Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers

ALL LOCAL CHAIRMAN                                                 March 26, 2001
BNSF NORTHLINES                                                         File: 700 Rules/Bid-Bump

Dear Sirs and Brothers: 

Enclosed for your review and files is a fully executed letter of understanding concerning the movement of engineers, at consolidated terminals, between assignments handled under the 700 Rule permanent bid system and other methods of assigning engineers. Currently the consolidated terminals where this understanding could apply are Kansas City, Denver and Galesburg. Certain Engineers at these terminals currently have seniority rights to assignments working under our 700 Rule system, as well as assignments working under either the former SLSF, C&S or ATSF agreements. These other agreements still utilize bidding and bumping to some degree and until now there has been no agreed to method to address how these engineers’ permanent bids will be handled while they are working assignments outside of the 700 Rule permanent bid system.
 

To resolve this inequity, Engineers working outside of the permanent bid system will be allowed to pull or cancel their permanent bid without being required to file a replacement. In addition, they will not be required to maintain a permanent bid so long as they choose to remain on an assignment outside of the permanent bid system. The understanding also addresses how the involved engineers will return to the 700 Rule system, separating movement caused by displacement from movement generated by voluntary bidding back into our system. Various forms of this understanding have been applied at Denver and Kansas City in the past, but confusion surrounding proper application necessitated a more uniform understanding.

This relief has been requested for some time by our members at these consolidated terminals and we are confident that the understanding will accommodate this request. Please add this Letter of Understanding to your 700 Rule files and contact the Office if you have any questions Concerning its application. 

Fraternally yours,

M.W. Geiger, Jr.
General Chairman

DRP

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers

Mr. Milton H. Siegele
AVP/LR, BNSF
2600 Lou Menk Drive
P.O. Box 961030
Fort Worth, Texas 76161-0030

March 1, 2001                                      File: 700 Rules/Permanent Bid

Dear Mr. Siegele:

This is in reference to the movement of engineers, at consolidated terminals, between assignments handled under the former BN 700 Rule permanent bid system and other methods of assigning engineers. The following understanding is intended to resolve existing inequities when engineers move between the various systems of assigning engineers.

It is understood that when an engineer at a consolidated terminal places to an assignment outside of the 700 Rule permanent bid system, he will be allowed to pull or cancel his permanent bid sheet. The involved engineers will not be required to maintain a permanent bid sheet while working outside of the 700 Rule permanent bid system.

In the event the an engineer working outside of the 700 Rule permanent bid system, who has no displacement rights, wishes to bid back into the 700 Rule permanent bid system, a new permanent bid sheet must be filed and the 48 hour waiting period for the bid to be activated will apply. This section would also apply to engineers exercising a thirty (30) day bump into the 700 Rule permanent bid system.

However, in the event an engineer working outside of the 700 Rule permanent bid system is displaced and wishes to place to an assignment within the 700 Rule permanent bid system, he will be allowed to immediately file a new permanent bid sheet at the time that he is notified of the displacement, and the 48 hour waiting period for the bid to be activated will be waived.

If you concur, please indicate so by signing below.

Sincerely.                                                                            I concur.                

/s/ MW Geiger Jr                                                                /s/ M.H. Siegele 
General Chairman                                                               AVP/ Labor Relations