July-December 2009 Minutes

July - December 2009 Meeting Minutes

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, July 20, 2009

Meeting was opened by President in Due Form.

Members attending – R. Etienne, T Jacobs, K Atwood, C Nibler, R Pratt, G Bryson, X. Wilson, K. Baker, R. McCartney, R Huelle, K. Anderson, K. Anderson, T Reddish, S. Barnes.

Minutes read and approved.

Finances - We currently have 120 members. Secretary made presentation on current finances, The bills were presented for payment. Motion to pay bills by Brother Jacobs and seconded by Brother Bailey. Motion passed.

Safety Committee – Look for posters to sign up for enhanced training for July. Training will be paid as loss wages. New X over is going in at N. Plt Jct. No safety marathon for July.

Local Chairman –

RSIA Enactment – The new HOS are in effect. Still some controversy on whether or hot a deadhead as the only start in a calendar day breaks the consecutive cycle, carrier say “yes”, National says “No”. Smart Rest won’t be available until around September.

Tying up under the new RSIA rules – FRA requirement force us to tie up when our shift is over, no grace period of 15-30 minutes, your tie up should be the time on the computer.

Yard jobs should tie up when they are let go, TSS will not allow anyone to go the boards ahead of the scheduled off duty time of the job. Keep an eye on this at first to make sure it works. Road switcher should always tie up when released, not at the end of 8 hours.

FRA will be imposing stiff fines on those who get creative on their tie ups.

We are to show the time we get off the train as “release time”, and tie up time as “tie up time”

Only limbo time over 12 hours will count toward the limbo cap and limbo time over 12 hours will be added to rest.

All time, working and limbo under 12 hours will count toward the 276 hours cap.

Keep a sharp eye on your 816 to ensure your pay is correct.

Smart Rest Vote – Our division voted to ratify the smart rest agreement by a vote of 46 for and 16 against. Attachment A failed to ratify by a vote of 2 for and 55 against. Attachment B failed to ratify by a vote of 5 for and 55 against.

UTU agreement – General Chairman is having meetings with the UTU General Chairman the week of 07-27, hopefully we will bet some info then.

Matt is still going to talk to Scholllmeyer about a side letter if it becomes necessary, side ltr hopefully will not require engineers to go to Wishram before being able to be demoted.

Appears engr’s will have to exhaust seniority in the zone before they can become demoted, currently our zone is Vancouver-Wishram-Longview Jct.

Rest Cycle Cancellation & Attendance – Carrier served notice to cancel all XBD rest cycle agreements. With no rest cycle agreement, engineers are subject to the 75/25% under the attendance guidelines. We should remember that if we are moving around on jobs, and we have had any weekend days off as scheduled days off, the policy says we can’t take any more unscheduled weekend days in that month, if the magic number exceeds two.

Any scheduled weekend days taken do not count, they just take away from the allowance of any unscheduled weekend days available.

Simplification of some rules – VP Transportation agrees the rules are getting out of hand, lawyers have taken over the rules department. He agrees knee-jerk reactions to an incident somewhere on the system shouldn’t have to result in a global change or addition to a rule. Our General Manager is offering the opportunity for anyone to come up with ideas to condense or simplify two rules – In-between rule & shoving rule are those two rules. Anyone interested, see your local committee of adjustments.

Election of Division Officers – We will be nominating and electing Division officers at the later part of the year, in order to hold office in the Division, members must be in good standing. This means, union dues must have been paid on each of the previous 24 month.

Anyone who has missed paying dues, for any reason, in the last 24 months is ineligible to hold office. These rules are enforced by the IBT.

UTU Lawsuit on 2007 On Property Agreement – Fifth Circuit Court ruled against UTU regarding our Scope Rule in the 2007 agreement. This was a rejection of an appeal by UTU when they lost the case the first time.

Decision was the Scope Rule was a minor dispute as it can be resolved by interpreting the 2007 Agreement, and the 2002 UTU agreement.

Utes have yard RCO’s, we have the road.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Bryson, seconded by Brother Anderson. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1445.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, September 21, 2009

Meeting was opened by President in Due Form.

Members attending – R. Etienne, T Jacobs, C Nibler, R Pratt, X. Wilson, B. Olmstead, N. Scruggs, M. Ragan, H Allington, H. Bailey, D StJohn, C. Ruzsa, E. Taylor, R. Tiffany, B. Black, K. Fox, K. Taylor, D. Haney, L. Coughlin, R. Hill, T. Kent, L. Weed.

Minutes read and approved.

Finances - We currently have 121 members. Secretary made presentation on current finances, The bills were presented for payment. Motion to pay bills by Brother Wilson and seconded by Brother Haney. Motion passed.

Safety Committee – CAZ (Critical Attention Zone) sign will be placed within the terminal, look for them. Poles and wires will be picked up on the Fallbridge.

Phones – The FRA has a Electronic box that can tell weather your phone is on, be sure to turn your phone off, don't become the post child.

If interested in helping on next months Safety BBQ Oct 13-14, contact T. Jacobs or H. Bailey.

Legislative Rep.- Instead of Red Flags for Form B's on other than main track a sign will be posted to remind you to read your GTB's prior to entering the Main.

Local Chairman –

Smart Rest – Smart rest is in effect now. Remember, it must be chosen at the end of 4^th or 5^th consecutive daily shift.

Tying up under the new RSIA rules – Tie ups must be at the actual time you are on the computer, there is no such thing as 15 minutes grace period. The computer flags a discrepancy when your tie up does not match the actual time.

Stampede Pass – Carrier plans to basically shut Stampede Pass down until January, the they will evaluate. Costs too much to keep trains running on it.

Stack Trains – Stack trains will be coming our way to balance the pool, this will equal east bounds with west bound traffic.

Layoff Allocations – We've been in talks to up the allocations for daily layoffs. We currently have 11 for all types of layoffs, we asked the carrier to up the allocation to 15, should hear something by the end of the week.

Best Way for NOC – The NOC is going through the Best Way process. Our hope is to get better communication between dispatchers and crews, time will tell.

Vacations for 2010 – The position you are working on October 1 will decide what roster you'll be on for vacations. Vacation requests will be out soon, please don't put request in the computer.

New Business -

Motion is made by Brother St John to invite the FRA to a future union meeting to discuss the HOS limits with regard to RSIA. Motion seconded by Brother Tiffiany. Motion passed.

Need more space in the yard office for Union Information, Brother Bailey will check for availability.

Motion is made by Brother Wilson to invite Trainmasters to participate in the Safety BBQ. Seconded by Brother Ragan. Motion passed.

Motion is made by Brother St John to continue Nominations to stay open until the close of the special meeting planned on 09/28/09 at 1300 at Carpenter Hall. Seconded by Brother Haney. Motion passed.

Motion to close meeting by Sister Taylor, seconded by Brother Allington, Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1523

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, October 19, 2009

Meeting was opened by President in Due Form.

Members attending – R. Etienne, T Jacobs, C Nibler, R Pratt, H. Bailey, R. Tiffany, D. Robertson, K. Atwood, M. Bahr.

Motion to suspend reading of the Aug. Minutes by Brother Etienne and seconded by K. Atwood, motion passed. Minutes for special meeting of Sept 27 read and approved.

Finances - We currently have 120 members. Secretary made presentation on current finances, The bills were presented for payment. Motion to pay bills by Brother Etienne and seconded by Brother Atwood. Motion passed.

Safety Committee – CAZ (Critical Attention Zone) at 8^th St. and NP side.

Santa train planned for December 12. Trying to establish crew change points within the terminal. Great turnout on Safety BBQ, thank you.

Local Chairman –

Smart Rest – Smart rest is in effect now. Remember, it must be chosen at the end of 4^th or 5^th consecutive daily shift.

Layoff Allocations – We've been in talks to up the allocations for daily layoffs. We currently have 11 for all types of layoffs. Carrier will increase allocations to 13, will keep trying for more.

Vacations for 2010 – The position you are working on October 1 will decide what roster you'll be on for vacations. Vacation request forms are out, please fill a form out and be sure to include your seniority roster # on the form. Please don't put requests in the computer. Turn them in by Nov. 15^th.

Undisturbed & Mandatory Rest – Only the first 10 hours (plus any excess limbo time) is required to be undisturbed, all other mandatory test is not undisturbed. You will be available for call after either 46.5 hours or 70.5 hours.

Layoff & the Bump Clock – PLD & Vac. Days stop the bump clock, your bump is extended beyond the layoff for however many hours you have left on your bump. Any unpaid layoff started before being bumped will not start the clock until the layoff is over. Any unpaid layoff that starts after being notified will not stop the clock. If your bump will expire before your layoff ends, you will have to mark up early in order to make the time limits on the bump. Programming is being suggested to fix this issue.

New Business -

Motion is made by Brother Bahr to have Christmas baskets created for those needing them within the railroad family. Motion seconded by Brother Bailey. Motion passed.

Motion is made by Brother Etienne to donate money to Rodger Bartholomew charity of his choice, $250 for the memory of his daughter. Seconded by Brother Atwood. Motion passed.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Bailey, seconded by Brother Jacobs, Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1409

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, November 16, 2009

Meeting was opened by President in Due Form.

Members attending – R. Etienne, C Nibler, R Pratt, D. Robertson, R. Huelle, K. Huelle, S. Hill, W. Cacas, X. Wilson, B.Bocchi, R. Maggio, D. Haney, K. Anderson, W. Pelham, K. Baker, W. Barnes, K. Stockman, E. Taylor, K. Taylor, M. Taylor, M. Fischer, A. Nollette, R. Burns, V. Smith, D. Ruiz.

Minutes for Oct meeting read and approved.

Finances - We currently have 120 members. Secretary made presentation on current finances, The bills were presented for payment. Motion to pay bills by Brother Haney and seconded by Brother Nollette. Motion passed.

A three member committee was selected to count the ballots for officer elections, the committee is S. Hill, B Bocchi and W. Cacas.

Local Chairman –

Layoff Allocations – We've been in talks to up the allocations for daily layoffs. We currently have 11 for all types of layoffs. Carrier will increase allocations to 13, will keep trying for more.

On Property Agreement – Are there any question, all information has been posted on the web site, be sure to fill out and mail your ballot and remember to put your return address on the outer envelope.

Road Switchers between 0001 – 0500 – Carrier wants to be able to call road switchers between the hours of 0001 and 0500. We talked about this some time ago and at the time there was no problem, this give us the opportunity to have more jobs and the carrier vows to make sure extra switchers are on the lineup. OK to do so?

FSA Packets – We have another year to enroll in the FSA program, we thought we had lose it due to light enrollment. Any of your recurring bills or those that know the have a certain co-pay to make for the year should use this, the money comes out of your pay pre-tax and is paid back to you as you incur bills/co pays. We encourage everyone to use it if the need is there.

Undisturbed and Mandatory Rest – Only the first 10 hours (plus any excess limbo time) is required to be undisturbed, all other mandatory rest is not undisturbed. You will be available for call after 46.5 hours or 70.5 hours.

Vacations for 2010 – Please get your applications in ASAP, vacations will be done on the first week of December.

Whistling for Crossings – There has been several cases of Engineers being cited for not blowing for crossings. Road foremens have their pet crossing they check for on the tapes, usually the issue is with small crossings. Protect yourself-blow for all public crossing with a whislte boards, carrier is making it a level S with no alternative handling.

Reporting times – Carrier is making a big deal about reporting times on and off trains, report the time you get on and off the train, if yarding train, report the time out of the track. Be sure to inform the Round House and TM where power is being left. Carrier is going to start citing crews for not doing this.

New Business -

Motion is made by Brother Haney to form a site committee to look into moving union mtg to other locations and eliminate the union office. Seconded by Brother Wilson. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Brother Haney to have an email sent to all member to survey weather to change the call window from 1 ½ hours to 2 hours. Seconded by Brother Burns. Motion passed.

Results of the Div 758 Officer elections are as follows:

Vice Pres - J. D. McHenry; First Vice Local – M. K. Bahr; Second Vice Local – D. L. Haney; First Alt Delegate to ND – B. S. Black; Second Alt Delegate to ND – R. M. Hill;

Div 758 Officers for 2010 – 2013 are as follows:

President - Chris Nibler; Vice President – Jeff McHenry; Sec/Tres – Robert Pratt; Alternate Sec/Treas - Brad Black; Delegate to the State Leg. Board – Xavier Wilson; Alt. Delegate to the State Leg. Board – Robert Hill; Local Chairman – Richard Etienne; First Vice Local Chairman – Mike Bahr; Second Vice Local Chairman – Dave Haney; Guide – Mike Cousineau; Chaplin – Kelly Fox; First Alt. Delegate to ND – Bradley Black; Second Alt. Delegate to ND – Robert Hill

Motion to close meeting by Brother Nollette, seconded by Brother Huelle, Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1438

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, December 21, 2009

Meeting was opened by President in Due Form.

Members attending – R. Etienne, C Nibler, R Pratt, R. Huelle, X. Wilson, R. Maggio, D. Haney, W. Barnes, R. Burns, T Reddish, R. Tiffiany, M. Bahr, H. Allington.

Minutes for Nov meeting read and approved with amendments..

Finances - We currently have 123 members. Secretary made presentation on current finances, The bills were presented for payment. Motion to pay bills by Brother Haney and seconded by Brother Wilson. Motion passed.

Special Guest- Jim Nelson (Sec/Tres of GCA and Alt Sec/Tres to National Div. $4.5 to $5 million is received in membership dues

Cab Committee – Ceiling on new units, is it toxic? Checking on that. If you have any cab issues, be sure to fill out a report and give copy to R. Reams or D Haney. If you have problems with Dynamics on new Loco's to include Sanders, Wheel slip, Loss of Dynos. Report this with trip ID, Loco # to cab committee.

Local Chairman –

On Property Agreement – Total vote on the property was 74.52% in favor. There was a total of 6979 eligible voters from the 4 committees and out of that 3542 voted (50.75%)

The return % of those divisions on former BN property was 55.79%.

On Property Changes – Not sure when these changes will take effect. !% pay raise will go into effect Jan 1, 2010. On the 6^th week vacation, will find out when it can be assigned and when and how we can float the 2^nd week. Choices for the 6^th week will come from the remaining available slots.

Road Switchers between 0001 – 0500 – Carrier agreed to look seriously to putting another scheduled Road Switcher on. Time may not be 2100 however. Carrier vows to make sure extra road switcher are on the lineup and if not done we can revisit this in the future.

Vacations for 2010 – Posted in the computer and on the Web Site. No changes until after the first of the year.

Claim Conferencing – There are several required documents needed for claims conferencing, a cut slip, working ticket, delay report (if one available), 816 for that pay period, and an understandable explanation for what is being claimed. I have been asking for years with continuing lack of results and I am spending too much time trying to get these documents. GCA requires them for any claims that have to go them, not all claim are paid locally. From now on, a claim with no paperwork will be returned to claimant, help me and yourself, this is your money.

Old Business -

Discussion continued on moving the union mtg to other locations and eliminate the union office, this discussion will continue with research into the cost of continuing to use the union hall for meetings and eliminating the union office, is this possible?

New Business -

Local Chairman need a new printer. Motion made by Brother Bahr and seconded by Brother Allington to purchase printer. Motion passed.
Motion by Brother Tiffany to accept John Regan for membership to the BLET, seconded by Brother Huelle. Motion passed.
Motion to accept Road Switcher to be called between 0001 – 0500, after discussion this is to remain pending.
Gift Basket were completed and delivered by Brother Bahr. Thank you for your time and effort.
Is it possible to establish a relief fund locally?. The Sec/Tres will speak with BLET tax specialist and examine any problem before continued discussions.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Haney, seconded by Brother Huelle, Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1451.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, December 21, 2009

Meeting was opened by President in Due Form.

Members attending – R. Etienne, C Nibler, R Pratt, R. Huelle, X. Wilson, R. Maggio, D. Haney, W. Barnes, R. Burns, T Reddish, R. Tiffiany, M. Bahr, H. Allington.

Minutes for Nov meeting read and approved with amendments..

Special Guest- Jim Nelson (Sec/Treas of GCA and Alt Sec/Treas to National Div. $4.5 to $5 million is received in membership dues

Local Chairman –

On Property Agreement – Total vote on the property was 74.52% in favor. There was a total of 6979 eligible voters from the 4 committees and out of that 3542 voted (50.75%)

The return % of those divisions on former BN property was 55.79%.

Vacations for 2010 – Posted in the computer and on the Web Site. No changes until after the first of the year.

Old Business -

New Business -

Motion to close meeting by Brother Haney, seconded by Brother Huelle, Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1451.