Primary Recall Agreement Ratified

Dear Sirs and Brothers:

This is to advise that the BLET "Primary Recall" Agreement recently distributed for ratification has been accepted. Ballots were sent to 101 BLET BNSF Divisions with 80% of the Divisions returning a ballot. Accordingly, the final vote count was 62 votes in favor and 19 votes against. While the vote count was based on a total "BNSF" basis, it is noteworthy that the returned ballots also showed that the agreement was accepted by the four General Committees individually.

Attached you will find a fully executed copy of the Agreement. By virtue of the language within the Agreement, the primary recall responsibility applies to those who entered LETP after January 1, 2005 while the remaining portions of the agreement are effective on March 15, 2004. Please add it to your files and contact your respective General Committee Office, if questions should arise.

Fraternally,

cc Steve Speagle, BLET Vice President Assigned
Don Hahs, BLET National President

Memorandum of Agreement
between
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
and the
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co.

The parties acknowledge the need to address promotional responsibility to engine service at the locations that LETP classes are assigned. In that resolve, this agreement will establish parameters addressing those needs. Additionally, the parties recognize that employees need to understand their obligations and responsibilities to engineer seniority. Accordingly, those demoted engineers who entered LETP after January 1, 2005 will be required to protect their engine seniority at the location where they entered the LETP Class for 3 years from the date of promotion as described herein. This application will be referred to as "primary recall".

1. In the event an engineer permanent assignment goes "no-bid" in accordance with the working schedules of the respective former roads, the junior demoted engineer at the location of the "no-bid" assignment will first be force assigned, if none, the junior demoted engineer at the supply point location or in the zone of the assignment will be force assigned.

2. If none, demoted engineers standing for "primary recall" shall be force assigned to the "no-bid" position ahead of other demoted engineers. This force assignment of the engineers standing for this "primary recall" will be accomplished by force assigning the junior demoted engineer standing for primary recall to the involved location who is assigned at the closest point by highway miles.

3. If none, the existing rules governing force assignment to assignments on the former BN Northlines, C&S, FWD, JTD and ATSF will continue to apply as currently described by the specific agreements governing force assignments to the respective former properties. For assignments on the former SLSF, the junior demoted engineer that does not stand for primary recall to the involved location will be force assigned from the closest point by highway mile, unless modified and/or amended by subsequent agreement(s).

4. The methodology for ascertaining the mileage between these locations for the purpose of force assigning will initially be accomplished by using an agreed upon method.

5. This agreement shall not be construed as changing or amending existing schedule rules, agreements or understandings with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, except as it is necessary to make the provisions of those schedule rules, agreements or understandings conform with this agreement. If there is any conflict between an existing schedule rule, agreement and/or understanding and a provision of this agreement, the provisions of this agreement shall apply.

This agreement shall become effective on _______March 15, , 2005, and shall continue in effect accordance with the provisions of the Railway Labor Act, as amended.

For the Organization: For the Carrier:

BNSF MILTON SIEGELE Assistant Vice President Labor Relations	The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company
	PO Box 961030 Fort Worth TX. 76161-0030 2600 Lou Menk Drive Garden Level NOC Fort Worth TX 76161-0030 Phone: 817-352-1020 Fax: 817-352-7319

January 3, 2004 BLE Proposed Side Letter - 1

Mr. Dennis Pierce
General Chairman, BLE
801 Cherry St., Ste 1010 Unit 8
Fort Worth, TX 76102

Mr. Rick Gibbons
General Chairman,
BLE 5040 S. Harmony
Rogersville, MO 65742

Mr. Pat Williams
General Chairman, BLE
509 SW Wilshire Blvd., Ste D
Burleson, TX 76028

Mr. Austin Morrison
General Chairman, BLE
7637 Canyon Dr.
Amarillo, TX 79110

Gentlemen:

This is to acknowledge our recent discussions regarding force assigning engineers to protect their engine seniority at a location more than 50 miles from the location assigned as a demoted engineer. Both parties understand the importance of affording employees the opportunity to secure rest and prepare for their tour of duty.

With that resolve, the carrier will allow force assigned engineers to utilize existing contracted lodging facilities at the location provided that rooms are available, for a maximum of 60 days.

At those locations where there are no contract lodging facilities, the carrier will make very effort to arrange for similar accommodations.

Those employees wishing to secure accommodations under these provisions will be afforded an opportunity to make arrangements with the Carrier Designated Officer at the time of need. All pertinent information will be exchanged at this time.

Mr. Dennis Pierce
General Chairman, BLE
801 Cherry St., Ste 1010 Unit 8
Fort Worth, TX 76102

Mr. Pat Williams
General Chairman, BLE
509 SW Wilshire Blvd., Ste D
Burleson, TX 76028

Gentlemen:

This is to acknowledge our recent discussions regarding "primary recall" for demoted engineers. During our discussions it was understood that the "force assignment" provisions found in Section 1 of the agreement would not add to or subtract from the promotional responsibilities of engineers who are "prior righted" under existing agreements.

It was also understood that the application of Section 1 will not affect the "Zone" specific application of ebb and flow in place at locations where there are multiple zones. When the individual zones are exhausted of demoted engineers at these locations, Section 2 will then be applicable.

Mr. Dennis Pierce
General Chairman, BLE
801 Cherry St., Ste 1010 Unit 8
Fort Worth, TX 76102

Mr. Pat Williams
General Chairman, BLE
509 SW Wilshire Blvd., Ste D
Burleson, TX 76028

Gentlemen:

This is to acknowledge our recent discussions regarding "primary recall" for demoted engineers. Included in our discussion was the force assignment of junior engineers to protect their engine seniority. Both parties understand the need for these demoted engineers to be able to bid and be awarded the same assignments that they stand to protect by force assignment.

Accordingly, it is understood that all engineers holding seniority on an engineer's seniority district will be allowed to access engineer bulletins, permanent bids and/or standing bids for engineer assignments. The senior applicant applying for any permanent vacancy will be awarded the open assignment. If no engineers holding seniority on the involved seniority district bid on the vacant position, the force assignment provisions of the "primary recall" agreement will apply.

Sincerely,

/s/ Milton H. Siegele, Jr.

/s/ Dennis R. Pierce
BLET General Chairman

/s/ RC Gibbons
BLET General Chairman

/s/ Pat J. Williams
BLET General Chairman

/s/ AG Morison
BLET General Chairman

Dennis R. Pierce		GENERAL COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT BNSF/MRL	VICE CHAIRMEN M. 0. WILSON S. J. BRATKA D.W. MAY
General Chairman		801 CHERRY ST., SUITE 1010 Unit 8 FT. WORTH, TX 76102-4237 TEL (817) 338-9010 · FAX (817) 338-9088	J.H. NELSON SECRETARY-TREASURER GALESBURG, IL 61401

ALL LOCAL CHAIRMAN	March 5, 2005
BNSF NORTHLINES AND MRL	Re: Primary Recall Agreement

/s/ Dennis R. Pierce BLET General Chairman		/s/ MH Siegele General Director - Labor Relations
/s/ RC Gibbons BLET General Chairman		/s/ RL Luther General Director - Labor Relations
/s/ Pat J. Williams BLET General Chairman
/s/ AG Morison BLET General Chairman