Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, May 20, 2002

Meeting opened by the President in due form.

Members present: D St John, R Etienne, R. Balkowitsch, Joe Johnson, B. Knowles, S. Barnes, H. Bailey, C. Kitterman, retired member J. Bonnin and special guest Dr. Mark Ricci, Washington State Legislative Representative.

Minutes of previous meeting read. No corrections made. Motion to accept by Brother Barnes, seconded by Brother Knowles. Motion passed.

Motion to accept J. Blau as new member by Knowles Seconded by Barnes Approved.

Nominations for Legislative Rep opened, no nominations were given and position held open. Nominations for assistant leg rep opened, no nominations were given and position held open. President appointed C. Nibler to Legislative Rep.  and Joe Johnson to Asst. Nominations will be taken again in two months.

Budget Committee: meetings will be held this weekend still waiting for a budget to be finished.

Finances: Presentation of current status made by sec/tres. Current membership is 111 plus one trainman. The current balances of accounts were discussed and several questions were asked from the floor. Resolution of IRS still not done. The bills due for payment were presented and discussed. Motion to pay the bills by Brother Knowles, seconded by Brother Barnes. Motion passed.

Legislative Chairman: Dr. Mark K. Ricci, Wash State Legislative Rep was introduced and given the floor to discuss the state Legislative. They have been working on fatigue. Safety and education, new technologies, (remote control), Insurance in vans, register to vote, It was interesting to note that Rep. Chandler voted against us. The address for the Washington State legislative Board is: http://www.wslb-ble.org. Other topics and questions were given.

Local Chairman: The following topics were discussed:

1. OE: The carrier has served a letter of notice to the BMWE advising them that they plan to lease out the OE sometime in the future. Information from the GCA will be forthcoming.
2. Cones: The carrier will continue to allow tracks to contain cars inside the "zone of death". Notifications will be given to crews.
3. Remotes: Legal action is still being pursued. At this time there seems to be no intent to remote Vancouver. More as it comes. Correspondence between the carrier and the Organization is flowing back and forth.
4. Locomotive Defects: Several complaints have been heard regarding numerous complaints about locomotives. Unfortunately, very little documentation has been received by this committee. Please understand that this committee desires nothing more than making the carrier comply with maintaining locomotives in a safe condition. The problem lies in providing the documentation necessary to force them to fix stuff. While I need to hear the complaints, I need the paperwork and letters more. Thanks
5. UTU agreement: At this time, nothing other than rumor is available. As things become available, you will be kept advised. The overall consensus is that this involves trip rates, and the issue of health and welfare has not been addressed.
6. Work rules: Please! Work safely> Don't disregard safety for the all mighty quit. Don't chase the quit to the point where someone gets hurt or in trouble. Remember that if we all follow the rules as they are required by the carrier, more jobs will be created. This is especially important as business continues to slow down. Please! Do NOT allow the yardmasters to watch your shoves with their cameras! That is not their job. There are no rules allowing for protection to be provided with a camera. Also, remember, that it is then a short step to another reduced crew member.
7. Discussions of other issues.

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

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, June 17, 2002

Meeting opened by the President in due form.

Members present: D St John, R Etienne, R. Balkowitsch, T Jacobs, L. Weed, M. Wetherholt, D. Haney, W. Boomgaarden, S. Cordes, J. Bennett, R. Huelle, retired member J. Bonnin and Guest M. Montgomery, Special guest P. Bovarnick, M. Woods, Jeff Cheney.

Minutes of previous meeting read. No corrections made. Motion to accept by Brother Boomgaarden, seconded by Brother Wetherholt. Motion passed.

President Balkowitsch discussed the company cutting the health fair this year. He then read correspondence between himself and D. Maize.

Finances: Presentation of current status made by sec/tres. Current membership is 109 plus one trainman. The current balances of accounts were discussed and several questions were asked from the floor. Resolution of IRS still not done. The bills due for payment were presented and discussed. Motion to pay the bills by Brother Haney, seconded by Brother Weed. Motion passed.

Local Chairman: The following topics were discussed:

1. Track & Time. Due to current events, be sure to get verbal permission from the person you get joint rights with, before entering track and time limits.
2. New Train Makeup rules. Be sure and get familiar with the new train make up rules. We are being held responsible for our other crew members, so we also need to be sure our trains are in compliance. Anyone desiring a pdf file of the make up rules (with pictures), let this committee know. If in doubt, ask a trainmaster to verify your train is in compliance.
3. Speed limits on SD40 and SD40-2. Rules have changed. In Northern Corridor, certain trains are exempt from the speed restrictions. Be sure to read the system GO to be sure what speed you may travel. 
4. Wt on Drivers. If you handle a larger number of units (at the same time), be sure to make a note in your timeslip so you are paid for the wt. on drivers. Payroll will probably cut large numbers of engines (especially switch engines) unless a notation is made on the working slip.
5. Responsibility for other crew members. Several events have made it crystal clear that the carrier is making us responsible for any and all actions our crew mates make. Be sure to cover yourself and ask as many questions as you need to ascertain that they did what they were required to. This includes asking if switches are lined back; are handbrakes tied?; pickups and setouts made. Understand, this is not to simply tick off the other guy in the cab, but it is to ensure you are not cited and held responsible for their actions. Expect them to do the same with us. It is the new improved railroad! If you work in dark territory, be sure to initial the signal awareness form stating you verified that all switches were restored. If you need to look at the switch to verify that fact, so be it. Mr. Stuhldreher has assured this committee that if productivity slows down some due to extended job briefings, he won't get upset.
6. Meetings on Pasco. Same old, same old. The carrier is going to work on lineups; rides; proper calls to ensure enough time to get ready for work; etc. We shall give them the benefit of the doubt for now, and see what happens. Mr. Hein as agreed that the reader will be the departure point. No more rounding up please. Be accurate on your times. Anyone having to wait for a room must call a trainmaster in order to be compensated for waiting for lodging. Also, remember to rebook your rest so you won't be in violation of HOS with the Feds.
7. Blowing whistle for MOW. FRA is going to start fining crews for failing to blow for MOW. If you don't see them until you are next to them (for example, they are working in the brush, or a signal box) be sure to blow as soon as you see them, and keep it up until you are past them. Bell too.
8. Days taken for FMLA. If you are taking time under FMLA for a family member, the carrier cannot deduct your PL or vacation days. If the time is for yourself, they can do so. If you have had days taken from PL or vacation when claiming FMLA, and the time taken was for a family member, be sure to get hold of this committee to try and get it fixed.
9. Advance Lay-off. Remember, our agreement allows for 11 engineers a day to book advance lay offs. If you are denied an advance lay off, be sure to let me know.
10. Thirty day bump rule- required to stay in same class of service unless bumped. If you bump from the road to the yard, and vice-versa, you are required to stay either in the yard, or out on the road for 30 days. If you are displaced before the 30 days have expired, and your seniority will allow you to remain in either yard or road, you must do so, rather than just what your job selection sheet shows.
    IN OTHER WORDS, say you 30 day bump from the pool to a yard job. Then a week later, you are displaced from that yard job. You must stay in the yard for 3 more weeks if your seniority will allow it. This means even if you have the pool as the next thing you can hold, you will still be bypassed for the pool, and be required to stay in the yard. The only way this doesn't happen is if you can't hold anything in the yard, or the 30 days have already expired.

    The floor was opened for discussion and other issues discussed include: FTD arrival points, manpower specialists, answering phones in Topeka.

Paul Bovarnick was introduced to give a brief presentation on FMLA, if you have questions give him a call. New form for F-27, DO NOT sign the medical release in the middle of it. Cumulative trauma injuries are on the rise, be aware of them. Floor was opened for discussion.

Motion to close by Brother Wetherholt, seconded by Brother R. Huelle. Motion passed.