March 2004 Meeting


Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, March 15, 2004

Meeting opened by the President in due form.  

Members present: Brother's D. St. John, R. Etienne, R. Balkowitsch, J. Bennett, D. Haney, R. Reams,  R. Collins, T. Jacobs, C. Atwood, T. Reddish, J. McHenry, R. McCartney, R. Williams, D. Richardson, W. Pelham, R. Huelle, C. Miller, C. Jasso, D. Chavez, P. Patterson, C. Gunther. W. Boomgaarden, R. Moore, W Pellens .

 Minutes of the January meeting were read. Motion to accept as by Brother Huelle, seconded by Brother Haney. 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. Haney, seconded by Brother Bennett. Motion passed.

 Safety Coordinator T. Reddish gave a brief description of Brother's Keeper. Anyone with any interest in this program feel free to contact him.  

Local Chairman:

1.       RCO's - We have been trying to get some information on what they can and can't do with the remotes. We still feel they cannot take them out on the road or main at this time. We appreciate all the eyes and ears of the members, and want you to continue to document all incidents. We would all like all demoted engineers to become remote qualified, if someone is going to run them we would rather it be our members.

2.       Back pay - Back H&W was taken out. 1853.28 was taken out. Claims appealed for last year should have been paid. They are having problems with 816's. Letter from GCA about health and wealfare concerning which plan you were based in.  These will be posted at work for you to read. 

3.       June 28th will be the GCA committee convention in Los Vegas.  60 days prior to that (April 28) we must have any resolutions or appeals into them. Therefore any of these we wish to send must be approved at the next meeting. April 19th.  We will make the materials available for those that wish to submit resolutions.

4.       PLD's when working a yard job and being able to take them with out having to take a day off are in effect but the carrier has still not put these into effect. Anyone having problems let Rick know.

5.       Foot of the board agreements - There is two different agreements, both of which were gone over.  Examples of each agreement and its effects were presented. The main difference is the full version each person takes their turn with them for layoffs less than 7 days. The floor was opened for discussion. Proposal made to vote on the floor of the meeting and allow votes to be taken by e-mail until April 22nd. Vote taken and was unanimous to allow e-mail polling.  10 minute recess was taken to allow LC to make phone call to answer questions that had come up. Specific questions - language about attendance guidelines not in both agreements, can we vote it down this time and try to get it later.  Recommendation from LC is to decline both versions at this time and revisit it later.  Vote taken for foot of board agreement full - majority nay. Vote for foot of board agreement abridged - majority vote nay.

6.       Do not call agreement - presentation of agreement was made. Floor was opened for discussion. Motion to vote by brother Haney, seconded by brother Atwood. Vote as follows- 13 yeah, nay 4. Vote passes.

7.       Assigned car agreement - presentation of agreement was made. Copies of the agreement were made available at the meeting and will also be available on the web site.  These agreements are in effect for a 90-day trial period. This was a last ditch effort before going back to the ID agreement assigned jobs. Jobs will be assigned tomorrow by seniority. Turns will be attempted to be lined up as they were prior to the new agreements. Floor opened for discussion. This is not the final answer on this subject.  

Floor opened for discussion and new business. Brother Bennett and Patterson recognize the work and effort that the LC has put in over this matter. Motion made by Brother Bennett to make available forms for additional voluntary assessments.  This is done to recognize the additional time and effort that has been demanded of the Local Chairman in the recent months. This will help defray the additional costs that have been thrust upon the local's finances. We also look at buying a laptop for the Local Chairman to be compatible for his current claims program.

 Motion to close by Brother Marsh, seconded by Brother Haney. Motion passed. 

 

 

April 2004 Meeting

 

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

President Balkowitsch not available, Asst. LC Haney filling in.  Meeting opened by the President in due form.  

Members present: Brother's D. St. John, R. Etienne, D. Haney, C. Atwood, P. Fahey, S. Hill, G. Miller, R. McCartney, K. Taylor and Special Guest Brent Hunsberger from the Oregonian.  

Minutes of the March meeting were read. Motion to accept as by Brother Fahey, seconded by Brother Miller. Motion approved.  

Financial Report - Have received the Audit for 2003 and 2002 from the GCA.  Anyone who wishes to receive a copy of this or review it, let me know.  Bills and current finances were read. We have currently 112 active members and 1 trainman.  Floor was opened for discussion and no questions were asked. Motion to pay the bills by Br. Fahey, seconded by Brother Miller. Motion passed.  

Special Guest Mr. Hunsberger was introduced and given the floor.  He is the reporter that has been covering the problems on the UP.  He was here to gather information on the BNSF and RCO's.  He wished to talk with any member after the meeting that may have information for him.  

Local Chairman:

1.       RCO's - Please keep sending in reports of any funny moves you may see. Twin Cities GN notice that states what they can and can not do.  Carrier seems to be hedging on that notice at this time.  We are continuing to investigate and discuss this matter.

2.       Assigned car agreements - Seems to be working OK.  Complaints should still be documented and forwarded to us as soon as possible.  Floor opened for discussion.

3.       Do not call agreement - The agreements were ratified, but not in effect yet.  Will let you know when it will be in effect.

4.       XBD Overwork - Carrier has refused to increase XBD's.  We need documentation on fatigue issues.  Also any documentation on incidents on lay-off refusals.

5.       Trip rates - Having a meeting this week to discuss.  Hopefully will get some figures soon.  No notice on when they may go into effect.

6.       Harassment of injured employees - There have been several investigations regarding employees who fill out F-27's.  Please remember to fill them out in a timely fashion.  If you think you are injured, notify a carrier officer, even if you don't fill out the F27 right then.  Remember that you have 72 hours to fill one out for soft tissue injury.  Cumulative injury needs to be reported as soon as you find out your injury is due to cumulative work.  Try to take someone in with you when you fill an F-27 out.

7.       Claims - Don't forget the paperwork along with forwarding the ticket.  Claims without any documentation will be held for further paperwork from you.  Delay reports are essential.  Any other documentation that will explain or prove your ticket.

8.       Initiatives and appeals - Anything that needs to be handled at the GCA general meeting must be in ASAP.

9.       Alignment Control Couplers - Rule number 101.17 Locomotives not Equipped with Alignment Couplers, Subsection B Locomotives not equipped with alignment control couplers states : Most SW 1200, SW 1500, MP 15, GP7, GP9, SD7 and SD9 locomotives, waybilled locomotives, some foreign line road and switch engines and some Amtrak and other commuter locomotives are not equipped with alignment control couplers.  These units may be identified on the train list.  They are to be placed second in the locomotive consist, one per train when handling cars.  Mechanical inspection forces must ensure that coupler swing limiting devices are in place before these units move in freight trains.  Coupler swing limiting devices do not make the coupler an alignment control coupler.

10.   7 Deadlies - Carrier has cited someone for "Gross Indifference to Safety and Job".  This was in response to a 7 deadly violation.  This can be a firing offense.  Please be careful.  Carrier seems bent on firing people.  We have become worse than Northtown and Argentine Yard.  Mr. Randal seems to be intent on racking up body count.

11.   Make sure you take your rules test BEFORE the due date, not the day of.  You will not be paid for it.

12.   Headlights - The carrier is insistent that you can not dim your headlights at anytime during the daylight hours.  Be aware you may be cited for this.  Be careful.

 Floor opened for discussion.  

Motion to close by Brother Fahey, seconded by Brother Atwood. Motion passed.