ALL LOCAL UNIONS
SYSTEM COUNCIL NO. 2

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

Efforts are currently underway by the System Council to secure an Implementing Agreement in order to staff Union Pacific’s South Morrill, Nebraska locomotive facility with IBEW workers (previously “Progress Rail”). I have requested a meeting and am scheduled to meet with Labor Relations concerning this matter on June 26, 2008. I have recently discussed this matter with 11^th District International Representative John Borne and suggested that the future membership at South Morrill serve as a “unit” of Local Union 1920, North Platte, Nebraska. I will keep you updated with any progress regarding this matter.

Liveandworkwell.com has Tornado Special Alerts posted on the website for those impacted by the storms that have occurred recently. Please find the attached information from United Behavioral Health with the special 800-689-5703 public support number. The attachment also includes excerpts from disaster recovery articles and directs members to “liveandworkwell” for resources and articles.

I have been advised that the Department of Labor will be issuing proposed revisions to the LM-2 and LM-3 reporting requirements which will require even more detail and disclosure than currently required by labor unions. Once I am apprised of these revisions, I will notify the local unions accordingly.

Union Pacific has recently informed me that effective June 1, 2008 individual letters advising employees who test negative under the UPRR Drug and Alcohol Policy will be discontinued. Employees who subsequently test negative will be able to go online to review and print their negative results from a confidential website. The Carrier states that the new online system will reduce employees’ waiting time since results are posted as soon as they are received. Only those tests which are negative will be available online. Employees who test positive for drugs will continue to receive the results via certified mail, and; employees who are tested for alcohol using a Breathalyzer will receive their test results on site. A link will be provided on the UP website, or employees may go to www.uservices.com and follow these steps:

·        Click on “Toxicology Services.”
·        Click on “UPRR Drug Testing Results.”
·        Enter appropriate information: Employee ID number, Specimen ID Number or Chain of Custody Number (found on the top portion of the testing form) and date of collection.
·        Click “submit.”

During the week of May 14, 2008, myself and System Council staff attended an All-Craft meeting in El Paso, Texas with speakers from the RRB and FELA Representatives. During this time we also met with the Officers and members of Local Union 726, as well as the locomotive facility manager to discuss ongoing issues and concerns at the facility.

During the week of May 27, 2008, the System Council staff including Telecommunications AGC Starkjohann and BRS Representatives met with UPRR Labor Relations and Telecommunications General Director Spencer as a follow-up to our ongoing discussions and concerns within the IT Department. The Carrier is currently reviewing our concerns and suggestions. We expect to meet again in the upcoming weeks in anticipation of resolving some of the issues.

The System Council has continued to address journeyman and apprentice training issues and obstacles within the Union Pacific Mechanical Department. We are prepared to meet with the Carrier in June to follow-up with issues regarding apprenticeships. Also, AGC Shell is scheduled to meet with the Kansas City Southern concerning disputes and concerns with their application of electrical apprentices. Throughout the month, VGC Perry’s office has been preparing for the annual System Council audit scheduled for early June. The System Council staff has been busy progressing ongoing disputes with the Union Pacific and Kansas City Southern Railway in hopes of resolving some of these matters short of arbitration. As of this writing, no decisions have been rendered concerning the recent Public Law Boards held on April 15, 2008. I will advise the appropriate local union and claimant(s) as soon as these decisions are rendered.


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

1. United Behavioral Health Tornado Resourses
2. RRB Labor Member Speakman’s newsletter for May 2008
3. RRB Scheduled Informational conferences
4. RRB Job Vacancies list for May 2008

With best wishes, I remain
 

Fraternally yours,

Jim Wisniski

General Chairman, SC#2