ALL LOCAL UNIONS
SYSTEM COUNCIL NO. 2

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

During the month of September, we finalized the closing of our North Platte, Nebraska office and the relocation to our Texas office. I would like to thank Vice General Chairman Pat Perry and Secretary Sue Elmshaeuser for the many hours they spent packing and moving boxes, files and office equipment which made for a smooth transition.

On the date of September 6, 2007, I attended the third meeting of the IBEW Task Force held in Chicago, Illinois. On the dates of September 7-8, 2007, VGC Perry, AGC Tortorice, AGC Shell and I attended the National Association of Railroad Referees (NARR) annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois.  On September 18-19, 2007, myself and AGC Randy Shell together with IAM representative Don Hall, NCFO representative Jim Larreau and the San Antonio Local Chairmen met and toured the San Antonio shop and facilities with the Carrier to discuss and explore future staffing possibilities and efficiency improvements in an attempt to eliminate or limit the subcontracting of locomotive work in that area. At this point, the parties have mutually agreed to on-going discussions to continue to address this matter.

On the date of September 24, 2007, AGC Don Tortorice, IBEW Railroad Director Bill Bohne and I toured the Progress Rail Traction Motor facility in Rocklin, California and met with Local Union 800 President Johnny McClinton. We are preparing for upcoming negotiations with Progress Rail which are currently scheduled to begin on October 24, 2007. Also, on the date of September 24, 2007, we toured the Roseville, California facility and attended the Local Union 1682 union meeting. On behalf of the System Council, I would like to thank Local Chairperson Cheryl Moseley and the officers and members of LU 1682 for their support and hospitality during our visit.

On September 14, 2007, the IBEW Railroad Department announced ratification of the tentative national agreement with the freight railroads, which is effective October 1, 2007. The Carrier’s have indicated that new rates of pay will be adjusted on or about October 1, 2007 and back-pay checks distributed during the second half of November, 2007. I am attaching hereto, a complete signed copy of the IBEW National Agreement to those applicable local unions.

VGC Pat Perry, AGC Don Tortorice and AGC Randy Shell have been handling on-going claims and discipline appeals and are currently assisting this office with preparation for upcoming arbitration tentatively set to be held in November 2007. The National Mediation Board (NMB) recently eliminated funding for referees and cases during the months of August and September, 2007. Therefore, it is likely that the funding will not be available for November as well. However, I will keep you updated on this matter.

As explained in my August report, the Union Pacific is currently initiating an Automated Vacation Scheduling System aimed at electronically assigning vacation time for its Mechanical Department employees. Although, claims have been filed at some locations, I again suggest that the local committees monitor this process completely with the objective of assigning vacation dates fairly, accurately, and most importantly, in compliance with the provisions of the National Vacation Agreement. Please provide any feedback to this office or System Council representative.

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

1.  Signed copy of the 2007 National Agreement effective October 1, 2007. (freight railroad local unions only);

2.  RRB Labor Member Speakman’s newsletter for September 2007; details

3.  RRB Scheduled Informational Conferences, and; details

4.  RRB Job Vacancies list for August 2007. details

With best wishes, I remain
 

Fraternally yours,

Jim Wisniski

General Chairman, SC#2