ALL LOCAL UNIONS
SYSTEM COUNCIL NO. 2

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

On the dates of October 11, 2006, the Shopcraft Coalition met together and on October 12, 2006, the Shopcraft Coalition met with the Carrier concerning vacation assignments to which your General Chairman is strongly opposed.  It is of utmost importance to see that the Carrier does not violate the National Vacation Agreement and Morse Interpretation of that Agreement. 

The Organizations left the meeting with the understanding that the Carrier would allow the Local Chairmen at Fort Worth, Texas, and Roseville, California, as they have in the past, to handle the scheduling of vacations;  However, the employee can also put his request in through the computer.  The Morse Award states:  “…the local committee and local management will cooperate in the distribution of vacations…”.  That does not mean dictate.  The Carrier is to take every opportunity to allow employees to take vacations when requested.  I have in the past mailed out the Morse Award Interpretations and again, the Local Chairmen should strictly adhere to those interpretations whereas that is the final decision on the questions between the Organizations and the Carrier and the final ruling by the Referee – Wayne Morse.  We also emphasized that this was putting all control of vacations in the hands of the Carrier without any due consideration given to the Organization and/or Local Chairmen.

On October 18, 2006, I attended Local Union 708’s union meeting and met with the Carrier on reviewing their imposed discipline policy to which the Organization is not a party to, nor will ever intend to be under this policy.

On October 25 and 26, 2006, I attended a General Chairmen’s Association meeting and Coalition meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.

I hope all Local Unions are working vigorously on the upcoming election.  It is very, very important that we have those on the Hill who support those who still carry a lunch pail.

Retirement party was held for Cliff Meredith, General Chairman of System Council No. 6, on October 21, 2006.  However, although I had planned previously to attend, I had to cancel out due to other pressing matters.

The Carrier is attempting to assign Installation Technicians (IT’s) to work belonging exclusively to ET’s.  Again, we must file the proper claims on account the Carrier is attempting to eliminate the higher paid ET’s and replace them with IT’s which they fail to understand is two (2) different identities and do not have the same classifications of work.

Please find enclosed the following attachments for posting and dissemination:

1.     Letter from Marshall Friedman concerning their election to 2007 edition of
        "The Best Lawyers in America”; details
2.     RRB newsletter from V.M. Speakman, Jr., for October 2006; details
3.     RRB Job Vacancy list for October; details
4.     E-mail from Director of Railroads Bill Bohne concerning NMB Section 3
        meeting; and; details
5.     Article entitled “They Use Us – Then Abuse Us! How Rail Labor has Aided
        Railroads over the Years; details


With best wishes, I remain

Fraternally yours,

Vic Janecek

General Chairman, SC#2