Meal
From GC Edington;
Brothers and Sister,
As many of you have already seen, UP is trying to limit crews working in local service to a 30-minute meal period. The agreements, which have been upheld in numerous arbitration boards, provide a reasonable time for meal periods in local service. The length of time varies from job to job. Where the crew stops to observe a meal period can require additional time if no eating facility is nearby. It’s critical that our members who are working in local service file a basic day claim if they are not allowed reasonable time for a meal period. This will protect the agreement and arbitral precedence on the issue.
Fraternally,
Luke Edington
General Chairman
SMART TD GO-953
Ms. Beth Wilderman
Director - Labor Relations
Dear Ms. Wilderman: This office has received reports from various locations that management has implemented meal period compliance mandates for employees in yard and local service. The Organization adamantly objects to both the mandate and its associated disciplinary measures, as such violate the controlling agreements and will further erode an already strained relationship between local management and
employees. Carrier's newfound 30-minute limitation on meal periods in local service violates the controlling agreements and numerous arbitration awards that provide employees in local service reasonable time to take a meal period. Carrier acknowledged these employees are allowed reasonable time for
a meal period in Section 6 bargaining and proposed the elimination of such rules. Carrier must immediately rescind its mandate to employees over lunch periods to ensure the status quo is maintained while the parties are engaged in Section 6 bargaining. Until the mandate is rescinded, the Organization has informed members in local service to submit a time claim for cach
instance where a reasonable meal period is not provided.
Given the seriousness of this matter, please respond immediately in writing.
Sincerely.
Luke Edington
General Chairperson
