Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers

John J. Fleps July 29, 2002
Vice President-Labor Relations File: Remote Control
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Great Northern Property
P. 0. Box 961030
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0030

Dear Mr. Fleps:

This is in reference to our ongoing discussions and correspondence concerning the Carrier's implementation of remote controlled operations. Although we have yet to reach agreement on the best method of remote control implementation, I do appreciate your willingness to discuss the technical aspects of our dispute. This Committee has previously expressed its position regarding the operation of remote controlled locomotives and I will not belabor those positions other than to state that our position remains as we have stated previously. The purpose of this letter is to address recently implemented service at Seattle, Washington as well as proposed operations for Spokane, Washington, Great Falls, Montana, Minot, North Dakota and Grand Forks, Minnesota. Although these locations all fall under the rules previously presented in our position letters, they also share a common Schedule, that being the former Great Northern/BLE Schedule. Although the majority of our discussion has centered around the operation of the remote controlled locomotives, I would be remiss if I did not point out that the Great Northern Agreement also contains a crew manning requirement that specifically requires that a locomotive engineer be assigned to all switch engines and yard crews. Rule 71 of the Great Northern/BLE Agreement states:

"Rule 71. Engineer and Fireman on Switch Engines

When regular switch engines or yard crews are used, there shall be a switch engineer and fireman assigned."

Although the language of Rule 71 pertaining to switch engineers is straightforward, it would appear that it has been overlooked during the Carrier's implementation of remote control operations on the switch engines and yard crews at the above noted former Great Northern locations. We would ask that you take the steps necessary to see that a locomotive engineer is assigned to each switch engine or yard crew working at these locations, whether the involved assignments are working with remote controlled equipment or not, as contemplated in the Agreement.

Respectfully,

Dennis R. Pierce
General Chairman

cc: Carl Ice, Senior Vice President Operations,
Dave Dealy, Vice President Transportation
Milton Siegele, AVP, LR
D.M. Hahs, BLE International President
Steve Speagle, BLE Vice President
Rick Radek, BLE Vice President
All Local Chairmen
BLE General Chairmen