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2010
FIRST QUARTER REPORT
ALL
LOCAL UNIONS
SYSTEM COUNCIL NO. 2
Dear
Sisters and Brothers:
Initially, I report that Vice-Chairman/Secretary Treasurer Pat Perry
announced his retirement effective June 1, 2010. For over twenty
years, Brother Perry has been devoted in leading and representing
the membership with one objective, to improve the lives of those he
served. I’m sure for those of you who know Pat will agree that he is
a true friend and his tireless efforts and dedication to the
membership of System Council No. 2 and the Labor Movement will not
be forgotten. Pat will greatly be missed and we thank him for his
support over the years.
In
anticipation of his retirement, Brother Perry recommended that I
appoint Assistant General Chairman Randy Shell to succeed him in
office concurrent with his retirement. Over the past twenty years
Brother Shell has served as General Chairman-Secretary Treasurer for
System Council No. 27; Vice Chairman for System Council No. 14; and,
currently serves as Assistant General Chairman for System Council
No. 2. Moreover, Randy is familiar with financial record keeping and
reporting obligations relative to labor organizations and recently
attended a course involving Union Financial Officer
responsibilities. Therefore, in accordance with Article IV, Section
5 of the System Council No. 2 Bylaws, I have appointed Assistant
General Chairman Randy Shell with the unanimous approval of the
System Council Executive Board, to succeed Vice Chairman/Secretary
Treasurer Perry’s office, effective June 1, 2010.
January 19, 2010, marked the beginning of
negotiations for the National Freight Railroad bargaining between
the Carrier’s represented by the National Carrier’s Conference
Committee (NCCC) and a bargaining coalition consisting of the IBEW,
American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA), the International
Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the
Transportation Communication Workers (TCU), the TCU Brotherhood of
Railroad Carmen (BRC), and the Transportation Workers Union (TWU).
Subsequent dates for negotiations have been scheduled for the
upcoming months with the next meeting scheduled in April. The
initial meeting in January began with a brief overview of the
demands set forth in the coalitions common Section 6 Notice with
further discussions concerning Health and Welfare. I will keep you
updated as the bargaining process progresses.
Throughout the first quarter of 2010, I am pleased to report that
several of our furloughed members employed at the Shreveport, LA
“Kansas City Southern” facility and the Rockland, CA “Progress Rail”
facility have been recalled to service. We are currently pursuing
recall of the remainder of those still in a furloughed status as
business is beginning to increase compared to this same period in
2009. In addition, Union Pacific has begun hiring Electricians at
several of its locations, including North Little Rock, Los Angeles
and North Platte.
January 2010
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On January 7th, AGC Shell assisted LU 942 Local
Chairman Rex Davis with a disciplinary investigation at the
Union Pacific Fort Worth, Texas facility.
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During the week of January 19th, I attended the
initial meeting for National Freight Railroad Bargaining between
the Bargaining Coalition and the NCCC in Washington DC.
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On January 26th, I attended an IBEW General
Chairman’s meeting with IBEW Railroad Department Director Bill
Bohne.
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During the week of January 27th, VGC Perry met with
LU 1920 Local Chairman Dave Hunt and assisted with a
disciplinary investigation at North Platte, NE.
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During the month of January, the System Council staff and I
finalized preparation of submissions for arbitration scheduled
for February 24th before PLB 7001 with Union Pacific.
February
2010
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On the dates of February 10th & 11th, AGC
Shell assisted LU 1814 Local Chairman John Wolff with two
disciplinary investigations at the Houston, TX facility.
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On February 11th, AGC Tortorice attended a
disciplinary investigation and meeting together with LU
889 Local Chairman Rick Reynoso at West Colton, CA.
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During the week of February 16th, myself, AGC
Shell, and representatives from the IAM and NCFO met
with Carrier representatives at the UPRR San Antonio
facility to discuss recent furloughs and current and
future staffing needs at the facility. In attendance for
the Carrier were Mechanical Superintendent Ed McCaddon,
Superintendent Brian Gorton, Manager Phil Haney, and
Labor Relation representatives Andrea Gansen and Mike
Phillips. During our discussions, the unions provided
information to support that furloughs were a result of a
“transfer of work” rather than a decline in business as
the Carrier suggested. The Carrier recently responded to
the information which we provided during the meeting
maintaining that furloughs were a result of business
levels. We are currently reviewing this information for
further action.
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Also, on February 17th, I met with Labor
Relations to discuss outstanding issues with the
implementation and application of the Certified Training
Instructors (CTI’s) assigned at the various locations
pursuant to the 2005 Agreement. Labor Relations assured
me that they would follow up on this matter and a
proposal to resolve the issues would be forthcoming.
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On February 18th, AGC Tortorice assisted LU
889 with a disciplinary investigation at Los Angeles,
CA.
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On February 24th, the System Council staff
and I attended arbitration before PLB 7001 with the
Union Pacific.
March 2010
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On March 2nd, AGC Tortorice assisted Los
Angeles Local 889 with an audit by the Internal Revenue
Service. Following review, it was determined that all
the books and reports were in order.
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On March 9th, AGC Shell and I met with LU 942
Local Chairman Rex Davis. On March 10th, AGC
Shell assisted Brother Davis with a disciplinary matter
at the Fort Worth facility.
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On March 24th, myself and staff attended a
UPRR Non-Operating Crafts meeting consisting of
presentations and an open discussion about the
“iTrakforce” Electronic Job Bulletin system; the
Company’s financial situation and operating outlook;
Mechanical Department update; Engineering Department
update; and, legislative issues affecting the industry.
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On March 25th, I attended the regular meeting
of the Union Pacific General Chairman’s Association.
Later that day, AGC Shell and I attended a meeting with
UPRR Labor Relations personnel, and Manager Facility
Maintenance Davy Pavlica and Director Signal Engineering
David Olsen to discuss the District facility Electrician
forces as well as the Carrier’s use of outside
contractors. We are scheduled for a follow-up meeting in
May.
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On
March 29th, AGC Shell visited the KCS
Shreveport facility and met with Local Chairman
John Colding concerning a disciplinary matter.
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On the date of March 30th, I met with AGC Shell to
finalize our cases scheduled for arbitration with the
KCS before PLB 7160 on April 22nd.
Throughout the first quarter, the System Council staff
experienced an increase with progressed claims, primarily
“discipline”. VGC Pat Perry has been busy finalizing the
fiscal year end reports as well as preparing for a smooth
transition with the upcoming transfer of his office and
duties to Brother Shell. As a final reminder, the 2010 IBEW
Railroad Department Conference is scheduled to be held May
20 – 21, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. If you have any problems
with registration, please contact the Railroad Department at
(202) 728-6053.
Please find the following attachments for your review and
dissemination:
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RRB Labor Member Speakman’s letter – January 2010
publication; see
http://rrb.gov
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RRB Labor Member Speakman’s letter – February 2010
publication; see
http://rrb.gov
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RRB Labor Member Speakman’s letter – March 2010
publication;
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RRB job vacancy list dated March 2, 2010; see
rrb.gov
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RRB Scheduled Informational Conferences dated March 2,
2010; see http://rrb.gov
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AFL-CIO “Good
Jobs Now!”
With best wishes, I am
Fraternally yours,
Jim Wisniski
General Chairman
Enclosures
Cc: IVP’s System Council 2
Bill Bohne, Director of Railroads
Pat Perry, VGC SC2
Staff
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