ALL LOCAL UNIONS
SYSTEM COUNCIL NO. 2

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

As a follow-up to my previous correspondence concerning the recent amendment to the Federal Rail Safety Act, I am enclosing an OSHA Fact Sheet highlighting whistleblower protection for railroad employees together with the procedures and requirements for filing a related complaint. In August, 2007, the Federal Rail Safety Act was amended by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act to transfer authority for rail carrier employees whistleblower protection to OSHA and to include new rights and remedies. Although, FRA regulations prohibiting harassment and intimidation of employees who sustain or report work related injuries or illnesses remain in effect; the recent amendment is a much broader expansion providing rail workers access to broader safeguards relating to safety and security issues.

Vice Chairman Perry recently notified the applicable UPRR LU Financial Secretaries concerning implementation of monthly electronic dues deposit as opposed to receiving checks via US mail. It is our expectation that this will establish a secure and reliable method of deposit without the unnecessary need and time for depositing the check at the local union’s financial institution. The Carrier will continue to provide deposit information as well as the monthly dues check-off list by either US mail and/or electronically. In this regard, the applicable Financial Secretaries were provided a form to complete with pertinent information in order to execute this process. Therefore, those locals who have not yet provided the requested information please do so by completing the form and forward to VGC Perry’s office for further handling. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Brother Perry or myself.

On June 3, 2008, the System Council staff together with representatives from the IAM, NCF&O, SMWIA and ARASA attended a meeting in Omaha with Union Pacific personnel to discuss implementation of the Carrier’s revised UPGRADE Discipline Policy, as well as concerns in handling disciplinary investigations. During our discussions, the parties’ exchanged a lengthy dialog regarding on-going concerns and issues with investigations and the administration of the revised policy. Although, I feel some progress was made during this meeting, there still exists some outstanding issues which the Carrier has agreed to review.

On the date of June 4, 2008, the System Council staff and the Union Pacific Shop Craft Coalition General Chairmen attended a follow-up meeting in Omaha to discuss the recent audit conducted by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) concerning compliance with the FRA Pre-employment/Transfer Drug Test. At this time the Carrier provided a revised list of those employees by craft and location who has not tested but who may be required to perform covered Hours of Service work. Therefore, I have recently provided the Local Chairpersons with the employee lists for their review and reply.

On June 4, 2008, AGC Randy Shell met with Kansas City Southern Labor Relations in Kansas City, MO in order to discuss and resolve some of our outstanding claims and concerns on that property. On the date of June 13, 2008, VGC Perry attended a meeting in Kansas City together with Local 1832 Local Chairman Darin Nearmyer and President Chris Stoner to discuss maintenance subcontracting issues with the Union Pacific. During the week of June 16, 2008, the System Council staff attended the annual IBEW Railroad Department meeting in Miami, Florida. I pleased to inform that fourteen (14) locals under the jurisdiction of System Council 2 participated in this year’s conference. During the week of June 23, 2008, AGC Randy Shell attended the Tenth District Progress meeting in Charleston, SC. On June 25, 2008, VGC Perry and I met with Labor Relations in Omaha to conference outstanding discipline claims on the Union Pacific.

On the date of June 26, 2008, VGC Perry and I met with Union Pacific Labor Relations concerning the Carrier’s Article I Notice to transfer work to the UPRR South Morrill, Nebraska facility (formerly Progress Rail). We are currently finalizing an implementing agreement which will initially create eighteen (18) IBEW electrician positions at the facility by October 1, 2008.  As I previously advised, plans are underway to include the members at South Morrill as a unit of North Platte Local 1920.

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

1. OSHA Fact Sheet (Whistleblower Protection)
2. RRB Labor Member Speakman’s newsletter for June 2008
3. RRB Scheduled Informational conferences
4. RRB Job Vacancies list for June 2008

With best wishes, I remain
 

Fraternally yours,

Jim Wisniski

General Chairman, SC#2

VLJ:se
Enclosures