Town Hall Response Response

The response to my letter to Supt. Burchfield, from Manpower (CMS), is posted on the board at work. 

I can't post it online because of some of the infomation they put in the response.

The UP declined my request to put more turns in.

Be sure and read the board at work.

COURT ON URINE TEST: NO GO? THEN NO DOUGH

LINCOLN, Neb. -- If you won't go, then you get no dough, the Omaha World Herald reports.

That was the ruling this morning (March 19) in the Nebraska Supreme Court over a BNSF engineer who said he was unable to provide a urine sample for a federal- and company-required drug test in January of 2003.

Gerald Jackson, an engineer from Box Butte County, was suspended for nine months by the railroad for refusing to take the test.

He was also denied "held out of service" pay from the Brotherhood's Relief and Compensation Fund during his suspension.

Jackson sued the fund and won in district court, getting $53,000 in damages. But that ruling was reversed today by the Supreme Court.

The engineer had maintained that his inability to urinate was linked to an inflamed prostate.

But the court cited a doctor's opinion that dehydration rather than prostatitus was the likely reason he could not urinate.

(This item appeared March 19, 2010, in the World Herald.)

Brakemen jobs available on Alaska RR

ANCHORAGE -- The Alaska Railroad is accepting employment applications for the position of brakeman, with a start date of May 1.

Applicants should have at least two years of experience working as a brakeman or promoted conductor in yard or terminal operations and be able to pass a General Code of Operating Rules test prior to employment.

Selected employees will be stationed at numerous terminals that include Anchorage, Seward, Whittier and Fairbanks.

Applicants must apply on-line at: http://www.workplace.alaska.gov and fax a copy of their three-year driving record to (907) 265-2542.

To access the job posting directly, use this link: http://notes4.state.ak.us/wa/postapps.nsf/997aaae09c093ddd8925643e0063742b/4a2d5178f51dbe2f892576e400834591?OpenDocument

You may also request a hard-copy application form by calling (907) 265-2438. You must complete the form and fax it, along with a copy of your three-year driving record, to the Human Resources Department at (907) 265-2542.

Alaska Railroad will not accept resumes.

Attached is a response to Supt. Burchfield Town Hall Meeting

United Transportation Union

Local #329

5422 Cervantes Drive

Ames, IA 50014

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Ms. Karol A. Burchfield

Superintendent, Council Bluffs Service Unit

Union Pacific Railroad

1400 Douglas Street

Omaha, NE. 68179

Dear Ms. Burchfield,

I have received a report of your town hall meeting held at Boone today, 03/10/10.  I am sorry I could not have been there since I was attending our regularly scheduled Union meeting.  I was very encouraged to learn that during the meeting you announced that regulation of the pools has returned to the Local Chairmen after approximately an 8 year hiatus, and that 40 hours is the appropriate amount of time for a layover at the home terminal.  I am in agreement with you on the 40-hour layover but I wish I had been informed of the change of pool regulation.  I recently requested additional turns but didn’t receive all I requested.

In the past it has been very hard to achieve the proper staffing of the pools and extra boards at Boone, and as such there has been a problem with getting proper rest and balancing family time and work.  By properly staffing of the boards, and receiving 40 hours off between trips at the home terminal it will be possible to practically eliminate the encroachment into the federal rest thresholds.  I must say the rank and file has been driven to the point of exhaustion with the 15 to 20 hours between trips not to mention the toll taken on their home lives. 

            To reiterate the verbal request I made on your cell phone today, I am requesting an immediate increase of 10 pool slots in the RT30 and 3 more in the RT35. I am sure that after those turns are assigned that early next week another 10 in the RT30 and another 3 in the RT35 can be added.

            I will forward this letter via email to Tom Dein and Fred Sagadel to ensure that these turns are added post haste.  I will also forward this letter to General Chairman Reedy to inform him of the Carrier’s willingness to properly staff and maintain the crew boards to provide a healthier work environment for trainmen at Boone.  This will also go a long way to correct the Carrier’s perceived attendance issues and will make for happier work force. 

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        Jon R. Emery

                                                                        UTU Local Chairman #329

CC via email: General Chairman Reedy

Tom Dein

Fred Sagadel