UTU Local 426   Spokane, WA

UTU Local 426 Archived News.

11/26/04

Members:

Now Thanksgiving is over and last years stocking stuffer weight watchers gift card can be used.

Over the past years unused personal leave days have been a issue to collect. Now is the time to research your records and if you have any left to use put in for them, preferably from your home computer or a computer that you can print the denial record. If you have been denied and do not have the denial record put in for Christmas and the day after as the allocations are filled and computer will deny you, KEEP THIS RECORD, in the past, at times, the records department could not find the denials.

General Notice 624 has the form to fill in to carry over, or bank as they say, your days. This form has to be filled in and faxed, keep the fax record. This will help both you and your Local Chairman if problems arise.

Thank you,

Jim Larkin L/C

 

 11/24/04

Christmas Party Update

Just to let the Members know there will not be a Christmas party this year. Plans fell through and little time to plan one for this year. We are working on a summer party. Will let all the members know when and where this will happen. This was voted on and passed at the last union meeting on Nov 23, 2004.
 
Arnie

 

  11/16/04
Switchmen's Extra Board Update
 
As of November 16, 2004 there were sets of day's off put into effect on the switchmen's extra board.  There were day's off on all day's of the week.  There were no day's off put up for bid account of the time limit we were dealing with.  The two yard local chairmen decided that to get things rolling we had to act.  So we let the oldest person on the extra board chose what sets of day's off he wanted till we got to the junior person.  Starting December 1, 2004 any new day's off will go up for bid per the agreement form that point on.  This is a good thing now our people will have sets of day's off and can plan and have some what of a normal life.
 
Fraternally Yours
 
Arnie McDonald
Switchmen's Local Chairmen
 
       
  11/09/04
Switchmen's extra board days off
 
The new day's off for the switchmen's extra board should take effect on November 16, 2004.  The days off up for bid should have been up for bid on Nov 9, 2004.  But as you can see that never happened.  But please be patient this is going to happen and there will be days off up for bid as soon as things get sorted out.  What the days off are going to be is still up in the air, account we don't have a full extra board as of yet.  What is envisioned is that there are 8 people on the extra board as of this writing and that there will be 8 days off up for bid, and as people come to the extra board more days off will be posted.  Please be patient for this like all things takes time to develop, but it will happen before Thanks Giving.
 
Shard Values Program
 
The Shared Values program was implemented to the employees as of Nov 8, 2004.  This is a program that is supported by the Union as well as the Carrier and was started in January 2004.  We have had three meetings with the General Chairmen involved as well as top officials from the carrier before this was put out to the general population on the property.  If the program works as it is presented this will be a good program.  But as all projects that are started they take time.  If the Shared Values program is still in effect 6 months to a year from now then something is being done right.  This committee is not bought into this program this committee views it on a trial basis.  This committee is not going to pull out of it for we believe in what we said had to happen to make Shared Values work.  If we make one improvement through this program than what efforts this committee put into it is a good thing not a bad thing.  Please use all the tools that have been presented to you at the implementation of this program to make this a safer place to work for all of us.
 
This is a very nice Web sight we have and thanks to Brad Love for all the work he is doing to run it.  This will be a very nice tool for you members to use and look up rules and agreements thanks Brad. 
 
This committee wishes you and your families a very nice and enjoyable Thanks Giving Holiday.
 
Fraternally Yours
Arnie McDonald
Local Chairmen UTU G0387A
Spokane, WA
11/9/04

The 386A committee is working on trip rates for the Wenatchee line. The carrier is proposing $224.33 for a single trip rate and $457.61 for a flip rate. We are asking for a new test period account the initial and final have changed so much.   

 
For your info, the Kettle Falls lines will be sold to Omni Trax. This will happen on December 10th 2004. Also, all members need to get there vacation bid in by November 21st. The carrier gave us a one week extension.... 

Bob Johnston L/C

11/07/04

    On November 2nd attended the shared values meeting in Yakima, then on the 8th was part of the roll out at Hauser facility. In my opinion this program has a better chance over the others the carrier has introduced in the past. General Manager Ron Jackson backs this endeavor. A couple of things come to mind as result of these meetings, "are you refusing service" is a threat the employees should not hear and if they do, document this to your local chairman and we will take it from there. We lobbied for SIAP in discipline matters, my preference in dealing with violations, and the program is being used again.

As all have heard the section 6 notices have been filed. With the carriers notices, all I have talked to have been astounded with their position. If you ever thought your union dollar was a waste of money, this round of negotiations will forever prove this wrong.

As we head into the holiday season and winter weather, please take a extra moment to look over the surroundings and be safe around home and the workplace.

I wish to take this time to wish all of you and your families a " Happy Thanksgiving"

Jim Larkin L/C

11/12/04

    Members:

When forwarding trip tickets for payment please do not write on the ticket, attach a note along with the ticket. Little notes written on these items are not often appreciated by the local chairmen or the company officers. We know the frustration level of not getting paid on time, or a good claim.

Thank you,

Jim Larkin