January 2001 Meeting

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on January 15, 2001

VISIT BY FELA ATTORNEY

Paul Bovarnick, our designated council was a guest at this month's meeting, and discussed FELA, and F-27's. He reiterated the need to be careful when filling out F-27 Claims. Mr. Bovarnick made the following points:

• Never meet with the carrier without someone (preferably a union officer) present.
• Remember, the carrier is not your friend.
• You are not required to sign a medical release, unless you plan to be on wage continuation. Remember to notify your Doctor this is a FELA claim, and not Workman's Comp.
• Be careful with the F-27, as this form is the first notification of injury. Be sure to note if anyone other than yourself may be responsible for your injury. Carmen, Mechanical, Supervision, etc.
• Be careful on the part asking if there was anything else you could do to prevent the injury.
• Be sure to notice if there was  defective equipment involved.
• Never fill out an F-27 in pencil!
• Never sign a blank F-27! If the carrier says to sign it and they will fill it out later, DON'T.

Mr. Bovarnick reminded us that his office was available at any time to answer questions if an injury occurs.

NEW DIVISION OFFICERS

New division officers were instilled in office. We thank the former division officers, notably brother Bonnin for his, and their services.

7 & 3 DAYS OFF EXTRA BOARD AT VANCOUVER

The agreement for enabling a 7-3 days off extra board at Vancouver was signed by Labor Relations and the General Committee of Adjustments. The agreement goes into effect on Jan 16, 2001 Currently there will be 10 cycles. Additions or deductions will take place in a rotating manner. A copy of the agreement is here.

ALBANY DAY'S OFF EXTRA BOARD

The agreement is still being drawn up and awaiting signatures from Labor Relations. Hopefully this agreement will be in place by the first of February.

HEADLIGHT RULE

Please review the GCOR Rule regarding turning your headlight off when STOPPED on the MAIN LINE. There are only three times you are able to turn your headlight off when stopped on the mainline awaiting a train. They are:

• If your train is clear of the main line.
• If your train is left unattended (You are relieved, and no crew is there to take charge of the train).
• If the opposing engineer requests you to turn your headlight off when he/she is approaching.

Ops testing is being done on this rule. Be careful!

OE CHANGES

A motion was made, and passed, by a member to put out a ballot for all members that will allow the local chairman to discuss making the OE a 5 day job, instead of a 7 day pool. Ballots will be sent out soon. A vote for allows this committee to negotiate with the carrier to change the OE to a 5 day pool, with hopefully Sunday and Monday off. Any trains run on the OE that day would go to the extra board. A no vote prohibits any negotiation, and keeps things the way they are.

JOB SELECTION SHEETS

Remember to keep your job selection sheet updated at all times. You never know when your job will be abolished, or you may be bumped.

NEW T O D FIELD ON TIMESLIPS

Payroll is aware of ongoing problems with the TOD field on timeslips. This field is no longer correctable by employees. Make sure the time displayed in the TOD field accurately reflects the time you were on duty. Corrections are being made to the program by payroll.

TIME CLAIMS PROCESSED BY THIS COMMITTEE

If this committee conferences time claims for you, and you receive a notice telling you a payment was approved, be sure to let us know if you do not receive payment within 60-90 days. We have no way of seeing that the payment was actually made.

CBT TRAINING/RECERTING

The General Committee has no problem at this time with CBT training.

ROAD CREWS PERFORMING YARD SWITCHING

The following is considered yard switching:

• Being required to make a joint on a track with cars on it, if you must go beyond the clearance point in order to make the joint. (If your cars will fit in the track and the joint still hasn't been made).
  • Remember, if you make the joint on the standing cars before the setout is in the clear, and then have to shove the cars, this is not yard switching.
• Being required to shove cars already in a track to spot on the far end of the track if your setout would clear without shoving to that spot
  • Remember, you are permitted to spot your cars to any location in a clear track that the carrier wants. It is not yard switching, if the track is clear, and they instruct you to spot at the far end.
• Being required to get a track together if your setout will fit without making the joints. A joint  that has to be made before the setout is in the clear is acceptable.

SAFETY MARATHONS

The motion to agree to the carrier's request to participate in safety marathons was presented, and defeated. Therefore, safety marathons will not be participated in by division 758 members.

The bills were paid, and the meeting was closed.

February 2001 Meeting

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on February 26, 2001

AN APPEAL FROM OUR STATE LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE

Al Bridges, our State Legislative Rep. brought in an article from Sunday's Columbian (02-25-01). This article talks about the BNSF and it's members, but unfortunately paints a fictitious picture of safety. The article stated there had been no fatalities on the Oregon Division since 1980. We all know this is not correct. Mr. Bridges requests any and all members, their families, and their friends write to the Columbian, specifically Mr. Thomas Ryll, the author of the piece, to request he check out the facts, and re-write his article. You can also go to the following link to post a rebuttal to the piece on the on-line forum of the Columbian. http://www.columbian.com/hotissues/

This committee posted the following: 
"From the BLE in Vancouver WA: Wow! Talk about being in a time warp! I would like to correct this misinformation by Mr. Melonas, who said
there had been no fatalities since 1980 between Vancouver and Chicago. Just in the Northwest alone, there have been the following
accidents/fatalities: 1988- A fatality in Seattle. 1992- A fatality in Interbay WA. 1993-5 employee fatalities in head on collision of 2 trains at
Longview WA. 1995- Head on Fatalities in Montana. 1999- Condr. Fatality by Amtrak at Stevenson WA. 2000- Lost foot in Bend Or. 2000-
Lost leg in Kettle Falls ID. Please Mr.THOMAS RYLL, write an accurate accounting of the accidents and injuries sustained over the years on the
BNSF in the Northwest. Thank You" 

FINAL LITE MILES AT PASCO

Final Lite miles at Pasco are to be claimed as follows:
From the E. end West Yd to fueling dock - 3.7 miles
From CP 143 to fueling dock - 4.0 miles
East end East Yard to fueling dock - 6.2 miles
River end Grain Yd to fueling dock - 2.0 miles

CBT TRAINING-RECERTIFICATION

There have been complaints about how long it takes, and glitches in the CBT system for re-cert. Unfortunately, no one has provided any documentation as to what is wrong, or how long it is taking. If you are having problems, or the entire process is taking too long, leave this committee documentation so the problems may be addressed. It is impossible to get anything corrected if we can't prove there is a problem. 
Remember, if you are required to take this test at other than your home terminal, the $233.00 rate of pay applies.
Engineers are to be made whole for any lost work due to recert. If no lost time is accrued, a basic day applies. If overtime accrues when being paid a basic day, this applies.

ALBANY EXTRA BOARD

Who knows? When the GCA gets the time to get an agreement drafted and signed, we will get it.

OE POOL

The votes are in regarding allowing the local committee of adjustments to enter into talks with the carrier regarding changing the OE pool to a 5 day assignment/pool. Nothing is decided at this time, but whatever agreement is presented for ratification, all efforts will be made to ensure no lost earnings for the 5 days assigned. The count was 48 for, and 10 against, with 5 invalid ballots. This is out of 107 ballots sent out. Thanks to those who voted.