Brothers and Sisters,

As you are probably aware, the UTU is attempting to get an A Card sign up on the Kansas City Southern to call for a vote for one union to represent the single of craft of Train and Engineer Service Employee. Even though they were previously shot down by the courts on the Union Pacific, they seem not to care. The AFL-CIO condemned the UTU’s actions, so they opted out of this organization. Other unions have also condemned their actions as nothing more than raiding. This campaign the UTU is waging is by no means in our best interest. It only plays into the hands of the carriers. Gotta make you wonder whom they are actually representing anyway?

Signing an A card will give the UTU the opportunity to call for an election to see who should represent the new craft of employee, the craft only they, not the BofLE has created. This is not a negotiated issue it will be decided by a vote with no input by Engineers. In the event that less than 50% of eligible employees return a ballot for the election, the property would automatically go non-union. Can you just imagine this place with no union representation?

Can you imagine being represented by the UTU should they succeed and you now become nothing more than a utility employee? Alan Boyd and his cronies don’t care for or about you now. What happens if they get you into their organization? They are willing to give up your craft, just what else might they be willing to give up? Can you say 1985? Do you remember 75% entry-level wages, deadhead by the minute, the favorite phrase of timekeeping of "post 85 employee"? Perhaps even you as an employee?

While attempting to force you into their organization, they are already attempting to get rid of you. As you have probably read, the UTU is demanding and getting the carriers to go along with letting the Trainmen handle the remote control units. One or two weeks worth of training to let somebody with little or no experience at operating a locomotive take your job away from you. The UTU is claiming this is Trainmen’s work. At the same time, they are talking out of the other side of their mouths saying the craft lines are "blurred." Which one is it?

Do not be confused or mislead should you get a phone call or letter asking or suggesting that you sign an A card.

To quote that old line, "JUST SAY NO!"

Unfortunately what is happening is simple, the UTU is attempting to drive a wedge between the Engineers and Trainmen. Many of us here and at other railroads are friends with Trainmen and socialize with them. The UTU is trying to make enemies out of friends. They are doing the divide and conquer thing and the carriers all love it.

To each of you on the BLE Division 10 mailing list I will be sending copies of what the A card looks like as well as some other materials in regards to the UTU’s tactics. Please read them carefully.

There has been some confusion about the proper reports to fill out when performing daily inspections on locomotives. In addition to signing the daily card n the locomotives, a 1443 form must be filled out at both the top and bottom. This is not the same as the Locomotive Engineer Report. That form is the one that has the columns for location departed from and arriving at. This form is an enroute malfunction report and nothing else. You must use the 1443 Locomotive Inspection Report without fail when performing daily inspections. And even when not performing a daily inspection, you still must fill out a trip report on your power even if there are no defects or problems. For this you can use either of the forms.

All locomotives should be supplied with both sets of forms. Be sure to use the correct forms for the correct applications.

There has also been some confusion about the handling and placement of dimensional loads. Contrary to what a couple of officials have been telling people, those loads that are classified with the letter "R" are restricted to where they can be placed in the train. They must be on the head end where the crew can keep and eye on them. Also, any that require one train to be stopped when passing also need to be on the head end. Be certain to ask your Conductor if you have any dimensional loads, if he or she has cleared them with the Train Dispatcher and where they are placed in the train.

When working train 397, be certain our Dispatcher is aware of any dimensional loads the GTW crew has picked up from the EJ&E at Griffith. Be absolutely certain you have all the correct paperwork including the D classification number of the load or loads. There have been times cars have had to be set out at Matteson account improper documentation. The EJ&E uses a different system that we do and this can create even more confusion.

I realize the special instructions for the handling of dimensional loads may seem about as clear as mud at times, but you need to be certain that you become well versed with them.

Effective immediately, Steve McMahon is now handling personal leave days and individual vacation days. You must now call Steve instead of Ronnie Marshall. Steve can be reached at 708-798-0879 (home) or 708-363-1538 (cell).

If you are planning on splitting a week of vacation, you must first contact me to get the week pulled. The callers cannot pull a week for you. They have to talk to me first. And if I am not available for reasons like trying to get some sleep, they are not likely to go ahead and pull a week for you. It is not their duty or obligation. And please, don’t wait until Friday night at 7 o’clock to try to get a week split for the following day.

If the situation is an emergency and you cannot get a hold of me, then contact Steve, Ronnie or Larry. But please, make sure it is an emergency if you have to resort to this measure.

Stay safe,

Tuch