January 2006 Meeting

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.

February 2006 Meeting

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.