OCTOBER 2004 MONTHLY REPORT
ALL LOCAL UNIONS - SYSTEM COUNCIL NO. 2
Dear Sisters and Brothers:
Concerning our National Wage and Health Arbitration case, Referee Earle Hockenberry has rendered his decision after receiving a seven (7) day extension and as I have predicted, but also sad to say, we ended up with less than what we turned down. The end result will be approximately $11.00 or $12.00 per month more that we will pay than the other crafts that had settled. At this writing, I do not have a breakdown of the Agreement but have spoken to the International office and they have assured me that they will attempt to have the contract out this week.
The Carrier has stated that they will attempt to have the back pay and everything resolved by December 15, 2004, but it may run into January 2005. Knowing the Carrier and their accountants, we will probably take another beating as the Carrier will probably drag it into 2005 where you will have all of the increases in the same year, thus paying a lot higher income tax. Every attempt will be made to try and get the Carrier to pay within this year and not add it to the next year.
On the date of October 11, 2004, I attended Public Law Board 2766 with Assistant General Chairman Robert Ramirez in Phoenix, Arizona. On the dates of October 12 and 13, 2004, the General Chairman’s Association met and also a meeting was held with Dave Kleffman with the Carrier and Assistant General Chairmen Jim Wisniski and Don Tortorice. It has been understood and agreed that our own Electrician Instructors will be the ones that will monitor and execute the test and the questionings on what should or should not be on the test in the future.
On the date of October 20, 2004, I conferenced claims with Vice General Chairman Pat Perry in Omaha, Nebraska. On the date of October 26, 2004, a meeting was held with Communications Director Neal Spencer, Assistant General Chairman Tom Stefaniak, Vice General Chairman Pat Perry and the undersigned in an attempt to reach an Agreement concerning the work that will belong to the Communications Department on the locomotives. Also, I communicated to Director of Labor Relations Dan Moresette the importance of updating our Scope Rule in the Mechanical Department-Classification of Work Rules.
By the time the Local Unions receive this letter, most of them will have already gone and voted and we should have a new President in office. If not, the next four (4) years will be very devastating for Labor.
We have received all of our cases on subcontracting, Public Law Board No. 6750, with Referee Lynette Ross. Therefore, that Board will now be closed. Concerning Award No’s. 4 and 5, Ms. Ross failed to insert the requirements for the Carrier to pay within thirty (30) days; therefore, I immediately contacted Ms. Ross and she has forwarded a letter to myself and the Carrier that the intent of that Award was to comply with the previous Award which mandates thirty (30) days.
I am enclosing the following enclosures:
1. .RRB Scheduled Informational Conferences for October, 2004;
2. RRB Railroad Job Vacancies List; and
3. Financial Report for the month of September 2004 (not to be disseminated or posted).
Wishing you and yours a most joyous and happy Thanksgiving.
With best wishes, I remain
Fraternally yours,
Vic Janecek
General Chairman, SC#2
VLJ:se/Enclosures
cc: Ray Cobb, Director of Railroads
All IVP’s, System Council No. 2
Pat Perry, VGC, SC#2
