CURRENT EVENTS
or What's Hot and What's Not!!!
First Amendment to the Bill of Rights of the Constitution
(ratified December 15, 1791)
Engineer's Short Term Disability to Increase (01-02-2008) - As a result of the rejection of the proposed Engineer's agreement in December 2007, the Carrier will not be contributing anymore to The Plan than they already are ($13.00 per month). This, and claims and plan administration changes, have resulted in a significant increase. As of January 1, 2008, NS Locomotive Engineers will be responsible to pay an additional $20.52 towards the The Plan for a total monthly remittance of $34.20. To read more on this issue, click here!
Corporate Policy on Alcohol Use (01-01-2008) In accordance with "Policy on Alcohol and Drugs of Norfolk Southern Corporation and Its Railroad Subsidiaries" be advised of the following:
"Norfolk Southern Corporation and its subsidiary railroads continue to prohibit all possession and use of or impairment by alcohol when employees are on duty, reporting for duty, on Company property or occupying facilities provided by the Company..."
Company provided facilities are considered hotels and dormitories. Please be advised that consuming alcohol at a bar, tavern or restaurant that is attached, part of or on the premises of a hotel or dormitory provided by the Carrier, is considered to be in violation of Corporate policy on alcohol use. This does not mean that consumption of alcohol can't be undertaken off the premises provided by the Carrier, such as a bar, tavern or restaurant across the street or down the road. But after consumption off the premises and return to the facility, be aware that the employee now is entering a company provided lodging facility.
Employees are on call and are always susceptible to testing when reporting for duty where the Carrier takes the position of "0" tolerance for drugs and alcohol. For more information regarding Norfolk Southern's Drug and Alcohol Rehaabilitation Service (DARS), click here.
Railroad Retirement Taxes, 2007 (12-31-2007) - As the new year approaches many of us will begin to pay Tier I and II taxes again. The following maximum amounts will be ineffect:
To read the complete Railroad Retirement Board article regarding the taxes you pay, click here!
Engineer and Trainmen 2008 Vacations Assigned (12-13-2007) - The Engineer and Trainmen 2006 vacations have been awarded! Due to the abundance of man power, there will be 3 positions available per week. If there were any conflicts, attempts were made to accommodate requests as much as possible. If a more desirable week is on your mind, click here to view open weeks.
NS Engineers Say No to Proposed Contract! (12-05-2007) - The proposed Engineers Agreement that would have brought new and somewhat questionable articles to the existing Vacation and Bidding agreement was voted down by the rank and file of the Norfolk Southern. Of 100% of the eligible Engineers to vote (6308), only about 36% (2193) returned a ballot. The break down of committees are as follows:
Northern
60% For
40% Against
Eastern
28% For
72% Against
Southern
48% For
52% Against
Engineers Support Trainmen on CN Strike (02-17-2007) - Since February 10, 2007, Trainmen on CN Canadian Property represented by the United Transportation Union have been on strike. Amongst other issues, wages, benefits, rest periods and rest breaks are the topics that cannot be mutually resolved. CN Officials have assumed the duties of Engineers and Trainmen and continue to run an abbreviated schedule of trains. CN Engineers, who are represented the BLET a division of the Teamsters Canada, recognize this strike and are not crossing the picket lines.
UTU international headquarters, located in Cleveland, OH, has not sanctioned the strike and contend that it is a violation of the existing Constitution. Canadian UTU General Committees have taken the position that it is a legal strike based on Canadian Labour Law and that the UTU International is not familiar with Canadian Labour Laws. Unfortunately, UTU International President Paul Thompson claims that - you guessed it - the BLET is behind all of this! Just another UTU officer in denial of the truth as their members are left in the cold.
To read more on this developing situation, click here!
CEO Wick Mooreman Orders Improvements (09-10-2006) - As the dust begins to settle after NS CEO Wick Mooreman's Office Car Special (OCS) inspection trip, new dust in the form of new capital improvements begins to arise. A windfall of cash has been awarded to Buffalo, NY and the Southern Tier Line as the CEO orders and approves many of the capital improvement requests, some of which have already began!
Here are some of the capital improvements to look forward to on the Southern Tier Line and Buffalo Terminal:
- SK Yard realignment project (re-building of the Canadian Yard section of SK between Bailey Avenue and Clinton Street. Easing the sharp curves at the former JX Hump near Bailey Avenue. Currently underway!)
- Realignment of the Bison Runner to the Howard Runner at Clinton Street and the Ebenezer Runner to the Bison Runner at Clinton St. Then what do you have? Double track from CP-DRAW to William Street!
- Signal upgrades on the Southern Tier Line from CP-ALDEN to CP-SILVER SPRINGS to include a double aspect westbound distant signal at MP 381W! No more guessing on this curve if you're stopping at CP-Linden or going into the siding!
- CEO Mooreman orders, "Get the speed up on the Southern Tier!" Many of the "annoying" and questionable speed restrictions may soon be history!
- CP-PANAMA and CP-BROADWAY increase speed from 40 MPH to 50 MPH.
- The east side approach to Portage Bridge (MP 359.1 - 362.1) increase from 40 MPH to 50 MPH.
- CP-SWAINS increase from 40 MPH to 50 MPH and replace stick rail with cwr (continuous welded rail).
- Hornell, NY to increase from 35 MPH to 50 MPH.
- Big Flats to CP-ELMIRA increase speed from 40 MPH to 50 MPH.
- And everybody who has ever run the Southern Tier, their favorite speed restrictions: CP-WAVERLY to CP-JOHNSON replace the stick rail with cwr and get the speed up from 25 MPH to 50 MPH. But this one comes with a catch - Single Track this section with sidings at Waverly, Owego and Binghamton!
- And probably the most annoying speed restriction out there - Alden siding between CP-MARILLA and CP-ALDEN from 10 MPH to 25 MPH.
Now let's see if the NS CEO keeps his word!
NRLC serves Section 6 Notices (06-30-2006) - The National Railway Labor Conference (NRLC) on June 27, 2006, served the United Transportation Union (UTU) with a new Section 6 Notice, a directive under The Railway Labor Act (RLA) that mandates a 30 day minimum advance written notice of intended change in rates of pay, rules or working conditions. The RLA, Section 6 Notice, is intended to resolve all of the parties' respective outstanding notices and issues in the current bargaining round. To say the least, the proposals are less than stellar and are just the next step in the mediation process as outlined in the RLA.
The NLRC is a bargaining coalition that represents the interests of railroad management at the national level in all matters concerning labor negotiations.
To see the complete text of the Section 6 Notices served by the NRLC, click here!
Trainmen Offered Long Term Disability Insurance (01-05-2006) - Several members have inquired about the Long Term disability insurance offered only to NS Trainmen and those Engineers on "the bubble" by the BLET. Click here to review the policy hi-lights!
Federal Railway Administration issues Emergency Order 24 (EO-24)! (11-14-2005) - For the purpose and intention of reducing the risk of serous injury or death both to railroad employees and the general public, the FRA has issued Emergency Order 24 (EO-24). The order will take effect November 22, 2005. Click here to review a very brief outline of the order which holds crews accountable for ensuring switches are restored back to their normal position by an accountability check list.
To review the incidents that lead up to EO-24, click here!
FMLA Policy Change (06-18-2004) - The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was established under the Department of Labor to assist family members during time of crisis, emergencies and needs. It basically guarantees the right of an individual to be granted 12 weeks of unpaid leave, as needed, to attend to a variety of family business.
Unfortunately the Carrier has decided to attempt to change the Department of Labor's, the Federal Government's, application of FMLA. The Organization has taken exception to their position and is currently pursuing this matter.
The Carrier, in a letter dated May 3, 2004 from NS Labor Relations, has decided that before any FMLA, unpaid leave is granted, the applicant must first use any accumulated paid sick leave, paid personal leave and paid vacation as substitution to the amount of time outlined under the Act. Members are not to debate this issue with management or crew dispatchers when marking off for authorized FMLA.
Meal Period in Local Traveling Switcher Service (05-10-2004) - The Carrier continues to be a non-conformist when it comes to providing a meal period to the crews in Bison Yard. Day by day the program changes. Do we go to lunch today or not? Though agreed upon compensation is available when crews are not provided a lunch, local supervision does not want to play by the arbitrators rules!
To read more of this basic right as well as the actual board awards, click here.
Deadheading After Held Away From Home Terminal Payment Begins (01-31-2004) How many times has a crew been deadheaded after held away from home terminal payment begins (detention time) only to find out that the cab or train won't leave for several hours? Special Board of Adjustment No. 910, Award No. 214 addresses this issue and rules favorably with the Organization! No longer should you lose out in monies. Explain in remarks of your deadhead with as much information as possible. In a similar statement, word your claim as indicated below:
"Please allow additional 1:15 of detention time due to cab (train) not departing until 1:16 PM in reference to SBA 910, Award 214. Crew was ordered for deadhead service at 12:01 PM under deadhead symbol 471H731, 01-31-2004 from Binghamton, NY (HB/ST MP SR214) to Buffalo, NY (HB/ST MP SR 00003). Crew was on detention time commencing at 09:00 AM and removed at 12:01 PM for deadhead service. Cab did not arrive until 1:15 PM and departed at 1:16 PM.
Please forward to Trainmaster DB Corey HB/ST inbox for approval."
Though denials are more than likely, the key is to follow up the claim denial to the Local Chairman for processing.
Understanding FRA Hours of Service Law and Avoiding Hours Violations (3-06-03) We've all seen the Hours of Service Violation show up on the tie up screen when we finished tying up. What gives? The Carrier is beginning to focus on insignificant or miscellaneous errors when tying up. Remember, RELIEVED OF RESPONSIBILITY on the tie up screen refers to Hours or Service, when you stop performing service for the Carrier, you are relieved of responsibility. A crew can still outlaw, say at WHITEHOUSE Interlocking, but once the crew has secured the train, they are "relieved of responsibility" in regards to their duties of the train. The crew now commences "commingled service"; that part of the trip where they are awaiting transportation to the terminal for tie up. Remember, paperwork related to industrial switching, turn overs, inspecting trains by, inspecting power and securing trains with handbrakes and locks are all considered time consumed under the Hours of Service Law. For a better understanding of this law, visit: 49 CFR Part 228