May 2004 Meeting

 Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, May 17, 2004

President Balkowitsch was not available, LC Etienne filling in.  Meeting opened by the LC in due form.

 Members present: Brother's D. St. John, R. Etienne, S. Barnes, W Pellens , K. Taylor, T. Reddish, B. Knowles and Special Guest P. Bovarnick.  

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

Financial Report - Secretary has still not received the forms and paperwork from the International to complete all reports and bills for this month.  Estimation given of International, GCA and WSLB dues. All other bills presented. Motion to pay the bills by Br. Reddish, seconded by Sister Taylor. Motion passed.

 Legislative Rep: Bill Knowles gave a report on the tri-yearly state legislative meeting.

       1.       Legislative dues will be going up $3.00 per person.  This will make the per person amount $7.50 per month.

2.       Washington is the only state in the union that has been able to pass legislation that actually has the railroad's definitions of RCO operator's among others.  This is a big deal.  This gives the state the right of regulating the railroads with no federal intervention.  The FRA at this point has stated they have no position on the point. This will give us bigger input.  The railroads are fighting this but it looks like we might win one here.

3.       Bill was witness to a teleconference with the Washington State utilities commission hearing on this.  The railroads sent several high impact lawyers who spoke.  Several citizens spoke along with the unions. Unfortunately the UTU spokesman said they had "no opinion" on this issue. This conference showed how important it is to not only know whom your representatives are but also how they stand on labor issues. We are very fortunate to have the individuals that are in place now.

4.       The Utah State Legislative Board donated $5000.00 to assist us with this issue.  The Arkansas Legislative board donated $500.00.  This committee has achieved something not seen to this date in the US .  The efforts and accomplishments of this Legislative Board have been noticed nationally and will see further support as time progresses. This is still not a done deal but for the first time in memory there may be a light in the tunnel.

5.       Umatilla - Bill attended a meeting concerning the burning facility. The Benton county emergency response gave a presentation on the issue. He has information for those that wish it.  At this point it is going to be a 24hour operation.  There was a test last month with varied results.  The railroad is supposed to be notified of any release within 19 to 20 minutes.  The actual time during the test was 36 minutes. They are working on correcting the mistakes that they found.  The weak spot appears to be during the time they remove the chemicals from the igloos where they are stored and put into "casket's".  This only happens four times a day.  Not on holiday's or times of inclement weather.

6.       The issue of gas mask's and injectors was also discussed.  Due to the agent's involved the use of gas masks would be useless.  Also due to Washington State law you must have a license to dispense the type of injection needed.  So, these items will not be used or made available. Bill's suggestion is to buy very good tape to seal your windows and doors. J  

The floor was opened for discussion and several questions were asked.  

Safety Coordinator Terry Reddish: They have finally required RCO operators at Spokane to stop using their private vehicles for RCO work. Previously, there had been a distinct lack of interest in curtailing this practice by carrier officers in Spokane , despite numerous complaints by both the GCA and the Safety Coordinator  The issue has been a long-standing issue and may now be fixed.  Hand brakes on consist.  Engineers need to be careful putting hand brakes on.  We have had several injuries on this. Please be careful. The mini tie gangs have been a problem with leaving junk along the right of way instead of cleaning it up.  If you are anywhere around these gangs, please be careful and turn them in.  Unsafe condition reports would be wonderful. Mr. Kerry, candidate for president will be in Portland this afternoon and we would like all possible to attend.  Anyone who isn't registered please let him know he has the forms available.

 Special Guest Paul Bovarnick - He would like to emphasize on the political front, please make all efforts to get out our members to vote.  This may be one of the most important presidential elections we may face.  The potential that re-election of the current establishment has for the total change in our lifestyles and way of life is tremendous.  Please make sure and encourage everyone to vote and donate as much as you can.  

He also again talked about the importance of filling out an F-27 anytime you are injured.  If you even think you have been injured it is important you notify the company immediately. Late reporting is not only bad in the company's eyes but makes it harder to pinpoint the cause as a result of your work. Please be careful when you fill out these forms.  BRING someone in with you to fill them out.  DO NOT let an officer fill it out for you. If in doubt if you should or what to fill out, contact any union officer.

 The floor was opened for discussion.

 Local Chairman:

 1.       Do not call agreement - The agreement is still not in effect.  Will let you know when we hear.

2.       XBD - Carrier has refused to increase XBD's. We need documentation on fatigue issues and lay-off refusals. We are still trying to get XBD's increased but have not been able to at this time.

3.       Trip Rates - All pools in effect, except the 65 pool. That one will go into effect on 6-1-04.  No word yet on the OE or assigned garbage train.  Only claims that you have now are meals, WL, held away and lapback.

4.       Brother's Keeper - There have been several bonehead moves made lately. We have responsibility to each other to try and correct dumb moves by others.  We need to talk to co-workers when we see dumb/dangerous things done. Don't allow traps to be set for others.

5.       Lining switches - There have been 2 incidents of engineer being ordered to line switches. There is a board award that we are not required to line switches if there are ground personnel available. We have the right to line switches if we wish to, but it is not mandatory. You do have the right to refuse, but DO NOT get confrontational.  Politely tell them you are not required to perform this service.

6.       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.

7.       7 Deadlies - There have been 2 recent citations. We need to remind our peers of safe work habits. 100% rules compliance. Why get injured of fired just to save a couple moves or minutes? It’s not worth it. Please remember that we can be held accountable if we see a violation occur and we continue as if nothing happened. For example, if we see a ground person get off moving equipment and we don’t make a full stop, we can be as guilty as them.

8.       FRA report on RCO's - Recent report by Fed declare RCO's safer. They say that accidents are down. We all know this is not true, the report is biased because they don't have to recheck their figures. Carrier has been creative in reporting of accidents.

9.       DH separate/combined service - With trip rates, requirement for notification at call is finished. This is due to original trip rates to the UTU. They strike again. Carrier claimed the could make round trip if DHCS and pay only one trip rate. Hahs was required to accept that UTU made to prevent this. Requirement for notification only void on trip rate jobs. Remember to put FE and claim SPD and CP account failure to notify of DHCS. This will pay two codes.

10.   RCO observations - Please keep complaints coming in.

11.   Make sure to complete your rules test prior to the due date if you want to get paid.

 Floor was opened for discussion.

 Thank you to Brother Reddish for the pizza.

Thank you to Paul Bovarnick for his presentation.  

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

June 2004 Meeting

 Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, June 21, 2004

Meeting opened by the President in due form. Brother St. John was not present, due to unavoidable circumstances.

Members present: Brother's and Sister’s R Balkowitsch, R. Etienne, P. Patterson, H. Bailey, R. Jacobs, R. Reams, G. Miller, L. Weed, C. Ruzsa, S. Hill, S. Cordes , M. Cousineau, C. Nibler and Retired member J. Hill.  

Minutes of the May meeting were read. Motion to accept as is by Brother Bailey, seconded by Brother Jacobs. Motion approved.  

Financial Report Due to the absence of the Secretary Treasurer, the financial report was not made. A motion to pay the bills was made by Brother Patterson, and approved by Brother Reams. Brothers Stowe and Richter were transferred to their respective new divisions. It was mentioned that the legislative dues will be going up $3.00 a month. Also, the National dues will be going up 2 ½ percent to reflect the pay increase. This will amount to around .64 cents. It is the opinion of the Secretary/Treasurer that the division will be able to handle the increase without increasing the dues at this time.  

It was mentioned that the Umatilla Depot has delayed the opening of their burning facility

 Local Chairman:  

1.       Do not call agreement - The agreement is in effect.  Currently, those not allowed on this list include XBD members, demoted engineers, and qualifying engineers.

2.       XBD - Carrier has refused to increase XBD's. We need documentation on fatigue issues and lay-off refusals. We are still trying to get XBD's increased but have not been able to at this time. The cycle time for the XBD last week was 10.2. This is bordering on dangerous.

3.       Trip Rates - All pools in effect,. No word yet on the OE or assigned garbage train.  Only claims that you have now are meals, WL, held away and lap back.

4.       Running through switches - There have been several incidents of switches being run through. We need to make sure we have briefings with our crews if in doubt as to the seasoning of the crew. Please take extra care with the new employees. Try to remember when each of us was new too.  Please make sure that any run through switch is reported. We don’t want any traps set for others.

5.       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. Don’t forget the 60 day time limit. Just forwarding the ticket after it is declined is not sufficient for conferencing the claim. Please remember that it is your claim, and you need to provide the information.

6.       GCA Meeting – I will be out of town attending the GCA meetings in Nevada the week of 06-28-04.

7.       Demoted Engineers Rejecting Calls – Please use common sense when avoiding calls to work as an engineer. Remember, if you answer the phone, you are required to go to work. It is suggested that an answering machine or caller ID be used to screen calls. If you are in a position to not reasonably expect to go to work, and you don’t answer the phone, it won’t be considered a missed call. BUT- if you are up near the top of the board, then you must consider yourself expecting to go to work. This would be the same issue as if one or two people ahead of you laid off or missed calls, and it was your turn. Please! Use common sense and protect yourselves.

8.       Going Home Sick – Again, please use common sense. We work for this company, and therefore they are the authority for coming to work, and going home from work. If you are sick, you need to get their permission to go home. We can’t just leave without saying anything to management. Again, it’s all about protecting ourselves. If we don’t go home the proper way, we can be construed as abandoning our job. Protect yourselves!!

9.       BN-ATSF Transfer Agreement- There was much discussion about this proposal. The agreement was created to allow the opportunity for those wishing to cross a formerly impenetrable barrier. This agreement will allow those engineers wishing to go from BN to ATSF and from ATSF to BN. Their seniority will remain intact on their home district, and they would take the date of their first trip (paid or unpaid). Any employees in current LTEP’s would, upon successful completion of their training, be placed ahead of those transferees. There are pro’s and con’s for this agreement. It was decided that no decision would be made until next month. At the July 19^th meeting. Opinions and voting by members can be made by email to me, or notes left in the box. Please examine the agreement carefully before deciding how you wish to vote. We don’t want to let emotions control the outcome of this possibly important agreement.

10.   RCO observations - Please keep complaints coming in.

11.   Make sure to complete your rules test prior to the due date if you want to get paid.

 Floor was opened for discussion.  

It was decided to skip the August meeting, in order to allow the L/C to report on the GCA meeting at the July meeting.  

Motion to close by Brother Cordes, seconded by Brother Jacobs. Motion passed.