Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
Division 758

Richard E. Etienne
Vancouver, WA
rick@etnsplace.com

 To All Members of BLE
Division 758
Vancouver WA

December 9, 1999

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is becoming increasingly evident that there is an unlimited amount of confusion, misunderstanding and misinformation circulating regarding the new TK2000 payroll system. In conversations with various members of 758, it is clear that the carrier, once again, has failed to provide the necessary training required for employees to be properly compensated for work performed.

I would like to take this time to go over some important points regarding payroll TK2000. I realize that many of you are comfortable and familiar with the process, and the points to follow in no way are meant to hint at any inability to understand the system. But, if there is even one employee out there who is not familiar or comfortable, this information may help he/she gain the tools to be paid all he/she has coming.

• The 60-day time period for appeal starts the date of the declination.
• Option 3 of the timeslip/payroll screen will notify you of any declinations from payroll. When you log onto the payroll screen, look down half way and see if there is any numbers showing next to option 3 (declinations). If so, enter the # 3 and then your VRU number to view the declinations.
• You can view, print, and forward any declinations you receive. Please do not forward declinations that are simply informational notices. View the declination, then if you feel the claim is good, forward the claim to the committee of adjustment member of your choice. You can either include comments or not.

Remember that nothing has changed regarding the necessity for corroborating documentation from each employee. The declination timeslip alone is usually not enough to get a claim appealed. Currently, there are a large number of claims pending, waiting for documentation.

Those of you submitting windowbox claims, please do not forward the declinations, but print them out, and include a copy of the working timeslip, declined timeslip and put them in the box for me.

Those of you appealing ITD/Overtime claims, please leave a copy of your delay report, and call slip in the box. If you know you are going to have a problem with ITD/Overtime, put those items in the box when you tie up, and then simply forward the declination when it shows up.

Those of you appealing runarounds in pool, due to the 30 minute agreement, DP power, assigned cars inserted into the pool, or simple runarounds, please include a copy of the call slip for the person who ran around you, plus a departure time of the train they got, and a delay report if you can get one. Put them in the box at the time of tie up, and then forward the declination when it shows up.

We would rather have these documents early, rather than late. Currently, there are a fair number of pending claims that are ready to expire on time limits because no documentation has been received.

Those of you appealing the rate of pay for mile/overmile will need to put a copy of your earning statements (option 5a) in the box. We need to show what you were paid.

Those of you appealing make whole for missed trips, used off assignment etc, need to put a copy of the earning statement, copy of call slip, delay report, and any other documentation necessary in the box.

• After a claim is forwarded to the LCA member of your choice, that person will review your claim, and will forward back to you any comments or questions they have. Also, requests for further documentation will be asked for. Each of you will need to print out that timeslip in order to see what comments the LCA member made. If you see the column under "chairman review & forward" has dates in it under your option 3 for any timeslip, that means the timeslip was forwarded back to you with a comment. You can only view those comments by printing out the timeslip.
• These declinations cannot be deleted from your screen. They will simply go away in 120 days.
• In order to find the LCA member of your choice, put the cursor in the blank for forward to local chairman field, and press the F1 key. Then type the first 3 or 4 letters of the name in to get the number. Then put that number in the field to forward any claim.
• Remember, if there is no declination, there is no cut. That part of your timeslip is still a live claim, subject to the same 60 day rule.

Please remember that a large amount of time is consumed on claims. Please do not forward items that aren't a declination or you know you weren't entitled to claim. This takes the time away from legitimate claims. Please remember to include the necessary documentation for appeal. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing a claim declined because of a lack of documentation.

Remember that the carrier makes us responsible to prove a claim is valid. They are not required to prove why they should not pay a claim. Remember, if you fill out a special claim, include as much information as possible. Many claims that are valid are declined because the timekeeper didn't know what you were talking about.

Remember to use the proper codes whenever possible. Use the proper mileage tables for the claim. For IF claims, you will need the timeslip # for the date you are adding an IF claim to. Remember, it is the employees' task to provide the documentation, not the LCA's

I would ask that each of you take the time to respond with email, if you have it, letting me know if you have any questions regarding the system, or if everything is cool. If even one member is not sure how this works, that is too many. Those of you without email, please take the time to contact any of the LCA members, and let them know if you have any questions. Remember that this is your money we are talking about. The carrier banks on the premise you will do nothing about it.

Respectfully,

Rick Etienne

Local Chairman
Div. 758