Dear Sisters and Brothers:

    On the date of August 12, 2005, I attended Vice General Chairman Pat Perry’s father-in-law’s funeral in Missouri Valley, Iowa.
    On the date of August 22, 2005. I met with the officers of Local Union 633 in St. Louis, Missouri, and on the date of August 23, 2005, I met with the Local Union 1832 officers in Kansas City, Missouri.  On the date of August 24, 2005, I met with Assistant General Chairmen Don Tortorice and Bob Ramirez in Omaha, Nebraska.
    On the dates of August 30 and 31, 2005, I went to Los Angeles, California, to close Assistant General Chairman Bob Ramirez’ office due to his retirement effective September 1, 2005, and met with President and Local Chairman Don Tortorice.  Assistant General Chairman Jim Wisniski also accompanied me to close the office.
    Vice General Chairman Pat Perry held an investigation in Denver, Colorado, on August 10, 2005, and an investigation at Council Bluffs, Iowa, on August 15, 2005.  On August 17, 2005, he visited Local Union 799 at Hinkle, Oregon, and on August 30 and 31, 2005, he came to the North Platte, office for accounting and other duties.
    Assistant General Chairman Bob Ramirez handled claims with the Carrier on August 24, 2005, along with Assistant General Chairman Don Tortorice, who also attended a SACP meeting in Omaha, Nebraska.  AGC Ramirez also held an investigation at the Albina Shops, in Portland, Oregon, on August 16 or 17, 2005.
    Assistant General Chairman Jim Wisniski also attended the 7th District Progress Meeting on August 18-20, 2005, in Austin, Texas.
    With reference to the retro-active back pay per capita tax, in accordance with System Council By-Laws, Article IX, Sections 1, 2 and 3.  This will advise that the per capita tax which means per member, must be paid by the individuals and should this become a burden in some cases, then this will advise that I have advise Vice General Chairman/Secretary-Treasurer Pat Perry to allow the members to deduct a sum divided by one-fourth into the amount owed, thus alleviating any hardship that may occur.  In short, the employee could make four (4) installment payments for the two month period.  As an example, if the amount owed was $50.00, then you would divide $50.00 by four (4) which would equal $12.50 per pay half.  Rather than taking the full amount at one time, it could be broken up into four (4) increments should the employee desire.
    I have taken strong exception to the Carrier’s change in their Absentee Policy which is totally ridiculous and non-realistic.  I am attaching a copy of that letter. 

        Also hereto attached are the following items:
1.    Copy of a thank you card from General Chairman Mike Williams whose
        father passed away; details here
2.    August 5, 2005, TTD, information and reports; ttd.org
3.    Working Families e-mail update on Walmart; aflcio.org
4.    RRB Scheduled Informational Conferences; rrb.gov
5.    RRB Job Vacancies List; rrb.gov
6.    E-mail from John Marchant concerning Hurricane Katrina; details here
7.    Letter from Senator Ben Nelson, Nebraska, dated June 20, 2005,
       Regarding Employee Free Choice Act; and details here
8.    Working Familes e-mail update on Hurricane Katrina. aflcio.org
   
    Also, enclosed is our financial report for System Council No. 2 for the month of July, 2005, which is not to be disseminated or posted along with this newsletter.

With best wishes, I remain

Fraternally yours, 

Vic Janecek
                                                                        General Chairman, SC#2

VLJ:se/Enclosures
cc:       Ray Cobb, Director of Railroads
            All IVP’s, System Council No. 2
            Pat Perry, VGC, SC#2
            Staff