L/C workshop in Ft. Worth last month. Members should have at least $300,000 under insured motorist coverage on our personal auto insurance to of set the damages that may not be covered by the Van Transportation Company used by the BNSF to shuttle us to and from various points of duty.

Need to be sure to fill out F27 forms properly. Local Chairman will do one as an example. They depending on the type of injury, you have 72 hours maximum to report it (chronic injury). However, if this is an injury you have never felt before (acute) no matter how little you think it is, has to be reported within 24 hours but hopefully ASAP.

FRA has allowed cameras under electronic devises during operations as long as they are cameras only (stand alone and not on cell phone).

If you layoff during your tour of duty you will be laid off as Lay-off Away from Home Terminal) LOA. LOA requires minimum of 24 hours off duty. Members will be paid for actual time but will not be allowed to tie up that day’s ticket until the next time service is performed. Called and not used is by the hour. If your call is busted and you are on duty do not tie ticket up if you want to remain first out. Make trainmaster take the ticket out so you can go first out, then on a 1B claim 50 miles.

Local Chairman attended SHARP presentation in Vancouver. FRA requires SHARP program or similar to be in place by 2015. SHARP is a long term commitment. Safety committee stays in place. A similar program called BST is in place in Lincoln, Nebraska. Might be to our advantage. Long process before this is implemented. There is no guarantee that we have to this and we can remove our division at any time. More information to be given at next meeting.

Legislative: Port of Vancouver jobs should be ours for at least seven years. Oil trains are going down the A line to Westport, Oregon. East St. Johns is a staging area for some oil trains. Stairs at East St. Johns was removed the road master.

Presently two bills in the house (Bill 5720). One bill covers yardmasters hours of service and another bill is insurance for railroad employees required to be transported.

New Business: The BLET auxiliary is very important to our division. We are currently one member shy of obtaining a division charter. Please encourage spouses/family to participate.

Standardize safety position tenure every three years to coincide with national elections.

Discussion regarding local chairman meeting with carrier to implement additional K trains (3 or 4).

Motion to adjourn meeting made by Brother C. Howard and second by Sister P. Nueble. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 1617.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, April 15, 2013

Meeting was opened by Vice President in Due form.

Members in attendance:  S. Cordes, N. Scruggs, M. Cousineau, G. Johnson, K. Howard, K. Newell, D. McIver,  S. Roaldson, K. Anderson, H. Bailey, W. Cacas, D. Keder, S. Barnes, J. Dobson, W. Hall, W. Wasnoska, R. Tiffany, D. Richardson, B. Black, R. Etienne, M. Cambell, K. Morgan, R. McCartney, M. Fischer, T. Jacobs, E. Lingo, E. Gruber, K. Atwood, J. McHenry, L. Coughlin, T. Kent, K. Heinold, P. Nuebel

Special Guests: Legal counsel Mr. Paul Bavarnik spoke about the upcoming meeting at the Elks lodge regarding FELA, Whistleblower act, etc. Also rail road retirement will be present to answer questions regarding retirement benefits. Please attend. Spouses are encouraged to attend. The event will take place on April 24^th, at the Elks Lodge 11605 SE McGillvray Vancouver, WA. 98683 from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

Secretary/Treasurer: Attended S/T workshop in Vancouver 4/1-4/5. Presentation of the bills made by Secretary and discussion of current status of finances/ taxes brought to the members. Monthly audit report brought to the membership for review.

Current membership is 158. 141 Engineers and 17 Trainmen. Initiate new members. National dues to increase $1 and GCA dues to increase $1 effective July 1, 2013. This is because of our pay raise in July 1 (3 percent). We should not have to increase our dues. The last dues increase should cover this.

Motion to pay the bills and past ct-1 tax (2010) brought by Brother  K. Newell Seconded by Brother K. Howard.

Safety Committee: Brother K. Howard; Safety feed this week. EST training continuing. New SIRP regarding the siding at the West end of E. St Johns siding. Up to 15 oil trains a month to go down A-line and some of those to be staged at East St Johns.

Carrier is coming out with van audits for the contract vans.

There is a new lock for gate to gain access for crews changing at Evan. WDOT is allowing this access as a safer way to access Columbia Dr. NW Div. safety meeting was held at Vancouver.

Question about all the 10 mph sidings on Fallbridge and was stated that there is no money in budget for improvements, these are FRA excepted tracks and are jointed rail.

An issue arose with the van drivers giving instructions to crews regarding work to be performed, do not take any instructions from van drivers, stop work and call Yardmaster or Trainmaster for the work that needs to be done.

New frogs/switches being installed on the Seattle sub are the new swing nose type. Both the switch and frog need to be taken off power and lined separately if told to hand line.

If instructed by the Columbia Draw Bridge at SP&S Jct., to pass a stop indication, make sure the route has been proceeded by the bridge tender before going over it, this is a manual interlocking.

 CAB COMMITTEE:  Sister P. Neuble approached carrier on training for POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL (PTC).

Engineers in thru freight trains must have emergency capabilities (rear-end device) if going over hill in Vancouver yard if train exceeds 4,000 tons, Rule 102.14.

LOCAL CHAIRMAN: Brother M. Madrigal’s service was held 4/13/13.  For members willing to donate PL/Vacation days please see Sandy prior to 4/30/13.

Triangle Pool mileage has not been within the range of agreement and the company will not adjust turns to reflect the proper mileage.  Instructions for submitting claims for the Triangle is on our bulletin board in the yard office.  Triangle time slips must go to Brother H. Allington.  All other claims go to Brother M. Bahr.

Make sure that your personal settings (slide) for vacations are accurate. 

The hotel in Pasco is required to provide van service or call a taxi when the restaurant is closed. 

Motion for hotel committee brought to the members by S. P. Neuble.   Brother K. Atwood and Brother C. Cousineau awarded positions seconded by M. Campbell.

Safety cards for Form A and Form B’s are coming out next week.

Motion for involvement in BST Safety Program brought forward by Sister P. Neuble and seconded by Brother H. Bailey.

NEW BUSINESS: Discussion of the Local Chairman eligibility requirement reviewed.  Motion for Local Chairman nomination was brought forward by Brother W. Hall and seconded by Brother T. Jacobs.  Brother D. Richardson was awarded position by acclimation.

Nomination for alternate Secretary Treasurer was brought forward by Brother K. Newell and seconded by Brother K. Howard.  Brother R. Tiffany was awarded position by acclimation.

Standing rules for Division 758 was discussed.  Secretary Treasurer will provide written proposal next meeting.

 Motion to close meeting by Sister P. Nueble seconded by Brother H. Bailey.

Meeting adjourned at 1729 hrs.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, May 20, 2013
 

Meeting was opened by President in Due form.

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: S. Cordes, K. Howard, K. Newell, D. McIver, S. Roaldson, K. Anderson, S. Barnes, J. Dobson, W. Hall, R. Tiffany, D. Richardson, R. Etienne, M. Campbell, R. McCartney, T. Jacobs, E. Gruber, K. Atwood, P. Nuebel, K. Black, R. Bodenhamer, E. Gruber, G. Bryson, B. Campbell, M. Bahr, E. Taylor, K. Atwood

SECRETARY/TREASURER: Presentation of the bills made by Secretary and discussion of current status of finances/ taxes brought to the members. Monthly audit report brought to the membership for review.

Current membership is 155. 134 Engineers and 21 Trainmen.

National dues to increase $1 and GCA dues to increase $1 effective July 1, 2013. This is because of our pay raise in July 1 (3 percent). We should not have to increase our dues. The last dues increase should cover this.

Motion to pay the bills brought by Brother J. Dobson seconded by Brother P. Nuebel.

LOCAL CHAIRMAN: No negotiations currently taking place regarding the triangle.

CAB COMMITTEE: Sister P. Nuebel still working on why 7,000 series locomotives are having high pressure fuel pumps catching fire, and 6,000 series sidewall heaters catching fire.

SAFETY COMMITTEE: Terminal meeting was last week. Roadmaster Fredricks is departing.

LEGISTATIVE: No news.

HOTEL COMMITTEE: Make sure your room door is secured and locked when you leave your room for work. Have had instances where employee went to work and door was not closed and the TV was stolen.

OLD BUSINESS: Positive train control testing taking place in our division.

NEW BUSINESS: Motion to pass Standing Rules as written by J. Dobson and Seconded by W. Hall.

BST Program to start June 13th in Spokane, management is just the sponsor.

The BLET Auxiliary will have its inaugural meeting June 5th, Room 3, at Pied Piper Pizza. Social hour will be from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Meeting will start at 6:00pm. Anita Caruso, our National Auxiliary President and Sereena Hogan, our National VP/National Legislative Representative will be flying in from Omaha and Tucson, respectively to officiate and install officers. Applications and $50 annual dues will be collected.

Current membership is 153. 132 Engineers and 21 Trainmen.

Motion to pay the bills brought by Brother H. Allington seconded by Brother T. Jacobs.

Discussed the Whistleblower Act. Recommends receiving advice from a lawyer if necessary.

Check your automobile insurance limits for coverage relating to Underinsured and coverage while at work. Recommends $1,000,000 Umbrella limit and disability insurance.

Make sure you talk to union officer or lawyer before filing work related injury reports.

NEW MEMBERS: Motion to accept members S. Dove, S. Fowler, S. Haase, B. Vossen brought by D. McIver and seconded by N. Scruggs.

Held emergency meeting with Robert Johnson and C. Lucero. Discussed problems arising from calls to the company hotline for threats and intimidation to employees from other employees.

Do not put anything on social media sites that could get you in trouble with the company.

No news on Triangle available.

Local division to produce letter to General Chairman regarding the Triangle.

Local Chairman to attend Convention in Las Vegas, NV next week.

CAB COMMITTEE: None

Safety Marathon last week. Slip Trip & Fall, water bottles etc.

Tacoma safety committee came to talk to members.

Stairs at Skamania are being looked at since they are not adequate.

Wheel stops at Subaru are being taken out.

New gate at asphalt plant (wye).

Green transfer at St. Johns will only hold three cars on spot.

SP&S lead to Vancouver roundhouse to be paved to keep dust down.

Any concerns regarding safety make sure you fill out SIRP form.

Van audits, updated routes and maps. Each van should have a map book available.

State House of Representatives took no action on the van bill or yard master (HOS) bill.

Cell phones are still an issue.

In cab camera (in facing) ordered on KCS Railroad.

Nationwide railroad workers suicides are increasing.

Restrictive speed related issues are on the increase.

National legislation on a bill to stop carriers from paper deadheading are being discussed.

Meetings will be held the third Monday of every month.

All members and associate members invited.

HOTEL COMMITTEE: Forms are available for the Red Lion Pasco Hotel for issues regarding unclean room etc. Forms are in Vancouver and Pasco yard offices.

Motion to close meeting by Brother T. Jacobs seconded by Brother H. Allington.

Meeting adjourned at 1520 hrs.