UTU Local 426   Spokane, WA

01/25/05

Members,

This year is off to a rousing start with investigation notices outpacing last years 360 plus, over one a day. I know we are not that bad as employees, everyone has their own opinion why the heavy handed tactics. I can not express too many opinions as there is a person or persons whether or not they know it, are reporting to the company what is said amongst ourselves. Be careful what you say to officials, they are programmed and trained, and what you say to them can go anywhere. If you are under investigation or under suspicion for an infraction, and a carrier officer calls you at home, do not answer any questions. If you say something they will use it at the investigation. Call your local chairman and tell him about these actions. With the resulting heavy handed tactics, I personally would advise each and every one of you to get JOB INSURANCE, UTU or another. Get some, alternative handling only goes so far.

There are some boxes at Hauser for the local chairmen, and within the week will have one marked for me under the bulletin board.

This is a problem that should have been resolved earlier but within the current climate was not. Waiting on trains for crews at Hauser. We need documentation of times held on trains, stop times, if a trainmaster will answer you, why held on the train, and when finally transported to tie up. Please put in the box and perhaps if the right people see this paperwork, will get this issue solved.

If you have outstanding declinations on the Pasco flips they will be paid if you turn them in. Remember 60 day rule. The schedule agreement on dog catches will or is supposed to be honored. You are to be called from point (A) Hauser or Pasco to point (B) Pasco or Hauser. Short turnarounds are not to be used, rather called off the extra board as a set-up crew.

The last thing. We have a tool, the HOT LINE, IF ANY OFFICIAL VERBALLY CHASTISES YOU FOR BEING WITHIN YOUR TWO HOUR CALL LIMIT AT HAUSER AND YOU HAVE THE REPORT FILED WITH THE CARRIER USE THIS TOOL. Be courteous to the official, you do not tell them you are calling. Give reason, times and carrier officer name. Keep a report with you of the times called, reason, and give a copy to your local chairman. This is a harassment tactic. They signed the paper same as we did. We do not have to put up with the lip service.

Please take extra time to look at your surroundings so you don't get hurt. Take a minute to ask the engineer if the 203 cards are current even if it is not your responsibility. We just had a member get dinged for this. A bunch of circumstances led up to the incident. We have to look out for ourselves because as I stated earlier, they just keep cranking out the notices.

Thank you,

Jim Larkin L/C 426

01/17/05

Dear Colleagues:

Attached is Safety Advisory 2005-1 that I issued yesterday. It advises all of the nation's railroads to strengthen procedures for monitoring track switching operations. The advisory is in response to a recent number of incidents involving trains that derailed because switches that divert them from one track to another were left in the wrong position.

In its ongoing investigation of a January 6 Norfolk Southern Railway accident in Graniteville, South Carolina, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has indicated that a misaligned switch may have been one of the factors that resulted in a freight train being diverted from a main track onto a siding and into the path of parked locomotives.

The safety advisory states that railroads should document when a manually operated switch in non-signaled territory is changed from the main track to

a siding and returned back to the normal position for main track movements.

In addition, these actions should be communicated to all crewmembers and the train dispatcher. This increased attention and communication will better ensure that switches are not inadvertently left misaligned.

FRA is committed to working with the industry to address the issues that have contributed to the recent accidents, including working to solidify standard operating procedures in this area. Our Operating Practices inspectors will aggressively monitor railroads' adoption of this advisory to help determine if additional steps are needed. We stand ready to take whatever action appears necessary to prevent any further death or serious injury that might arise from additional failures to comply with the basic operating rules concerning the proper positioning of main track switches.

Safety remains the top priority of the Federal Railroad Administration. I encourage all of you to remain vigilant in your pursuit to ensure the safety of your employees and the public.

View the PDF Document in the Safety Area.