AGREEMENT
IT IS HEREBY AGREED this
1st day of May, 1996:
ARTICLE I -
THOROUGHBRED PERFORMANCE BONUS
Section 1
The Parties signatory
hereto pledge their unceasing efforts to transform Norfolk Southern into the
safest, most customer-focused, and successful transportation company in the
world. The Parties further agree that the
compensation system of a world-class transportation
company must reflect both the risks and rewards of competing in today's
market. This Agreement is the product
of that consensus.
Section 2
(a) Effective January 1, 1996 and payable in 1997 locomotive
engineers represented by the undersigned General Committees will be eligible
for a bonus up to a maximum of five percent (5%) of their engineer earnings in
the preceding calendar year.
(b) Effective January 1, 1997 and payable in 1998 locomotive
engineers represented by the undersigned General Committees will be eligible
for a bonus up to a maximum of five percent (5%) of their engineer earnings in
the preceding calendar year.
(c) Effective January 1, 1998 and payable in 1999, and each
year thereafter, locomotive
engineers represented by
the undersigned General Committees will be eligible for a bonus up to a
maximum of ten percent (10%) of their engineer earnings in the preceding
calendar year.
Section 3
(a) In any year that an annual bonus is paid under Norfolk
Southern Corporation's Bonus Program, the amount payable to an engineer will be
calculated by multiplying the employee's engineer earnings for the preceding calendar year by the
appropriate percentage in Section 2 of this Article and then by the percentage
of the maximum annual bonus (to the second decimal place) paid under the Bonus
Program in that year. The
"percentage of the maximum annual bonus paid under the Bonus Program"
for any given year is hereinafter referred to as the "PBP."
Example: If the PBP is 100% of the maximum bonus in
calendar year 1997 and the engineer's earnings in his craft in the preceding
calendar year (1996) are $50,000, the following calculation applies:
.05 x $50,000 x 1 = $2,500
( paid in 1997 )
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Example: If the PBP is 95.78% of the maximum bonus in
calendar year 1999 and the engineer's earnings in his craft in the preceding
calendar year (1998) are $50,000, the following calculation applies:
.1 x $50,000 x .9578 =
$4,789 (paid in 1999)
(b) For the purposes of this section, engineer earnings
consist of all payments made under an agreement between the undersigned
carriers and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers during the applicable
calendar year. The following payments shall be excluded from engineer earnings:
(I) Thoroughbred Performance Bonus payments,
(ii) expense reimbursements and allowances, including, but not
limited to those required
by any protective conditions,
(iii) any payment made by the carriers in
the exercise of their managerial rights; however, this will not restrict the
carriers from including such payments in engineer earnings at its sole
discretion,
(iv) any payment made pursuant to a verdict, award or other
settlement of a legal dispute.
Section 4
The undersigned carriers
will advise the undersigned General Committees of the PBP for each calendar
year. The determination of the PBP,
including but not limited to the methodology employed and the determination of
any figures utilized in the calculation of the PBP, shall remain at
management's sole discretion, and shall not be a subject for review,
negotiation or dispute. Payment will be
made as soon as reasonably possible after the bonus is paid under the Bonus
Program.
Section 5
Payments made under this
article will not be used in the calculation of vacation pay.
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ARTICLE II - SPECIAL PAY
DIFFERENTIAL AND COST OF LIVING PAYMENTS
PART A - SPECIAL PAY
DIFFERENTIAL
Section 1
Employees who meet the
conditions specified in Article V of the 1991 National Implementing Document
will continue to receive the frozen differential of $15 per basic day and 15
cents per mile for miles in excess of the miles encompassed in the basic day under
Article V.
Section 2
Employees working as
engineers who meet the conditions specified in Article V Section 1, but not
Sections 2 (a) and 2 (b) of the 1991 National Implementing Document will, as of
the earlier of July 1, 1996 or fourteen days after the ratification of this
agreement, receive the frozen differential of $15 per basic day and 15 cents
per mile for miles in excess of the miles encompassed in the basic day.
PART B - COST OF LIVING
PAYMENTS - 1991 National Implementing Document
The nine-cent
cost-of-living allowance in effect beginning July 1, 1995 pursuant to Article
II, Part B of the 1991 National Implementing Document shall be rolled into
basic rates of pay on November 30, 1995 and such Article II, Part B shall be
eliminated at that time. Any amounts
paid from January 1, 1996 under the aforementioned COLA provision (effective
January 1, 1996) shall be deducted from regular pay after the effective date
of this Agreement.
PART C - COST-OF-LIVING
ALLOWANCE & ADJUSTMENTS THERETO AFTER JANUARY 1, 2000
Section 1 -
Cost-of-Living Allowance and
Effective Dates of
Adjustments
(a) A cost-of-living allowance shall be payable
in the manner set forth in and subject to the provisions of this Part, on the
basis of the "Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical
Workers (Revised Series) (CPI-W)" (1967=100) , U.S. Index, all items -
unadjusted, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of
Labor, and hereinafter referred to as the CPI.
The first such cost of-living allowance shall be payable effective July
1, 2000 based, subject to paragraph (d), on the CPI for March 2000 as compared
with the CPI for September 1999.
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Such allowance, and further cost-of-living adjustments
thereto which shall become effective as described below, shall be based on the
change in the CPI during the respective measurement periods shown in the
following table, subject to the exception provided in paragraph (d) (iii),
according to the formula set forth in paragraph (e)
Measurement Periods
Effective Date
Base Month Measurement Month of
Adjustment
September 1999 March 2000 July 1, 2000
March 2000 September 2000 January 1, 2001
Measurement Periods and
Effective Dates conforming to the above schedule shall be applicable to periods
subsequent to those specified above during which this Article is in effect.
(b) While a cost-of-living allowance is in effect, such
cost-of-living allowance shall apply to straight time, overtime, vacations,
holidays and to special allowances in the same manner as basic wage adjustments
have been applied in the past, except that such allowance shall not apply to
duplicate time payments, including arbitraries and special allowances that are
expressed in time, miles or fixed amounts of money.
(c) The amount of cost-of-living allowance, if any, that shall
be effective from one adjustment date to the next may be equal to, or greater
or less than, the cost-of-living allowance in effect in the preceding
adjustment period
(d) (I) Cap. In calculations under paragraph
(e), the maximum increase in the CPI that shall be taken into account shall be
as follows:
Effective Date Maximum CPI Increase That
of Adjustment Shall Be Taken Into Account
July 1, 2000 3% of September 1999 CPI
January 1, 2001 6% of September 1999 CPI,
less the increase from
September 1999 to March 2000
Effective Dates of
Adjustment and Maximum CPI Increases conforming to the above schedule shall be
applicable to periods subsequent to those specified above during which this
Article is in effect.
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(ii) Limitation.
In calculations under paragraph (e), only fifty (50) percent of the
increase in the CPI in any measurement period shall be considered.
(iii) If the increase in the CPI from the
base month of September 1999 to the measurement month of March 2000 exceeds 3%
of the September 1999 base index, the measurement period that shall
be used for
determining the cost-of-living adjustment to be effective the following
January shall be the 12-month period from such base month of September; the increase in the index that shall be
taken into account shall be limited to that portion of the increase that is in
excess of 3% of such September base index; and the maximum increase in that
portion of the index that may be taken into account shall be 6% of such September
base index less the 3% mentioned in the preceding clause, to which shall be
added any residual tenths of points which had been dropped under paragraph (e)
below in calculation of the cost-of-living adjustment which shall have become
effective July 1, 2000 during such measurement period.
(iv) Any increase in the CPI from the base month of September
1999 to the measurement month of September 2000 in excess of 6% of the
September 1999 base index shall not be taken into account in the determination
of subsequent cost of living adjustments.
(v) The procedure specified in subparagraphs (iii) and (iv)
shall be applicable to all subsequent periods during which this Article is in
effect.
(e) Formula. The
number of points change in the CPI during a measurement period, as limited by
paragraph (d), shall be converted into cents on the basis of one cent equals
0.3 full points. (By 0.3 full points” it is intended that any
remainder of 0.1 point or 0.2 point of change after the conversion shall not be
counted.)
The cost-of-living
allowance in effect on December 31, 2000 shall be adjusted (increased or
decreased) effective January 1, 2001 by the whole number of cents produced by
dividing by 0.3 the number of points (including tenths of points) change, as
limited by paragraph (d), in the CPI during the applicable measurement period.
Any residual tenths of a point resulting from such division shall be
dropped. The result of such division
shall be added to the amount of the cost-of-living allowance in effect on December
31, 2000 if the CPI shall have been higher at the end than at the beginning of
the measurement period, and subtracted therefrom only if the index shall have
been lower at the end than at the beginning of the measurement period and then,
only to the extent that the
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allowance remains at zero
or above. The same procedure shall be
followed in applying subsequent adjustments.
(f) Continuance of the cost-of-living allowance and the
adjustments thereto provided
herein is dependent
upon the availability of the
official monthly BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) calculated on the same basis
as such Index, except that, if the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department
of Labor should, during the effective period of this Article, revise or change
the methods or basic data used in calculating such Index in such a way as to
affect the direct comparability of such revised or changed index with the CPI-W
during a measurement period, then that Bureau shall be requested to furnish a
conversion factor designed to adjust the newly revised index to the basis of
the CPI-W during such measurement period.
Section 2 - Payment of
Cost-of-Living Allowances
(a) The cost-living allowance payable to each employee
effective July 1, 2000 shall be equal to the difference between (I) the
cost-of-living allowance effective on that date pursuant to Section 1 of this
Part, and (ii) the lesser of (x) the cents per hour produced by dividing
one-quarter of the increase, if any, in the carriers' 1999 payment rate for
foreign-to-occupation health benefits under the Plan over such payment rate for
l998, by the average composite straight-time equivalent hours that are subject
to wage increases for the latest year for which statistics are available, and
(y) one-half of
the cost-of-living allowance
effective July 1, 2000.
(b) The increase in the cost-of-living allowance effective
January 1, 2001 pursuant to Section 1 of this Part shall be payable to each
employee commencing on that date.
(c) The increase in the cost-of-living allowance effective
July 1, 2001 pursuant to Section 1 of this Part shall be payable to each
employee commencing on that date.
(d) The procedure specified in paragraphs (b) and © shall be
followed with respect to computation of the cost-of-living allowances payable
in subsequent years during which this Article is in effect.
(e) The definition of the carriers' payment rate for
foreign-to-occupation health benefits under the Plan set forth in Side Letter
#1 of this agreement shall apply with respect to any year covered by this
section.
(f) In making calculations under this section, fractions of a
cent shall be rounded to the nearest whole cent; fractions less
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than one-half cent shall be
dropped and fractions of one-half cent or more shall be increased to the
nearest full cent.
Section 3 - Application of
Cost-of-Living Allowances
The cost-of-living
allowance provided for by Section 1 of this Part C will not become part of
basic rates of pay. In application of
such allowance, each one cent per hour of cost-of-living allowance that is
payable shall be treated as an increase of 8 cents in the basic daily rates of
pay produced by application of Article I.
The cost-of-living allowance will otherwise be applied in keeping with
the provisions of Article I, Section 3 of Side Letter #1.
Section 4 - Continuation of
Part C
The arrangements set forth
in Part C of this Article shall remain in effect according to the terms thereof
until revised by the parties pursuant to the Railway Labor Act.
ARTICLE III - DENTAL
BENEFITS
Section 1 - Continuation of
Plan
The benefits now provided
under the Railroad employees National Dental Plan (Dental Plan), modified as provided in Section 2 below,
will be continued subject to the provisions of the Railway Labor Act, as
amended.
Section 2 - Eligibility
Existing eligibility
requirements under the Dental Plan are amended, effective January 1, 1996, to
provide that in order for an employee and his eligible dependents to be covered
for Covered Dental Expenses (as defined in the Dental Plan) during any calendar
month by virtue of rendering compensated service or receiving vacation pay in
the immediately preceding calendar month
(the "qualifying month"),
such employee must have rendered compensated service on, or received
vacation pay for, an aggregate of at least seven (7) calendar days during the
applicable qualifying month. Any
calendar day on which an employee assigned to an extra list is available for
service but does not perform service shall be deemed a day of compensated
service solely for purposes of this Section.
Existing Dental Plan provisions pertaining to eligibility for and
termination of coverage not specifically amended by this Section shall continue
in effect.
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Section 3 - Benefit Changes
The following changes will
be made effective as of January 1, 1999
(a) The maximum benefit (exclusive of any benefits for
orthodonture) which may be paid with respect to a covered employee or dependent
in any calendar year beginning with calendar year 1999 will be increased from
$1000 to $1,500.
(b) The lifetime aggregate benefits payable for all
orthodontic treatment rendered to a covered dependent, regardless of any
interruption in service, will be increased from $750 to $1,000.
(c) The exclusion from coverage for implantology (including
synthetic grafting) services will be deleted and dental implants and related
services will be added to the list of Type C dental services for which the Plan
pays benefits
(d) Repair of existing dental implants will be added to the
list of Type B dental services for which the Plan pays benefits.
(e) One application of sealants in any calendar year for
dependent children under 14 years of age will be added to the list of Type A
dental services for which the Plan pays benefits.
(f) The Plan will pay 80%,
rather than 75%, of covered
expenses for Type B dental services.
(g) The Plan will establish and maintain an 800 telephone
number that employees and dependents may use to make inquiries regarding the
Plan.
ARTICLE IV - VISION CARE
Section 1 - Establishment
and Effective Date
The railroads will
establish a Vision Care Plan to provide specified vision care benefits to
employees and their dependents, to become effective January 1, 1999 and to
continue thereafter subject to provisions of the Railway Labor Act, as amended, according to the following
provisions:
(a) Eligibility and Coverage. Employees and their dependents will be eligible for coverage
under the Plan beginning on the first day of the calendar month after the
employee has completed a year of service for a participating railroad, but no
earlier than the first day of January 1999.
An eligible employee who renders compensated service on, or receives
vacation pay for, an aggregate
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of at least seven (7)
calendar days in a calendar month will be covered under the Plan, along with
his eligible dependents, during the immediately succeeding calendar month. Any calendar day on which an employee
assigned to an extra list is available for service but does not perform service
shall be deemed a day of compensated service solely for the purposes of this
Section.
(b) Managed Care
Managed vision care networks that meet standards developed by the
National Carriers' Conference Committee concerning quality of care, access to providers and cost effectiveness
shall be established wherever feasible.
Employees who live in a geographical area where a managed vision care
network has been established will be enrolled in the network along with their
covered dependents. Employees enrolled
in managed vision care network will have a point-of-service option allowing
them to choose an out-of-network provider to perform any vision care service
covered by the Plan that they need. The
benefits provided by the Plan when services are performed by in-network
providers will be greater than the benefits provided by the Plan when the
services are performed by providers who are not in-network providers, including
providers in geographic areas where a managed vision care network has not been
established. These two sets of benefits
will be as described in the table below.
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PlanBenefit In-Network OtherThan In-Network
One vision examination per 12-month period 100% of reasonable and customary charges 100% of reasonable and customary
charges up to a $35 maximum
One set of frames of any kind per 24-month period.
100% of reasonable and
customary charges.1 100% of
reasonable and customary charges up to a $35 maximum
One set of two lenses of any kind, including contact
lenses, per 24- month period.
100% of reasonable and
customary charges2 100% of
reasonable and customary charges up to the following
maximums: up to $25 for single vision lenses up to $40 for bifocals up
to $55 for trifocals up to $80 for lenticulars up to $210 for medically necessary contact lenses up to $105 for contact lenses that are not medically
necessary
Where the employee or dependent requires only one lens.
100% of reasonable and
customary charges2 100% of
reasonable and customary charges up to a maximum of one-half of the
maximum benefit payable for a set of two lenses
of the same kind
1 Patients who select frames that exceed a wholesale
allowance established under the program may be required to pay part of the cost
of the frames selected.
2 Patients may be required to pay part of the cost of
spectacle lenses or lens characteristics that are not necessary for the
patients visual welfare.Moreover, patients who choose contact lenses in lieu of
spectacle may be required to pay part of a contact lens evaluation fee and part
of the cost of fitting and materials.
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Section 2 - Administration
The Vision Care Plan will
be administered by the National Carriers'
Conference Committee, which
will bear the
same responsibilities and perform the same functions as it does with
respect to the Railroad Employees National Dental Plan, including the
development of detailed plan language describing the Plan's eligibility,
coverage, benefit and other provisions.
ARTICLE V - BENEFITS
ELIGIBILITY
Section 1 - Health and
Welfare Plan
The Railroad Employees
National Health and Welfare Plan (“the Plan") is amended, effective
January 1, 1996, as provided in this Section.
In order for an Eligible Employee (as defined by the Plan) to continue
to be covered by the Plan during any calendar month by virtue of rendering
compensated service or receiving vacation pay in the immediately preceding
calendar month (the "qualifying month") such employee must have
rendered compensated service on, or received vacation pay for, an aggregate of
at least seven (7) calendar days during the applicable qualifying month. Any calendar day on which an employee
assigned to an extra list is available for service but does not perform service
shall be deemed a day of compensated service solely for purposes of this
Section. Existing Plan provisions pertaining to eligibility for and
termination of coverage not specifically amended by this Section shall continue
in effect.
Section 2 - Vacation
Benefits
Existing rules governing
vacations are amended as follows effective January 1, 1997:
(a) The minimum number of basic days in miles or
hours paid for, as provided in individual schedules, on which an employee must
render service under schedule agreements held by the organization signatory
hereto to qualify for an annual vacation for the succeeding calendar year shall
be increased by fifty (50) percent from the minimum number applicable under
vacation rules in effect on the date of this Agreement. The multiplying factors set forth in
vacation rules in effect on the date of this Agreement shall be amended to
provide that each basic day in yard service performed by a yard service
employee or by an employee having interchangeable road and yard rights shall be
computed as 1.6 days, and each basic day in all other services shall be
computed as 1.3 days, for purposes of determining qualification for vacation
based on service rendered in the preceding calendar year.
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NOTE: It is the parties' intent that, in
accordance with application of the multiplying factors set forth in existing vacation rules as amended above,
commencing with calendar year 1997 this subsection would require the equivalent
of 150 qualifying days in a calendar year in yard service and 180 qualifying
days in a calendar year in road service to qualify for an annual vacation for
the succeeding year.
(b) Calendar days on which an employee assigned to an extra
list is available for service and on which days he performs no service, not
exceeding ninety (90) such days, will be included in the determination of
qualification for vacation; also, calendar days, not in excess of forty-five
(45) , on which an employee is absent from and unable to perform service
because of injury received on duty will be included. Such calendar days shall not be subject to the multiplying
factors set forth in existing vacation rules as amended.
(c) Calendar days on which an employee is compensated while
attending training and rules classes at the direction of the carrier will be
included in the determination of qualification for vacation. Such calendar days shall
not be subject to the multiplying factors set forth in
existing vacation rules as amended.
(d) During a calendar year in which an employee’s vacation
entitlement will increase on the anniversary date, such employee shall be
permitted to schedule the additional vacation time to which entitled on the
anniversary date at any time during that calendar year.
(e) An employee may make up to two splits in his annual
vacation in any calendar year.
(f) An employee may take up to one week of his annual
vacation in single day increments, provided, however, that such employee shall
be automatically marked up for service upon the expiration of any single day
vacation.
(g) Existing rules and practices regarding vacation not
specifically amended by this Section, including (but not limited to) scheduling of vacations, shall continue in effect without change.
Section 3
This Article is not
intended to restrict any of the existing rights of a carrier except as
specifically provided herein.
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ARTICLE VI - PERSONAL LEAVE
See Side Letter #5.
ARTICLE VII - ENHANCED
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Section 1
In the event that a carrier
sells or leases its interest in one or more rail lines to a non-carrier
pursuant to a transaction authorized under 49 U.S.C. $l090l (or any successor
provision) as to which labor protective conditions have not been imposed by any
governmental authority, any employee represented by the organization signatory
hereto who (I) as a result of that transaction is deprived of employment with
the carrier because of the abolition of his position, and (ii) does not accept
employment with the purchaser shall be entitled to the benefits set forth in
Section 2.
Section 2
(a) An employee covered by Section 1 shall have the right, in
seniority order, to bid on vacant positions or claim locomotive engineer
positions at any location on the carrier at any time within ninety (90) days after being deprived of
employment. Seniority issues associated
with the exercise of that right shall be resolved by the carrier and the
organization representative or, absent agreement and at the request of either party
by written notice served on the appropriate representative of the other party,
by final and binding arbitration as provided in subsection (b). Solely for the purpose of this Section, a
single locomotive engineer seniority roster for the carrier shall be developed,
in accordance with applicable rules and procedures, no later than June 30, 1996
(b) The arbitrator shall be selected by the parties. If they fail to agree within five days from
the date notice of the submission to arbitration is received from the moving
party, either party may request a list of five potential arbitrators from the
National Mediation Board, from which the parties shall choose the arbitrator
through alternate striking. The order
of such striking shall be determined by coin flip unless otherwise agreed by
the parties. The fees and expenses of
the arbitrator shall be paid under Section 153 of the Railway Labor Act.
(c) An employee exercising rights under this Section who
relocates his residence shall receive a relocation allowance of $5,000,
provided, however, that an employee shall be required to elect between such
allowance and any carrier relocation benefits that may be provided to such
employee under other existing
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agreements or
arrangements. Such allowance shall be
paid in two equal installments: the
first payable on the relocation date, and the second ninety (90) days
thereafter. Such allowance (or any
portion thereof) shall be payable as
provided as long as the individual has an employment relationship with the
carrier and is still at the new location at the time the payment is due.
NOTE:Employees who
presently have extended seniority and who are deprived of
employment on their prior
right territory(s) as a result of a transaction covered in Section
1, will be covered by the
conditions of Section 2 (c), provided that any exercise of seniority
must be beyond their prior
right territory(s), with a minimum of fifty (50) miles distance.
Section 3
In the case of any
transaction authorized under 49 U.S.C. $l090l (or any successor provision), the
arrangements provided for under this Article shall be deemed to fulfill all of
the parties’ bargaining obligations that may exist under any applicable
statute, agreement or other authority with respect to such transaction, and
shall also be deemed to satisfy the standards for the protection of the
interests of employees who may be affected by such transaction described in 49
U.S.C. $10901(e)
Section 4
This Article shall become
effective ten (10) days after the date of this Agreement and is not intended to
restrict any of the existing rights of a carrier except as specifically
provided herein.
ARTICLE VIII - RATE
PROGRESSION ADJUSTMENT FOR PROMOTION
Section 1
(a) An employee who is subject to national rules concerning
rate progression on the effective date of this Article shall have his position
on the rate progression scale adjusted to the next higher level upon promotion
to engineer. An employee covered by this
Agreement who is subject to Article IV, Section 5 of the 1991 National
Implementing Document (Rate Progression - New Hires) on the effective date of
this Article shall have his position on the rate progression scale adjusted to
the next higher level on such effective date.
(b) The next adjustment to an employee’s position on the rate
progression scale after the adjustment specified in subsection (a) of this
Section shall be made when such employee completes one year
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of “active service” (as
defined by the aforementioned Article IV, Section 5) measured from the date on
which that employee would have attained the position of employee on the rate
progression scale provided pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section.
Section 2
Local rate progression
rules applicable on a carrier that is not covered by the aforementioned Article
IV, Section 5 are hereby amended in the same manner as provided in Section 1.
Section 3
This Article shall become
effective ten (10) days after the date of this Agreement and is not intended to
restrict any of the existing rights of a carrier except as specifically
provided herein.
ARTICLE IX - ENHANCED
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Article VIII - Special
Relief, Customer Service - Yard Crews of the 1991 National Implementing
Document is amended to read as follows and furthermore shall be applicable to
all carriers party to this Agreement:
Section 1
(a) When an individual carrier has a customer request for
particularized handling that would provide more efficient service, or can show
a need for relaxation of certain specific work rules to attract or retain a
customer, such service may be instituted on an experimental basis for a six-month
period.
(b) Prior to implementing such service, the carrier will extend seven (7) days
advance notice where practicable but in no event less than forty-eight (48) hours' advance notice to the General
Chairman of the employees involved.
Such notice will include an explanation of the need to provide the
service, a description of the service,
and a description of the work rules that may require relaxation for
implementation. Relaxation of work
rules that may be required under this Article shall be limited to: starting times, yard limits, calling rules,
on/off duty points, seniority boundaries, and class of service restrictions.
(c) A Joint Committee, comprised of an equal number of carrier
representatives and organization representatives, shall determine whether a
need exists, as provided in paragraph (a), to provide the service. If the Joint Committee has not made its
determination by the end of the advance notice period referenced in paragraph
(b),
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it shall be deemed to be
deadlocked, and the service will be allowed on an experimental basis for a
six-month period. If, after the
six-months has expired, the organization members of the Joint Committee
continue to object, the matter shall be referred to arbitration.
(d) If the parties are unable to agree upon an arbitrator
within seven days of the date of the request for arbitration, either party may
request the National Mediation Board to provide a list of five potential
arbitrators, from which The parties shall choose the arbitrator through
alternate striking. The order of such
striking shall be determined by coin flip unless otherwise agreed by the
parties. The fees and expenses of the
arbitrator shall be born equally by the parties.
(e) The determination of the arbitrator shall be limited to
whether the carrier has shown a bona fide need to provide the service requested
or can provide the service without a special exception to existing work rules
being made at a comparable cost to the carrier. If the arbitrator determines that this standard has not been met,
the arbitrator shall have the discretion to award compensation for all wages
and benefits lost by an employee as a result of the carrier's implementation of
its proposal.
Section 2
This Article shall become
effective ten (10) days after the date of this Agreement and is not intended to
restrict any of the existing rights of a carrier.
ARTICLE X - DISPLACEMENT
Section 1
(a) Where agreements that provide for the exercise of
displacement rights within a shorter time period are not in effect, existing
rules are amended to provide that an employee who has a displacement right on
any position (including extra boards) within a terminal or within 30 miles of
such employee's current reporting point, whichever is greater, must, from the
time of proper notification under the applicable agreement or practice,
exercise that displacement right within forty-eight (48) hours.
(b) Failure of an employee to exercise displacement rights, as
provided in (a) above, will result in said employee being assigned to the
applicable extra board, seniority permitting.
(The applicable extra board is the extra board protecting the assignment
from which displaced.)
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(c) In the event force assignment is not compatible with local
agreements, prior to implementation, the parties will meet on property to
determine an avenue of assignment.
Section 2
This Article shall become
effective ten (10) days after the date of this Agreement and is not intended to
restrict any of the existing rights of a carrier.
ARTICLE XI - GENERAL
PROVISIONS
Section 1 - Effect of this
Agreement
(a) The purpose of this Agreement is to fix the general level
of compensation and other terms and conditions of employment during the period
of the Agreement and is in settlement of the dispute growing out of the notices
dated November 1, 1994 served by and on behalf of the carriers listed in
Exhibit A upon the organization signatory hereto, and the notices dated on or
about November 1, 1994 served by the organization upon such carriers.
(b) This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement
by and on behalf of each of said carriers and their employees represented by
the organization signatory hereto, and shall remain in effect through December
31, 1999 and thereafter until changed or modified in accordance with the
provisions of the Railway Labor Act, as amended.
(c) The parties to this Agreement shall not serve nor progress
prior to November 1, 1999 (not to
become effective before January 1, 2000) any notice or proposal for changing
any matter contained in:
(1) this Agreement,
(2) the proposals of the parties identified in Section 1(a) of
this Article, and
(3) Section 2(c) (3)
of Article VIII of the National Agreement of March 6, 1975.
and any pending notices
which propose such matters are hereby withdrawn.
(d) The parties to this Agreement shall not serve nor progress
prior to November 1, 1999 (not to
become effective before January 1, 2000) any notice or proposal which might
properly have been served on November 1, 1994, and any pending notices which
propose such matters are hereby withdrawn.
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(e) This Article will not bar management and committees on
individual railroads from agreeing upon any subject of mutual interest.
SIGNED AT NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
THIS DAY OF , 1996.
FOR THE EMPLOYEES
REPRESENTED BY
FOR THE NCCC THE
BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE
W.E. Knight
S.D. Speagle
R.C. Wallace
P.T. Sorrow
Participating carriers:
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Alabama Great Southern Railroad Company