Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, November 19, 2007 

Meeting was opened by President in Due Form.

Members Attending – R. Etienne, T. Jacob, Dave Haney,  Robert Pratt,  K. L. Huelle, R. E. Huelle, Skip Barnes, Xavier Wilson, M Fischer, B Bocchi, J Blau, R Jenkins, Todd Jacobs, M Cousineau, Kevin Baker, Mickey Ragan, Scott Cordes, Terry Reddish, Russ Collins, Ron Reams, Wes Pelham, R Chacon, H Allington, Dave Ruiz.

  Minutes of the October meeting were read.   Motion to accept by Brother Jacobs and seconded by Brother Collins.  Motion passed.

 Finances – We currently have 118 members. Secretary made presentation on current finances. The bills were presented for payment.  Motion by Brother Barnes to pay the bills, seconded by Brother Haney.  Motion passed.

 Local chairman:

Bid Bump rules –  Job selection is for where you would like to go if it becomes vacant.  Bump is for where you want to go when there is already an owner.  When you’re on the bump board, anything on your job selection sheet is higher than what you own, you don’t own anything while on the bump board.  The carrier will not run your job selection sheet if you are on the bump board unless a job becomes vacant that you already have on your list.  If you let your bump expire, you will be forced assigned to take out the youngest engineer in the terminal.

You can only bump while you are marked up.

MVP Agreement -  The carrier has set up a policy on fuel measurement and we have no control over how they “Score” fuel usage.  The agreement simply takes money out of their pocket and puts some in ours.  Weather or not we agree to this agreement, the policy will still be in effect, we have the choice of either having a shot at their money or not.  It’s all about their bucks in our pocket, or not.

A motion to accept this agreement was made by Brother Huelle, seconded by Brother Reams and upon a hands vote was passed.      

XBD Overlay change proposal –  When the new agreement went into effect, there was mention about protection if called between 0001 & 0730, we thought our XBD had it.  The only ones that have it are those cycle board that have the agreement that allows floating rest days and the protection.  The only change in the new agreement is the time 0530 became 0730, this means our XBD is subject to calls with an on duty time of 0859 or earlier.  We stand for all daylight switch engines and daylight road switcher on the first day of our rest cycle.  We have the last remaining cycle board agreement that allows fixed rest days and the “red” day (24 hours before the cycle starts) and the carrier can cancel it any time they want.  If the carrier cancels our agreement, the only option available to us will be the new type they have, that requires any employee who takes more than one day off outside the cycle to take all their remaining rest days for the month – thus guaranteeing being our of compliance.

As it stands now, contrary to what some are saying, there has b en no change in our cycle agreement.

 Engineer Mentor Agreement – GCA signed this agreement the other day, Engineer Mentors will replace exempt road foremen when the need arises.  Each division will have the right to determine if they want to participate or not, it’s up to the Division GM to decide if he has any need for mentors in the area.

 Vacation Scheduling – If you haven’t turned in your vacation request, do so ASAP.  Vacations scheduling will be done the first part of  December.

 Claim Code WL –  WL is paid after the first 30 minutes after arriving at the motel,  if you tie up at the motel, be sure to let the timekeeper know this by an FE.  If you don’t tell payroll you won’t get paid properly.

More Back Pay – Carrier’s web site is now saying  middle December for the re-gross of the back pay, retro profit sharing will also be paid then.

 Faulty Pay on the Camas turn-  They been shorting the job 15 miles a day for years and no one brought it to our attention until recently.   They agreed to back pay the 15 miles to January 1, 2007, we wanted a year but got 8 months, the feeling was that if we took  it to a board, we’d lose.  Anyone who worked the Camas turn will get the 15 miles for each day they worked.  

 Information for payroll –   If you want to be paid properly, you need to tell the timekeeper if you do something out of the ordinary.  If you work the assigned car and deadhead, you have to do an “FE”, same for Wishram flips – 192.2 miles or 202.2 if you go across the river.

FML & The Lawsuit - Keep filling out a special claim asking for a basic day if they pay you a compensated day’s pay when you take FML.

 Claims –  Claim time slips that don’t have all the paperwork needed will be returned to the claimant.

 Motel Lodging – If you are having a problems getting a room at Pasco, be sure to call the TM, if he won’t help, be sure to leave a note for your committee of adjustment.  Timely reporting is essential.

 Remote Oversight Officers – Carrier has hired a bunch of people to do nothing but read downloads from engines, they will read all “flags” to include short whistling, stretch and power braking, if you have to blow beyond the crossing to get your 15 seconds, do so.  Report all emergency applications.  There is a list out with the top offenders, it’s just a matter of time before they start citing engineers, protect yourself.

Skip Barnes resigned his post as Guide.  Nominees for this position was taken, Brother Cousineau was nominated by brother Jacobs and seconded by Brother Collins.  Nominations closed.  Was moved that Brother Cousineau become guide by acclamation.  Voted on and passed unanimously.

 Jeff McHenry resigned his position as Alternate to the Legislative Rep.  Nominees for this position was taken, Brother Barnes nominated Brother Wilson and seconded by brother Haney. Nominations closed.  Was moved the Brother Wilson become Alt. to the Leg. Rep. by acclimation.  Voted on and passed unanimously.  

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

 Meeting adjourned at 1430.