Dear Sisters and Brothers:

    At the outset, I would like to thank all of the delegates at the System Council No. 2 Convention for their support and confidence in re-electing myself and Brother Patrick  Perry.
    I have been advised that Assistant General Chairman Bob Ramirez attended a meeting with the Railroad Retirement Board and advised that he will be taking his pension effective September 1, 2005.  Brother Ramirez has assured me that he will have the claims and Board cases caught up as well as the current pressing matters and has advised that he will continue to represent our members as in the past until his retirement.  We will be closing the office in Los Angeles, California, which will be a savings to the System Council.
    Again, I would like to take the time to thank International Representative Clair Scott who gave an overlay of handling grievances, claims and discipline on the local level and how important it is to have a good communications with the Carrier’s officers who we deal with.  However, I was somewhat saddened that one of our Local Chairmen did not have the courtesy to remain and hear the important information that could have been obtained.  As I have said many times, claims are lost and won at the local level and in accordance with our By-Laws all claims, grievances and disciplinary matters must be handled initially on the first level and then progressed to this office.  It is most important that we convey to our Local Chairmen that they must assume these responsibilities and if we have any Local Chairmen that are not willing to handle these responsibilities after this office has assisted them, they should immediately resign.  I cannot express enough how important the job of a Local Chairman is and these people are the ones in the trenches that make my job and our members’ lives a little easier.
    It is my intention to try to resolve the issue we have at the Taylor Shops and trying to patch up a situation that should have been handled in one Agreement.  I have spoken with Assistant Vice President-Labor Relations D.J. Smith and General Director of Labor Relations Dan Moresette concerning this issue and they have set forth their willingness to try to work out a situation that would be beneficial to both parties concerned.
    Also, again it has been brought to this office’s attention that the Carrier is hoodwinking our membership into believing that they must work eight (8) hours before and after the holiday to receive compensated pay for the holiday.  This is not true and there are numerous Awards out there that contradict the one (1) absurd Award that was rendered concerning the F&O Department.  Again, that Award was based on an individual who came in, did not perform any work, and left after filling out his time card.  That was the only function he performed.  We must perform work to be compensated for the holiday.  The amount of time on a holiday that we must perform work is what is in question.  In short, we cannot show up to work the day before or after the holiday, ask for a time card, fill out the time card and leave and expect to get paid for the holiday.  On the other hand, if we report to work, perform work, and check out at a later time after performing work, then you have satisfied the provisions of the Agreement. I cannot emphasize the importance that our Local Chairmen should be aware of this and should they have any questions, please feel free to call my Assistants or this office.
    All Local  Unions have been advised by President Hill’s office of the upcoming National Safety Council and its Labor Divisions meeting to be held in accordance with the Thirty-second IBEW International Convention who unanimously passed Resolutions recommending that all Local Unions that are financially able to affiliate and participate in the affairs of the National Safety Council and its Labor Division.
    Also, this will advise that in accordance with System Council No. 2 By-Laws, Article IX, Finances, Section 2, which states as follows:
    “The per capita tax shall be automatically increased an amount, rounded out to the nearest five cent unit (5 cents) equal to the hourly wage increase secured for the membership represented by this SC.  The SC shall notify the IVP of the adjusted amount and the same shall become effective the first of the month following the month the increase becomes effective.” 
    Therefore, the Secretary-Treasurer will be notifying all Financial Secretaries who have not complied with the aforementioned By-Law when our members receive their retroactive pay on the last contract.
    Please find hereto attached the following which can be disseminated and posted:

    1.    Thank you from Mr. and Mrs. Hector Tarin, Local Union 726, concerning
            the System Council No. 2 Convention; details here
    2.    Handouts from Union Pacific Railroad Company representatives that
           were presented to delegates and guests at the System Council No. 2
           Convention in Reno, Nevada;details here
    3.    Union Pacific Rules concerning 90.3 Smoking Policy;details here
    4.    Letter from our office advising William Eads, IVP, of our approved By
           -Law changes which were voted on and approved at our recent System
           Council No. 2 Convention;details here
    5.    Minutes from the 2005 IBEW System Council No. 2 Convention; and details
           here
    6.    Information received concerning Amtrak cuts.  rrb.gov

    Also please find enclosed copy of our May 2005 financial report which is not to be posted or disseminated nor copy of this monthly newsletter.

        With best wishes, I remain

                                                                       Fraternally yours,

                                                                       Vic Janecek
                                                                       General Chairman, SC#2

VLJ:se
Enclosures
cc:       Ray Cobb, Director of Railroads
            IVP’s
            Staff