ALL LOCAL UNIONS
SYSTEM COUNCIL NO. 2

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

On the date of March 1, 2008, myself, VGC Perry and AGC Shell attended a retirement party for Local Union 807 Local Chairman Jack Keeling in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Jack served his local in several capacities as well as the System Council as an Executive Board member for many years. Throughout his career, he devoted himself to leading the membership with the sincere desire to improve the lives of those he served. I can personally attest to his tireless effort and dedication. Jack will be greatly missed and we thank him for his valuable service, time and support.

Due to Brother Keeling’s recent retirement, I have appointed Brother Ron Lynch, Local Chairman - Local 807, to fill the System Council No. 2 Executive Board position vacated by Brother Keeling. This appointment was unanimously approved by a referendum of the System Council No. 2 Executive Board. We welcome Brother Lynch and look forward to working with him in the future.

This office has recently discovered, as I’m sure many of you have, that the Union Pacific is requiring candidates for electrician apprentice to posses some level of formal electrical and/or electronic education prior to being considered for such positions. Although, prior education should certainly be recognized, I have recently informed the Carrier that such a prerequisite may significantly limit the pool of apprentice candidates, and may further mitigate the training needed to become a skilled and competent journeyman. I have requested a meeting with the Carrier to discuss this matter further.

Throughout the month, the System Council staff completed preparation for arbitration with the Union Pacific Railroad before Public Law Board 7001, and the Kansas City Southern Railway before newly created Public Law Board 7160.

Arbitration with both Carrier’s are scheduled for the date of April 16, 2008 in Orlando, Florida. For those locals who have cases pending, you will be notified accordingly as to the outcome of the disputes.  Furthermore, this office has advised the Union Pacific Railroad that we are prepared to proceed with arbitrating the outstanding FMLA disputes following the Carrier’s recent denial for appeal before the Supreme Court. In this regard, I have requested that a Public Law Board be established to hear these cases.

On the date of March 19, 2008, VGC Pat Perry attended the bi-annual UPRR General Chairman’s Association meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. Following the general meeting, the General Chairman toured the UPRR Hospital Association facility located in Salt Lake City.

On March 25, 2008, the System Council staff and affiliated local unions conducted the first conference call with IBEW Railroad Director Bill Bohne’ pursuant to the 2008 Railroad Department Task Force recommendations. The call agenda included such topics as, an explanation of the Task Force report; Railroad Health and Welfare Dependant Audit; the upcoming 2008 IBEW Railroad Conference; COPE collection & LU Registrars; LU’s filing OE-1a forms, and; an update of LU information & LU President info. For those locals who did not participate, I encourage your future participation.

On the date of March 31, 2008, AGC Don Tortorice and AGC Randy Shell attended a meeting in Omaha, Nebraska to conference and discuss outstanding claims and grievances with the UPRR. During the month of March, the System Council continued to process and assist LU’s with progressing claims, grievances, subcontracting issues and discipline investigations. It’s important to note that disputes relating to subcontracting must be initiated by the System Council with the highest officer of the Carrier designated to handle such disputes. It is very important that the local union provide the necessary information promptly in order to initiate the process. If you have any questions, feel free to contact myself or the System Council representative assigned to your LU.

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

1. AFL-CIO message on Sen. John McCain;
2. Letter from U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison;
3. RRB Labor Member Speakman’s newsletter for March 2008;
4. RRB Scheduled Informational Conferences;
5. RRB Job Vacancies list for March 2008;

With best wishes, I remain
 

Fraternally yours,

Jim Wisniski

General Chairman, SC#2