Yard

Vice Local Chairman for Yard Operations 

Karl Joost

 (630) 333-7110

 VLC577CFT@gmail.com

 Let's utilize our elected officers for  general questions before contacting  the Local Chairman

Good afternoon. After phone calls from a couple of our members asking why 528 Metra PHL folks were putting in claims per their LC, and we were not, Tom Bakr inquired with GCA. Mike Moore (GCA VGC) was unaware that we (577) had people on the PHL. As it turns out, we should have been putting them in all along, however no one at GCA notified us. So, anyone on the PHL needs to put in claims for the last 60 days (one claim for each day). ONE FOR EACH DAY. Don't wait. 60 days from date of incident is the expiration date to submit. ONLY go back 60 days.

CATEGORY: CLAIM NOT FOUND

CLAIM VERBIAGE:

"CLAIMING A BASIC DAY FOR HAVING MY SENIORITY RESTRICTED. UNDER THE NIRCRC TRANSITION AGREEMENT, A PREFERENTIAL HIRING LIST WOULD BE ESTABLISHED FOR THE MEMBERS WHO DESIRE TO TRANSFER TO NIRCRC, BUT DID NOT HAVE…

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,

The FRA recently sent notice of a razor blade intentionally stuck to the handbrake wheel of a tank car. We don't know who did it or why, but we do know someone could have been seriously hurt. Thankfully, whoever tried to set us up with this razor blade on the brake wheel doesn't know what part of the wheel we actually grab.

Working safely in a dangerous environment is not easy. Remember, no freight is worth your blood. If you're rushed, distracted, or just assuming things are "like they always are," that's when accidents happen. Situational awareness is how we make it home with all of our parts intact. 

Inspect first. 

Protect yourself at all times. 

Speak up if something's not right. 

Remind your brothers and sisters to keep their heads on a swivel.