Dennis Pierce General Chairman BNSF(CB&Q/GN/NP/SP&S)-MRL	Pat Williams General Chairman BNSF (ATSF)-PHL	Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
	Austin Morrison General Chairman BNSF (C&S/CRI&P/FWS)	Rick Gibbons General Chairman BNSF (SLSF)-MNA	IBT Rail Conference

Mr. John Fleps                                                                                                                                February 12, 2008
Vice President Labor Relations                                                                                                        Re: FMLA Dispute
The BNSF Railway Company
Post Office Box 961030
Fort Worth, Texas 76161-0030

Dear Mr. Fleps:

This is in reference to our ongoing dispute over the Carrier's application of its FMLA Policy, specifically  to the Supreme Court's recent decision denying the carriers' petition for a writ of certiorari. This is to advise that absent any reconsideration of the policy by BNSF, the undersigned General Committees plan
to move forward to arbitration by listing our outstanding claims of record concerning the application BNSF's FMLA policy to a Public Law Board.

Prior to listing the cases, and, only if you are so inclined, the four undersigned General Chairmen have agreed to meet with you to discuss the policy in an on property effort to resolve our differences over BNSF's Policy. Please advise if you are willing to meet and discuss the policy on property.

We await your reply, again, we are willing to meet and discuss this matter at your soonest convenience.

Sincerely,
 

cc: All Local Chairmen
      Don Hahs, National President, BLET
      Steve Speagle, Assigned National VP, BLET
      Harold Ross
      Mike Wolly