January 2004 Meeting

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, January 19, 2004

Meeting opened by the President in due form.

 Members present: Brother's D. St. John, R. Etienne, R. Balkowitsch, Sister K. Taylor, J. Bennett, T. Reddish, H. Allington and P. Fahey.

 Minutes of the December meeting were read. Motion to accept as by Brother Allington, seconded by Brother Cordes. Motion approved.

 Finances:  Presentation of current status made by sec/tres. Current membership is 111 plus one trainman. The current balances of accounts were discussed. The bills due for payment were presented. Motion to pay the bills by Brother Cordes, seconded by Brother Allington. Motion passed.  

Safety Coordinator: T. Reddish discussed the final presentation for RCO's will be made Wednesday January 28th. If you need additional information call Mike Rosewell at 360-664-1265 or email at  mrowswel@wutc.wa.gov.  
Roadworkers and whistling, you must whistle no matter how far away they are.  It appears this is open to interpretation by each inspector.  It doesn't matter how far away they are (10 12 tracks or miles?) but each inspector can choose what they wish to use for interpretation. You can not feather the whistle.  Be aware.  RCO's are coming, be aware and watch for any flagrant violations you see.  We MUST have documentation on this!  We can't do anything without it. The floor was opened for discussion.  

Local Chairman:

The following topics were discussed:

·         National Agreement - Alternate Compensation, the agreements were ratified. Don't know when they will take effect. 52 local members voted. No word on trip rates yet. Anyone that does not have steel-toed boots should get some.

·         Whistling for roadway workers. Feds have threatened to fine individual engineers who violate whistle rule. We need to whistle through the limits even when they give a wave of acknowledgment. Whistle before, and through limits. Stop only after by the workers.

·         Unsafe Condition Reports. Keep filling them out. We need them.

·         Conduct Issues. If carrier violates agreement, don't refuse service. Comply with orders. Make them aware it is a violation. Note on record that you are complying under protest. Call a union rep if it is a serious violation. NEVER just say "no", and don't refuse service. And never threaten.

·         Remotes coming Feb 16th. BLE has fought all fights possible and still in progress. We need to keep the eyes and ears open. Keep disposable cameras handy. Note any violations. Call immediately when seen. We want all engineers to put in for RCO training. Better we work than they do. If demoted and working RCO's don't let them make you become engineer if not called for it. Don't let them use private vehicles. Remember that they are taking our jobs. Don't be complacent! Call rules still apply if they have sudden need for an engineer. Utility employees must be RCO qualified to work with the job. We need to watch out for each other, these are our jobs being taken away.  Any apathy towards this and we may as well hang up all the jobs. Don't let anyone cut corners.

·         Rest day overlay - Letter from GC Pierce, labor relations (via Mr. Dealy) is talking about canceling our rest day agreement through the 10-day cancellation.  We may have to look into the newer rest day agreements or no rest days.  Pros and Con's of each path were discussed. Be aware that this is in the works, any new information will be out when we know.  

Floor opened for discussion and new business.  

Motion to close by Brother Reddish, seconded by Sister Taylor. Motion passed.  

 

February 2004 Meeting

 

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, February 16, 2004

Meeting opened by the President in due form. 

Members present: Brother's D. St. John , R. Etienne, R. Balkowitsch, J. Bennett, B. Knowles, X Wilson, T. Reddish, P. Fahey.  

Minutes of the January meeting were read. Motion to accept as by Brother Knowles, seconded by Brother Wilson. Motion approved.  

Financial Report - Bills and current finances were read. We have currently 111 active members and 1 trainman.  Floor was opened for discussion and no questions were asked. Motion to pay the bills by Br. Bennett, seconded by Brother Wilson. Motion passed.  

Legislative Report - Bill Knowles reports the annual meeting is going to be in May.  They are discussing raising the dues from $4.50 to $6.50. They have discussed reducing outflows but this may be necessary. Bill attended the RCO meetings and there were only about 5 people there. They didn't want to discuss much and didn't give any substantive responses. If anyone is called to work as RCO and then is told to work as an engineer, call Rick immediately, we can have the picket signs out within 40 minutes.  

Local Chairman:

1.       RCO's - We need to keep our eye's and ear's open. If you are called as an RCO, don't work as an engineer. If they want you to move a RCO and aren't qualified, don't do it. You know people are going to be running for the quit and ignoring the rules. Be aware and don't be caught. Document anything you see. Carry a disposable camera; call immediately if you see any serious violations. RCO operator's are subject to de-certification under the same FRA rules we are. As of this date we are aware of some incidents that have been covered up. If you become aware of any violations, we must know to be able to stop or report them to the proper authority.

2.       Investigations - It appears that the carrier is going after the engineer and not the rest of the crew. It has happened more than once.  If you are given a car count, STOP IN HALF THE DISTANCE. Don't let your job go because the conductor's get in a hurry or don't understand the rules.  Don't let violate the rules and blame it on you. Please be careful!

3.       Rest Day overlay - There is a good chance they may cancel our rest day overlay.  No cancellation notice has been served at this time but be aware it may happen.  We need to be thinking about alternatives if this happens.

4.       Assigned Car Agreements - A cancellation letter was issued but has not gone into effect. Some fixes have been proposed but nothing agreed to. There was a conference call with the GCA, Labor Relations and the local officers was held with no resolution. There will be a meeting on Feb 25-26 to attempt a resolution. Currently 620 can take any train in the window, 0001 - 0400, out of Vancouver. No other changes at this time but will let you know if any occur.

5.       Health and Welfare changes are here, co-pay goes up. Opt out program is available and the paperwork should be to you by now.

6.       Back pay - is to be paid on March 5th. Claims appealed for last year is to be paid then. Everyone should see at least 2000+ dollars after deductions.

7.       FRA and Air Test - The FRA has issued warnings about initial terminal air test. They are going to begin fining individual crews for improper air tests. Make sure that if you do this test you comply with all the rules.

8.       Make sure you take your rules test by the due date or they will not pay you. We have not been able to clear this up with the GCA.

9.       RCO jobs will be the north and south leads, 1 relief job, 214, 225, 229, 328, and 329, R-1. We have been told they will not be using these jobs to cross the mains or go out on the main.  If you see this happen, please document it and let us know.  They would like to put the Camas turn on remote but right now don't have the authority.  Currently they can't use them outside of yard limits.  Let us know if you do this anywhere.

 Floor opened for discussion and new business.  

Motion to close by Brother Knowles, seconded by Brother Reddish. Motion passed.