Just UP employees

Update May 6th Brothers and Sister, Here’s a quick update on Section 6 negotiations and Article V-VII arbitration. Section 6: We met with UP last Thursday and Friday in Kansas City and discussions over an hourly rate agreement, as UP proposed, have ceased for now. UP would still like to discuss some work rule modifications, however I made it clear that our Committee is not interested in negotiating work rules and will only consider a pattern agreement with some improvements that would benefit our members. UP suggested discussing modifications to administrative items such as electronic notifications to employees (NOIs, NODAs, vacation bids, etc.) at our next meeting on June 17-18. We will listen to their proposals but unless our members obtain some real benefits, progress may be limited and slow. Article V-VII Arbitration: We are scheduled to exchange Post-Hearing Briefs next Tuesday, May 13th, at 16:00 CST. The neutral hasn’t indicated when the final award will be provided. We will try to get a date when we exchange Briefs. Once an award is rendered, we’ll have to meet with UP to discuss implementation matters and timelines. The neutral may address this in the award, giving a timeline for implementation or instructing the parties to negotiate one. Fraternally, Luke Edington General Chairman SMART TD GO-953

Additionally, I have contacted the General Chairman's office for further information regarding this matter. I agree that something needs to change.

1985 National Agreement is part of the problem here. It reads as follows: Section 3 - Incidental Work (a) Road and yard employees in ground service and qualified engine service employees may perform the following items of work in connection with their own assignments without additional compensation: (1) Handle switches (2) Move, turn and spot locomotives and cabooses (3) Supply locomotives and cabooses except for heavy equipment and supplies generally placed on locomotives and cabooses by employees of other crafts (4) Inspect cars (5) Start or shutdown locomotives (6) ··Bleed cars to be handled (7) Make walking and rear-end air tests (8) Prepare reports while under pay (9) Use communication devices; copy and handle train orders, clearances and/or other messages. (10) Any duties formerly performed by firemen. (b) Road and yard employees in engine service and qualified ground service employees may perform the following items of work in connection with their own assignments without additional compensation: (1) Handle switches (2) Move, turn, spot and fuel locomotives (3) Supply locomotives except for heavy equipment and supplies generally placed on locomotives by employees of other crafts (4) Inspect locomotives (5) Start or shutdown locomotives (6) Make head-end air tests (7) Prepare reports while under pay (8) Use communication devices; copy and handle train orders, clearances and/or other messages. (9) Any duties formerly performed by firemen.

The meal periods are agreement based, some require approval, some don't. For example using the 2002 Rochelle Road Switcher Agreement: Article 6. Meals (a) Employees working at Rochelle pursuant to this Memorandum of Agreement shall arrange their own meal period consistent with the requirements of service, and are expected to protect their regular duties throughout their shift. It is clearly understood that the employees on these positions will still be permitted a meal period during their tour of duty. Accordingly, no claims in regard to meal periods shall be submitted.

The entry for eating is for an approved meal period. Seems like it is generic programing for system wide usage.

There are no updates at this time.

Brothers and Sisters, The neutral provided the preliminary findings to the SBA over Articles V-VII and requested the parties provide post-hearing submissions that exclude certain provisions in 60 days. This is not the final ruling but is the neutrals method of narrowing down the issue for the upcoming award. The General Chairpersons and International will be meeting this week to develop our submission as directed by the neutral. Fraternally, Luke Edington General Chairman SMART TD GO-953

We do not have the arbitration award yet. We expect something by next week. We will post as soon as we have something.

Also, I did just what you suggested in the comment yesterday before I tried calling you and sent the email. Looking at the image, you can see the claim has a 6-digit date code for the date of the claim. And, pay stub is labeled appropriately for the pay date which establishes the 60-day time-line for the appeal process. I know this process is new, but sometimes calling and getting guidance is the best process. We have plenty of Union Officers that will be happy to help you if you call.

Mr. Asiedu, We have helped dozens of members with the transition to electronic claims submission to the local for appeal and they are doing just fine. We also have written instructions (With pop up images) on out local's website, www.smarttd577.com, click on claims. Then, scroll down to claims processing. I have tried calling you and also emailed you with written instructions. This process has been established to make things efficient and give you a transaction receipt for your claim that will match our records for you to track on payment. As far as claims submission being increased, this process has done just that. More members are finding it easier to just download and email everything using the method that has been established. We have worked hard on creating templates for members to use and have made it all easily accessible to the membership. If there are methods of improving the process, we are always open to suggestions. However, do not infer that we are not trying to help make this process accessible to all. When I call you, then email you the instructions because you did not take my call. That is me trying to help you submit your claims to the local for appeal. If you would like to speak with me directly, feel free to reach out. Respectfully, Ashraf (Tom) Bakr Local Chairman SMART-TD 577 815-993-8934 localchairman577@yahoo.com

Ok, we will look into it.

Are you in Fireman's training?

Are you an FIT?

The bids had to be reevaluated due to the above answer.

We ran out of people on the EA1 Preferential Hiring List. 3 came off the PHL due to vacancies, 1 Company Officer, 2 Fireman in Training. The last one had insufficient bids because there were vacancies and became disqualified.

Spoke with Dean Ridder this morning. He told me that they have been addressing this issue with UP and it continues to be a problem. He will be bypassing Sean McGovern and emailing Manpower to try and get resolution. We still want you to put in a claim for lost earnings due to a lost work opportunity if you are on the protecting extra board. There is a template for CMS Mishandling on our website, www.smarttd577.com, click on claims to find the template. Please modify the template to your specific scenario.

I have not seen a claim come in from anyone that was not called for an assignment that was not filled by an extra board employee. If you were first out, rested and available for call, that is a lost work opportunity. You should be filing a grievance for not being afforded the opportunity to go to work. However, it was brought up to Sean McGovern at our Local Chairman meeting on 1/21/25. His response was that there was nobody available due to the amount of layoffs.

No more 11/4 claims as of 01/27/25. Unless they don't agree to extend the deadline and the Carrier fails to implement the terms of the Dispute Resolution by 07/31/25.

Brothers and Sisters, I’m receiving an enormous amount f calls concerning the Carrier requesting documentation from members when using PS days. The agreement language is clear on this matter; D. In certain cases where an employee uses consecutive days of paid sick leave or uses paid sick leave days in conjunction with other leave, the Carrier may require employees to provide medical documentation to support the use of paid sick leave. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to change the Carrier’s existing return to work or fitness for duty processes or practices If members must use multiple PS days or a PS day is in conjunction with another layoff then the Carrier may request documentation. The easiest, and cheapest, way to get documentation is call to the telehealth number on their insurance cards and give the answering party their symptoms. It’s $10. Members are subject to discipline of they do not provide documentation. PERIOD. S&F, Zach Nagy Sr. Vice General Chairman SMART TD GO-953