ALL LOCAL UNIONS
SYSTEM COUNCIL NO. 2

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

I met with the Carrier on October 5, 2005, and finalized the Taylor-West Colton Transfer of Work Agreement.  Vice General Chairman Patrick Perry and Assistant General Chairman Jim Wisniski and Assistant General Chairman Don Tortorice accompanied me.  The Carrier attempted to address updating the Apprentice Agreement.  However, they were advised that before we can update any Apprentice Agreement or provide adequate updated training for new hires, it is imperative that they employ sufficient number of instructors at the UP Instructor’s rate of pay.

I attended the General Chairmen’s Association meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, Riviera Hotel, on October 11, 2005. 

On October 27, 2005, I met with the officers of Local Union 1814, Houston, Texas, and attended their union meeting.  It was brought to my attention that the Apprentice Instructor at that point was only drawing fifty cents ($.50) per hour more which under the UP Agreement, he is entitled to a little over two dollars ($2.00) per hour.  That matter was addressed with management and corrected, as well as several other outstanding issues.

Please find enclosed the following attachments for posting and dissemination:

1.     Working Families Alert dated October 26, 2005; details

2.     UP letter concerning Attendance Policy along with the Mechanical
        Department Attendance Policy;  details

3.     IBEW Local 47 informative letter;  details

4.     Various labor union articles that should be helpful;  details

5.     E-mail from Ron Gonzales concerning Social Security;  details

6.     SACP Minutes for 10/11/05 meeting;  details

7.    V.M. Speakman, Jr., Labor Member for RRB newsletter for
       October 2005;  details

8.     RRM Scheduled Informational Conferences;  details

9.     RRB Job Vacancies list for October 2005; and  details

10    Wages and Benefits chart.  details

Please also find hereto attached our Financial Statement for the month of September 2005 which is not to be posted or disseminated along with this letter.

Wishing you and yours a most joyous and happy Thanksgiving.