ALL LOCAL UNIONS
SYSTEM COUNCIL NO. 2

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

I hope that everyone had a joyous Christmas and a happy New Year. Another year has quickly slipped by and this will be the final report for 2007. I was recently advised by IBEW Railroad Director Bill Bohne’, that for all employees covered under the National Agreement and Health and Welfare Plan, the “Employee Monthly Premium Cost Share” for 2008 will remain the same as the 2007 monthly payment ($166.25 mo.). Brother Bohne’ indicated that this was made possible through policing of the plan by the National Health and Welfare Joint Committee, of which the IBEW is a participant. The monthly rates for the individual plans are as follows:

2008 Monthly Rates:
Medical                    $1039.28
Life/AD&D               $    13.67
Dental                       $    45.39
Vision                       $    10.00
TOTAL          =         $1108.34 x 15% = $166.25 per employee/per month

Also, with regard to the on-going Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) litigation between the Rail Unions and Rail Carrier’s, it has been brought to my attention that the Carrier’s are now appealing the prior ruling(s) of the District Court and Court of Appeals, which upheld the position of the Unions, to the Supreme Court for their final consideration. As you may recall, the Carrier’s imposed FMLA policies forcing employees to substitute their contractual vacation and personal leave as FMLA leave. Thus, the court(s) upheld the unions position that if Collective Bargaining Agreements entitle employees to decide when to take paid leave, the Railway Labor Act does not allow Carrier’s to override this right and force employees to take their paid leave at times the Carriers choose. Despite a willingness to negotiate a resolution to this matter, the Carrier’s have filed a Reply Brief in support of their petition for a writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court. It is expected that the Court will consider whether to take the case at its January 11^th conference. I will update you with any additional information as I receive it.

On the date of December 6, 2007, the System Council No. 2 negotiating committee reached a tentative Agreement with Progress Rail Services which employs the members of Local 800 located in Rocklin, California. Following review and approval for ratification by President Hill, AGC Don Tortorice and I met at his office to finalize distribution of the Agreement for ratification purposes. Also, on the date of December 13, 2007, AGC Tortorice and I toured the UPRR LA-Dolores facility and met with Local 889 President/Local Chairman Fred Bohnhoff and Vice President/Asst. Local Chairman Rick Reynoso.

On the date of December 19, 2007, I was contacted by Local 800 President Johnny McClinton who advised that the tentative agreement between Progress Rail and IBEW System Council No. 2 was ratified by Local 800 membership by 75%. Therefore, the Agreement was fully executed on December 31, 2007, and covers the period of January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2010.  Once again, I would like to thank the negotiating committee as well as the local committee for all their input and assistance with the negotiating process.

On the date of December 19, 2007, AGC Randy Shell and I met with UPRR official Dave Kleffman to discuss the Carrier’s plans for apprentice and new-hire training as well as ongoing training for the current electrical workforce. At this time, we discussed in length the implementation of the task performance booklet for apprentice and new-hire electricians, as well as the Carrier’s use of classroom training instructors and the possibility of additional trainers, depending on the individual needs per location. During our meeting, we reiterated the need for advanced training for all electrical forces and the need for additional shopcraft training classes at the locations. It was also pointed out that apprentices should not be set up prematurely without first completing the required training modules and needed classroom instruction to perform their duties safely and accurately. I encourage all local committees to continue to pursue and monitor the training needs and requirements at your location(s). Please provide any feedback with regard to training or the lack thereof to your System Council representative for our follow-up discussions with the Carrier.

In addition to routine claim handling, appeals and other matters throughout December; myself, VGC Perry, AGC Tortorice and AGC Shell finalized preparation for arbitration with Union Pacific (Public Law Board 7001) currently scheduled for January 23, 2008. For those locals who have cases pending before this Board, you will be notified accordingly after the decision(s) are rendered.   

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

1. RRB Labor Member Speakman’s newsletter for December 2007; here
2. RRB Job Vacancies list for December 2007; here
3. IBEW International Office Policy on Membership Development
   (Professional and Industrial Membership Development); here

With best wishes, I remain
 

Fraternally yours,

Jim Wisniski

General Chairman, SC#2