Conversion to Local Rate

The carrier has maintained that when a crew is called for a through freight train, and the crew converts to local rate through one of the conditions necessary for conversion, that conversion was for pay purposes only. That meant the crew would get paid local rate, but the mileage would not convert to the 100 mile scale. Likewise, the engineer would not be entitled to a meal period, since the call had been for through freight service. The SPD would also stay at the higher rate, rather than dropping down to the lower rate.

The conditions that will convert to local rate, under SP&S Rule 33, and NP rule 29 are:

• When the crew is required to make 3 or more pickups/setouts in the trip, excluding the initial and final terminal.

• When the total aggregate time used in all pickups/setouts excluding the initial and final terminal exceed 1 hour 30 minutes.

• Performing station switching. (i.e. Longview Jct.).

• When required to spot garbage cars not of your train to air at Roosevelt.

• When converting to local rate under NP rules, the rate is an additional 10 percent.

A Change in Policy

Labor Relations has determined that now when a crew converts to local rate, the conversion will be a complete conversion, not just a pay conversion. This means:

• Mileage will convert to the 100 mile day.

• SPD will be reduced from the larger to the smaller amount.

• Meal periods will become a right of the Engineer.

• Pay will convert to the local rate.

This means you will have to put something in the remarks section of your timeslip explaining why you converted to local rate. Also, make sure you change the service code on the timeslip.

Whoops! Change of Heart

Upon further consultation, the above decision is not in effect. It has been agreed that conversion to local rate, when it takes place, will only convert for pay miles.
The 1996 agreement clearly states when an employee is called to work a trip that pays 130 miles, the higher SPD will be paid. It also states that when an employee is called for a trip that pays 130 miles, the engineer will not be entitled to a meal period. So, basically, things stay as they were. Sorry.