PROVISO TO YARD CENTER - ROAD CREWS

The Chicago Service Unit has started to implement a new crew strategy for running trains through Proviso to or from Yard Center. The first that Local 528 knew of this plan was when our Brothers and Sisters the members working on the Proviso NE2 Pool notified us. The Chicago Service Unit has not communicated this plan to us. We are continuing to reach them to collectively establish a unified qualification program for all Conductors at Proviso.

We recognize the Conductors working on the Proviso Pool have many concerns over this new work. We will address a some of the major concerns that have surfaced below. 

  1. The first is can we do this work and is it within the boundaries of our agreement? The answer is YES than can have us receive/leave our train anywhere within the boundaries of the Chicago Terminal Complex.
  2. What is the Chicago Terminal Complex and it's boundaries?  The Chicago Terminal Complex is defined under the 1996 C&NW/UP merger agreement and is basically the entire Union Pacific footprint in the greater Chicago area, defined in a 41 mile radius around Chicago.  
  3. What is the correct pay for this work? Our current trip rates covering your route for which called to operate will still apply. Overtime will still start after completing the run miles for the trip. 
  4. How will I be qualified to operate on this new territory? You will not be required to lose time or "ride the rode" on your own time to qualify for the new operations. Your agreement provides that you receive a sufficient number of trips to become familiar with the new territory.
  5. It is important to us if your  experiencing excessive cab delay while performing this new work this could cause you to incur additional limbo time. Essentially causing you lost earning potential either by restricting your starts or guarantee.

Brother and Sisters you are are the boots on the ground and we need your communication to keep us up-to-date if you are receiving everything your entitled under our agreements. Everything from your pay to the qualification process and beyond, your concerns are our concerns. We have just scratched the surface of the issues that will effect you moving forward, your concerns are important to us we want to assist you through this process.

SENATORS INTRODUCE BILL MAKING IT A FEDERAL CRIME TO ASSAULT PASSENGER RAIL PERSONNEL

On the one-year anniversary of the shooting of Amtrak conductor Michael Case in Naperville, Ill., U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D – Ill.) introduced S. 2861 — The Passenger Rail Crew Protection Parity Act — a bill that would make it a felony to assault or intimidate passenger rail crewmembers. U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R – N.D.) has signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill.

RRB ISSUES STATEMENTS OF SERVICE

Each year, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) prepares a “Certificate of Service Months and Compensation” (Form BA-6) for every railroad employee with creditable railroad compensation in the previous calendar year. The RRB will mail the forms to employees during the first half of June. While every effort has been made to maintain current addresses for all active railroad employees, anyone with compensation reported in 2017 who has not received Form BA-6 by July 1, or needs a replacement, should contact an RRB field office by calling the agency toll-free at 1-877-772-5772.

Railroad Retirement Publication - May 2018

Railroad retirement benefits are subject to reduction if an employee with less than 30 years of service retires before attaining full retirement age. While employees with less than 30 years of service may still retire at age 62, the age at which full retirement benefits are payable has been gradually increasing since the year 2000, the same as for social security.

2 Person Crew Legislation

Last month, I had the pleasure of announcing that the Maryland General Assembly passed HB-180, a bill to require a minimum of two-person crews on all freight trains operating within the state of Maryland, awaiting final action by Governor Larry Hogan.

FTX Drone Usage

Our carriers usage of drones is going to continue.  So, we have created a new section on our website to summarize the Federal Aviation Admininistrations (FAA) regulations that apply to our carrier.  This is an effort to educate our members on what they are and are not allowed to do under the FAA regulations.  The section can be found at smart528.org/drones or under the members tab.