ALL LOCAL UNIONS
SYSTEM COUNCIL NO. 2

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

As a result of Hurricane Ike which hit the Galveston and Houston, Texas area on September 12, 2008, many Union Pacific employees, including our IBEW Brothers and Sisters, sustained damage to their property and homes, were left without electricity for days, and suffered a loss in wages. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who were affected by this devastating event. Union Pacific has recently notified this office that they are providing a Hurricane Help Line at 877-877-2567, Option 1, which is staffed from 8AM-5PM CDT Monday through Friday to provide a central point for employees to report dwelling-related emergencies. The Carrier has further advised that Risk Management will review each case with the Service Unit to identify those cases which qualify for funds from the Friend to Friend Network, referrals to Peer Support and EAP and a wage continuation program.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation delayed its implementation of regulations requiring a new observation method for federally mandated observed return-to-duty and follow-up drug tests until November 1, 2008. The new observation method as described in my August 2008 report was originally scheduled to apply on August 25, 2008. BNSF, along with eight rail labor organizations, including the IBEW, has filed a petition seeking judicial review of this new observation method for federally mandated observed return-to-duty and follow-up drug tests. Although, we certainly do not condone the use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace, employees are entitled to be treated with respect and dignity at work to which the new regulation appears to be an intrusion of ones privacy.

The Federal Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) established by Congress, are tamper-resistant biometric credentials that will be issued to workers who require unescorted access to secure areas of ports, vessels and outer continental shelf facilities. I have been advised that more than 1 million various workers including various rail workers will be required to obtain a TWIC. It is my understanding that the program has been delayed at several ports, but Union Pacific anticipates implementation soon. There are still a number of questions to be answered as the Carrier moves forward with this federally mandated program. I will keep you advised as more information is provided to me concerning specific ports and the TWIC implementation process.

During the week of September 8, 2008, I attended the IBEW Seventh District Progress Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona where I conducted a Railroad Workshop covering various topics relative to the rail industry. On the dates of September 8 – 10, 2008, VGC Perry and IBEW “Code of Excellence” Liaison Jim Prizmich toured the facilities and met with the local committee and officers of Local 214, Chicago, IL. During this same period, AGC Shell toured the Kansas City Southern facility in Shreveport, LA and later met with the local committee of Local 1829 in order to provide Local Chairman training.

On the date of September 15, 2008, myself, VGC Perry, COE Liaison Prizmich and LU 1920 Local Chairman Dave Hunt toured Union Pacific’s newly acquired South Morrill, NE facility. At this time we met and welcomed the new unit members of Local 1920. We look forward to working with the new membership at this location as well as the unit facility Local Chairman, Rex Harris. On the date of September 16, 2008, VGC Perry and I traveled to Denver, CO and later met with the Officers and Local Chairman of Local 708. On September 17, 2008, AGC’s Tortorice and Shell attended Public Law Board 7001 in Chicago, IL. At this time, ten disputes were presented before neutral arbitrator Don Hampton. I will notify the respective Claimant(s) and Local Chairmen of these decisions as they are rendered. On the dates of September 18^th and 19^th, AGC Shell and myself attended the annual meeting of the National Association of Railroad Referees (NARR) in Chicago, IL.

On September 29^th and 30^th, AGC Tortorice met with the Officers and local committee in Roseville, CA, LU 1682. Throughout the month of September, Brother Tortorice has also been assisting Los Angeles Local 889 with several disciplinary investigations. This office was scheduled to attend a General Chairman’s meeting together with UPRR personnel during the week of September 29^th; however, due to the recent events in the Houston area and a conflict with the hotel, the meeting was cancelled. I have been advised that this meeting will be rescheduled to a later date.

I can’t overemphasize the importance of this November election. Much is at stake! It is my understanding that over the past several weeks, some local unions may have received correspondence and/or important information through their International District offices. Therefore, I urge each Local to share this information with your members. We must also continue to remind and urge the membership to get to the polls on November 4^th and get out the VOTE in support of the candidate(s) who maintain a pro-worker/labor agenda and who support the issues most important to working families. In this regard, please find enclosed for your distribution, two flyers provided through the IBEW Sixth District office concerning some of the issues at stake for “Rail Workers”.

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

 

1. Who Supports Rail Workers (Flyer 1);
2. Who Supports Rail Workers (Flyer 2)
3. Working Families – Labor 2008 Strategy Memo
4. RRB Labor Member Speakman’s newsletter for September 2008
5. RRB Job Vacancies list for September 2008
6. RRB Informational conferences

With best wishes, I remain
 

Fraternally yours,

Jim Wisniski

General Chairman, SC#2