July - December 2007 Minutes

July - December 2007 Meeting Minutes

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, July 16, 2007

Meeting was opened by President in Due Form.

Members Attending – R. Etienne, T. Jacob, , S. Cordes, R. Williams, John Jones, Xavier Wilson, Duane Beckwith, Dave Haney, Terry Reddish, Kevin Baker, Kevin Howard, Brian Bocchi, Kate Ruzsa, Robert Pratt.

Minutes of the June meeting were not read. Voted to suspend. Motion to accept by Brother Jacobs and seconded by Brother Jones. Motion passed.

Finances – We currently have 110 members. Secretary made presentation on current finances. The bills were presented for payment. Motion by Brother Haney to pay the bills, seconded by Brother Jacobs. Motion passed.

Safety Rep – If you have cab issues be sure to report it. It can’t be fixed if you don’t let us know. Be sure to secure all locomotives, isolate, release brakes to ensure that the motors don’t move and then reset the automatic air.

Special Guest - Paul Bovarnick attended today’s meeting and spoke about Accident Reporting – When filling out an Accident Report be sure to first call a union member for support and assistance. In writing, in as few words as possible, indicate what hurts. When you see a doctor be sure to tell the doctor that this is not a Workman’s Comp case.

Statue of limitations for a cumulative trauma is 3 years from the time you notice an injury.

Local Chairman – National Contract – Section 11 will probably go into effect around Sept 1-15, Crew is having more problems than anticipated. Back pay will be issued by Sept 1. Crew has promised that if someone goes on vacation after rest cycles, they will still get the 3 rest days after vacation even if they wind up not being able to hold the board when they get back.

Vacation will be floated for rest cycle to the middle of the week. This means if your cycle is Mon-Wed, vacation will go later in the week, and if your rest days are at the end of the week, the vacation will move up. Example – Vacation scheduled to start on July 23, rest cycle July 22, 23, 24 – vacation will flow back to start July 25. Now vacation scheduled July 23 with your rest days July 27, 28, 29 – your vacation will advance to follow rest days on the 21^st, so your vacation will start July 22.

Back pay on Road Switchers – Payroll has been paying NP Road Switchers wrong for sometime. New NP Road Switcher agreement gave pay raise to them last year. Someone cloned an old trip rate and our road switchers and LVJ were paid that rate, an overpayment of about $9.00 per day. This effects overtime, penalties, vacation and PL days, and will also effect the back pay. Carrier is trying to work something out with GCA to minimize effect. They don’t want to have to go through all the records. Hopefully they will just write off everything in the past. More info to come.

Whistle Violations – The carrier is going to make poster children out of those engineers who do not whistle for a crossing. Be sure you make some kind of noise over public crossing at grade. An Ops failure for not blowing long enough is better than getting fired for not whistling. The conductor is equally responsible and if you have a student or qualifying engineer, and they fail to whistle, you may be still held responsible. PROTECT YOUR JOB.

Engine Inspection – Be sure to sign the cards on your engines and upon tie-up. Be sure to fill out the electronic forms. If you won’t be tied up by 2359 and the cards aren’t signed – do the inspection, don’t leave a trap for our brethren.

FRA is going to fine the Carrier: the Carrier will discipline employees. The Feds are ready to rescind waiver granted to BNSF that allows using electronic forms. If rescinded we will have to go back to the paper reports.

Dues Increases – The BLET Constitution has a built-in escalator that automatically raises the national division dues when a pay raise is obtained. This means the National dues will increase $2.32 starting Aug 15^th. When the last dues increase for the National happened, the Local absorbed the increase. The Local cannot absorb another increase. This one will have to be passed on.

At the GCA meeting, it was voted for a $1.00 increase in GCA dues. This increase will start in 2008. There has been no increase in GCA dues for 6 years and this increase will keep up with inflation.

The Local is looking to propose a dues increase in the amount of $1.68. This will round out the total increase to $5.00.

This division has been breaking even most every month. This will allow for unexpected expenses.

We will announce the increase this month, discuss it at the August meeting and have a secret ballot during the September meeting, needing a 2/3 majority for passage. Please attend for discussion and vote.

Article 11 of On property Agreement. – We have the choice of 2 ways of implementing changes in pools/XBD’s when exercising bumps:

Method 1 – Except as qualified in Section K and Section S (2), the displacing engineer will be assigned to the pool turn previously held by the junior engineer on the involved pool board. If that turn is not at the home terminal, the displacing engineer will be shown waiting until the turn arrives and is tied up at the home terminal and that pool standing will then be assumed by the displacing engineer.

Method 2 – Except as qualified in Section K and Section S (2), the displacing engineer will be assigned to the pool turn previously held by the junior engineer on the involved pool board. If that turn is not at the home terminal, the displacing engineer shall be placed to the foot of the board at the home terminal as it stands at the time of displacement and that pool standing will then be assumed by the displacing engineer. When the displaced engineer returns to the home terminal, that turn shall be extinguished.

The division needs to decide how they want to make the changes.

Car Insurance When Deadheading – There is no law requiring a certain amount of liability on the part of contract drivers. It’s a good idea to have your own car insurance “stacked” with a high amount of insurance to cover yourselves in the event of being hurt in an accident. You can “stack” under-insured and no insurance. The cost is small when compared to not being able to pay your bills when hurt.

FELA is “fault based”, this means you need to show fault. If the accident is caused by the contract company, the carrier can claim they did nothing wrong, this puts the liability on the contract company.

If the accident is caused by some other driver, the contract company can say they did nothing wrong and this then puts the liability on the other driver. What if he/she doesn’t have insurance, or not enough?. Stacking your own insurance would take care of the problem. Check it out with your insurance company. It may be worth it.

Off Track Vehicle Insurance – Currently, past CBA’s include off track vehicle insurance. If you are injured in an off track vehicle (van) you can collect $1000.00 per week for 104 weeks. This amount will have to be paid back by you, the injured party, when a settlement is made.

This is a good way to help with bills if injured off property while on duty, and not in a company vehicle.

Accident Report – It is illegal and against company policy to refuse to fill out an accident form. BE BRIEF in your statement, don’t get wordy in explaining what hurts – “Hurt arm”, “Hurt leg”, never say too much.

Remember how to fill out the 3 boxes.

FML & The Lawsuit – Carrier admits they’ve lost the FML battle. For some reason they keep paying the day to the employee. Hopefully an agreement upon settlement will be forthcoming.

Rail Safety Bill HR 2095 – Some good, some bad. The proposed law will mandate 10 hours uninterrupted rest every 24 hours, this means we would only go to work every 11.5 hours, after allowing for the call. Twenty-four hours would be mandated for every 7 days, unless the XBD 7/3’s were allowed to supersede that, we would lose our 7/3’s.

Carrier would be prohibited from interrupting rest for employees except in emergency. A cap on “non-emergency” limbo time would be 40 hr/mo the 1^st year, 30 hr/mo the 2^nd year, and 10 hr/mo per year after that. This would prevent DH’s when not rested.

The National is working on allowing CBA’s to have precedence over the law when the CBA offers something better.

Membership – There are currently 55,000 dues paying members in the BLET.

Safety Task Force Hot Line – The National Division Safety Task Force hot line is 800-306-5414.

The floor was opened for discussions. Motion was made by Brother Jacob to vote on Article 11 of the On property Agreement to decide what method be implemented when exercising bumps, seconded by Brother Haney. Vote was taken and it was unanimous for Method 1 (the same way it currently is now).

Motion to close meeting by Brother Haney, seconded by Brother Reddish. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1430.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, August 20, 2007

Meeting was opened by Acting President in Due Form. Harvey Bailey was acting president due to the absence of President Cordes

Members Attending – R. Etienne, T. Jacob, , Harvey Bailey, Skip Barnes, Jeff McHenry, Rich Ross, Andy Ortmayer, Ryan Burns, Cecil Jasso & Ron Moore

Minutes of the July meeting were read. Motion to accept the minutes as amended by Brother Jacobs and seconded by Brother McHenry. Motion passed.

Finances – Due to the Sec/Treas not being in attendance, the finances weren’t discussed. Motion was made to pay the bills incidental to the running of the division by Brother Jacobs, seconded by Brother McHenry. Motion passed.

Special Guest – Richard Ross, of Rossi, Cox Vulcinovich Inc. attended today’s meeting and spoke about knowing your rights and protecting yourselves – There was some discussion about members checking with their insurance carriers to see about increasing their uninsured and under insured motorist riders on their own insurance. The reason for this is in case you are injured in a van, and none of the fault falls on the van driver or company. For example, a drunk driver or speeder etc. This way you will be covered in all instances, and your income will continue if you are incapacitated.

Harvey Bailey & Todd Jacobs talked about Hazardous Radiation Shipping. Both brothers attended a Haz Shipping course at the Meany Campus in Maryland. The three day course taught them all about the issues involved in transporting radioactive waste. In the coming years, these shipments will be increasing. If you have any questions, see Harvey or Todd.

Local Chairman – National Contract – Section 11 will go into effect Sept 16, Crew says they will be ready to roll it out then. Back pay will be issued on Aug. 30. Back profit sharing will be issued September 13.

Dues Increases – Discussion was held about a dues increase. Currently the National Division’s dues have gone u9 42.32, and the GCA dues have gone up $1.00. We have to make a choice on what we do. The division cannot absorb any more dues increases, as we have done so since 2003. Because of a future wage increase in July 2008 of 4%, the National Division dues will go up again, approximately $1.40, and the GCA dues will go up another $1.00. The Local was looking to propose a dues increase in the amount of $1.68, to round out the total increase to $5.00. However, the Division needs to decide whether or not to include the future 2008 dues increase. If we decide to go that route, the proposed increase will be $8.00 instead of $5.00.

This division has been breaking even most every month. This will allow for unexpected expenses.

We will have a secret ballot vote during the September meeting. The division will need a 2/3 majority for passage. Failure to pass one or the other will cause financial hardship to the division. Please attend for discussion and vote.

At the July meeting, the members voted to keep the method now currently in use for adding or subtracting turns in the pool and XBD. This also applies to bumping. This method may be reviewed again next year and changed if so voted.

New Deadhead Symbol when deadheading to or from Wishram in short turn service.

Please use code 90010 when deadheading short turn.

Information for Payroll

When you work an assigned job, you need to do an “FE” and explain what job you are working. The timekeeper doesn’t get any of that info, and unless you tell them, they won’t know, and you won’t get paid properly. The same applies on a flip to Wishram- if you don’t tell him, he won’t know, and you won’t be paid properly. Remember, you need to run off the miles of your job before you can go on OT. Depending on where your train is on a short turn flip, those miles must be run off unless the run is under 130 miles. Overtime cannot commence until those miles are run off. There cannot be any picking or choosing on how you’ll claim it.

Car Insurance When Deadheading – You never know who will plow into your vehicle when under transport. That person may not be insured, or only have the minimum. It’s a good idea to have your own car insurance “stacked” with a high amount of insurance to cover yourselves in the event of being hurt in an accident. You can “stack” under-insured and no insurance. The cost is small when compared to not being able to pay your bills when hurt.

This is a good way to help with bills if injured off property while on duty, and not in a company vehicle.

FML & The Lawsuit – Carrier is still docking a compensated day for taking FML. It appears they have filed an appeal with the Supreme Court. In the meantime, keep turning in those penalty time slips for each time they pay you a compensated day for an FML day.

The National is working on allowing CBA’s to have precedence over the law when the CBA offers something better.

Safety Task Force Hot Line – The National Division Safety Task Force hot line is 800-306-5414.

RCO Committee

Harvey Bailey is spearheading an RCO committee. The purpose is to make sure everyone knows exactly what RCO jobs can and cannot do. Harvey reports that no RCO crew member may sit in the engineers seat at any time while working.

WPO’s

We’ve been presented with several presentations on how WPO’s work in other areas. There are definitely benefits associated with doing these. First, we are assured there will be no punitive actions on the part of the carrier while WPO’s are being conducted. We can believe this because it would only take one time in any place on the system to shut the whole program down. The carrier doesn’t want that.

WPO’s are designed to spot trends and possible bad work habits before they cause injuries or death. All data gathered is completely free of any identification methods other than was it day or night. No locations, job #’s, dates or times (other than day or night) are used. These are done by the members as they go about their regular duties, using sight or radio to observe things being done around them. No ops testing in the category chosen for observation will be done while these are going on. The members will be the beneficiaries, because we will be heading off problems before they can cause an injury or accident. Each month, marathons will be crafted to discuss areas that WPO’s show need improvement in work practices. We can only improve our work environment and offer training and guidance for those who may have developed poor work habits.

The floor was opened for discussions.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Jasso, seconded by Brother Jacobs. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1510.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, September 17, 2007

Meeting was opened by President in Due Form.

Members Attending – R. Etienne, T. Jacob, , S. Cordes, Dave Haney, Terry Reddish, Manual Madrigal, John Blau, Jeff McHenry, Mike Cousineau, Robert Hill, William Pellens, Ron Edgar, R. M. Burns, Kelly Taylor, Ron Moore, Robert Pratt.

Minutes of the August meeting were read. Motion to accept by Brother Haney and seconded by Brother Madrigal. Motion passed.

Finances – We currently have 118 members. Secretary made presentation on current finances. The bills were presented for payment. Motion by Brother Reddish to pay the bills, seconded by Brother Jacobs. Motion passed.

A secret ballot is taken for a dues increase and will be counted by Brothers Haney, Jacobs and Sister Kelly.

Local Chairman – National Contract – Section 11 will go into effect Oct 3, 2007. GCA is looking into back pay issues, don’t know how long it will take. Back pay on profit sharing is delayed due to the original back pay being messed up. This problem was a complete surprise to everyone, we all relied on the figures submitted to us by the National Division.

Back pay on Road Switchers – New rates are being issued soon on the NP road switcher rate of pay, these rates are being tested now and will be published soon. As soon as we get them, we will let everyone know what they are.

Faulty Pay on the Camas turn- Currently there is also an issue with our Camas Turn, this is the only SP&S road switcher we have. They been shorting the job 15 miles a day for years and no one brought it to our attention until recently, hopefully we can get back pay for at least a year, we’ll keep everyone informed.

Dues Increases – We’ve talked about a dues increase for 2 month. We’ve only discussed a dues increase to cover this years increase, however last month, it was mentioned that next year there will be another dues increase due to our getting a raise. Based on our rate of increase, the National dues will go up approx $1.40, the GCA will go up another $1.00. Currently, the National dues have increased $2.32, the GCA dues have increased $1.00 and the local was looking to propose a dues increase in the amount of $1.68 for a grand total of $5.00.

Another option is to ask for a dues increase of $8.00 to be in position for the upcoming dues increase or to increase one now and then one later. A 2/3 majority will be needed for passage.

New deadhead symbol for short turn service to or from Wishram is now code 90010 instead of 90050.

Information for payroll – When you work an assigned job, you need to do an FE to let the timekeeper know when you deadhead to or from Wishram in order to get paid properly, the timekeeper doesn’t see anything other than your ticket. This goes as will for Wishram flips, you need to do an FE to let him know why you are claiming 192.2 miles.

We can’t pick and choose how we are going to claim pay for a flip to Wishram, you have to run the miles off before OT can start. Playing fast and loose can subject someone to charges of dishonesty and this is a dismissible offense.

Article 11 of On property Agreement. – Now is the time to bring up all your questions on the Bid/Bump rules that will be going into effect Oct. 3. The reason for the delay is due to the ineptness of the carrier to implement anything right the first time.

FML & The Lawsuit – Carrier admits they’ve lost the FML battle. For some reason they keep paying the day to the employee, they recently sent out a news letter to employees who have FML, advising them they will continue to pay the compensated days. Be sure to fill out a special claim asking for a basic day if they do this to you.

WPO’s – We’ve had several presentations about WPO’s, there are some plus sides to these, they are:

-They are non punitive
-All data is generic and no jobs, times, or dates are used
-May use day or night for accounting purposes
-This will give us the ability to hone in on bad practices that can lead to injuries or death
-No ops testing in whatever category of observations we are doing
-It’s all completely blind, no identification process at all
-When trends or patterns are seen, marathons can zero in on those areas

These are done by members while doing their ordinary duties and can only benefit our employees.

The vote count was presented before the membership and was greater than 2/3 vote for an $8.00 increase.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Haney, seconded by Brother Reddish. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1453.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, October 15, 2007

Meeting was opened by President in Due Form.

Members Attending – R. Etienne, T. Jacob, Dave Haney, Jeff McHenry, Robert Pratt, Ron McCartney, K. L. Huelle, R. E. Huelle, Skip Barnes.

Minutes of the August meeting were read. Motion to accept by Brother Haney and seconded by Brother Madrigal. Motion passed.

Finances – We currently have 116 members. Secretary made presentation on current finances. The bills were presented for payment. Motion by Brother Haney to pay the bills, seconded by Brother Huelle. Motion passed.

Local chairman:

Bid Bump rules – Things seem to running good, LRC PREs have been a problem over the weekend. If you get called during the night on the morning your rest cycle is starting, be sure to let your rep know.

Be sure to keep an eye on your engineer bid sheet. With all the moves for vacations, you may get a job you don’t really want.

Claim Code WL – When claiming code WL, be sure to tell the timekeeper what time you got to the motel. WL pays time less the first 30 minutes after arriving at the motel also claim code FE to let them know.

If you tie up at the motel, be sure to let the timekeeper know this by an FE. Some engineers don’t think they need to do FE to get paid properly, but history shows you get paid sooner and properly more often than not if you do an FE.

More Back Pay – Carrier’s web site is now saying December for the re-gross of the back pay, retro profit sharing will also be paid then.

Back pay on Road Switchers – New rates have been established on the NP road switcher rate of pay, when we get them we will pass on the you.

Article 11 of On property Agreement. – Any questions. Please be sure not to let your bump expire before using it. If you have any problems with the lay off between 0001-0730, let your rep’s know.

FML & The Lawsuit - Keep filling out a special claim asking for a basic day if they pay you a compensated day’s pay when you take FML.

Claims – All claims require a working ticket, delay report and 816 for the period in which the decline happens. A copy of the declination and an explanation of what happened is also necessary. 60 days is the time limits for working a claim. If this committee has to play email or phone tag to get the info, time may run out before the claim is worked. It’s your money, if you want the money, you’ll provide the paperwork.

Motel Lodging – Late stories of waiting for rooms at the motel in Pasco keeps trickling in, It doesn’t do any good to say something days and weeks after it happens, we need timely info when this happens. Voice mail, text messaging and email, the word should get out pretty quickly.

RCO Eyes & Ears – Please keep and eye out to make sure RCO operators are doing their job as specified. Don’t confront them just get the info – Date, time, engine #, Location and employee if possible, Let the rep know and we will deal with this issue. Watch for RCO operators sitting in the engineer seat or operating in conventional mode and watch for pitch and catch.

Vacation Request – Please fill out a vacation request form and turn it in, either leave it in the box or fax it, but not both. Don’t enter bids in the computer. Please be as plain as possible when filling out the forms. Allocations will be put in soon.

WPO’s – We’ve had several presentations about WPO’s, there are some plus sides to these, they are:

These are done by members while doing their ordinary duties and can only benefit our employees.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Haney, seconded by Brother McCartney. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1420.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, November 19, 2007

Meeting was opened by President in Due Form.

Members Attending – R. Etienne, T. Jacob, Dave Haney, Robert Pratt, K. L. Huelle, R. E. Huelle, Skip Barnes, Xavier Wilson, M Fischer, B Bocchi, J Blau, R Jenkins, Todd Jacobs, M Cousineau, Kevin Baker, Mickey Ragan, Scott Cordes, Terry Reddish, Russ Collins, Ron Reams, Wes Pelham, R Chacon, H Allington, Dave Ruiz.

Minutes of the October meeting were read. Motion to accept by Brother Jacobs and seconded by Brother Collins. Motion passed.

Finances – We currently have 118 members. Secretary made presentation on current finances. The bills were presented for payment. Motion by Brother Barnes to pay the bills, seconded by Brother Haney. Motion passed.

Local chairman:

Bid Bump rules – Job selection is for where you would like to go if it becomes vacant. Bump is for where you want to go when there is already an owner. When you’re on the bump board, anything on your job selection sheet is higher than what you own, you don’t own anything while on the bump board. The carrier will not run your job selection sheet if you are on the bump board unless a job becomes vacant that you already have on your list. If you let your bump expire, you will be forced assigned to take out the youngest engineer in the terminal.

You can only bump while you are marked up.

MVP Agreement - The carrier has set up a policy on fuel measurement and we have no control over how they “Score” fuel usage. The agreement simply takes money out of their pocket and puts some in ours. Weather or not we agree to this agreement, the policy will still be in effect, we have the choice of either having a shot at their money or not. It’s all about their bucks in our pocket, or not.

A motion to accept this agreement was made by Brother Huelle, seconded by Brother Reams and upon a hands vote was passed.

XBD Overlay change proposal – When the new agreement went into effect, there was mention about protection if called between 0001 & 0730, we thought our XBD had it. The only ones that have it are those cycle board that have the agreement that allows floating rest days and the protection. The only change in the new agreement is the time 0530 became 0730, this means our XBD is subject to calls with an on duty time of 0859 or earlier. We stand for all daylight switch engines and daylight road switcher on the first day of our rest cycle. We have the last remaining cycle board agreement that allows fixed rest days and the “red” day (24 hours before the cycle starts) and the carrier can cancel it any time they want. If the carrier cancels our agreement, the only option available to us will be the new type they have, that requires any employee who takes more than one day off outside the cycle to take all their remaining rest days for the month – thus guaranteeing being our of compliance.

As it stands now, contrary to what some are saying, there has b en no change in our cycle agreement.

Engineer Mentor Agreement – GCA signed this agreement the other day, Engineer Mentors will replace exempt road foremen when the need arises. Each division will have the right to determine if they want to participate or not, it’s up to the Division GM to decide if he has any need for mentors in the area.

Vacation Scheduling – If you haven’t turned in your vacation request, do so ASAP. Vacations scheduling will be done the first part of December.

Claim Code WL – WL is paid after the first 30 minutes after arriving at the motel, if you tie up at the motel, be sure to let the timekeeper know this by an FE. If you don’t tell payroll you won’t get paid properly.

More Back Pay – Carrier’s web site is now saying middle December for the re-gross of the back pay, retro profit sharing will also be paid then.

Faulty Pay on the Camas turn- They been shorting the job 15 miles a day for years and no one brought it to our attention until recently. They agreed to back pay the 15 miles to January 1, 2007, we wanted a year but got 8 months, the feeling was that if we took it to a board, we’d lose. Anyone who worked the Camas turn will get the 15 miles for each day they worked.

Information for payroll – If you want to be paid properly, you need to tell the timekeeper if you do something out of the ordinary. If you work the assigned car and deadhead, you have to do an “FE”, same for Wishram flips – 192.2 miles or 202.2 if you go across the river.

FML & The Lawsuit - Keep filling out a special claim asking for a basic day if they pay you a compensated day’s pay when you take FML.

Claims – Claim time slips that don’t have all the paperwork needed will be returned to the claimant.

Motel Lodging – If you are having a problems getting a room at Pasco, be sure to call the TM, if he won’t help, be sure to leave a note for your committee of adjustment. Timely reporting is essential.

Remote Oversight Officers – Carrier has hired a bunch of people to do nothing but read downloads from engines, they will read all “flags” to include short whistling, stretch and power braking, if you have to blow beyond the crossing to get your 15 seconds, do so. Report all emergency applications. There is a list out with the top offenders, it’s just a matter of time before they start citing engineers, protect yourself.

Skip Barnes resigned his post as Guide. Nominees for this position was taken, Brother Cousineau was nominated by brother Jacobs and seconded by Brother Collins. Nominations closed. Was moved that Brother Cousineau become guide by acclamation. Voted on and passed unanimously.

Jeff McHenry resigned his position as Alternate to the Legislative Rep. Nominees for this position was taken, Brother Barnes nominated Brother Wilson and seconded by brother Haney. Nominations closed. Was moved the Brother Wilson become Alt. to the Leg. Rep. by acclimation. Voted on and passed unanimously.

Motion to close meeting by Brother Huelle, seconded by Brother Chacon. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1430.

Here's What Happened at the Meeting on Monday, December 17, 2007

Meeting was opened by President in Due Form.

Members Attending – R. Etienne, T. Jacob, Dave Haney, Robert Pratt, Skip Barnes, Xavier Wilson,, B Bocchi, K Dunn, Ron McCartney, Ray Williams, K Atwood, C Jasso, J McHenry, A Ortmayer, T Beckwith, X. Wilson.

Minutes of the November meeting were read. Motion to accept by Brother Haney and seconded by Brother Atwood. Motion passed.

Finances – We currently have 120 members. Secretary made presentation on current finances. The bills were presented for payment. Motion by Brother Atwood to pay the bills, seconded by Brother Haney. Motion passed.

Local chairman:

MVP Agreement - The agreement passed by one vote GCA wide, we are now eligible for winning fuel cards.

Engineer Mentor Agreement – Currently there are no plans for using mentors at Vancouver.

Christmas Shutdown – Doug Jones promised we will be shut down from 1800 Christmas Eve to 1800 Christmas Day. Plans have been made to get crew home in plenty of time for Christmas. Last crew called out of Pasco will have straight shot home – no meets. No one, except yard jobs and road switchers previously scheduled will work.

Handling IH Cars – Be sure to read the change in the SSI handling IH cars. Changes include setting out bad orders, and emergency applications.

Back Pay – Checks are out, retro profit sharing should be out in a couple of days.

New business - A proposal was made by Ron McCartney to conduct an impact study on the feasibility of changing the assigned car agreement for the E 1,2,3 cars to have them roll into the pool based upon their on duty time at Vancouver. Motion was seconded by Brother Wilson and upon hand vote was passed.

A proposal was made by Brother McCartney to eliminate the mail outs for the union dues total for the tax year 2007 and seconded by Brother Wilson. Upon a hand vote was unanimously passed

Motion to close meeting by Brother Jasso, seconded by Brother Haney. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 1415.