Newsletter May, 2001
781
NEWS AND INFORMATION
NEXT UNION MEETING:
JUNE 14 AT 18:30.
HOLIDAY INN IN
JOHNSON CITY
MAY 2001
Sorry about the newsletter being late this month, but we were
waiting on some information from the GC's office. So, we didn't
get to put the newsletter out before the union meeting.
CLAIMS CONFERENCE:
As of right now the claims conference is still in the works. Due
to personnel changes in Jacksonville there has been some delay on
scheduling the claims conference.
Again on claims be sure and submit all information possible in
order to get them paid. Be sure to include train, times, and
agreement numbers.
Right now there are 24 claims in appeal.
EQUITY IN THE SPARTANBURG YARD JOB:
Erwin engineers hold equity in the seaboard Spartanburg yard job.
It is there for anyone who wants it.
SENIORITY ZONES:
We have in writing now from the General Chairman's that Erwin is
a seniority zone by itself. Shelby engineers voted to go into the
Russell zone.
SHELBY POOL CREWS:
We received a letter from J.W. Thompson in labor relations that
the Shelby pool crews working the north yellow dog to Kingsport
is contrary to CRR agreement, Art 15. The company still contends
that there is not enough business to run a regular north dog, but
we need to help Matt keep track of this. If they run it five or
more days a week it calls for being on regular. So if you catch
the F994 north dog leave Matt a note so he can keep up with how
many days a week it is being called.
Q181/Q182:
The Kingsport pig train is now being called as an extra local.
This should be paid 100 miles at mine run rate of pay. As per
agreement this job can be called this way.
LOYALL JOBS:
The Loyall mileage and rate of pay is currently being worked on.
If you catch a trip to Loyall be sure and check your mileage!!!!
The company is saying that it is not actually 144 miles, but the
agreement plainly states the jobs will be paid 144 miles. If you
find that you have a shortage, let Matt know. We have contacted
payroll; they are under instructions from labor relations. So, we
have sent a letter to the General Chairman's office to handle. We
will continue to keep a check on this.
POOL JOBS:
If you are called in combo service you are due the full mileage.
Example: Called from Shelby to taxi to Dante to get train to take
to Erwin, and they decide to send you on to Erwin in the taxi,
you are due the full 150 miles. Same is true for Spartanburg to
Bostic.
EXTRA PUSHERS:
Be sure and check your pay if you have caught an extra pusher.
Payroll has not been paying the same rate as the regular pushers.
This should be 125 miles and overtime should still start at 8
hrs. Payroll is in confusion as to how these should be paid.
Contacted WF Sears with letter and he faxed payroll, hopefully
this should work.
BOSTlC E2 BOARD:
Some questions have raised about the legality of the E2 board in
Bostic. Matt sent a letter to the General Chairman's office and
we hope to have an answer soon.
LODGING:
There are lodging and taxi compliant forms on the back of every
work order now. Please fill them out and give a copy to Matt.
A letter concerning the reconstruction of the motel at Shelby has
been sent to the General Chairman's office. There are guidelines
in the FRA Hours of Service law about this.
POOL CREW OR EXTRA BOARD WORK:
If you work a pool crew and get called for a job that should be
extra work, please take a few seconds to see who is first out and
leave them a note.
Example: If you are on a pool job and get called
for relief job or extra work train. Also if you are an extra
board person and you catch something that should be pool crew
work, check to see whom the first out person is and leave them a
note.
SANITATION ON LOCOMOTIVES:
J.T. Little and J.C. Thrift are working in the legislative
committee to improve sanitation on locomotives. If you have any
problems, please report it on the work report and call the
mechanical desk and tell them. It helps if you note on the work
report the time you reported it and the person's name to which
you reported it. Also, leave JT or Jim a copy of the report.
ABSENTEEISM:
The only thing to be said about this is to watch out for
yourself. Until we can get the intemational to act on this we
have to be careful. If you get called in for an informal let Matt
know. Also, take any doctor's notes or receipts where you went to
the doctor or a family member in your care had to go. If you
think you may qualify for the Family Leave Act, check into it.
The information on who to contact is posted on the bulletin board
in Erwin.
WEBSITE:
If you haven't checked out the website yet, it is nice. Thanks to
David Fitzgerald for his work on this www.ble781.org.
CONGRATULATIONS!I!!
Congratulations to David Fitzgerald on the birth of his little
girl. Hanna was born on April 19, 2001 at 0957. 8lbs, 20.5
inches.
Congratulations to Don Robinette on his retirement.
VACATIONS:
If you wish to have your vacation changed, you must do so before
you are due to start your vacation. Also, if you do not wish to
start your vacation on Monday you have to call crew management
and let them know before Monday of the week of your vacation.
LOGAN'S ROADHOUSE COUPONS:
In the march meeting it was voted to give out gift certificates.
Steve Fox and Pat Meehan checked and Logan's had the best deal.
It was voted to go with Logan's. Logan's also gave us 10
appetizer coupons and a drawing was held at the May meeting for
these.
SAFETY:
Any ideas on how the safety sense committee should be handled
please present them at the June meeting.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
E-mail:
Matt Thornton: ble781@msn.com
J.T. Little: jlittle4th@cs.com
PHONE NUMBERS:
Matt Thomton: 423-282-3243 home 423-676-2089 cell
Any suggestions or comments about the newsletter are welcome.
E-mail Todd Tucker at brewmaster99@msn.com
NOTE: IF YOU OR SOMEBODY YOU KNOW IS NOT GETTING
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