ALL LOCAL UNIONS
SYSTEM COUNCIL NO. 2

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

On the date of October 2, 2007, VGC Pat Perry, AGC Randy Shell and myself attended a meeting with Union Pacific in Omaha, Nebraska to discuss Carrier’s proposal for an “Alternative Compensation Program” pursuant to Article II of the October 1, 2007 National Mediation Agreement. It is my understanding that all of the Organizations who have recently ratified national wage agreements have also been provided this offer.  During this meeting the Carrier outlined their proposal for an employee bonus program which would basically substitute the 2008 and 2009 general wage increases with bonus percentages based on performance year achievements tied to undisclosed UP executive goals and targets. I must point out that this office is not willing to accept any proposal or present it to our membership for ratification without first knowing in advance the complete details, risk factors and the specific goals and guidelines associated with the plan. Nevertheless, I have recently been notified by Union Pacific Labor Relations that the Carrier is now withdrawing their proposal.

Also, on the date of October 2, 2007, VGC Perry, AGC Shell, AGC Starkjohann and I met with Union Pacific Labor Relations and Telecommunications Director Neal Spencer in order to address outstanding issues involving our Telecommunication Department members. At this time, each party highlighted their concerns and suggestions. The Carrier provided several proposals concerning classification and territorial issues to which we had lengthy discussion. Although, no consensus was reached at this time, we mutually agreed to meet again in November to further discuss these outstanding issues.

On the date of October 8, 2007, AGC Tortorice and I were in Salt Lake City, Utah where we met with the officers, committeemen and members of Local Union 650. Local 650 President Joe Bycroft accompanied us to the Roper locomotive facility, Salt Lake City Radio Telecom Shop and Intermodal facility, as well as to the Pocatello, Idaho locomotive facility where we also met with the electrical and telecommunication members. On the dates of October 9-10, 2007, VGC Perry, AGC Tortorice and myself attended the Union Pacific General Chairman’s Association meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.

On the date of October 24, 2007, AGC Tortorice, AGC Shell and myself commenced negotiations with Progress Rail Services in Birmingham, Alabama with intent to modify the Collective Bargaining Agreement covering our members of Local Union 800 at the Traction Motor/Wheel facility located in Rocklin, California. At this meeting each party presented their Agreement modification requests including those issues relating to wages and benefits as well as requests provided by the local committee. Although collectively we developed some positive dialog, no tentative agreement has been reached at this time. We plan to continue discussions and at such time we feel an equitable package has been reached, it will be provided to the local membership for the ratification process.

VGC Perry, AGC Shell and Local Chairmen James Putty (LU942) and Darin Nearmyer (LU1832) attended the shop craft coalition meeting in Omaha on the date of October 30, 2007, to further discuss Union Pacific’s plan to implement its automated vacation scheduling program at eleven (11) of its major shops. It is my understanding that the meeting was constructive and the points which were raised by the local chairmen and individual organizations were tangible. In spite of everything, the Carrier has indicated that it will continue to implement its computerized scheduling program and will allow input from the local committees. As a result, I suggest that the local committees continue to monitor this process on a daily basis and provide feedback, good or bad, to the System Council representative. For comparison purposes, I also suggest that the local committees continue to figure their membership vacations as previously done.

Your System Council representatives continue to handle ongoing claims and discipline appeals and are currently preparing for arbitration which has now been scheduled for January, 2008, due to the funding which was removed by the National Mediation Board (NMB) for 2007. Those local unions and Claimants which have claims pending for arbitration will be notified accordingly in the near future.

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

1. RRB Labor Member Speakman’s newsletter for October 2007; here
2. RRB Scheduled Informational Conferences; here
3. RRB Job Vacancies list for October 2007; here
4. District Court decision concerning restraining order on disciplinary hearings when a FELA injury case is involved; here
5. IBEW website list of designated FELA Counsel, and here
   DOTS's 10 steps to collection site security and integrity here

With best wishes, I remain
 

Fraternally yours,

Jim Wisniski

General Chairman, SC#2