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September 2005 MONTHLY REPORT |
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Dear Sisters and Brothers: The Carrier effective October 1, 2005, has enacted their Absentee Policy; however, they have made some modifications to that policy by staying the seventy-two hour (72) hour notice to have your absence excused and they deleted the review at the end of the year – excused or unexcused. I notified the Carrier on September 27, 2005, that I was forced to cancel the Agreements allowing Electricians to leave various points to assist the problem at Roseville, California, and Fort Worth to Houston. However, the Machinists have an identical agreement and the Machinists sat on their hands and refused to support us in this endeavor. The Electricians at various points that didn’t go were subsidized by Machinists; yet, we call ourselves Unions. Telephone conference was held on Vacations and the Absentee Policy with all General Chairmen concerned at 3:00 p.m. on September 28, 2005. I had an Assistant Vice President screaming, yelling and threatening me on Friday on account of Electricians not leaving a point and going to Roseville. However, I explained that I cannot comply with their policy leaving eighty percent (80%) of the work force at locations at all times because their policy says "Excused" or "Unexcused" and will be monitored at the end of the year and everyone over the average would be disciplined. Therefore, I could not allow employees to leave one point knocking down the eighty percent (80%) threshold and being absent from their point. However, it is my intent to re-enact the Agreement due to the lack of participation with the Machinists and foremost, I believe we got the Carrier’s attention and they have rescinded the portions of the Agreement which were unreasonable and unrealistic. Notwithstanding, some Local Chairmen and officers also went under the Agreement even though it was a violation of the Company’s policy. I would strongly suggest that the various locations get together and when people of importance are coming to and visiting their area, that they promptly set up informational pickets addressing their concerns. As you are well aware, we cannot refuse to work overtime or create a work slowdown as was proven with the Machinists work by the rules attempt. However, we are still allowed to conduct informational pickets to address our concerns and we should be doing that. I would suggest that the Local Unions organize and make their concerns to the Board of Directors and those who have power to make changes. Likewise, on an endeavor like the Carrier’s dictatorial status on vacations and their non-negotiable Absentee Policy, this affects all crafts; therefore all crafts must unite, stick together and remain solid in order to convey the message and have effective results. I am sure all Local Unions have been notified of Ray Cobb’s retirement as Director of Railroad Department and as this letter is written, I have not heard of any replacements or anything official on where we are going. I can only say that we did not have any representation from the International level at the Second Division to meet with the Arbitrators and the staff. Vice General Chairman Pat Perry and Assistant General Chairman Jim Wisniski attended the Arbitration Conference in Chicago, Illinois. I am also hereto attaching the following: 1. Commentary on Hurricane Katrina by Maureen
Dowd, New York Times;
details All of this information listed above can be posted and disseminated to our members. I am also enclosing the System Council No. 2 Financial Report for August 2005, along with this letter which should not be disseminated or posted. With best wishes, I remain Fraternally yours, VLJ:se Enclosures cc: Ray Cobb, Director of Railroads All IVP’s, System Council No. 2 Pat Perry, VGC, SC#2 |
