UTU Local 426 Archived News.
Subject: Verify dependent eligibility with Aetna
Date: 09/07/2007
News
Aetna has begun mailing to all employees eligible for coverage under the Railroad Employees National Dental Plan a packet outlining the request for documentation to verify dependent eligibility in order to continue coverage under the plan. Members should be receiving this material shortly. It is vital that UTU members comply immediately with this request for dependent verification to avoid any potential discontinuation of coverage for their eligible dependents. Failure to provide the required proof within the specified time period will result in termination of dependent benefits. This dependent eligibility audit is being conducted in accordance with understandings reached between rail management and rail labor. The results of this audit will also be applied to the medical benefit plan under which you are covered, as well as the National Vision Plan. Aetna has established a toll-free help line at 866-682-5619. It is staffed by customer service representatives specially trained to answer questions about the verification process and the required documentation.
Subject: PDF & Palm Bulletin Updates
Date: 09/06/2007
News
New bulletin updates are now available in the secure area. Please be sure to get the link to the other rulebook updates and get up to date. Enjoy. Brad
Subject: 7/3 Pasco Pool/AB sit downs
Date: 09/06/2007
News
There have been a lot of questions about the agreement that was circulating around the yard office regarding the 7/3 Pasco Pool agreement. I received that from General Chairman Robert Kerley, read the document, and promptly filed it in the round file. I do not know how it got around as I did not post it anywhere as it was a flawed agreement. First: It gave the carrier sole control of the board and, as we all know from the extra board, how they would regulate the pool. You would be working out on your rest all the time to avoid paying guarentee. Second: the pool would be its own extra board, you would never know when you would work, if there were eight turns in town and three people layed off then you move up the three turns. Hope this puts to rest any questions you might have concerning this issue. Next there have been several Employee Review Process meetings. I had three today, if you get a letter to attend one of these meetings get ahold of your Local Chairman and have him go with you, this is not something you want to go to without representation. Any question why, call. This process is triggered by a points system, including injuries, accidents, op test failures. Even if the injury is not of your doing it is still 40 points if reportable. It takes 5 years to work off the points on any infraction. Their records in two of the cases today were flawed. If you get an op test failure and it is bogus, call your Local Chairman immediately. In one case today, the person was on the call slip and not enough seats for everone on the engine as he was a Engineer trainee, he did not go on the trip, the crew go an op test failure and it showed on his record. He would have not even had enough points to attend the get together if this had not been on his record. Priceless. Jim Larkin L/C