ALL LOCAL UNIONS
SYSTEM COUNCIL NO. 2

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

On the date of April 3, 2008, the Federal Railroad Administration issued a memo (hereto attached) which clarifies ambiguities that existed in the Code of Federal Regulations for determining whether a task required the use of Blue Signal Protection (BSP) or Roadway Worker Protection (RWP). This technical bulletin tightens up locations such as locomotive service track areas and car shop repair track areas where some carriers have previously circumvented use of the appropriate required protection. Moreover, the bulletin specifies what protection is mandated for contractors.

I have recently been notified that Union Pacific is purchasing the South Morrill, Nebraska Progress Rail facility. As I’m sure many of you are aware, Progress Rail has been performing overflow maintenance and repair work to locomotives for several years now. I am pleased to advise that negotiations are currently underway in order to staff the facility with craft employees, including IBEW forces. I will keep you apprised with any updates.

During the week of April 1, 2008, I and the System Council staff attended meetings in Omaha to discuss outstanding issues and ongoing claims with Union Pacific. Also, the System Council staff together with the BRS General Chairmen met with UPRR Telecommunications Director Spencer and Labor Relations personnel  in order to discus ongoing issues within the IT Department. We are scheduled to meet again at the end of May.

During the week of April 15, 2008, Assistant General Chairman Shell and I attending Public Law Board 7001 with the Union Pacific Railroad, and Public Law Board 7160 with the Kansas City Southern Railway. At this time, each party presented their respective cases before neutral Arbitrator Don Hampton. I will notify the claimants and individual local unions as soon as the decisions are rendered.

On the date of April 24, 2008, the System Council staff attended the General Chairmen Shop Craft Coalition meeting in Kansas City, Missouri with the Union Pacific Railroad. In attendance, were labor representatives from the IBEW, IAM, NCF&O, SMWIA and IBBB. Attending for the Carrier was new Vice President Labor Relations Lance Fritz, CMO Barry Kanuch, Superintendent Locomotive John Estes, Safety Director Larry Earnshaw, Training Director Dave Kleffman, and various Labor Relations personnel. During the meeting, the Carrier provided presentations on topics such as craft training, safety overview, on-duty injuries, major locomotive initiatives and business financials. Also, the shop craft coalition discussed a lengthy agenda of issues such as Carrier’s use of its “Upgrade” discipline policy, disciplinary hearings, injured employees, Carrier’s EAP program, subcontracting, payroll direct deposit, vacation relief workers, apprentice hiring practices, craft training, and workforce guidelines, to name a few. We are currently scheduled for a follow up meeting in June 2008 to readdress some of these issues.

During the week of April 28, 2008, myself, VGC Perry, AGC Shell, various IBEW International Officers and staff, and representatives from ten local unions attended a meeting in Denver, Colorado with Union Pacific personnel to discuss issues and fundamentals of Job Safety Analysis (JSA). I would like to thank those local representatives in attendance for their participation and valuable input concerning this matter.

Throughout April, the System Council staff continued to address outstanding issues, on-going claims, grievances and disciplinary appeals. I would like to thank the local representatives for their hard work and assistance with these matters. As a reminder, the 2008 IBEW Railroad Department conference is scheduled for June 16^th & 17^th in Miami, Florida. Registration and lodging information is included with President Hill’s conference notice which you recently received.

Please find hereto attached the following which can be disseminated and/or posted:

1. FRA technical bulletin memo
2. Working Families CEO “PayWatch” information
3. RRB Labor Member Speakman’s newsletter for April 2008
4. RRB Scheduled Informational Conferences
5. RRB Job Vacancies list for April 2008

With best wishes, I remain
 

Fraternally yours,

Jim Wisniski

General Chairman, SC#2