January - June 2011 Minutes

January - June 2011 Meeting Minutes

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, January 17, 2011

Meeting was opened by the President in Due Form.

Members in attendance – Rick Etienne, Robert Pratt, T. Jacobs, K. Anderson, T. Beckwith, R. Reams, D. Farrar, J. Regan, T. Reddish, R. Maggio, D. Keder, Dave Haney, RE Huelle, Harvey Bailey, R. Tiffany, T. Ray, Cordes, B. Bocchi, P. Paterson, A. Ortmayer, A. Norvell, R. Jenkins S. Barnes, R. Hill, M. Taylor, J. Norvell, K. Black, L. Weed, M. Bahr, K Taylor, J. McHenry, G. Bryson, M. Campbell.

Minutes from the November meeting were read. Brother Reams motioned to approve, Sister Huelle seconded. Minutes approved.

Presentation of bill made by Secretary, Motion to pay bills by Brother Haney. Seconded by Brother Cordes. Motion passed.

The current membership is 128.

Safety Committee – Safety Meeting 20 Jan., will be electing new officers. Need new member for Safety Committee. Way to much speeding going on, ask your conductor for support.

Cab Committee – Cleanliness of Cab toilet is important, stand your ground. Turn into Brother Tiffany any GTB's that say No Defect and defects do exist.

Leg. Rep. Brother R. Hill has a book on explanation on FMLA and how to get it. See R. Hill or contact him either via email (rjvj@comcast.net) or call him at 360 356-4384.

Local Chairman

GOTV

Thanks to all members for their participation in the National Division voting, our North Lines were instrumental in getting Brother Pierce re-elected, our Division had a 90% turnout and the National turnout was at 40%. Thank you for your support..

Raffle for Injured/Sick Employees

Don Byrum worked hard organizing a raffle for needy employees and was able to provide assistance for 4 members from the two crafts. Please keep this in mind, as we may wish to do this again for others needing assistance. Thanks to everyone who participated

Vacations

Carrier was so sure we wouldn't be able to man the trains this summer they cut our allocations. Knowing they were wrong, our GCA got them to admit to increasing the summer allocations if all goes south. When that happen we'll post the weeks available for bid.

E4 Pool

The Carrier agreed to up the trip rate for the E4 car to that equal with the pool, currently the trip rate is the lowest of all. Now that the trip rate will be adjusted, do we wish to put the E4 car back on? Carrier will not do the two turn garbage anymore, would we like to make a pool like the other ones – 3 turns, with a window. Take the garbage during the window east, and then roll into the pool west. This would create another assignment with a day off.

Shuttle Agreement

Copies of the agreement have been sent out via email and copies have been filter through the work space, a vote is needed to continue.

Profit Sharing

Appears to be close to 100%

New Business -

Motion by Brother Bahr to vote on the Shuttle agreement and seconded by Brother Bryson, motion passed.

Motion by Brother J. Norvell to accept Email votes sent to Brother Etienne, seconded by Brother Taylor. To accept the emails 24, not to accept 1. Motion passed.

Vote for Ratification of Shuttle agreement. To ratify 27, against 3. Emails – To ratify 10, against 1. Total vote 37 to ratify , 4 against. Results of vote are to ratify shuttle agreement.

Motion made to fill Safety Committee position by Brother Bryson and seconded by Brother Huelle. Motion passed.

Brother Bailey nominates D. Haney for Safety committee position and seconded by Brother Bryson, no other nominations, appointment by acclimation.

Increase of Local Chairman’s wages discussed, presentation by Sec/Tres be giving at next meeting..

Meeting adjourned at 1530.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, February 21, 2011

Meeting was opened by the President in Due Form.

Members in attendance – Rick Etienne, Robert Pratt, T. Jacobs, D. Farrar, H. Bailey, K. Black, C. Nibler, C. Marsh, P. Nuebel, S. Hill, K. Ring, K. Huelle, A. Nollette, M. Fischer, S. Cordes, R. Moore, C. Gunther.

Minutes from the January meeting were read. Brother Moore motioned to approve, Sister Nuebel seconded. Minutes approved.

Presentation of bills made by Secretary, Motion to pay bills by Brother Bailey. Seconded by Brother Cordes. Motion passed.

The current membership is 130.

Safety Committee – Boots on the ground speaking with crew to get imput to reduce HFMI's.

When instructed to take your train to Felida – Southbound – Can tie train down on main one but not on main two, crew change only.

Northbound - Crew change on main one only and no change on main two, cannot tie down on either main.

Cab Committee – None

Leg. Rep.- None

Local Chairman -

Shuttle Trains

When called for a shuttle train, use route code 60.

Track Work

Rail gangs will be starting on Fallbridge around March 7^th.. Carrier plans to take 12 trains away per day during the month of March & April. If we can handle more we will nag the carrier to get some of them back. The gangs will work in two stages; 2 gangs will be working at a time, when one set leaves, another set will show up. Windows are supposed to be 10-12 hours long.

Short XBD cycle time

GCA has been asked to intervene in the short cycle time of the XBD. Carrier was warned last summer they needed to hire and ignored. Now carrier is claiming “poor folk”. They tell us we'll have a class coming out in June. Doesn't help us now - June is when it starts to slow down.

Unusual Incidents

Be sure to report any unusual incidents you encounter while working. We expect to hold the carrier to the same level of accountability as they hold us. We've encountered several things lately

-Brown out of CTC where dispatcher had train line out in front of oncoming trains.
-Carrier officer fabricating air test form.
-Dispatcher giving late notice of slow order, then accusing crew of receiving it earlier.
Be sure to report it, and leave a copy for local committee of adjustment.

Peer to Peer

We started another peer to peer program. UTU was only able to field 2 conductors. Carrier put program on hold due to lack of manpower.

Red Lion Hotel Inspection

We plan to do an inspection of the Red Lion Hotel in March. The person in charge of motel accommodations will be here from Ft. Worth to help us; both organizations and carrier. Want to make sure all is up to specs on the motel.

SP&S Meal period agreement proposal

Currently trainmen have a meal agreement signed last summer. Since Camas turn was created before 1988, there is no automatic “me too”. GCA wrote agreement allowing Engineer on Camas turn a meal period also.

Ebb & Flow Agreement Proposal

UTU is enforcing their agreement requiring engr's exhausting their seniority in the zone before demoting themselves. This agreement allows those engr's affected a way to exercise their seniority. Doesn't change anything for those who were demoted at their source of supply. Allows a $750.00 payout to go back in engr. ranks.

Vests

As of March 1 tear away vests will not be required.

Old Business

Discussion to increase the Local Chairman wages. Upon discussion, it was decided to increase the trip rate to equal current wages.

New Business -

Motion by Brother Bailey to accept the SP&S meal period and seconded by Brother Farrar. Motion passed.

Motion by Sister Nuebel to accept the Ebb & Flow agreement as proposed, seconded by Brother Gunther. Motion passed unanimously.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Nollette and seconded by Sister Nuebel. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1500.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, March 21, 2011

Meeting was opened by the President in Due Form.

Members in attendance – Rick Etienne, Robert Pratt, , C. Nibler, K. Huelle, R. Huelle, D. Haney, R. Tiffany, E. Taylor, M. Bahr, D. Keder, K Stockman, R, Maggio, A. Haynes, S. Barnes.

Minutes from the February meeting were read. Brother Haney motioned to approve, Brother Taylor seconded. Minutes approved.

Presentation of bills made by Secretary, Motion to pay bills by Brother Haney. Seconded by Brother Huelle. Motion passed.

The current membership is 131.

Safety Committee – Possible safety meal next month for 1 year mark.

Cab Committee – We currently have 9 unanswered surp logs. Check lead locomotive if equipped with a JEM radio to ensure that radio works correctly.

WPO – Second month for observing shoving, currently at 93%

Leg. Rep.- None

Local Chairman -

Crew Issues

Recently we had a meeting with Drew and addressed thes issues.

Canvassing - What are the parameters.
Carrier wasn't aware that calling didn't need to be done by seniority
common sense would dictate using the closest out XBD demotes before using pool.

Restriction of 4 advance layoff requests in 90 day period.

            Carrier agreed to forward this issue to Ft. Worth.
            Local officers agreed this was only creating an instant layoff issue.
            Crew planning would only be worse unless corrected.

Paper DH when availability is in 80 percentile range.

Carrier agreed that paper deadheading would be a last resort.
Unfortunately, records show lip service on this issue only.

One time computer asks for extra work, another time not.

They say programming is planned to fix this. We'll see.

Canvassing and not going back to check to see if XBD engineers are rested.

Programming is scheduled later this year to fix this. Claims will continue until fixed.

RSIA & built in lead time for on duty time.

We show them this extra time is not required.
They will not change their ways so we will continue to put timeslips for runarounds.

Board runarounds where one job called ahead of another – multiple people calling.

We were told this would be fixed. Timeslips will continue as needed.

TVA's and not letting engineers TVA job when not protected by owner for 7 days.

            They do not have a clue how to fix.
            Constant TSS failure to fill jobs on Mondays.
            Programming will be adjusted.
            Problem stems from our 2010 agreement requiring not forcing a job when engineer are on the bump board.
            Problem is, no job is filled if no one is bidding on it.

XBD engineers would go back to board in order of call even if given a quit.

This one was a surprise to the Crew Director.
He promised that this would get fixed ASAP.

General Notice regarding release from outlying areas.

They are looking into this.
We will timeslip if anyone is kept off their job, or forced to stay longer than stated at the time of the call.

Track Work

Still waiting to see trains disappear, no one seems to know exactly what's going on. We will regulate by the miles rather than by what they say.

New notice on attendance guidelines.

Nothing has changed regarding the new notice. Only difference is they finally allowed for NGD layoffs, so these guys actually can have a day off. Up until recently, they held those days against NGD. Each violation case will be handled as the merits of the case dictate, if you get a notice, and feel it's wrong, make a record of your on duty times, and at Pasco times.

Unusual Incidents

Be sure to report any unusual incidents you encounter while working. We expect to hold the carrier to the same level of accountability as they hold us. We've encountered several things lately. Be sure to report it, and leave a copy for local committee of adjustment.

Peer to Peer

We started another peer to peer program. Carrier stopped it due to lack of manpower. Trying to get it fired up again. We had two decerts recently, we gotta be more careful out there.

Red Lion Hotel Inspection

Carrier & both Organizations participated in a motel inspection of the Red Lion recently. Ms. Kelly Henry from Ft. Worth came out to do the inspections. She tore several room apart looking for issues, and found that most issue were minor, no bugs and Mold issues will be fixed. Motel will be updating rooms this year.

SP&S Meal period agreement proposal

Agreement passed. Engineers working SP&S road switchers will be allowed a meal period of 30 minutes..

Ebb & Flow Agreement Proposal

Passed

IBT Delegated Election

The IBT will be sending out ballots for election of IBT delegates. Currently there are 3 slates running. Normally the GCA has been the delegate for the IBT for our area. Information will be made available on a table outside the meeting room on meeting days. Please be sure to VOTE.

What can K trains do?

A shuttle is a thru freight train not subject to automatic release rules. They can do anything a freight train can do, they can make 3 moves at the initial terminal, 3 moves outside the limits and 3 moves at the final terminal.

Outside yard limits, they can pull & spot industries, subject to the 3 move restriction. Dog catch outside the yard limits and yard trains, they can build trains and move it to stage for another crew, they cannot just build a train and leave it there. They can go to Albina, they cannot go to Rivergate when getting trains inside yard limits. They can move trains for staging all the way to Vader and they can get trains at Washougal.

New Business -

Membership vote for J. Nibler

                                   E. Pedersen
                                   K. Black
                                   S. Clark

Motion to accept membership by Brother Huelle, seconded by Brother Tiffany. Motion Passed.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Huelle and seconded by Brother Stockman. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1423.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, April 18, 2011

Meeting was opened by the President in Due Form.

Members in attendance – Rick Etienne, Robert Pratt, , C. Nibler, H. Bailey, T. Reddish, R. Hill, J. Nibler.

Minutes from the March meeting were read. Brother Bailey motioned to approve, Brother Reddish seconded. Minutes approved.

Presentation of bills made by Secretary, Motion to pay bills by Brother Hill Seconded by Brother Reddish. Motion passed.

The current membership is 134.

Safety Committee – 20th-20st safety meal 6 in 1 jacket will be given as awards. Congratulations..

Cab Committee – Level 8 – Not lead qualified. Look on train display for notification, if so switch it out.

Local Chairman -

Excessive on duty time.

Please be sure to document trips where you are on duty an excessive amount of time, without documentation, there is little we can do. If we care enough to get mad, we should care enough to put it down on paper.

New notice on attendance guidelines.

Quarterly Safety Mtng. In Seattle.

The Carrier is moving trains and yard switching to various areas in order to get things back to normal. The Montana blockage is broken loose and trains are now running again. 200+ new employees are planned to be hired this year, no word on how many are for this area. Doug Jones is trying to get 75 mercenaries to come to the NW division to work.

A presentation was given on slide fence dangers and mud slides. Consensus was to have the same experts on avalanche work on mud slide protection for MOW and Train crews.

Trains North of 130.7

If you are required to either get a train or leave a train north of MP 130.7 you are entitled to 2 penalties. One for violation of automatic release rule and one for running of assignment. You are also entitled to claim the extra line miles to where the train is.

Peer to Peer

We started another peer to peer program. Carrier stopped it due to lack of manpower. Trying to get it fired up again. We had two decerts recently, we gotta be more careful out there.

IBT Delegated Election

The IBT delegate election was held last month, have no word on the results yet.

What can K trains do?

BBQ

We will be hosting a BBQ for all employees Wed & Thru to celebrate 1 year injury free in the terminal. The Carrier will also be providing 8-way highly visible jackets to those employees who've been around for most of the year. We will be taking sizes during the BBQ and whatever size you order will have to be the one you get.

New Business -

None.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Hill and seconded by Brother Reddish. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1447.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, May 16, 2011

Meeting was opened by the President in Due Form.

Members in attendance – Rick Etienne, Robert Pratt, , C. Nibler, T. Reddish, D. Haney, M. Bahr, A. Nollette, R. Chacon, J. McHenry, D. Farrar.

Minutes from the April meeting were read. Brother Nollette motioned to approve, Brother Haney seconded. Minutes approved.

Presentation of bills made by Secretary, Motion to pay bills by Brother Haney Seconded by Brother Ettienne. Motion passed.

The current membership is 132.

Safety Committee – None

Cab Committee – None.

Local Chairman

Meeting in Seattle.

Division Manager asked for 1 cs from Seattle, Pasco, Tacoma and Vancouver to attend, the subject matter was about directional traffic, “the iron triangle”. Wanted to see if a pool could be established. The main road blocks presented were-
-Trip rate would have to be enough where the crew would make enough averaging 2 trips a half.
-Meals, since crews wold be eating out for 4 days at a time.
-HAHT
-On duty location.
-Guaranteed rest time at home (No moving up due to manpower shortage).
-Overcoming the 1970 Merger Protection Zones.
-Layoffs
-Qualifying
-Call times.
-RSIA issues.
-Regulation of pool with 3 on duty locations.
-Pay for qualification.
-Which trains.

These are the hurdles needed to be overcome. The carrier wants one on duty location – Auburn, this does not sit well the us. By running through Ellensburg, this will cost Pasco jobs. We want 3 on duty locations. This will all have to go to the various general chairmen for them to work on.

What do our members think?

Excessive on duty time.

If we hope to stop the carrier from keeping crews on duty excessively, we will need statements from those who wee abused.

Trains North of 130.7

IBT Delegated Election

The IBT delegate election was held last month, it appears our GCA was elected as the delegates. Some of those running are continuing to protest and complain.

What can K trains do?

Claims.

Still having problems getting the necessary paperwork from claims from some members. If the claim involves a working ticket, a working ticket & delay report is required along with the 816 for that period, the 816 should not be redacted, I really don't care how much anyone other than myself makes. The purpose of the 816 is in case LR questions the earnings of the member with the GCA.

A detailed explanation of why a penalty was submitted, (what happened and what did you do).

If all paperwork is not received, the claim will be returned to the Claimant as withdrawn.

Alt Handling.

We have been notified that alt handling will no longer be offered for attendance guidelines. The carrier says an employee with a valid excuse will be excused. Recommend calling DeLargy or Mike Cart if you have to lay off with a valid excuse. If you get sick, and are off a few days, we suggest a Dr.'s note and be sure to give it to them before you work your first shift after being off sick.

Inability to get hold of trainmaster.

If you are trying to lay off sick, and the TM won't answer the phone, suggest you use your cell phone to call so you can present a phone record. If you haven't been able to get hold of them by the time you get called, lay off on call, and present your call records to rebut the LOC. Only way we can get their attention is to show them how rampant this is.

Motel Lodging.

The motel announced that the restaurant will now be open during those two hours in the afternoon when they have been closed. Also, the flat screen TV's have been ordered for our rooms, but have no date on when they will arrive.

New Business -

Check on pricing for hats for the membership.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Haney and seconded by Brother Farrar. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1432.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, June 20, 2011

Meeting was opened by the President in Due Form.

Members in attendance – Rick Etienne, Robert Pratt, , C. Nibler, T. Reddish, D. Haney, M. Bahr, B. Campbell, N. Scruggs, S. Clark, R. Tiffany.

Minutes from the May meeting were read. Brother Tiffany motioned to approve, Brother Haney seconded. Minutes approved.

Presentation of bills made by Secretary, Motion to pay bills by Brother Haney Seconded by Brother Reddish. Motion passed.

The current membership is 132.

Safety Committee – This division is in last place amoung the other 12 divisions, this will bring unwanted attention.

Cab Committee – Be sure that the ditch light meet candle power requiements, clean bugs. Report all problems with Date/Consist to R. Tiffany at 360 798-4877 or Dave Haney at 360 903-5610.

Leg. - None.

Local Chairman -

Iron Triangle Proposal.

The Intent is to have directional traffic for certain trains and to reduce dead heads.The main road blocks presented were-

-Trip rate would have to be enough where the crew would make enough averaging 2 trips a half.

-Meals, since crews wold be eating out for 4 days at a time.

-HAHT

-On duty location.

-Guaranteed rest time at home (No moving up due to manpower shortage).

-Overcoming the 1970 Merger Protection Zones.

-Layoffs

-Qualifying

-Call times.

-RSIA issues.

-Regulation of pool with 3 on duty locations.

-Pay for qualification.

-Which trains.

These are the hurdles needed to be overcome. The carrier wants one on duty location – Auburn, this does not sit well the us. By running through Ellensburg, this will cost Pasco jobs. We want 3 on duty locations. Question of which trains, can't grab just any old train. This will all have to go to the various general chairmen for them to work on.

Another meeting is scheduled for July 15.

Trains North of 130.7

If you are required to either get a train or leave a train north of MP 130.7 you are entitled to 2 penalties. One for the release rule and one for running of assignment. You are also entitled to claim the extra line miles to where the train is. Please understand that aline marked as the limits means trains from both directions that arrive at that point are considered at those limits.

What is “North of MP 130.7”

The north limits at Vancouver is Felida crossing, this means trains arriving at the crossing from either direction are considered in limits. All limits have a head space built in to allow trains to get to a point, while the train still hangs out. If the train is north of the crossing, but within eyesight of the crossing, it is considered in yard limits. Carrier is in talks with the General Chairman to get the limits changed again to MP 127.

Claims.

Still having problems getting the necessary paperwork from claims from some members. If the claim involves a working ticket, a working ticket & delay report is required along with the 816 for that period. Time limits on claims is 60 days from the time of the decline All engineers should get a delay report if a penalty is involved, or unusaual circumstances occur.

Alt Handling

Discipline & Alternative Handling Issues.

We are having an issue with those granted alt handling, or getting discipline signing their paperwork. If granted alt. Handling, the paperwork must be signed before the investigations is canceled.

The Alt. Handling plan allows for carrier to reinstate investigation if terms of alt. Handling are not completed in the time frame specified. Too many employees are opting for alt handling, then not doing what is required. Be sure to sign the paperwork and complete the alt. Handling plan on time.

Inability to get hold of trainmaster.

Yard Focus Group.

Carrier is starting up the yard focus group again. Chris Nibler is the yard focus designated engineer. Purpose is to address the various yard issues.

New Business -

August Meeting, will we have it?

Motion to close meeting by Brother Clark and seconded by Brother Bahr. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1438.