ALL LOCAL UNIONS
SYSTEM COUNCIL NO. 2

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

Another year has quickly slipped by.  I would like to suggest that all Local Chairmen work with local management to resolve their issues and to encourage the local management to stay away and keep their laundry out of sight of Labor Relations since they are not, in my opinion, working in the best interests of the Carrier. On the other hand, we do have some employees that may from time to time be bad actors, and those employees should be dealt with and turned around without repeated investigations.  Every attempt to correct matters should be dealt with prior to the investigation if possibly and only as a last result should investigations be used.

The Carrier has sent investigations, notices and then scheduled investigations to be held months later.  This is a direct violation of the CBA and should be addressed promptly and these investigations that are scheduled this way are null and void on account the Carrier has violated the time limits under the CBA.  They have advised this office that they were going to re-schedule the hearings and then hold the hearings promptly.  However, it is the position of this office that this is too little too late.

We are also currently looking at revising the Apprentice Agreement but have reached no Agreement at this writing.

I have reached an Agreement in five (5) different matters which are hereto attached and are as follows:

1.     Second week of vacation – one day at a time;
2.     Certified Classroom instructor;
3.     Paying off;
4.     Dues deduction for Financial Secretaries; and
5.     90 work day probationary period (which is only applicable to the SP Western
        and Eastern lines and the D&RG).

Once again, I will be attempting to consolidate Agreements; however, it is like pulling teeth to get the Carrier to sit down.  There is a voluminous amount of time involved in trying to put any Agreements together on account that you must have all the side letters, why the rules were put together, how they were changed, and as we have done with the Communications Department, which took approximately two years to go through.  That was only concerning one Agreement which was in place with all of the merged railroads.

Effective January 1, 2006, a COLA increase will go into effect of $.31 per hour onto the base pay.  Also, in accordance with our By-Laws, per capita will go up $.30 effective February 1, 2006.  Attached please find copy of NRLC letter dated November 14, 2005. details

Also, please find hereto attached copy of letter concerning employee cost-sharing contribution rates effective January 1, 2006.  The increase will be $25.85.  If you have any questions as to why there is a discrepancy among the rates of various Organizations, it is all on account of when and how each Organization settled their contract. details

Please find enclosed the following information:

1.     Working Families – Illegal Firings, Job Exporting article; details
2.     Voice@Work – Tens of Thousands Demand Human Rights for America’s
        Workers; details
3.     Letter from AVP D.J. Smith concerning Carrier’s Absenteeism Policy; details
4.     RRB V.M. Speakman, Jr. Newsletter dated December 2005; details
5.     RRB Job Vacancies List for December 2005; and details
6.     IBEW System Council No. 2 November Financial Statement (not to be
        disseminated or posted).

Wishing all a most joyous, healthy and a prosperous New Year to come.  With best wishes, I remain

Fraternally yours,

Vic Janecek

General Chairman, SC#2