General Discussions

As expected, the Carrier served notice last month on Article VI – Automated Bid Scheduling and Article VII – Pools and Extra Boards. We’ve met twice already and have meetings scheduled every 2-3 weeks from now until May. The SMART GC’s made it abundantly clear we would not agree to the mandatory 11/4 system the BLET is currently implementing. Article V (Scheduled Days Off) gives the Organization the right to serve notice on voluntary assigned days off, not mandatory days off. Since stating our position against mandatory days off, there’s been a lot of discussion on our Article V proposal and other voluntary rest day options.

In their Article VI and VII notice, the Carrier was seeking the following:

Article VI: Simplified vacancy procedures, bid rules for new assignments, standardized standing bid process, modifications to the bump rule and an electronic notification process.

Article VII: Create a process for self-supporting pools, formula for regulating pools using starts rather than miles, operate all pool freight on first-in/first-out basis (eliminate the blueprint) and combine extra boards at various locations.

I’m setting up Committee conference calls for March 26 to discuss Articles V-VII, CSR policy, Region Meetings, and other various issues. Please monitor your emails for conference call details.

Fraternally,

Luke Edington

General Chairman

SMART TD GO-953