April - December 2000 Meeting Minutes

Here is what was discussed at the meeting on April 19 2000

HOLIDAY PAY

Labor Relations has decided that the position of the Organization regarding holiday pay as it pertains to the time and one-half is the correct one. All extra board engineers will be paid the time and one-half for working a yard job, or other qualifying job on the holiday, regardless of how many qualifying starts you had in the previous 30 days. The additional 100 miles will still be governed by the necessary 11 yard starts in the previous 30 days.

LOCAL RATE CONVERSION

Upon further consideration, it has been determined that the brief change of plan by labor relations was not accurate. The 1996 agreement clearly talks about being called for trips that pay 130 miles, and being paid the higher SPD, and not being allowed a meal period. So, if you are called to work a trip that pays 130 miles, or more, you will be paid the higher SPD, and will not have the right to a meal period, but you can still convert to local rate per the conversion rule.

PENALTY TIMESLIPS

Seems there is another (one of an infinite number) bug in the TK2000 timekeeping system. In the past, penalty timeslips were put in for 100 miles. Engineers were paid the full penalty amount (100 miles paying a higher rate to conform to what 130 miles paid), but lo, the new system won't do this. If you claim 100 miles penalty, that exactly what you will be paid. 
In the future, claim "basic day" in the remarks section. You may continue to put 130 miles in the mileage slot, but make sure you use the term "basic day" in the remarks section.
Anyone who was shorted in the past several months, let me know, with a copy of your earning statement, and it will be corrected.

CLAIMS

There are still too many timeslips coming in without any supporting paperwork. They cannot be processed until the supporting documentation is received. Remember, the 60 day limit starts the date of the declination. At this time, there are a substantial amount of claims waiting for documentation, and the time limit is starting to run out on some. These are your claims, and your money. Why let the carrier have it?

ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES

Letters are going out regarding attendance. If you are required to attend a conference, you may ask for representation, if you want it.
This committee has said from the start that the Availability Policy was not dead, but simply repackaged in a kinder form.

RECERT CLASSES

Engineers who are required to take the recert classes are entitled to make whole compensation. If you miss one trip, or one shift, that is what you are entitled to. You are not entitled to the missed shift, plus the day you take the test. If you miss two shifts, then that is what you are entitled to. Under ordinary circumstances, the shift you miss and get paid for will also be the compensation for the day you take the test. It is like being called in to work early.

FIRST DIVISION AWARD 24856

This award from 1997 rules that an engineer on an inbound train that is required to perform a head end air test on an outbound train is entitled to a penalty for violation of Arbitration Award 458, Article 8. This includes DP equipping trains at Wishram.

EXTRA BOARD ENGINEERS AND THE 12 HOUR REST AGREEMENT.

Letters have gone out to extra board engineers regarding booking 12 hours rest. Remember, the main qualification to allow 12 hours rest is you must have worked at least 10 hours in the previous shift. You must also book this rest at the time of tie up, not after you get home. It is also non-rescindable by either the carrier or the employee once the 12 hours is booked.
The carrier is tracking abusers of this agreement, and it has been mentioned that the agreement will be cancelled if the abuse continues. This committee is given lists of any abusers on a regular basis, and if this agreement is cancelled, there will be a "wall of shame" posted listing the abusers./

Here is what was discussed at the meeting on May 15, 2000.

ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES

It's here! Letters are going out. Investigations are being set up. Be warned. The carrier is being hard nosed on weekends. Here are some ideas for gathering information in the event you are cited;

• Document the days you laid off. Were the reasons legitimate? Family emergency? Sickness in family? Family events you were needed for? Fatigue? Anniversaries? Birthdays? Kids baseball games? 
• Document the number of hours you worked each week during the month in question.
• Include the time you were away from home at Pasco, or down in the Valley on a hold down.
• The number of days you actually worked that month.

DOCUMENT ABUSES IN LAY OFF POLICY

"Carl" has told us we have a reasonable expectation of quality off time. The carrier doesn't feel the need to provide sufficient manpower for adequate layoffs. Please start documenting each and every occasion you are denied a layoff. The only way we can address the issue of decimated extra boards it to have the proof of layoff declinations, and refusal for off time by the carrier. The only ones who can document these are each one of you.

PAYROLL PROBLEMS CONTINUE

Currently, the carrier is immediately barring  engineers, upon retirement, from having access to their rightful payroll records. i.e. access to their outstanding declinations, earning statements etc. If the carrier still has control of any of their earned money, the employee has the right to access to view how and when the carrier is going to pay said monies.

The Crew Desk is saying that they will not OK crew calling penalties unless it is a direct abuse from their office. Example, runarounds in Pasco clan usually be attributed to either the crew planner, yardmaster, or trainmaster. The crew desk will not approve these.

In fact, the current payroll practice is to let the timeslip sit for 59 days, then a computer generated declination, usually stating no evidence of any violation can be found, is sent to the employee. No one wants to be accountable for payment. This is the big word in the BNSF. ACCOUNTABILITY. If something can be traced back to you, your carrier is pretty much over.

Any employee who submits a special claim for a crew calling violation, should gather as much information as they can to support their claim. When the declination comes (as it will), send the documentation to your griever. Currently, after the payroll department sits on these claims for 60 days, and by the time they get to this committee, a lot of the information is no longer available. Remember, it is your responsibility to provide documentation for claims, not this committee.

DRUG TESTING

Mr. Edward Wytkind, Executive Director of the Transportation Trades Dept. of the AFL/CIO told a committee of the USDOT some changes need to be made, or some changes do not need to be made regarding random drug tests. They are:

• The right to split specimens where "adulterated or substituted" claims are being made. Currently, this is not allowed. There is no way to prove the claim is false.
• Access to the MRO (Medical Review Officer) to determine if a reasonable reason exists for the validity of results.
• Selection of doctors who have a medical history of qualifications as to the "shy bladder syndrome."
• Deny the proposed change that will allow the carrier to pull out of service any employee whose test is a possible positive, and is still awaiting verification.
• This change would negate 10 years of past practice.
• Propose changes that would make the carrier do random tests at the beginning of the shift, rather the end. Currently, this can put a hardship on employees who have already made plans, such as daycare, appointments etc.

PILOT PROGRAM FOR UNINTERRUPTED REST

A pilot program was submitted by the GCA for approval by each local regarding uninterrupted rest for pool freight employees. The carrier is resisting allowing the same for extra boards (where is is really needed). This proposed agreement would prevent the carrier from calling any pool freight employee for work before the expiration of their legal rest at their home terminal only. This does not include Pasco. This would mean anyone in pool freight service could not get called on their rest with the phone going off after 6 to 6 1/2 hours. The crew desk would be prohibited from calling a pool engineer until their legal rest of 8 or 10 hours had expired.

This local approved the pilot program for this location. Notification was sent out requesting that extra boards be included as quickly as possible. The proposed agreement is here.

FILLING WORK TRAIN VACANCIES

A proposal was made, seconded, and passed concerning current work train call rules. Currently, an agreement signed by the General Chairman allows work train vacancies to be called from the closest source of supply. Due to the fact that current guaranteed extra boards have virtually created subdivided seniority districts, and other current side letters concur, Vancouver engineers want all extra work train work, and vacancies for any work west of Wishram to go to the Vancouver Engineer Extra Board. Therefore, a proposal to request General Chairman MW Geiger Jr. to cancel the 1968 agreement, and award this work to Vancouver was passed. This committee will draft a letter to Mr. Geiger requesting this change. 

Here is what was discussed at the meeting on June 19, 2000.

ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES

 Investigations have started. Be warned. The carrier is being hard nosed about weekends. Remember, according to the carrier's own policy issued to each TY&E employee, you are required to maintain full time employment. As far as how the interpretation of full time goes. that is still debatable. This organization takes the definition of full time employment from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and those requirements on a national average is 38.8 hours per week on average.
In the event you are sent a letter, or notice of investigation, here are some ideas for gathering information in the event you are cited;

• Document the days you laid off. Were the reasons legitimate? Family emergency? Sickness in family? Family events you were needed for? Fatigue? Anniversaries? Birthdays? Kids baseball games? 
• Document the number of hours you worked each week during the month in question.
• Include the time you were away from home at Pasco, or down in the Valley on a hold down.
• The number of days you actually worked that month. 

Remember, your defense can only be as good as the information you provide.

FILLING WORK TRAIN VACANCIES

The GCA has informed us that in order to cancel the current work train memo of understanding, both committees (58 and 758) need to agree. So far, Div. 58 is unwilling to agree, so the issue seems to be at a standstill.

PROPOSED ENGINEER EXTRA BOARD IN ALBANY

The carrier thought they could institute an engineer extra board in Albany Or. to cover the jobs down there without talking to the General Committee. They based their decision under side letter 20 of the Arbitration Award 458. They were wrong. This Organization was not a party to side letter 20, 20A, or 21 in the 85 agreement. When the GC notified them of the fact, and offered to negotiate, and then started the negotiations with the offer of a guaranteed days off board, the carrier (Byron Gohl) went ballistic, basically stated "It's my way or the highway" and withdrew the extra board. Merle is waiting for the snit to be over, and some serious dialogue to take place about this issue. More to follow.

CHANGE IN THE LAY OFF POLICY/BOOK

It was proposed and voted on to accept, a proposal amend the book/layoff policy on a trial 6 month basis. The issues are these:

• Layoffs would be submitted up to 90 days in advance utilizing the advance lay off screen in TSS.
• All requests would be processed on a first come first served basis.
• All requests would  enacted on within 5 to 7 days, with a goal of 72 hours.
• The quota for daily vacancies for lay offs for engineers would be increased from 8 to 11.
• The book would be cancelled.
• Employees without access to the company computer, or emergencies would be handled by the crew caller.
• Once approved, the employee will not have the approval reversed.
• All single day vacations, PL days, and personal layoffs will be inputted through TSS.

Again, this is a proposal, and has not been accepted by the carrier at this time. (They wish to simply do away with the book). Also, remember, that if it is accepted, it is only going to be on a trial basis for 6 months.

PROBLEMS WITH THE EXTRA BOARD.

We continue to have abuses of the extra board by the carrier. The only way it can be fixed is with documentation by you, the extra board employees. This committee doesn't have the ability to keep a eye on every aspect of the extra board. That is where you, the ones holding the jobs on that board come in. You need to gather and provide the proof of abuses, then send it to this committee. Only with your help can we beat the problems.

PAYROLL PROBLEMS CONTINUE

If you work a round trip to Wishram, and wish to be paid correctly, make sure you put a code 99 in the CA field. This tells the timekeeper to look in the comment section. Then you put your comments down as to how you went to Wishram and back. This way you will be paid the proper miles.

Watch your language on the timeslips, and the comment section to the local chairman. Abusive language won't be tolerated. All these comments are printed out when the timeslip is printed.

Problems are continuing regarding documentation for claims. A delay report and earning statement should automatically be included for each claim submitted. There can be no conferencing done without these items. Claims will be held waiting for documentation, and remember, the claim must be in payroll's hands within 60 days from the date of the declination. Documentation for special claims should be provided by the person claiming the penalty. It is not the responsibility of, nor is the time available for this committee to gather the documentation. There may be times when the employee is not able to get the information they need, but an attempt is requested.

A reminder to put the actual time you are on duty in the TOD field. The carrier is using these figures against us, and we are providing the wrong figures by limiting our input to 12 hours. If you are duty longer than 12 hours, show this in the TOD field of the timeslip.

SENIORITY ROSTER

A new seniority roster is being posted by the carrier. It should be up by July 1. Once they post it, engineers need to check for errors. If any are found, send a letter to this committee protesting the seniority roster. After 60 days, the roster becomes unchangeable. 

Here is what was discussed at the meeting on July 17, 2000.

PEPA/SIAP DISCIPLINE POLICY

A new discipline policy went into effect on July 1, 2000. The emphasis is now on correction rather than discipline. 

• It reduces the probation period for most discipline cases. 
• Most suspensions will be a record mark. Don't give up your job insurance yet, as you may still be assessed discipline.
• Late  reporting of Muscular-skeletal injuries up to 72 hours is now allowed. This means you have a chance to sleep on a possible injury first to see if aches and inability to perform duties arise. 
• Rule G, decert policies and availability policy issues are not a part of this process.
• 4 strikes and you are out still applies to the attendance guidelines. (At least until a neutral has a chance to make a ruling.)
• Unfortunately, the carrier is mixing injuries with discipline when determining probation. Sounds like another case for a neutral.

SIAP is a new Safety Incident Analysis Process that may allow a situation to be handled without discipline or a mark on the permanent record of an employee.
The conditions are:

• Division Supt. makes the determination if SIAP is to be used.
• A team of management/labor members is formed.
• Investigation is done by all team members to determine cause, root problems, and solutions to six the problem so it doesn't happen again.\
• Remember, this is not a "get out of jail free" situation. This is an option to fix recurring problems.

SENIORITY ROSTERS

Seniority rosters have been posted at the yard office. You may also view them on TSS. Everyone should have been mailed a protest form. Check the roster carefully. If you see any errors, file a protest by August 31, 2000. Any protests after then will be invalid. If there is a problem, you need to get it fixed by the end of August, or it becomes permanent.

DIVISIONAL TRANSFERS

The agreement was signed on Nov. 1 1990. There was a chance to change it in 1998, but it was defeated by pre and post 85 employees alike. Read Fay had said earlier he would not let any one transfer in as long as there were furloughed/cut back employees. He has now changed his mind, and stated the only criteria for denial is the individual's work history.
Mr. Russ Dunn (formerly a BLE local chairman) stated it was not the carriers job to protect seniority for current employees. This was agreed to by Mr. Fay, and Mr. Luck.

LAYOFF/BOOK

Effective July 20, 2000, the book will no longer be utilized for layoffs (this is a trial agreement for 6 months). All entries in the book for a 30 day period forward from 7/20/00 will be entered in the advance layoff and approved by the crew desk. This committee has never been in agreement to the book being used for layoffs in advance of 30 days, so any book requests after 8/20/00 will need to be reentered in the advance layoff screen of TSS. Please keep this committee advised of any abuses of this new agreement.

TIE UP TIMES

Current schedule agreements require yard jobs to be tied up at the scheduled times, unless overtime is accrued. If you get an early quit on a yard job, continue to put the bulletined off duty time down for tie up. Sharp shooting for placement on the extra board will not be allowed.
Road jobs will continue to tie up when the engineer has the proper paperwork from the conductor. There are no agreements requiring  the engineer and conductor to tie up at the same time on other than yard jobs.

DAYS OFF EXTRA BOARD

A proposal is being looked at that will allow days off for engineer extra board employees. Some of the highlights are:

• An 8-3 or 11-4 cycle will be used. (I prefer 8-3, but that is up to the members).
• Employees who don't wish to take their days off my stay marked up. You must notify the crew desk 24 hours before the rest cycle starts.
• You may take all or part of your cycle off.
• Days taken in the off cycle will not count against the attendance guidelines.
• Days taken outside the rest cycle will count against the attendance guidelines.
• Lay offs will be for a minimum of 24 hours. No more 12 hours layoffs.
• Within 24 hours of the rest cycle, engineers may be run around for out of town assignments to allow for the rest cycle, with no penalty.
• The rest cycle starts at 0800 or tie up time.
• This is not a paid days off board. Guarantees will be offset by the number of days taken for rest. This is simply an opportunity for those who wish to have off time to take it
• Single day vacations and PL days may be taken during the rest cycle.
• 10 day cancellation clause.
• Those that do not wish to take the cycle time off may keep working in rotation.
• Remember, weekend days that are taken in the cycle time do not count against the attendance guidelines.

As more information becomes available, it will be posted. There is no hurry to rush this issue.

ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES

Investigations are continuing. A defense takes the effort of the individual, plus the representative. Relying on the representative to do all the leg work gathering the data is not a good idea. Remember, this is to defend the party involved. It would be prudent for those individuals to actively participate in the preparation of a good defense. An appeal is only as good as the evidence entered into the investigation. A lousy defense will only result in a lousy appeal. A thing to remember is an appeal may take up to 5 years to take place. The carrier is going to terminate anyone who has 4 investigations for attendance violations. Who can afford to be out of work for that long?

NEW GENERAL ORDERS

There is a general order out regarding a change in operating systems on the OE. Please refer to this GO before working on the OE. There are no more restricted limits at Salem, Albany or Eugene. A track warrant is needed to do anything at these places. Any questions, ask proper authority!

DEADHEADING BY TRAIN

If the unit you are being required to ride on doesn't allow for fresh air and a comfortable environment (temperature), you are to empower yourself. The carrier has so far failed to provide the documentation they claim states there are no health risks. One can only imagine why they will not provide this proof. If you don't feel safe being required to inhale diesel fumes, empower yourself! Our road foreman says a cab will be provided if the unit does not meet certain requirements to allow for a comfortable temperature and fresh air without opening a window. Remember, all deadhead time is paid at straight time rate, per Arbitration award 458.

ROUND TRIPS TO WISHRAM

Remember to put a code 99 in the CA field to advise the timekeeper to look in the comment section, otherwise you will be paid at the 130 mile rate.

Here is what was discussed at the meeting on September 18, 2000.

NOMINATIONS OF LOCAL OFFICERS

Keep in mind that not everyone has accepted the nominations, and that there will be changes. Also, remember, some positions cannot hold another position. Clarification will be posted as soon as received.
Remember, this is your chance to make a difference. Instead of standing on the sidelines complaining about all the injustices and inequities, those nominated may now have a hand in balancing the scales.

LEGISLATIVE BOARD

AR Bridges, State Legislative Board Chairman, brought us up to date on what has been happening on the legislative level. Quite an interesting discussion. Main point, the 60/30 legislation seems to be passing. People still need to write their Congressmen/Senators about the work/rest/fatigue issues, and the Attendance Guidelines. Seems Mr. Rose has sent a letter to Congress that is chock full of misstatements and mistakes. He will keep us appraised of events as they happen.

EXTRA  BOARD OVERLAY AGREEMENT PROPOSAL

Ballots will be going out in the same envelope as officer election ballots asking ratification of the following proposal:
There is a proposal for either a 7-3, or 8-3 rest day agreement for the engineer's extra board. It works like this;

An engineer will be available/work 7 or 8 days, then that person would have 3 days off. Any or all of those days off may be taken. The carrier cannot refuse the time off. Any or all of that off cycle may be worked by the employee by a 12 hour advance phone call. If the time is taken off, the extra board guarantee will be reduced by 1/15 of the guarantee for each day taken off. This is exactly what happens now when someone lays off on the extra board. An employee, who is within 24 hours of the rest cycle, and has not notified the crew desk of a desire to keep working, may be run around by those behind for out of town assignments, so that individual would not be out of town when the rest days start. He/She would be used for local assignments. Any days taken off during the off cycles will not count against the attendance guidelines. This means if you get 4 weekend days off during a month, it doesn't count. Days taken off outside the off time cycle will continue to count against the attendance guidelines. Remember, if you take your off cycle time off, this reduces the amount of "available" days just like when you are on vacation/PL days etc. This would reduce the amount of "compliance days" available to be taken outside the off cycle time. These 7-3, or 8-3 positions will be bulletined and bid on if this is accepted. Reductions or additions will be done so all cycles stay as even as possible. If a senior man is holding a cycle that will be reduced, he will take the cycle of the junior man who is cut out of the extra board, in seniority order.

These are the advantages of this proposal:

• A person who wishes to have time off will be able to do so every 10 days. Those that want a family life can have it.
• A person who wants to keep working will be able to do so. Those that want to get rich can do so.
• Any or all of the off cycle may be taken off, or worked. Pick and choose how much off time you want. Just remember to notify the crew desk.
• 12  hours advance notice of a desire to work any or all of the off time cycle will be needed.
• This is the same as that legislation everyone is waiting for. If Congress were to enact HR 3091 (which seems highly doubtful at this time), you would be required to take your 72 hours off after working 7 days. Regardless of what some think, you would not be allowed to hold out until the weekend, or some other time you wanted to take your 72 hours. There would be safeguards against that. That would be tantamount to allowing a mini strike every weekend, and this is never going to happen.
• You can mark your calendar for a year in advance, and be able to know what days you would be off. Think of it-you could actually make plans, invite company over, etc.
• If the weather gets bad, mark back up.
• No more worries about the attendance guidelines (as long as you only took off during the off cycles).
• It is understood that things happen, and the occasion for layoffs outside the cycle time may happen. No problem, but the attendance guidelines then take over.

The disadvantages are:

• You couldn't pick and choose your days off. (You can take other time off, but would be accountable to the attendance guidelines.)
• You won't get paid for your days off. (What profession has that ability now?)
• Layoffs outside the off cycle time would be required to be a minimum of 24 hours.

I ask all engineers to get beyond that first gut reaction of "I won't do anything the carrier wants. I won't make any agreements. They can't tell me what to do." This agreement proposal is made because of provisions of the work/rest/fatigue guideline/principles agreement signed in 1999. All sides made a commitment to address the fatigue issues. This is a legitimate addressing of those issues. 
What could possibly be wrong with a chance to take some time off each 10 days (or 11) without any hassle, arguments, phone calls etc? If you want time off, take it.

The balloting will be to ask if you are interested in either a 7-3 cycle or an 8-3 cycle. My recommendation is a 7-3 cycle, but I would urge you all to accept one of them. This is a golden opportunity to address the issue of fatigue. Let's not let it get away because of hostility or anger. There are times to get beyond that and look toward the benefit of all individuals. Perhaps someone doesn't want any time off (gee, do we have some of those here at Vancouver?) So what? That individual doesn't have to take time off. What if you have a family (that you like to be with)? Great, let's make plans! This guarantees at least one weekend (at minimum) per month. Sometimes two, or two and a half.

SUNDAY OFF EXTRA BOARD  AT ALBANY OR

There is a similar proposal out for an extra board at Albany OR. This extra board would probably be a one man extra board. That individual would have Sundays off, if desired. Like the other proposal, the individual may work or be available on Sundays by a simple phone call 12 hours before the day off. The employee could not be made to work if not desired. The position would protect all jobs at Albany, Salem, Eugene. If there were more vacancies than the extra board could handle, engineers would be sent from Vancouver to protect those jobs. Vancouver Engineers would not be sent to hold down the extra board. The board would be regulated by the carrier like all others, but could only be regulated once a week except in bona fide emergencies. Anyone holding the board would be able to take other days off beside Sundays, but those days would be subject to the attendance guidelines. The guarantee would be reduced by 1/15 for each day taken off. That means this job would pay higher than all others beside the two road switchers. The Sundays taken off would not count towards the attendance guidelines, except in the total number of days available to calculate the amount of off time allowed under those same guidelines. (Again, this would mean if you took all 4 Sundays off, you would have 26 days available, and under the attendance guidelines, you would be entitled to 5.25 week days and 1.25 weekend days in addition to the 4 Sundays you took off already. (These figures are approximate.) 

Again, I urge all engineers in good standing with Div. 758 to vote. We currently have just over 100 members. It would be wonderful if we had more ballots returned than the usual 40- 50.

This is your Union, and these are your jobs that are being voted on. Stand up to the plate. These issues affect YOU!

Here is what was discussed at the meeting on October 16, 2000.

LOCAL OFFICER ELECTIONS

Ballots for Officer positions in Division 758 will be out soon. Please vote! Remember to follow the instructions on the ballot to ensure your vote counts. Lack of participation will only benefit the carrier.

EXTRA BOARD OVERLAY/ALBANY EXTRA BOARD BALLOTS

Ballots have been mailed out for voting on establishing an extra board in Albany OR, and instituting a days off extra board in Vancouver WA. Please follow the instructions on the ballot and return them ASAP. Please Vote! This is your union, and only you can make changes.

MOTEL ISSUES

If the motel in Pasco tries to make you take a smoking room or a room that they have allowed a smoker to smoke in, you are not required to take that room. The motel cannot make you do so. 

FMLA

If anyone qualifies for the Federal Medical Leave Act, due to illness/injury to yourself, or a family member, remember to fill out the application for FMLA, and send it in. You cannot be reprimanded for taking time off that is covered by FMLA once you have been approved for it. There is a maximum number of days per year that is allowed. Be sure to check out how much time you are allowed. You do not need to take the time allowed all at once, but it can be taken one day at a time.

Here is what was discussed at the meeting on November 20, 2000.

RESULTS OF DAYS OFF EXTRA BOARD BALLOTS FOR VANCOUVER WA

The voting results for a days off extra board at Vancouver were: A 7-3 board was approved by members at Vancouver. The count was 36 for and 11 against. The vote for an 8-3 board was 19 for and 15 against. As soon as the GCA drafts the paperwork and gets Labor Relations to sign the agreement, the extra board jobs will be put up for bid. Hopefully this will happen by the end of the year.

ALBANY EXTRA BOARD

The results on the vote for an extra board at Albany Or were 41 for and 14 against. Again, as soon as the GCA gets the agreement drafted and signed, the board will be established and bulletined.

BALLOTS  FOR DIVISION OFFICERS

Ballots for Division Officers are in the mail. Please be sure to vote. Also, please be sure to follow the instructions carefully in order to make your vote count. Ballots that do not follow the instructions will be voided by federal law. Please make your vote count. If you do not vote, you have no place to complain.

BALLOTS FOR LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION

Ballots for changing our Legislative Representative State are also in the mail. Please be sure to return those ballots.

CHANGE IN THE OE ASSIGNMENTS

The carrier has agreed to changing the OE assignment to a 5 day assigned pool with Sunday and Monday off. As soon as the paperwork is done, the jobs will be re-bulletined.

SIGNING RELEASE OF MEDICAL INFORMATION DOCUMENTS

Under no circumstances should any employee sign a general or blank release of medical information if injured while on duty. Also, under no circumstances should any employee allow themselves to be maneuvered into a position where they are alone with carrier officers while discussing any on the job injury. You have the right to representation, and you have the right to restrict your medical data. DO NOT let the carrier browbeat you into signing anything! 

Here is what was discussed at the meeting on December 18, 2000.

RESULTS OF ELECTION FOR DIVISION OFFICERS

  VACATIONS

The reason for the reduction in weekly allotments is because the carrier decided that they would base their numbers on a division wide, all-craft need. They succeeded in doing what the UTU International has failed to do. They have blurred the craft lines to the point where they no longer exist. Allocations for locomotive engineers were reduced for two factors: 1. The carrier doesn't have enough ground personnel to fill all positions. 2. The carrier doesn't wish to go through the excruciating process of recalling furloughed personnel. When questioned as to how many locomotive engineers were furloughed, the answer was zero, but that doesn't matter. When questioned as to what the responsibility of locomotive engineers at Vancouver Wa. in regards to number of ground employees was, the answer was "The carrier has the right to fill all positions. In other words, your vacation allocation was reduced because the carrier ran out of ground personnel in Klamath Falls, and they seem to be able to restrict seniority by keeping engineers demoted to fill these positions, rather than hiring new people. Evidently, this local committee was unable to convince the higher Organization  that this was blurring craft lines and allowing the carrier to restrict seniority for locomotive engineers because of the need to keep demoted engineers. Here are the vacation schedules.

 VANCOUVER 7-3 CYCLE EXTRA BOARD

The agreement has been signed, and will go into effect on January 16, 2001 at 0001. Bids will go out 7 days prior to the implementation date.

ALBANY ENGINEER EXTRA BOARD

The agreement for the Albany extra board is still being drawn up. It should be signed by the first part of January 2001.

OE ASSIGNMENT

Due to opposition by some regarding a change in the OE pool to an assignment with Sunday and Monday off, This issue has been put on hold. Those desiring a change should bring the issue up at a future division meeting.

COMPACT DISC

This committee has put together a compact disc with all of our agreements, side letters, historical information, board awards and many other items. They are available to any member with a computer. Send me an e-mail or a note requesting one, and I will see you get one. 

GUEST SPEAKER

 We will attempt to get a guest speaker to appear next month to discuss FELA and FMLA. We would encourage as many as possible to attend.

F-27'S

Remember, when filling out an F-27 because of a personal injury, be careful in filling in the sections concerning 

• Was anyone else responsible? If you feel someone should have checked, fixed, or cleaned up equipment or the surrounding area, then yes, someone else was responsible.
• Was there anything else you could do? If you feel the only other action possible was to not have shown for work, then the answer is no.
• Was there a defect in the equipment? Unless you feel nothing was wrong with the equipment or the surrounding area, the answer is yes.

Be careful when filling out these forms. Once filled out, they cannot be changed.
Also, remember you do not need to sign a blanket release for medical information. You may restrict the information to just that information relating to the current injury. BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU SIGN! If in doubt, ask for your representative to be called.

7 DEADLY SINS

The carrier is very serious about the 7 deadly sins. You need to be vigilant. You need to work as a team with your crew and make sure each person is complying with the rules. Don't jeopardize your job because of laxness. Remember to follow the rules in regard to those issues you are responsible for. Ignorance will be no excuse.

OFFICE MOVING-LEGISLATIVE VOTE

The vote on what state will be our state legislature as been decided. We will move to the State of Washington. Also, our office will be moving upstairs in a short time. We now will have a bigger office with more space to work. The room number will be posted soon.