ALL LOCAL UNIONS
SYSTEM COUNCIL NO. 2

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

National Negotiation meetings were held in Washington D.C. on July 19 and 20, 2006.  The undersigned attended these negotiations and the Carrier is very adamant about wanting concessions on work rules and they remain steadfast in wanting the employees to pay a larger share of the health and welfare benefits.  We have agreed to meet again in September 2006 in order to enable the Organizations to do further studies on health and welfare costs with United Healthcare.

I met with Director of Labor Relations D.A. Moresette on July 25, 2006, in Omaha, Nebraska, and signed a new Helper’s Wage Agreement which reduces the five (5) year progression to three (3) years and a copy of that Agreement is hereto attached.  Copies should also be forwarded to the Local Chairmen for their review and files.  This covers only the Union Pacific Railroad and not the KCS or St. Louis Terminal Railroad Company.

Vice General Chairman/Secretary-Treasurer Pat Perry underwent back surgery on August 2, 2006, in Omaha, Nebraska, at Methodist Hospital to remove a growth on his spine.  As of this writing, I have been advised that the growth was removed and appears to be benign.  He has been dismissed from the hospital as of this writing.  Cards and letters can be sent to him at: 200 South Clark Street, Mondamin, IA 51557.

Brothers Jim Wisniski and Don Tortorice conferenced claims with the Carrier on July 25, 26 and 27, 2006.  Brother Perry conferenced claims with the Carrier on July 31, 2006.

We are still having employees being investigated for reasons that should have never occurred such as filing false personal injury reports and testing positive for drugs and alcohol.

I am attaching the following for review and posting:

1.     Newspaper article entitled “High Court Draws Line on Bosses’
        Retaliation” details
2.     RRB Job Vacancies List; details
3.     RRB Speakman, Labor Member, newsletter for July 2006; details
4.     Voice at Work Network internet article; details
5.     Retirement letter from Carmen M. Marsans, IBEW member detailing
        community relations campaing for drug-free teens; details
6.     Letter to all Local Chairmen concerning donations to United Way and getting
         involved in the political process through COPE; and details
7.     Letter to all Local Chairmen concerning suggested use of tape recorders
        during investigations. details

Fraternally yours,

Vic Janecek

General Chairman, SC#2